What disqualifies you from MEPS?

MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station) can disqualify you for major issues like felony crimes, recent/heavy drug use, significant mental health disorders, certain chronic medical conditions (e.g., diabetes, severe asthma, heart issues), or being outside height/weight/vision standards, but many conditions (like past injuries, some ADHD, or single DUIs) might be waived depending on the severity, recency, and service branch's needs. Honesty with your recruiter is crucial, as hiding issues leads to disqualification.

What disqualifies you from passing MEPs?

MEPS disqualifications (Military Entrance Processing Stations) happen for various medical, legal, and physical reasons, including substance abuse, serious mental/behavioral health issues (depression, anxiety, ADHD, conduct disorders), chronic conditions (asthma, diabetes, heart problems), vision/hearing problems, obesity, felony convictions, and significant criminal history, preventing enlistment; honesty is key, as undisclosed issues lead to failure at MEPS. 

What percentage of people get disqualified from MEPS?

1.35 million applicants received a MEPS physical exam from FY2016-2020. There was an upward trend in applications from FY 2016-2019, then a drop in FY 2020. 13-16% of applicants were medically disqualified. Most common DQ categories were eye/vision, musculoskeletal, and psychiatric.

What conditions disqualify you from joining the military?

Disqualifying conditions for military service are broad, covering serious medical issues (like uncontrolled asthma, diabetes, heart disease, certain mental health disorders—schizophrenia, severe depression, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, ADHD requiring meds), physical limitations (severe scoliosis, major joint instability, color blindness, height/weight issues), and criminal history (felonies, multiple DUIs, drug offenses), with waivers possible for some. Conditions preventing physical readiness, equipment wear, or adaptability to military life are primary disqualifiers, along with substance abuse and criminal records. 

What are the most common disqualifiers for the military?

Certain medical conditions — such as asthma, diabetes, severe allergies, certain types of mental health disorders and heart problems — can disqualify individuals from joining the military due to the physical and mental demands of service.

MEPS Medical: What Actually Disqualifies You

What fails a military background check?

Illegal drug use/involvement. Mental incompetency or psychological conditions. Dishonorable discharge from the military or revoked security clearance. A history of financial problems.

Is 77% unfit to serve?

Nationwide, 77% of youth between the ages of 17 and 24 cannot qualify for the military service.” Mission: Readiness Retired admirals and generals strengthening national security by ensuring kids stay in school, stay fit, and stay out of trouble.

What permanently disqualifies you from the military?

Being permanently disqualified from military service means you don't currently meet standards due to medical, legal, or moral issues (like felonies, severe mental health conditions, certain chronic illnesses, or drug offenses) and may require a waiver, though some conditions (e.g., some severe crimes or major physical impairments) are non-waivable; however, "permanent" often just means disqualification for now, and waivers, new evaluations, or trying different branches might still lead to enlistment. 

What are the weight requirements for MEPS?

MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station) weight requirements depend on your height, gender, and age, using screening tables with maximum allowable weights; if you exceed these, a body fat measurement (tape test) determines eligibility, with higher body fat percentages disqualifying you, though some services offer waivers or fitness programs to meet standards. 

What is 3 clicks in military terms?

In military terms, "3 clicks" (often spelled klicks) means three kilometers (3 km), a common shorthand for distance, derived from the sound of a rifle's gas regulator clicking or as a shortened form of "kilometer" for clearer radio communication, though it's slang and not official. It's used to say "We're 3 klicks east," meaning 3 kilometers away, or it can refer to small rifle sight adjustments, but the distance meaning is most common. 

Who cannot be drafted?

People who cannot be drafted generally include those who are medically or mentally unfit, already serving in the military, over the draft-eligible age (usually 26 in the US), certain non-citizens, approved {!nav}conscientious objectors, {/nav}or those with specific legal exemptions like sole surviving sons or essential workers. A draft would involve classification, where physical/mental health, age, and other factors (like having dependents or essential jobs) determine eligibility, with disqualifying conditions ranging from blindness to severe learning disorders. 

Can I redo MEPS if I fail?

After the first retest, an applicant must wait an additional 1 month before testing again. After the second retest, an applicant must wait six months between all subsequent retests.

Do they give you $10,000 if you join the Army?

You could earn up to $10,000 just for reporting to Basic Training within 30 days of enlistment for certain in-demand jobs. This bonus can be combined with other enlistment bonuses to earn up to $50,000.

How much are MEPs paid?

Thus, since the 2009 elections, all MEPs receive a monthly pre-tax salary set at 38.5 percent of that of a judge at the European Court of Justice. As of July 1, 2019, the monthly salary is of €8,932.86, or just over €107,000 per year. MEPs also receive a general expenditure allowance of €4,563 per month.

What are the 5 military discharges?

The 5 main types of military discharges, from best to worst, are Honorable, General (Under Honorable Conditions), Other Than Honorable (OTH), Bad Conduct (BCD), and Dishonorable, with Uncharacterized (like Entry-Level Separation) also being a category, representing a spectrum from exemplary service to severe misconduct, significantly impacting veteran benefits and future employment. 

What to avoid before MEPS?

Before MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station), don't lie, use drugs, bring weapons/contraband, drink alcohol/caffeine/sugary drinks, wear certain clothes (no polish, revealing tops, flip-flops), or use earbuds/headphones for 48 hours, as these actions can lead to disqualification or poor test performance; instead, be honest, get rest, eat simple foods, and arrive prepared for a long day of evaluation. 

What all do they check for at MEPS?

At MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station), they conduct a thorough check of your medical, physical, and mental readiness, including vision/hearing tests, blood/urine/drug screening, height/weight, a full physical exam with movement tests (like the duck walk), a review of your medical history, and potentially the ASVAB test, to ensure you're fit for military service and to determine job eligibility. You'll also complete paperwork, get fingerprinted, and have interviews to confirm your background and intentions. 

Will MEPS disqualify me for being overweight?

Yes, MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station) can disqualify you for being overweight if you exceed your branch's height/weight standards or body fat percentage, though recruiters often help candidates get in shape, and sometimes they'll "tape" you (measure body fat) to see if you can still pass within limits, but exceeding these rules is a common reason for disqualification or delays. 

How to not get disqualified at MEPS?

Be sure to share all your medical history with your recruiter, so they can help you get the proper documentation and waiver(s) if needed. Failure to do so can result in delays at MEPS or even disqualification from enlistment.

What are the most common waivers in the military?

The two most-common conditions for which recruits seek new waivers are attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, and childhood asthma, the Defense Department said in late 2024.

How far back does a military background check go?

A military base background check typically looks back 7 to 10 years, but for sensitive roles or security clearances, it can extend further, potentially reviewing your entire history, including past juvenile records, to assess suitability, with stricter checks for higher clearance levels like Top Secret or SCI. The depth depends on the reason for the check (visitor, employment, clearance) and the level of access required.
 

Is the Army desperate for recruits in 2025?

In fiscal year 2025, the military's recruiting efforts returned to levels not seen in more than a decade. "Since November 2024, our military has seen its highest recruiting percentage of mission achieved in more than 15 years," stated Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell.

Who gets drafted for war first?

The first men drafted would be those turning age 20 during the calendar year of the lottery.

What is the new 540 rule in the Army?

In March 2023, the Army issued Directive 2023-08, creating a performance-based exemption: soldiers who scored 540 or higher on the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT), with at least 80 points in each event, no longer had to undergo circumference taping if they were determined to be overweight.