I've decided to post my MEPs experience to let those who have medical issues know, it is possible if you cover all your bases before going to MEPs.

I was a former Div.1 college athlete. I have had multiple injuries and several surgeries. I had cancer at 17(Melanoma Insitu). My body has basically been through hell and back and still keeps moving. My recruiter did not think I was going to clear MEPs with how thick my medical packet was, but I covered all my bases. I'll explain what I had, what cleared and how you can do the same, by being vigilant and well prepared.

If you have Medical Insurance USE IT before MEPS get everything looked over, and get letted of recommendation from every doctor you see.

MEPs will do what's called a PUHLES on you.

physical

upper extremities

lower extremities

hearing

eyes (vision)

sych (psych)

You want to recieve a picket fence a "1" in each category, if you do, you will be medically qualified for military service.

What ever you do, LIST EVERYTHING. I am an example of how someone who had a history of MULTIPLE AILMENTS CAN BE QUALIFIED. HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY. TELL THEM EVERYTHING. NO MATTER WHAT THE RECRUITER TELLS YOU, I told my recruiter I would not LIE, and that we must submit everything.

Here begins my story.

Getting entrance into MEPs(Pre-Screen)

--- Melanoma Insitu in 2005. I had it evasively removed from my lower back which left a long linear scar on my back. I went and saw a dermatologist before MEPs and was cleared with no re-occurrence and full recovery. Military classifys Melanoma as cleared as long as documentation proves no re-occurrence in 5 years. Since I provided this information, I was granted access to go through MEPs for processing.

And so began my PULHES. I will review each one of my major hurdles, and then tell you how I am one step away from the picket fence.

>>Physical, being a former college athlete I cleared this with a breeze; Pulse was 60 beats per minute Blood Pressure: 120/60(Roughly) No lumps or bumps. Excellent lung function. 5'9" 191 Pounds. (( For those athletes out there like me I have roughly 6% body fat)) MILITARY DOES NOT CARE ABOUT MUSCULAR BUILD. THE STANDARD IS A HEIGHT WEIGHT. THEY HAVE LIMITS FOR EACH HEIGHT, I JUST MADE MINE 192. IF I WAS OVER AS STUPID AS IT SOUNDS THEY WOULD MEASURE MY BODY FAT IF I DIDN'T FALL WITH IN RANGE--- INSTANT DQ(With deferrment to re-test after a given amount of time)--- But, I made the weight requirement for my height, this saved time at MEPS.


>>Upper Extremitys, Here's the first hurdle, 7 months before MEPs I had Posterior Labral surgery on my shoulder, I basically ripped the labral into shreds in a sparring match while training for MMA competition. This kind of tear is extremley serious can cause easy dislocation of the shoulder unless properly repaired. I had the surgery done, by one of the best doctors in the area, followed his instruction to a T. After the arthroscopic surgery I was back in the gym in 4 months with 3 anchors in my shoulder maintaining the labrums position. Pain was gone, full strength regained. Before going to MEPs I had 3 professional, board certified orthopedic physcians test and certify my shoulder and write up their findings. I was cleared medically by all three for FULL ACTIVITY WITH COMPLETE ROM AND STRENGTH, FULLY HEALED.

Secondary hurdle for Upper extremity, was a Navicular Fracture in my right wrist which I damaged in 2007 wrestling in a college tournament. It was casted for 4-8 weeks healed fully. I was told by the MEPs Doctor that this is usually immediate DQ as the Navicular is a hard bone to heal, and can cause later issues, but he saw I had full ROM and Strength and reviewed the documents I had brought. I had those same orthophyscians run tests on the wrist also, gained full ROM and a full activity clearance letter. He reviewed those and decided I needed an orthoconsult for this and several other things you will read about shortly.

-- I had my recruiter attach these documents-- with my MEPs documents before MEPs day(Brought copies in seperate folder).

>>Lower Extremitys, hurdle number 3. I had a MCL strain in 2003 while in highschool I had strained it in wrestling practice. They classified it as 1st degree MCL tear(Possibly) or strain. I had to wear a brace for a month and go through rehab, NO SURGERY. I had those same orthophysicians review, and test my knee, all cleared stability and strength of knee joint, full ROM. Brought that paper work with me to MEPs. MEPs doctor reviewed said this was to be apart of my orthoconsult.


>>HEARING, this I did NOT expect to be a hurdle, but it became my 4th one. An this is why I suggest to all to get fully checked thoroughly by all doctors if you have medical, before going to MEPs. The hearing test they do at MEPs is very basic. My left ear passed with flying colors, my right not so much, even after two tests. I was classfied a 3 in this category and recommended a waiver. I was in total shock. I knew I'd clear my ortho consult, but this was entirely unexpected. The MEPs doctor said I was 05 DBs from passing. I was only off by 05DB on one frequency. "Just my Luck"


>>Eyes, I never really had vision problems and my optometrist said I was 0.05 off on one eye(Near sighted) He said I could get glasses if I wanted too, since they were free because of medical, I got them back in college so I could read the board when sitting the back of class. I was still classified as 20/20 with out them. When I went to MEPs I disclosed this information(DO NOT BE AFRAID TO DISCLOSE INFO) and passed the eye exam with flying colors, 20/20 each eye.

For the final PULHES I was not required to test for anything in it automatic 1. Some people will be required to because of a history. I had none I was good.


So, what happen?

Well the MEPs doctor after all the tests reviewed my documents(Thickest packet in the building) I was given 100311 and recommended consult for my ortho and highley recommended waiver for hearing. Which later i'd find my mild hearing loss was attributed to congestion in my right side hahaha "SO MAKE SURE YOU SEE YOUR PERSONAL DOCTORS BEFORE YOU GO!!"

The Army put me back up in the hotel for another night. Back to MEPs in the AM for some more waiting and than taken to the ortho-consult. Went through the consult with a breeze as I expected. The MEPs doctor review the consults findings and requested to read over my personal doctors clearances. After reading over all this material, and me standing at attention infront of him for 15 minutes. He looked up and said, you should be grateful for the body you have been blessed with, because it heals better than most. I was granted the 111311. ALMOST THERE!!!! SO CLOSE!! Everyone that was waiting as an Inspect gained some hope. An I was congratulated by some of my MEPs Processing buddies I had made. I just hope the inspects did what I did and covered their bases, all of them.

I then proceeded to request a waiver from the Army for hearing. It is a waiting game 3-6 days. In the interim I scheduled an appointment to see an Ear,Nose,Throat doctor in my area along with Audiologist testing. When I did this they discovered I had the partially impaired hearing from some congestion build up on the right side of my head, when it was cleared I had near perfect hearing again. I had them write a letter describing and documenting what had caused the impairment. I kept this and waited to hear back from my recruiter about the results of the waiver, if the waiver cleared and dropped to a 2. This documentation would help me at reception when they found my hearing was near perfect some how in my right ear now.

An so I waited, and waited. An currently am waiting. You will find out the result when I do. But, realize, AMAT VICTORIUM CURAM. Victory loves preparation. If you set yourself up for success, with intergrity and honesty. Things tend to work out. As I said earlier I should have done the hearing doctor and didn't before MEPs because I thought it was fine, had I done it, I would of cleared the MEPs hearing test because that congestion would have been relieved. I would of had the picket fence of 1's.

I hope this information inspired some that felt detered about even trying.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ND26RB,

All I can say is congratulations man.
This is 100% what people should look to do if they have your situation or anything like it.
Be open and honest and most importantly patient and good things can and do happen!
I applaud you for what you've overcome and for sharing it with others!

I feel the need to add to it.

If you have this many medical problems, put it all on the DD 2807-2 and give the med docs to the recruiter to do a med read.

Most MEPS, including the two I work with, will boot someone from the floor pending a med read when someone discloses something not already listed on their 2807-2 prior to going there.