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MEPS Physical

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stevew

*********
Here's the story. I am schedulaed for my physical at MEPS next week and my OSO sad that I should be there at 0500. He said that I should be out by 1200, and that if I get there early I might be out by 1000. I am wondering, what in the world takes so long? How much poking, prodding, and paperwork could there possibly be? I imagine that a majority of the time will be spent waiting around doing nothing. I remember seeing somewhere that only the enlistees have to get there so early but the Officer candidates can show up whenever they want and they can wiz in and out in an hour or two and get to cut all of the lines. I am assuming that the Sgt. coming with me from my recruiting office doesn't know any of this stuff, just like they didn't know about the PRK waiver as mentioned in a different thread. So can someone please give me the real deal on this whole MEPS physical thing. IF anyone has been to MEPS in NYC that would be a big help.

Thanks,

Steve
 
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riley

Registered User
Steve,

I've only been through the Dallas MEPS, so I can't tell you any specifics about NYC. But I can give you an overall idea of why the big, long wait.

I'd follow your OSO's advice and get there by 0500. That should be plenty early. I waltzed into the MEPS at 0545 and got stuck behind a lot of kids going in as enlisted - they lined them up in groups to go in. Thankfully for officer candidates they assume you can find your way and they let me cut in front of them to get through the door. Some stuff you can get out of the way pretty quick - i.e. blood pressure, pulse, eyes, etc. However, I had to stand in line like everyone else. I told them I was there for a commisioning physical and they just gave me a blank look and told me to stand in line. The hearing test takes a lot of time because you have to wait outside for two or three cycles before you can go. Also, everyone has an interview with a doctor after the majority of the tests are done. There are only two or three doctors for a group of 50 - 100 guys. There are two areas that bottleneck and cause the most time. They gather everyone in a room to fill out paperwork and take a breathalyzer test - you have to sit and wait for them to fill up the entire room. Of course there are always the morons that have a question for everything so that takes even longer. Then there is the agility tests and the infamous "duck walk". They again gather you up in a room. People come in in ones and twos from the other stations, so it is another good wait before they even start.

Then after all of that you have to wait for them to sign off on your file and call your name - which takes another good long time.

Bottom line is that this is a government run facility - meaning they will get to you when they are good and ready. Don't expect any special treatment as an officer candidate - they'll just put you in with everyone else. Your experience, or for that matter - others on this forum, might be different - you might luck out and there might not be that many people going through MEPS that day. The people there might not screw up your paperwork. They might give you special priveleges as an officer.

The problem, though, is that is a lot of what if's - I'd go in there with the idea that there will be long lines and it will take until noon. That way, if it isn't the case you will be presently surprised, and if it is the case you won't be pissed like I was the whole time.


Long answer. Hope this helps.
 
FrogFly

FrogFly

Knibb High Football Rules!
Just don't subscribe to the misconception that you're entitled to anything more than the other men that are there too, just because you're planning on going the officer route. Be prepared to stand in long lines and wait your turn, just as if you were renewing your drivers license - where you have no bigger advantage than the guy next to you. It's no big deal. They have a lot of people going through and they're fairly understaffed and undermotivated.
 
slasher

slasher

OCC 186 Bound
Ditto what he said- I would go in expecting that scenario. However, I've been to MEPS both for an enlisted physical and an officer's one, and let me tell you, the commissioning physical was much easier to tolerate.

I sauntered in for an 0800 appointment, got my package and completed the stations at my leisure, cutting in front of groups as I saw fit. Heh heh. It felt nice being in control of my own package and not being herded around like cattle(as I was on enlisted side) seemingly too stupid to be trusted with my own medical file.
 
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stevew

*********
Thanks for the replies everyone. If I walk in at like 0800 what time do you think I will get out? Is there a cutoff time that they stop accepting candidates for the physical?
Thanks for the info,
Steve
 
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navsup

BDCP Supply
One more thing dont drink the night before at the hotel and expect to pass the the breathalizer. About 5 or 10 people went out drinking the night before when I was at meps. Two guys, one a college graduate, trying to go army airborne, failed the test and lost his chance of getting in.
 
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NuSnake

*********
does the phrase, "hurry up and wait" mean anything to you. haha. but for real, get there early and get out of there. I got there at about 0530 or so, maybe a little later, and the only reason i got there early was because they woke all of us up at the hotel so i figured since i was already up i might as well go. The earlier you get there the sooner you will leave. I was there from 0530 till about noon. It was a busy day that day I think. People shipping out and all. Hope this helps, if it doesnt, oh well...guess ill just be adding to my stars......
 
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