Joining the U.S. Army offers an opportunity to proudly serve your country while attaining valuable job skills. But first you must make it through the Army's tough vetting process. Contrary to what some people think, enlisting is not simply a matter of signing papers at an eager recruiter's office.
Your physical and mental health will be carefully evaluated. The Army may check medical records if there are red flags about the recruit's fitness for duty. The Army often turns away individuals based on military disqualifications: mental health disorders, hearing and vision loss, underlying health conditions, poor physical fitness and obesity.
Anyone interested in enlisting should start by contacting their local recruiter, the U.S. Army website advises. You will be given information about requirements, military occupational specialties, enlistment bonuses and basic training. Assuming you're a citizen or permanent resident alien, and you're 17-34 years old, you apply by submitting contact information and paperwork such your birth certificate, social security card, academic transcripts and background check forms.
Advertisement Article continues below this adNext you will report to a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) for a day of testing. You must take and pass the Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery. Scores determine which jobs you might qualify for in the service. You will also undergo a complete physical exam to see if you have what it takes to handle boot camp and military service.
Before you can take your physical at MEPS, you must complete a detailed medical history questionnaire. The U.S. Army recommends asking your parents about any childhood illnesses, diseases or injuries. Your medical evaluation will include height and weight measurements, vision and hearing screening, blood work, urine tests and an alcohol/drug screen.
Advertisement Article continues below this adYou may be asked additional questions about your medical history during your exam. If the examining physician still has concerns, your medical records can be pulled through the medical electronic record system, or you may be instructed to obtain health records from your health care provider. If you received medical care as a dependent of a service member, those records are also accessible.
To expedite the process, you may wish to bring along health records showing that past medical or mental health conditions are no longer an issue. If you can't find medical records for MEPS, there are ways of obtaining copies. Most of the time, all you need to do is complete a release of information form provided by your physician or psychologist to have your medical records sent to the Army. If you encounter any problems or your records no longer exist, your local health department may be able to assist, Sharecare suggests.
The list of temporary or permanent disqualifiers is lengthy, but the U.S. Army makes eligibility determinations on a case-by-case basis. Examples of Department of Defense possible medical disqualifiers include night blindness, heart conditions, asthma, emphysema, cancer, vertigo, anxiety and personality disorders.
Advertisement Article continues below this adArmy doctors consider the severity of a medical condition and how the disorder might be accommodated. The Army also looks at whether mental health issues or physical illnesses occurred recently or long ago. You will be encouraged to consider joining at a later date if you have a temporary disqualifier that can be corrected by surgery, for example.
Be upfront with your recruiter about possible disqualifiers. In many situations, the U.S. Army will approve a waiver for conditions deemed unlikely to affect job performance. Lying at MEPS about medical or mental health history is a really bad idea with serious consequences, as stated on the Army enlistment contract you sign.
Because the military does not routinely pull medical records, recruits who pass their physical and reveal no prior history may get in. However, if the soldier later gets sick or injured, the Army can check medical records if an undisclosed pre-existing condition is suspected. Fraudulent enlistment can result in a court-martial, dishonorable discharge and felony prosecution punishable by up to three years in prison and a $10,000 fine, according to OurMilitary.com.