The Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) is where applicants for military service complete the final steps of their enlistment process. Its primary function is to determine an applicant’s physical, mental, and moral qualification to serve in the United States Armed Forces, ensuring they meet the Department of Defense’s health standards. This comprehensive medical examination often leads prospective recruits to question whether routine screening for conditions like Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) is included.
Understanding the MEPS Medical Examination
The medical assessment at MEPS is a multi-step process designed to evaluate an applicant’s physical readiness for military training and deployment. The process begins with a review of the applicant’s medical history, submitted beforehand on the DD Form 2807-2, which informs the staff of any pre-existing conditions that may require a waiver. Following the records review, the applicant undergoes a series of physical and laboratory tests. The physical examination includes checks of vital signs, vision, and hearing, and a physician assesses range of motion, joint stability, and checks the external genitalia to identify any current physical limitations.
Specific Testing Protocols for STIs
The laboratory portion of the MEPS medical examination involves the collection of blood and urine samples for mandated screening purposes. Blood is routinely tested for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) antibody. The urine sample screens for illicit substances, general health indicators like protein and glucose, and pregnancy for female applicants.
Routine screening for the Herpes Simplex Virus is generally not included in this mandatory battery of laboratory tests. However, the physical examination component identifies any active lesions or sores, which necessitates an immediate diagnostic evaluation. If symptoms are present or if the applicant has a disclosed history of the virus, a medical examiner may order further diagnostic testing, such as a swab of an active sore, to confirm the diagnosis.
Eligibility Standards and Herpes Simplex Virus
The presence of the Herpes Simplex Virus alone is not a permanently disqualifying condition for military service; eligibility hinges on the stability and severity of the infection. Department of Defense medical accession standards focus on whether the condition would interfere with duty performance or deployment readiness, distinguishing between simply carrying the virus and having frequent or severe outbreaks.
The military’s medical guidance considers a history of genital infection or ulceration, including herpes, to be a disqualifying factor if certain criteria are met. These criteria include the presence of current, active lesions at the time of the examination, resulting in a temporary disqualification until the outbreak resolves. Additionally, a history requiring continuous suppressive antiviral medication, a pattern of three or more outbreaks per year, or any outbreak in the past 12 months severe enough to interfere with normal daily activities may cause permanent disqualification.
If the condition is documented but stable and does not meet the specified severity criteria, an applicant may still need to apply for a medical accession waiver. This allows authorities to review the history and determine if the condition is manageable.