HPSP and MEPS

[nitvbasgims12]

Hello everyone,

I have seriously been considering the HPSP route. I am from a military family and the military has always appealed to me. I recently began talking to a recruiter and he said there’s still time and that I’m very competitive (3.93 and 514) for the program. My only concern is that I have a fair amount of weight to lose. I used to be very active in high school but then college hit me like a truck. I’m not very far off from where I want to be for the fitness test but I know that I need to weigh in for MEPS and to meet those requirements (whether weight or the tape test).

At what point do most applicants for HPSP go to MEPS? Also, does anyone know where the “hip” measurement for women is in the tape test? I have read in some places that it’s over the bottom and others that it’s the widest potion of your abdomen.

Thank you!

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[xffan624]

Hello everyone,

I have seriously been considering the HPSP route. I am from a military family and the military has always appealed to me. I recently began talking to a recruiter and he said there’s still time and that I’m very competitive (3.93 and 514) for the program. My only concern is that I have a fair amount of weight to lose. I used to be very active in high school but then college hit me like a truck. I’m not very far off from where I want to be for the fitness test but I know that I need to weigh in for MEPS and to meet those requirements (whether weight or the tape test).

At what point do most applicants for HPSP go to MEPS? Also, does anyone know where the “hip” measurement for women is in the tape test? I have read in some places that it’s over the bottom and others that it’s the widest potion of your abdomen.

Thank you!

The recruiter couldn't answer these questions? Don't worry about spooking them about weight (assuming they haven't met you in person) their job is to get you to sign and weight is a common issue they deal with given the current obesity rates in the U.S. Just be careful about anything that contradicts what you already know. I had a friend whose recruiter told her she could do her pushups on her knees for the old APFT.

 

[nitvbasgims12]

Thank you, I’m just filling out the qualification form right now and it asks for height and weight. I have already told my recruiter that I have a little ways to go but hadn’t given him any numbers and he said I just needed to hit it before MEPS but never clarified when that might be. I saw some people online went in March but for enlisted, it was right before boot camp so I was trying to figure out how much time I have and if it would even be realistic.

 

[11BtoMD]

So usually they won’t send you to meps until you can pass height and weight. And it’s measured at the neck while chin is parallel to the ground, the waist at narrowest point, and hips at the greatest protrusion of gluteal muscle. (Source AR 600-9) use the charts in 600-9 to see if you pass or fail. In a pinch preparation h and Saran Wrap will take off a bit from the waist measurement but it is only temporary.

 

[11BtoMD]

Also if u push ur tongue to the roof of your mouth hard while they measure your neck you can get an extra .5-1 inch

 

[manhattalorian]

What kind of weight loss we talking here? Have you looked at the height and weight standard you're closest to? Had a lot of friends get taped and it is what it is. Are you getting passing scores on PT tests? If you have questions PM me. I was in the navy for 9 years.

 

[nitvbasgims12]

What kind of weight loss we talking here? Have you looked at the height and weight standard you're closest to? Had a lot of friends get taped and it is what it is. Are you getting passing scores on PT tests? If you have questions PM me. I was in the navy for 9 years.

I need to lose about 30 pounds. I’m not far from passing the fitness tests and I have been working out every day with HIIT workouts and occasional runs. The only thing I’m struggling with are the push-ups. I’m over halfway to where I want to be with those though and I just started actually doing those and recording myself. I have a really narrow waist but it’s my hips that are going to be a problem. I used to play a lot of soccer and run cross country and they have just always been big. I cut out all sweets and junk food in November and I’ve already lost over 20 pounds. My diet and lifestyle were pretty bad before that. I have a lot more energy than I used to and I’m pretty invested in the weight loss, even if I don’t make it in time for HPSP. Even when I was really out of shape, I was still active with hikes and walks. The abs section is really easy for me and I don’t think it will difficult for me to max out on those. I know I have a lot of weight to lose or at least slimming down on my hips and I don’t even know if it’s reasonable in this time frame but the last few weeks haven’t been bad at all and I finally feel like I’m actually getting enough protein and vegetables in my diet.

 

[manhattalorian]

I don't think your hips are going to be "the problem." In fact it sounds like you don't have a problem. Seems like you have your head in the game with your plan too. Just do what you're doing with the push-ups and run a bit more without going too hard too fast that you get shin splints. Assaukt bike or stationary bike to drop lbs without the knee compression. Good luck!

 

[chssoccer7]

The Navy test is much easier to pass than it used to be. If you fail the weigh in, you get taped and if your waist circumference is 39" or lower, you're good. If not, then they'll do the waist circumference minus the neck measurement to get a body fat percentage. Being below the max weight for your height can be difficult if you have any muscle at all and are an average height (At 5 foot 11, my max weight is 192 which is a number I haven't been under since I started working out years ago). However, if you are in decent shape, the 39" number for waist circumference is very easy to be under. I've been approximately 20-25 pounds over my max weight for the last 5 years but my waist circumference is always 34 or 35 so it's good to go.

As far as the physical fitness test, if you run at all, you will pass. We are moving to planks for the abs (~2 minutes is passing for all ages), pushups, and the 1.5 mile run. The only thing I see people routinely fail for is not getting the run done in time. depending on your age, which as a college student i'm assuming you're low 20's, you have somewhere around 13 minutes to 13.5 minutes. Just run 2-3 miles a couple times a week and you will pass with little struggle.

 

[Deltasidearm]

You must go to and pass MEPS before you can be accepted for the scholarship. This means that you go to MEPS sometime the year before you plan on accepting and using the scholarship. MEPS is valid for two years and the passing standards used are the same for returning veterans, not new enlistees, because you are an officer candidate.

I attended MEPS myself in 2019, was awarded the scholarship, and ultimately decided not to accept it. Feel free to PM me any questions you have or if you want to talk about the process at all.

 

[nitvbasgims12]

You must go to and pass MEPS before you can be accepted for the scholarship. This means that you go to MEPS sometime the year before you plan on accepting and using the scholarship. MEPS is valid for two years and the passing standards used are the same for returning veterans, not new enlistees, because you are an officer candidate.

I attended MEPS myself in 2019, was awarded the scholarship, and ultimately decided not to accept it. Feel free to PM me any questions you have or if you want to talk about the process at all.

About when would I go to MEPS? All my recruiter says is after I get my medical forms filled out. I want to delay it as long as possible to lose weight/narrow down my hips but not push it so far back that I’m not able to get the scholarship? Would April or May be too late? Would my recruiter just wait until I got to a passing weight? Thanks!

 

[Deltasidearm]

About when would I go to MEPS? All my recruiter says is after I get my medical forms filled out. I want to delay it as long as possible to lose weight/narrow down my hips but not push it so far back that I’m not able to get the scholarship? Would April or May be too late? Would my recruiter just wait until I got to a passing weight? Thanks!

Honestly, it depends on how on top of things your recruiter is. You want to be on the earliest selection boards. But getting MEPS done in June or July the year before matriculation is plenty early enough