Hi,
So i'm applying for the army hpsp and i had my MEPS physical last week. Every branch has the same physical.
i'll give you a rundown of the events for my MEPS station. This may differ (very slightly I'd imagine), but here is my experience anyway:
So I got there super early, around like 6:30 AM. You go through a scanner (like airport security), place all of your belongings in a bin in a designated area, and then check in at a desk. Here you'll have your picture taken, fingerprints scanned, and you will be given an ID badge. I personally didn't leave any valuables in a bin (per the advice of my recruiter). I just brought my cell phone (yes you can bring a cell phone but it has to be silent or turned off), and an envelope with some important documents.
After that they'll tell you to go to go to a classroom. Here you'll be doing some paperwork, and doing the breathlyzer test. After this, they'll tell you to go to your first physical test room: the tests that you have to get done at MEPS are: vision ("read the lines to the best of your ability", etc.), hearing ("push a button when you hear a beeping noise"), urine test (they watch you pee..extremely awkward, but it's gotta be done), blood test, your 1 on 1 physical with the doctor, and then the maneuvers test.
The physical stuff in your underwear: a group of about 6-8 of us were in a room. We had to strip down to our underwear and wait to be seen by the doctor who checks you out..thoroughly. You'll be asked a series of questions about your health, and you'll be given a checkup to see that you're fit. This is the part where they "grill" you about health issues. Then, once 6-8 people are done with the individual physicals, they'll have you all do the physical maneuvers in your underwear. Nothing difficult here...they just have you do basic stuff like touching your toes, showing your leg mobility, kicking, touching your shoulders, and doing the duck walk (not hard at all).
Once this is all done you get a bagged lunch and just hang out in the waiting area until they're done getting all of your day's paperwork in order. Once that's done, they'll hand you a copy, and you go back down to the check in desk to check out. Your recruiter has to escort you out.
All in all, I was done by around 2 o'clock (I was a little slower haha). There was a lot of disorganization and waiting involved, but it isn't too bad if you talk to some other people that are there. If your processing station is extremely efficient, you could be out by 1 earliest. It all depends on the staff and the amount of people there. Remember, you're going to be there with enlisted people too...and while you get a direct commission sticker/badge that you have to wear, you aren't given any preferential treatment.
With all of that said, don't be nervous at all...seriously. I was expecting people to be yelling at me and being all in my face....but there was none of that at all. Everyone was extremely respectful, courteous, and professional.
Let me know if you have any questions.
