Failing the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) can feel like a devastating blow to your military aspirations, but it’s often not the end of the road. MEPS evaluates your physical, medical, moral, and administrative qualifications for enlistment across all U.S. Armed Forces branches. A “failure” typically means disqualification in one or more areas, such as medical conditions, fitness tests, drug screens, or background issues. The good news? Retakes and waivers are possible, depending on the reason and your branch’s policies. Here’s a breakdown of your options.
Temporary vs. Permanent Disqualifications
Most failures are classified as temporary disqualifications (TDQ), which allow for a redo. Common examples include:
- Medical issues: High blood pressure from nerves, minor vision/hearing problems, or treatable conditions like asthma. You may need to provide doctor documentation or wait for resolution (e.g., 90 days for a retest).
- Physical fitness: Failing push-ups, sit-ups, or a run? Train and retake—MEPS often offers same-day retests for tests like the Differential Perception (DP) exam.
- Administrative/moral: Incomplete paperwork or minor legal issues can be fixed with waivers.
For permanent disqualifications (PDQ)—like chronic diseases (e.g., diabetes, epilepsy), severe orthopedic problems, or tattoos interfering with uniforms—you’ll need a waiver. Recruiters submit these to the branch’s headquarters, backed by evidence like medical records or character references. Approval rates vary (e.g., higher for fitness than moral waivers), but persistence pays off.
Steps to Redo MEPS
- Consult your recruiter immediately: They’re your guide. They’ll review your status and schedule a return visit if eligible. Expect a “final inspect” for height/weight and updates.
- Address the issue: Get civilian medical proof, enroll in rehab if needed, or improve fitness. For drug test failures, branches often impose a 90-day to 1-year wait, with possible waivers after clean retests—though it’s a major red flag and rarely forgiven without strong justification.
- Prepare thoroughly: Sleep well, eat right, and study ASVAB sections. Bring all docs to avoid delays.
- Reapply if denied: If waived and you fail again, you can request another waiver, but repeated issues hurt chances. Some switch branches (e.g., Army to Navy) for looser standards.
Real stories abound: Applicants with failed eye exams retake after better prep, or BP waivers sail through with two clean civilian readings. Remember, MEPS upholds high standards to ensure you’re service-ready, but the military needs motivated recruits. Stay determined—over 20% of enlistees need waivers annually. If permanent, consider Officer Candidate School or civilian roles as bridges back.
In short, yes, you can often redo MEPS, but success hinges on fixing the root cause and recruiter support. Don’t give up; your journey might just build the resilience the military values most.