Female Physical at MEPS

I'm writing about my experience with the Physical at MEPS in the hopes it answers some female's questions about what to expect. You'll survive. I did, and I'm a quiet shy girl. Granted your experience may differ as every facility has their own way of doing things. So this is how it went at the Tampa MEPS. 


Enlistment Process

Like any enlistment process mine started out with talking to the Marine recruiter. About a week after that I'm taking the cat-asvab at MEPS. Wasn't too bad. I'd taken the paper version over two years prior. Got a higher score on the computer version. Asvab done, the recruiter schedules me for a physical within two weeks. Talking about being rushed. And I can't even 'enlist' into DEP for almost a month but I guess the sooner you get these things done the quicker the enlistment process.

The Physical
Started with waking up at 4am. I didn't have to spend the night at a hotel therefore I was able to enjoy sleeping in my own bed for about six hours. Left the house by 445 and was at the recruiter's office by 515am. The Marine office where my recruiter works has about four Marine recruiters. So besides myself there were also four other applicants, all males, going to get their physical done as well. First we were each read a list of questions about medical history and criminal background to make sure we hadn't changed our answers and everything had been covered. After that we were loaded in the van and started for MEPS. I think we were on the road by 545am. Unfortunately the 30min drive took longer than expected as we were delayed by an accident on the interstate. Fortunately they were able to call ahead and get things worked out with MEPS. I think we finally got there about 630am. By the time we got there they were already filing people in.
 Make sure you don't bring any weapons. I'm a country girl so I typically carry a pocket knife and wear a baseball cap. But when going to MEPS I had to leave both of those at home. As soon as I walked into the door with the others we were told to empty our pockets and go through the metal detector. Once through there you're directed to your liason's office. They give you a name tag that has your name, the branch you're enlisting with, and a few other things. You'll place this on the right side of your chest. They then had us go into an 'interview room'. In there I met another female who was enlisting with the Marine Corps. She was the only other future female Marine I met at the physical. The rest of the girls (7 others) were for the other branches. One of the Marines came into the room and briefed us on Fraudulent Enlistment. Once done there they sent us back out into the main hall where an Airforce woman directed us to line up with the rest of the people. They formed two lines on either side of the hall. A man then started walking down the line collecting a paper. I didn't have it on me as I'd handed my packet to the Marine and was thus empty handed. But that didn't seem to effect anything so it all worked out. They then had some of the males step out for a third line and all of the females lined up behind them. We were then filed into the main room where the Control Desk is and one at a time we went up, used some hand sanitizer, and were handed a folder with all of our papers for the process.
We then waited in line to be placed in the system or something. The lady looked at our drivers license and social security card (mine was in the packet with the Marine, but wasn't a big deal since I was already in the system from taking my ASVAB), and took our finger print on an electronic scanner. If you're not already in the system then they get your fingerprint and take your picture. Verify your birthday, location of birth, whatever.
We were directed to the Medical area. You check in at their desk and they scan your finger, ask your hair color, eye color, etc.

Medical Briefing
 We were then directed to a room for the medical briefing. The room had several rows of tables with about six chairs a row. At the front of the room was a table with two chairs beside it. There was a man doing blood pressure. You wait in line, give him your folder and he writes down your pulse and blood pressure. When done he'll hand the folder back to you and he tells you where to take a seat. When you sit down you'll notice that there is a plastic wrapper with a white tube inside it. Thats for the breathalyzer test you'll be taking at the end of the briefing.
 Our briefing started at 730am. A lieutenant came into the room and explained fraudulent enlistment and its consequences. Reviewed some of the rules at MEPS and explained when lunch would be served. His speech probably lasted about ten minutes then he left and the same guy who had done blood pressure took over. He popped up a powerpoint and went through several of the medical papers in our folders. Theres a bunch of questions who have to answer, mostly check marking. Don't start filling anything out until after hes explained it. The guy talked fast so you had to listen and keep up. He got mad at one person who didn't follow directions and threatened to kick him out if he did it again. So listen to directions and you won't get on anybody's bad side.
 Once hes done going through the paper work he gives you a paper with sticker labels. The labels have your social security number on it. On one label he had us write our full name. It was later used for the urine test. You then line up with your folder and the Breathalyzer tube for your mouth. He instructed us to pop one end through the wrapper and hand it to him like so and one by one you take the breathalyzer and he writes down the results.

Blood Test
 He then instructed myself and the rest of the females to the next area for blood tests. We sat in chairs lined against a wall and waited our turn to go into either of two 'stalls' where the person would take your folder and get what they needed from it including a sticker. I donate blood every so often so they had no trouble drawing blood from me. They stick the needle in, then collect some blood in a vile and you're good to go. They tape a cottonball to your arm and you're given back the folder and you go to the next area.

Vision Test
I was then directed to a vision test. Again had to wait but not as long. At each 'station', I strike a convo with the person next to me to pass the time. Generally they all get started the same way, "So what branch?". Granted you can just as easily look at their name tag to find out but it helps to break the ice.
When it was my turn I went in and they took my folder. I was first directed to stand a certain distance from the table where a notebook lay. The lady then flipped through about ten pages and each time I had to say what number there was. It was meant to check your color blindness. You get about 5secs to answer for each one. Goes pretty quick. I then took a seat and had to look through this thing much like a microscope but you saw a mini version of the eye chart. The lady asked me to read the smallest line I could see comfortably and did this for each eye.

Hearing Test

Once done I get my folder back and was directed to the hearing test. Again waiting. Again asking my neighbor what branch. Its actually kind of interesting to learn about everyone's different reasons. And it helps to make acquaintances since you're bound to bump into them again at some other area of MEPS. At one point while talking to the lady sitting next to me the man administering the hearing test came out of the room and grabbed folders from the six of us sitting there and then he went back in. A few minutes later he came back in and directed those of us whos folders he'd taken to come in. He then calls your name and tells you the number of your station. You step inside a Container/room that is 'sound proof' and has eight stations. At each station is a stool for you to sit on. After listening to the man's directions you then place the headphones over your ears exactly as he said to and pick up the clicker. He'll then close the door and the test starts. A male voice comes over the headphones explaining the test and then you push the button on the clicker everytime you hear a beep. They vary in pitch so just relax and breath out of your mouth so you can hear them better. When you finish it the male voice comes back on to say that you are done. You wait until the man opens the door and then you can take the headphones off and step out. He then staples a printout to one of the papers in your folder and writes some numbers and hands it back to you.

Urine Test

I was then directed to the female examination room. I arrived with another female who had taken the hearing test at the same time. One of the Airforce ladies from earlier appeared and asked if we were ready for our urine test. She then escorted us through a door. When we first entered there was a curtain which we stepped past. On the opposite wall was a sliding window that opened to a room where the medical personnel were probably working on the blood and urine they'd collect throughout the day. To the right was the bathroom area. There were two stalls and on the opposite wall was two sinks and a mirror covering the width of the wall.
We were each directed to peep off the sticker that had our name on it and it was placed halfway on a plastic cup that you'd use to collect the urine. You then take a stall and do your thing. The Airforce lady held the stall doors open and watched by the mirror. Unfortunately I wasn't as ready as I'd hoped so I had to try again later. You get stuck drinking water and when you HAVE to go not even nervousness should keep you from giving a sample, lol. Once you've filled your cup half way you place it on the floor in front of you and finish your business. You're then directed to pick up the cup and stand by the window with your back against the wall. A medical person will show up at the window and have you place the cup in a tray. While he poured some of it into another container I was instructed to use the hand sanitizer. After the dude did what he needed to do I signed a paper. I then had to take what was left in the original container, flush it, toss the container in the trash, and wash my hands.

Height and Weight
Back in the female examination room you have to strip down to your underwear so they can take your height and weight. As weird as it is to be in your underwear it actually wasn't that bad. I had been dreading this part but you start to realize that everyone is nervous and it doesn't seem that bad. And when you're one of nine chicks and you're all in your underwear it isn't that embarrassing.
You give your folder to the lady and she has you step on a scale so she can take your weight. Then you stand against the wall and they use then attached to the wall that slides up and down to get your exact height. They slide it down till it touches your head, you step away, and they read the height. If your 66.5 then they round up to 67. She then looked at some papers on the wall which were the height/weight charts for each branch. If you don't fit within the weight bracket then you have to be taped.

Examination

After our height and weight we were directed to take off our underwear and put on a blue gown. Its a cheap paper thing with a slit on one side. The slit has to be at the front. Wear it like a robe basically and you can tie it shut while you're waiting your turn for the doc. It does suck to be literally naked but again everyone else is as well so it doesn't feel that weird.
This part took the longest. First we had to wait for the doc to show up (turned out a few of the doctors had taken the day off), then we had to wait for each girl to get through her examination. Depending on your medical history your examination can be pretty quick or take a little more time. I have no medical problems and such so mine went pretty quick. While we waited we chatted with eachother. Introductions started out with finding out branches and from there it was whatever came up. When the first girl got our from her examination we found out from her what to expect.

When your name is called you go into the room where the doctor is and one of the female personnel. First I had to take a seat, which felt weird cause now I was the only person in the room without all of my clothes on. And I was dreading the 'stirrups' since I've never done that before. The doc looked over my folder and asked questions about doing drugs and my last period etc. I think he was from china or something, pretty thick accent so I really had to concentrate on what he said. I was then directed to stand up. He had me follow a light with my eyes, without moving my head. Then he looked at each eye with one of those handheld things. Then you go 'ahh'.
Nows the part where you just patiently wait for the examination to be over, lol.

He got his stethoscope and had me hold my left breast to the side as he listened to my heart. Then I had to turn around and he pulled the gown down so he could listen to my breathing by placing the stethoscope on my back and having me breath in and out. Then it was onto the table, slide down so your butt is at the edge and place feet in the 'stirrups'. He takes a look at your vagina, nothing is inserted. Then its onto your side so he check your butt, guess it was for hemorrhoids. Then you roll onto your back and he checks your stomach by pressing on it with his hands then he gropes your breasts checking for whatever. And that was pretty much it. You get off the table, straighten your 'robe', take your folder, and go back out to the other girls.

Physical Exercises
We changed back into our underwear for this part. We lined up along one side of the room and did as they female told us to while the doctor watched. Um, memory is a little hazy so I might not remember everything, and the order we did them is probably off. But heres the ones I do remember.
(1) First was some hand movements. Elbows at 90 degrees so the arm below elbow is parallel with floor. Keeping the arms still with elbows against your body you do the following stuff: open and close your hand, move the hand up and down, side to side, rotate in a circular fashion, touch your fingers to your thumb, etc.
(2) Turn around to face the wall and you bend one knee so you can grab the ankle with your hand. Can't use the wall to balance yourself. Doc walks down the row looking at the bottom of your foot. And you do the same thing for the other side.
(3) Walk on your heels a few paces. And walk on your toes a few paces.
(4) Swing your arms like a windmill, start by making an 'A' over your head and swing them behind you. If your going too slow they'll tell you to go faster.
(5) Stand with feet together and arms pointed straight out in front of you. Hands flat, palms against eachother. As you swing your arms open (like the chick on titanic), you go up on your toes.
(6) Have arms straight up, like your reaching for the sky, then you bring them down to your sides quickly, but stop without slapping your sides.
(7) Starting with the right foot, stand on the left and lift your right foot so your knee is slightly bent. Rotate foot at the ankle. Then point toes up, down, clench toes like a 'fist'. Then you'll bend your knee some more and have your toes pointed up, ankle down. They'll have you kick towards the front but you don't touch the ground. So keep balancing on that left foot. Then you lift the right foot up again, toes still up, and kick towards the back, again not touching the ground.
 And you do the same stuff with the other foot.
(8) You're gonna do some squats with your hands on your hips.
(9) Walk on your knees.
(10) One by one you duck walk. We could either have our hands on our hips or our knees. You're in the squatting position and while keeping your butt down you step, making sure to do heel to toe. You duck walk about five paces out, then back. You can't be 'cute' when you're doing the duck walk, so just get those knees apart and waddle across the floor in a most unflattering manner like everyone else, lol. And take your time.
(11) Back in the squatting position, hands on your hips, and thighs pressed together, one at a time you drop to your knees. You need both knees to slap the floor at the same time.
(12) Last thing we did was do a fast walk from one side of the room to the other. Most of the girls were fine. But with one girl and myself the lady pointed out to the doc that we walked with one shoulder lower than the other. The doc didn't seem worried about it though. So I 'passed' my physical.

Throw your clothes back on and wait for the doc to give you your folder. Our examination, from urine test to the exercises lasted from about 930am to 1pm due to all the waiting. We were then directed to the Medical desk to basically 'check out' of the medical area. Again waiting in line. When its your turn you give them your folder, scan finger. They go through some papers, etc. You are then directed to go back to your liaison. Since the females got done 5mins before lunch was over, the guy at the desk told me to get lunch first then see my liaison. So I rushed over to the cafeteria and got a turkey sub. Nothing great but better then nothing when your last meal was at 430am.

Liaison
The guy at the medical desk had handed me some papers before I'd gone to lunch so when I got to the liaison area I knocked on my branches office door. While waiting for one of the Marines I noticed the four guys I'd ridden with in the morning. Turns out they'd gotten done at 11am and had been waiting for me, lol.
One of the Marines took my papers and when it was my turn had me come in. Asked me some more questions about whether I'd done drugs, traffic violations, etc. I then had to sign some papers for the background check. One of the Marines gave me some papers and had me go to the main control desk as they wanted me to get fingerprinted. At the control desk they gave me back my folder and I was directed to the Processing area.

Fingerprints
In the processing area I had to wait with a few others. Luckily they were familiar faces. One female which had gone through the physical with me, and two males (twin brothers), one of which I'd talked to while waiting for the vision test. While waiting we passed the time chatting about the ASVAB, medical processing, and our enlistments. I think the brothers were going Navy, and the girls was probably Army.
Finally at some point the people were ready for us. One lady took me to a cubicle where she scanned my finger, brought up my file and asked me who I'd want my last paycheck and such to go to. She then had to check with another person about the fingerprinting.
Since I wasn't enlisting till March they were asked to 'hold' my fingerprints and wait to send them until I actually 'enlisted'.
I was then taken to a computer for fingerprinting. They had to redo several of my prints because of the scars from working outside.

Done
Once completed with that I had to go back to my liaison. Gave them the papers I was handed and they told me to call my recruiter as I was done. By then it was 240pm. In the waiting room of the Liaison section I noticed the guys were gone so I called my recruiter. He said the other Marine recruiter was there, so he called him and told him I was ready. Turns out he was waiting in the van with the rest of the guys. So he came back inside, got me, turned in my name tag at the Main Control Desk, and I was free!

I go back in a month to 'enlist' into the DEP. I believe thats when I do the job selection and first contract.