Submitting medical records to the military

Hello good people, I heard that you might need your medical records when you enlist in the military. How true is this? Thanks for the help!

When enlisting in the military, you'll be required to go through a medical examination as part of the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) process. The main purpose of this examination is to ensure that you meet the physical standards required to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces.

For this comprehensive medical evaluation, you are indeed encouraged to bring along any existing medical records. This includes documentation related to surgeries, serious illnesses, or long-term conditions. The MEPS doctors will review this documentation as they assess your medical history.

However, it should be clarified that you would not submit these records directly to the military. They are used for the MEPS medical exam. The doctors there will put together a health profile of you, which feeds into your overall enlistment qualification process.

Please note that every case is individually reviewed. Certain conditions may require additional medical evaluations or waivers, and the presentation of comprehensive medical records can help facilitate this review. Remember, honesty is critical in this process, as intentionally failing to report medical issues can have severe repercussions.

In short, it's true that your medical records can play a critical role in the military enlistment process, so it's a good idea to gather your complete health history before beginning the MEPS process.