The U.S. military does not publish an official, real-time percentage of applicants who fail the medical examination at the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS). However, reports from military leaders and service organizations consistently indicate that a significant portion of young Americans are medically disqualified.

Available data suggests that approximately 70% to 77% of young Americans aged 17 to 24 are ineligible to serve in the military without receiving some form of waiver. The physical exam at MEPS is a primary reason for this ineligibility. While this figure includes other disqualifiers like low test scores and criminal records, medical issues are a leading cause.

The most common medical reasons for failure include:

Obesity and poor physical fitness, which is the single largest medical disqualifier.
Chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes, or heart issues.
Poor vision or hearing that cannot be corrected to military standards.
Musculoskeletal injuries or previous surgeries that limit mobility.
Mental health history, including treatment for ADHD, depression, or anxiety.

It is important to note that a medical disqualification is not always permanent. For many conditions, applicants can apply for a medical waiver. The waiver process involves submitting extensive medical records for review by a higher authority in the desired service branch. Approval depends on the condition’s severity, stability, and the current needs of the military.

For context on other enlistment topics, you can read about Army enlistment bonuses.

For official insights into military recruitment and health trends, you can refer to reports from the U.S. Department of Defense or statements from service leaders archived by news outlets like Military Times.