Do meps have any power?

Yes, the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) has significant power and authority in the U.S. military enlistment process. MEPS serves as the final gatekeeper that determines whether an applicant is medically, mentally, and morally qualified to join the armed forces. Its decisions are based on strict Department of Defense (DoD) standards and carry substantial weight.

The primary powers and functions of MEPS include:

• Authority to Qualify or Disqualify: MEPS conducts the official physical examination, administers the ASVAB test, verifies legal and moral credentials, and performs the final review of an applicant’s entire file. A failure in any of these areas at MEPS results in a formal disqualification from enlistment.
• Medical Determination Power: Physicians and medical staff at MEPS have the final say on an applicant’s medical fitness for service according to DoD regulations. They identify disqualifying conditions and can initiate the process for a medical waiver, which must be approved by the specific service branch.
• Administrative and Screening Authority: MEPS verifies an applicant’s identity, citizenship, education, and criminal history. They also conduct the mandatory drug test. Any discrepancy or issue found during this screening can halt the enlistment process.
• Oversight of the Enlistment Contract: The official enlistment contract is signed at MEPS, swearing the individual into the Delayed Entry Program or active duty. MEPS personnel ensure all contractual obligations and bonuses are correctly documented.

It is important to understand that while MEPS has the power to disqualify, the final decision to grant a waiver for a disqualification rests with the specific branch of service (Army, Navy, etc.) to which the applicant is applying. A recruiter cannot override a MEPS disqualification.

For more on informal aspects of military culture, you can read about military rules like “Rule 13”.

For official information on the military entrance process and standards, you can refer to the website of the U.S. Military Entrance Processing Command (USMEPCOM).