The mandatory urinalysis test at the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) is a 10-panel drug screen designed to detect illicit drug use and ensure the applicant meets strict military standards for health and integrity. It is a federally mandated test.

The test primarily screens for:

Illicit Drugs: This is the primary purpose. The panel tests for marijuana (THC), cocaine, amphetamines/methamphetamines, opiates (like codeine, morphine, heroin), phencyclidine (PCP), and benzodiazepines.
Creatinine and Specific Gravity: These are measured not to detect drugs, but to ensure the sample’s validity. Abnormally low levels can indicate a diluted or adulterated sample, which is considered a “no-go” condition and treated as a potential attempt to cheat the test.

Crucial Information for Applicants:

Zero-Tolerance Policy: A positive result for any illicit substance, including marijuana regardless of state laws, will result in immediate disqualification. A waiver is highly unlikely for a failed drug test.
Detection Windows: Substances remain detectable for varying periods (e.g., marijuana for days to weeks depending on use). Applicants must be substance-free for a significant time before MEPS.
Honesty is Mandatory: Attempting to adulterate the sample or misrepresent drug history constitutes fraudulent enlistment, a serious federal offense with legal consequences.

For related information on conduct and decorum expected of service members, you can read about Can you kiss someone in a military uniform?.

For an official, external resource detailing the military’s drug testing program, visit the Department of Defense Instruction 1010.16.