Expert: Rod Powers - 11/8/2009

Question
QUESTION: BUMED has approved my waiver. My recruiter says now I have to be seen by one of the Navy doctors to make sure everything is okay and I'm in tip top shape before they can start processing me. She said it'll be a two day process. My question is will this process be just like going to MEPS for the first time or different and do I have to take the ASVAB while I'm there. I really want to take the written ASVAB. Thank you in advance for help.

ANSWER: Hi Amanda,

If you have to see a "NAVY" doctor, then it's probably not MEPS. The doctors at MEPS don't work for any individual service branch.

If it's not MEPS, it's probably at a Navy Base. If it's at a Navy Base, you won't be taking the ASVAB there.

Just to be clear, I would ask your recruiter if you're going to MEPS, or to a Navy hospital/clinic.

For more information about the United States Military, feel free to visit my US Military information site at: http://usmilitary.about.com.

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
About.com US Military Guide
http://usmilitary.about.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: My recruiter said I would be staying down there for two days. Is that a general time frame for a Navy doctor to exam you.

ANSWER: No. The general time-frame for a Navy doctor to examine you at a Navy installation would be one day. That's why you need to contact your recruiter to see if you're going to a Navy base for an exam, or to MEPS.

A standard MEPS visit is two days. See: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/joiningthemilitary/a/mepsglance.htm.

For more information about the United States Military, feel free to visit my US Military information site at: http://usmilitary.about.com.

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
About.com US Military Guide
http://usmilitary.about.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Okay. I did ask my recruiter and she said only 1 day. I would have a consult  with a Navy doctor at MEPS and then I would be shuttle to a doctor where they would do my X-rays. What exactly happens at a consult and how long after my doctor visit will i found out that the recruiter can start processing the paper work?

Answer
There is no such thing as a "Navy Doctor" at MEPS. All of the doctors at MEPS don't work for any individual service. Instead, they work for the "Department of Defense."

It sounds to me as if the Navy BUMED has approved your medical waiver, as long as your medical condition and prognosis falls within certain parameters. That's why the visit to the MEPS doctor, and the contracting doctor's x-rays. They will make a report to ensure that your medical condition falls within those parameters.

How long it will take is anyone's guess. It could be just a few days, or it could be a few months.

For more information about the United States Military, feel free to visit my US Military information site at: http://usmilitary.about.com.

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
About.com US Military Guide
http://usmilitary.about.com