<p>Hey Everyone, </p>
<p>Do you guys know how comprehensive the medical exams are on R-Day? It is as long as DODMERB? or are they only rechecking a few things (color blindness is one I am aware of). </p>
<p>About how many candidates are turned away each year on R-day because they the failed medical exam on R-day?</p>
<p>I am worried because the doctor that did my DODMERB got freaked out during my hearing test. Apparently, I lost hearing at 20 decibals at 6000 hertz. The doctor said it was strange that I lost hearing at higher frequencies and left the room. He was really concerned about my health. Later (not from that doctor) I found out that the standard is up to 45 decibals of hearing lost at 6000 hertz and that hearing lost at high frequencies was more common. I am still freaked out that I might be turned away on R-day if my hearing gets worst from now to then.</p>
<p>From what I know I've heard that the R-day medical stuff is pretty minor. I suppose they probably expect you to be pretty squared away before you get there. Often new cadets recieve immunizations, etc. on R-day if they didn not take care of them ahead of time. I could be wrong, but my guess is that the tests are basic, and not comprehensive. What's the point of having doctors check you if they're just going to do it themselves?</p>
<p>do they test for color blindness? I know they don't allow color deficiency at Navy and Air Force but I thought that WP allowed people who were at least "color deficient."</p>
<p>The only reason why I ask is because I have recieved my appointment, and I am "color deficient," which basically means that I can tell the difference between primary colors (i.e. red and green) but my eyes have trouble telling the difference between shades of red and shades of green.</p>
<p>I think that with Red-Green colorblindness they can waiver it for West Point, or maybe it's not even an issue. It's true, at AFA last year they turned away a couple of people when they checked for color-blindness on I-day. I don't think it's as much of an issue at WP though.</p>
<p>I think a main thing they check for on I/R days are current conditions. From what ive read/talked with people about area alot of blood work and less "Historical" as constituted on the DoDMERB exam...</p>
<p>How comprehensive is the medical exam.. the one you get when you apply?</p>
<p>Very...they do everything except a blood test and they do that on R-day..</p>
<p>I have to concur with Mumford2009 on that. I realized just how serious an test it was when I saw the words "External Rectal Exam" on the form. Yikes...</p>
<p>P.S.- I'm glad I'm not the only one anxious about the medical exam on R-Day. The entire waiver process gave me a complex about being kicked out of West Point for my asthma. Right now, though, I'm more worried about my legs; they decided to fall apart the second I recieved my appointment.</p>
<p>Yeah, I am with envee. We all worked so hard to get to the Point and it would totally suck to get so close only to be turned away. It is far worst then just being denied admission in the first place. </p>
<p>I have been watching some R-day videos online and it seems like all they do is give some shots, take a blood test, and ask a few questions. There might be more but they do not show it on the video. It gives me a little hope but I wish a current cadet could enlighten the rest of us.</p>
<p>I recall that a cadet was sent home during 1st Detail of Beast this past summer. She became dehydrated and while in the hospital they discovered that she had a medical condition that disqualified her from serving in the military. This condition was unknown when she reported on R-Day as neither her own doctor nor DoDMERB had screened for it.</p>
<p>Umm, thanks momoftwins...I think. Excuse me while I have a nervous breakdown :)</p>
<p>envee,</p>
<p>No need for a breakdown. Take care of yourself, get out the bubblewrap, (Jamzmom may be able to send you some), and stay hydrated this summer. And as all of you have heard (read?) so many times, make sure you have a back-up plan. Just in case you experience a worst case scenario or even if you decide that a service academy isn't for you, you should have keep your first-choice civilian college in your back pocket. </p>
<p>Here's hoping for best case scenarios only!</p>
<p>Although I hope it doesn't impact anyone on this forum, one of the R-day medical tests screens for illegal drugs. USMA drug tests all cadets, not just plebes. Just a scare tactic? My plebe son told me that last summer one of the Cow cadet leaders tested positive for heroin and was immediately separated from the corps.</p>
<p>Candidates: In case you were considering going out and have "one last fling" that involves illegal drugs before R-day, be aware that most drugs stay in your system for quite a while.</p>
<p>Parents: You may want to give your son/daughter a heads up on USMA's drug testing.</p>
<p>I would assume they test for steroids too, no?</p>
<p>a friend of mine who is a plebe said there were no blood tests...he told me there was a check for tattoo's and and urine test later on during the week...any cadets remember anything?</p>
<p>I would assume any supplements you can buy at GNC are fine right?</p>
<p>They gotta stick big needles in you! NOOOO! I HATE SHOTS! I have had sooo many injuries where they need to numb me or whatever and stick big needles in my mouth, I am starting to get anxiety attacks whenever they do it.</p>
<p>Two things you might as well get used to are medical exams and shots. You will find that these come with the territory of being in the Military. Medical Exams are always a bit worrisome as there is always an opportunity for someone to discover a condition that may be incompatible with Military service. While a Cadet, I was incorrectly diagnosed as having a lung tumor (turned out to be a shadow created by my nipple) and asthma (an incorrect pulmonary function test performed during the period they thought I might have lung cancer). I was told both of these conditions would result in my being medically disqualified. On my graduation physical, the discoverd I had a faint heart murmur that resulted in my being disqualified for Pilot training. Anyway, you will always be poked and prodded both while a cadet and when you are on active duty....so just look at it as a part of your new profession!</p>
<p>There is no real "medical" exam on R-Day. I promise you, R-Day consists of going through issue points, being fitted for Mock-E pants that are going to be way too short and too tight no matter what, and looking like an idiot. You'll be given shots, but that's about it. They do take a sample of your blood for DNA purposes, and your urine will be tested (I don't think that's on R-Day--I think it's a couple days after). People WILL get kicked out for having traces of drugs in their system. Two people in my Company, 1 in my Squad, did.</p>