I lied at MEPS. Will they go back and look through my medical records?

You should never lie, regardless of what others think. That’s personal courage, own it. To help you in this, you’ve already admitted it in here

John Kellen....do you realize that you are admitting to defrauding the government on a public social media site??? I highly suggest you rethink the question that you are asking and keep your comments to yourself!!

I passed a "Pre-qualification Test" for Army Flight School in 1966 that guaranteed I would to attend. During a Class-1 Flight Physical at BCT, Ft. Lewis, Washington, medical staff found I had a heart murmur. The Army Major Physician told me it would disqualify me for flight school. I was crushed at that statement...my entire one and only desire destroyed it seemed. I looked that Doctor straight in the eyes and told him there were never any heart issues anywhere in my family, that I was in excellent physical condition (unquestioned) and had only one goal which led me to the Army - Flight School under their new Helicopter Pilot program. If he was going to cancel my candidacy for that goal based on a simple test, then I had no desire to even be in the Army and he could assign me anywhere he wanted. I would do my 2 or 3 years and get out. He saw my desire and motivation. After a few moments of reflection, he stated, "Well, it's only a slight murmur. I'm sure you'll grow out of it soon enough." He then approved my Class-1. That act of compassion saw me contributing thirty (30) years of my life to military service holding rank from E-1 all the way to Colonel (with NO heart issues!). No, it's never a good idea to intentionally cover up something like that...but I don't believe it would be to far from the truth to simply state you were told it would go away and you thought it had. That said, you'll have to accept the consequences of any decision made for your position in the military. Good Luck. John

Jackass!

Mr. Kellen, no person can be held to account what they were told or what they claim to have understood at 6 years old, nor should MEPS examiners and medical officials accept or rely solely on medical documents from when you were 6 years old. The cardiologist you will visit soon will determine your true condition as it exists today, and if you are found fit for duty, you will be allowed to continue with your enlistment process. In the future, it is best to state "I don't know" if a question pertains to something from your childhood in relation to your health and just allow medical personnel to examine you to get a better assessment of your health status and readiness today. Best of luck in your career! As for those who might cast stones at you over this, I would remind them that many young men during the Civil War, WWI, WWII, Korea and even Vietnam lied about the ages, health, and a few even lied about their gender just to able to serve their country and wear our nation's uniform - and there isn't a person on here or anywhere in the military that hasn't lied before. There is nothing shameful about wanting to serve - but once you're in, you will find that most of us to live by a code - so honor that code with those you serve with... someday people will entrust you with their lives as this nation will trust you with defending her.

Congratulations! You lied. Wait until you are accepted for enlistment and you will hear more lies than you can possibility imagine

Just move forward. Your doctor told you not a big deal. You made a mistake and if their are consequences they you will have to face them, such is life. I understand wanting something to serve and bending the rules to try. Was what you did wrong possibly was it for the right reasons maybe, time will tell. You should live your life with integrity and points made by all here are good. Truth is everyone makes mistakes but it’s how you learn from them and move forward that matters most. Learn that integrity matters. Best of luck

Honestly man heres what I can say. Everyone has lied about something somewhere to get in. My old Marine recruiter use to say, “if you ain’t lying, then your not trying.” Whether or not thats the best answer or the most moral is up to each person. The best thing to do is make your own choice and be able to live with the consequences of both good and bad. Now MEPS can only look into what you give them. If you say you have something then it will go back on you to provide paperwork. If you say you don't, then there is nothing that they can do because of HIPA (might not have spelled the acronym right). That protects you from having someone divulge your medical history unless you sign a form releasing that right to a specific person or organization. Usually when you go to a new doctor out in town they will have you sign that so they can import your medical file from your old treatment facility.

I remember when I was in your position. I was losing my mind thinking that meps was gonna turn me away for having some kind of condition. Let me tell you, you're probably over thinking it. Obviously, you'll have to see what the cardiologist says but as far as them digging into your medical records, and possibly coming after you for lying, not likely, imo. If the doctor says so, you'll probably be fine. I may or may not have left out some details when I went in and needless to say, there were no issues. And also, yeah this is a public website, but I dont think anyone is actively scouring the internet, searching for applicants who have falsified information lol.

You had a heart murmur at 6. You know how hard it is to request a record that old without your permission? Especially without multiple specialty visits? They would have to find the record and the doctor. It could already be shredded based off of basic record keeping standards. MEPs is the only military entity able to mandate and request records in a forceful manner that can affect your service. Admit nothing, give nothing back. They wouldn't do anything else to you. There are plenty of benign heart murmurs out there. Don't worry about it.