Duck walk?

[Elle]

That has to be a joke. I have MEPS tomorrow...is the duck walk really required for enlistment? Really? That is totally strange. I'm kinda inflexible and my joints are pretty bad for an 18 year old. I've practiced it a little, but I can see that I'm not gonna be able to do it. My heels won't even touch the ground.

[Prime]

Hate to say it but yes it is require...I thought it was pretty ridoclus as well...but it is required lol

[countrygirl19]

yep it is required but most of the people watching you do your duck walk are understanding.

[AbnMtn]

Although it looks ridiculous and it's a little hard to do (until you get use to it), it gives a fair assessment of lower extremeties mobility and strength and also tests your overall balance while in a crouch position. It's just a component of the physical exam, that's all.

[Mason]

Ah, the duckwalk, the stand on one foot.. Just all the good times at MEPS doing the underwear olympics.. Its not that bad, just try to keep your balance, if you have bad knees it might be hard, but if you have to do it.. Good Luck

[Elle]

lol @ the underwear olympics.

Thanks everyone. I hope I pass the duck walk test...I can hold the position and walk in the position, I just can't do the heel-toe-heel-toe pattern.

[Prime]

just try your best and hope you don;t get a grit ( sorry the one doctor I had while doing the duckwalk kept askign me if I was stupid or something)

[Elle]

I did fine. Well, barely...but the doc let me slide coz of my long legs. Gosh, I'm so glad I survived MEPS. Now...basic training. Hopefully no duck walking is required.

[jbachandouris]

Funny thing about the duck walk:

I was recently (last year) disqualified for not doing the duck walk correctly (heel to toe); I am 38.

At 17, I could not do it 'right' and the Army took me (I failed BCT and was discharged).

At 25, I still couldn't do it 'right' and the USMC took me (chickened out at Parris Island and was RE-4'ed.

So why did I pass the other 2 times doing the duck walk the EXACT same way?

[ping9798]

This is an extremely stupid question, I know....but what exactly is the duck walk?

[Seven_Babe]

The duck walk...:eek: that is pretty silly..But would be pretty easy..I'm guessing if a group of Tahitian dancers were to take this test they would already qualify to go to Basic training..knowing that is the most practice exercise done...Now that i know most of the qualifications to past the physical test, it has lessen some stress...all i have to do now is just pass the test and keep up with a healthy body and mind. Thanks guys!

[Seven_Babe]

Oh by the way for the physical test do they test you differently in every state? i was just curious because i haven't took the physical test yet and would like to be prepared for what i'll be doing. I know it's not just doing the duckwalk and all. any details from who ever has taken the physical test..

[jbachandouris]

Everyone there is separated into 2 lines. Two recruits are called out to walk to the end of the room extending arms to shoulder length and back down again. This is to check posture among other things. Then there is the duck walk which is done as a group, heel to toe. If you have issues, they separate you to try it alone. Also everyone gets doen on their knees. You must 'roll' (rock?) back on your heels and stand up without using your hands to touch the floor.

Of course there is an eye test, hearing test, height and weight, blood test. There is also a quick 'physical' were they check for hernia, visible scars (ie. did you have surgery), tatoos, etc.

I do caution you that the MEPS Dr's are known as Recruitment Prevention Specialists. I'm not saying to lie, but do not volunteer anything that could be misinterpreted. Example: I visit the chiropractor to improve my posture. True, sometimes my back does hurt, but hello? I'm 38. The Dr. DQ(disqualified) me for chronic low back pain. ??? I NEVER mentioned low back pain. So as I said, watch what you say.

[Jan]

I went to MEPS last week, and I passed everything with flying colors. Absolutely aced the ASVAB, answered all the medical questions correctly, great vision, hearing, etc. PUHLES was all one's... EXCEPT... for the duck walk. Yup, I'm disqualified for the T3 in "lower extremities" because I can't duck walk. They kept asking me suspiciously if I had knee problems. No... I just can't duck walk. No pain whatsoever, no aches, no burning, no mobility issues, just a lot of cracking. I can't get my heels on the floor. I think my Achilles are pretty inflexible. I told this to my 3 kids, and they immediately all dropped to the ground, quacked, and duckwalked all over the house; forward, backward, in circles... thanx, guys...

So, for the next 3 weeks, I'll be practicing, stretching, doing yoga, even consulting with an exercise physiologist regarding "being the duck". I refuse to let THIS stand in my way! ( I will never accept defeat, I will never quit).

[jbachandouris]

I went to MEPS last week, and I passed everything with flying colors. Absolutely aced the ASVAB, answered all the medical questions correctly, great vision, hearing, etc. PUHLES was all one's... EXCEPT... for the duck walk. Yup, I'm disqualified for the T3 in "lower extremities" because I can't duck walk. They kept asking me suspiciously if I had knee problems. No... I just can't duck walk. No pain whatsoever, no aches, no burning, no mobility issues, just a lot of cracking. I can't get my heels on the floor. I think my Achilles are pretty inflexible. I told this to my 3 kids, and they immediately all dropped to the ground, quacked, and duckwalked all over the house; forward, backward, in circles... thanx, guys...

So, for the next 3 weeks, I'll be practicing, stretching, doing yoga, even consulting with an exercise physiologist regarding "being the duck". I refuse to let THIS stand in my way! ( I will never accept defeat, I will never quit).

Which is why some call MEPS the Recruitment Prevention Specialists. I don't think the military would be behind recruiting goals if it wasn't for their over-zealousness. Although, I could be wrong.....

[hyperphil]

Well, folks, it's all true about the duckwalk, and the other stuff, but . . . every exercise they give you tests for something. Case in point. I went through MEPS today. I'm going in as a JAG direct appointment. I practice medical law as a civilian. Plus I run 70 miles a week.

MEPS does direct commissions as VIPs--got a private room with doc to do the drill. So I do all these things, and he and I get to chatting, and then wham! I can't do the rock back on my heels thing. WTH? I do yoga and everything, but I'm as flexible as a brick. Doc smiles and says, well, normally that's a DQ, but all we're checking for is dorsiflexion of the foot, and I've already seen you do that. Picket fence pass.

I guarantee you, if the Army didn't need me as bad as it does, and if it wasn't clear I was in otherwise good shape, I would have been dead meat. So, it's weird, and it means something, but they better really want you if you can't do it the first time.

[danmclaren]

its not stupid ping, im wondering the same thing

[WO1 Quinones]

That has to be a joke. I have MEPS tomorrow...is the duck walk really required for enlistment? Really? That is totally strange. I'm kinda inflexible and my joints are pretty bad for an 18 year old. I've practiced it a little, but I can see that I'm not gonna be able to do it. My heels won't even touch the ground.

dont these people know how long the duck walk in MEPS been around? lol

[sd4]

dont these people know how long the duck walk in MEPS been around? lol

Almost as long as this thread has be dead :D

[czarcaztic]

...Just all the good times at MEPS doing the underwear olympics

Underwear Olympics....LMAO! :eek:

[QuantumRN]

I've found that you are more likely to pass the duck walk if you wear feathered underwear!!!! LOL

[DEMO]

Had a young buck in meps with me. About 15 of us doing the duck walk. He was unable to do that. Nor could he go from squating to his knees then back to squating. He had some kind of foot problems to where he could not bend his toes.

[WO1 Quinones]

great article

California Education (http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/09/15/btsc.lawrence.dropouts/index.html)

[Phantom]

THIS IS A 4yr OLD THREAD.

Repost just for the Points for SGT Bart, its a 4yr old post, with a Bonus!! It has a 2yr old thread repost in it!! Thats like a quadruple post score!! and as a added bonus, I even posted on the original, before I became Phantom under my old name!! Honestly thats an easy 20pts!!!:D

[California Major]

That has to be a joke. I have MEPS tomorrow...is the duck walk really required for enlistment? Really?

It's actually part of the cavity search. See if anything falls out.

[azIce]

It's actually part of the cavity search. See if anything falls out.

There's the remote.

[SGT Bart]

THIS IS A 4yr OLD THREAD.

Repost just for the Points for SGT Bart, its a 4yr old post, with a Bonus!! It has a 2yr old thread repost in it!! Thats like a quadruple post score!! and as a added bonus, I even posted on the original, before I became Phantom under my old name!! Honestly thats an easy 20pts!!!:D


LOL Don't make me keep the points! (need something to do @ work...)

[Lance13D]

somebody should keep a tally of how many people respond to the post, unaware it is part of the game. whoever gets the most responses wins.

[Phantom]

The Game is OVER!! Anybody that digs up old posts has a reason too, for researching that topic.

[NEW GUY]

Its A Little Harder Than One Would Expect But Still ,
Heal To Toe A Couple Of Times
Wouldnt Kill You .

And Plus The Doc Or Nurse Doesnt Go That Hard With It As Long As You Dont Look Like Your Having That Much Of A Hard Time


Good Luck Brother

[NEW GUY]

It's actually part of the cavity search. See if anything falls out.


WHAT DO THEY EXPECT TO FIND DURING YOUR PHYSICAL

[SteveLord]

THIS IS A 4yr OLD THREAD.

Repost just for the Points for SGT Bart, its a 4yr old post, with a Bonus!! It has a 2yr old thread repost in it!! Thats like a quadruple post score!! and as a added bonus, I even posted on the original, before I became Phantom under my old name!! Honestly thats an easy 20pts!!!:D

Phantom...did you revive a thread in which the last post was by Q? If so, that warrants a counseling statement. :D

[NEW GUY]

HEY MAN I HAD NO IDEA LOL

:o

[Phantom]

Phantom...did you revive a thread in which the last post was by Q? If so, that warrants a counseling statement. :D

Ha Ha.. SteveO, I have been telling you for years that I am not perfect!!!:D

[PFC Lowe]

Even funnier than seeing people do the duck walk at MEPS was when it came time to drop our pants with the doc. The first guy that went in let out a loud scream and came back out a minute later bow legged and rubbing his bottom. :D The look on everyone's faces was priceless and the sweat really started pouring off the people who didn't know what to expect.