The military has high standards for health and safety for all enlisted members. When candidates apply for military enlistment or become available for deployment, they must undergo several tests and exams that determine their physical fitness. Part of this process involves lab testing, such as urine tests and bloodwork.
Military blood testing determines good health by testing for infections, diseases, and deficiencies. Testing positive for certain health conditions can disqualify you from consideration, so it's important to stay on top of your health and address any issues before enlistment and deployment.
Wondering what lab tests you can order when it comes to deployment lab work? In this short guide, you'll learn about what the military tests for and how you can stay on top of testing for your career.
What Are Deployment and Military Lab Panels?
When the military is ready to deploy you, they want to make sure you do not have any health conditions that will affect your ability to serve. If they send you overseas with health conditions that need immediate and consistent attention, they won't be able to provide the right level of care during your tour. You also won't be able to carry out your responsibilities as a military member during the deployment.
Deployment and military lab panels specifically check for common issues that the military looks for in enlisted personnel. These panels consist of several tests that look for many biomarkers regarding chronic and debilitating illnesses and infections.
These lab panels also change according to your age and your previous military history. Deployment blood tests will change depending on whether you are under or over 40 years old. These blood tests will also change depending on whether this is your first tour.
Benefits of Deployment and Military Lab Panels
Military lab panels are much more comprehensive than what most civilians undergo during regular doctor's exams. The military wants to make sure they cover all the bases because deployment is physically and mentally much more difficult than most career events. You'll have to withstand extreme environments in extraordinary circumstances, so pristine health is a must.
That means you'll benefit greatly from military lab panels. You'll get a full look at your overall health and identify any health conditions earlier than you might have otherwise. That way, you can either move forward with your deployment or take immediate action to address your health.
If you know you're going to be deployed, or you'll be making a career out of military enlistment, regularly ordering these military lab tests on your own is a great idea. Instead of waiting for the military to run the tests and finding a surprise in the results, you can find out and take control of your health right away. That way, you'll be ready for deployment with no doubts when duty calls.
Types of Military Blood Testing
If you've decided to order military blood testing for yourself, you have a range of options to choose from. Ulta Lab Tests makes it easy to find exactly what you need by offering lab panels specifically for your situation. Determine which test you need based on your number of deployments and how old you are or take a general test.
Initial: Deployment Panel 1
The first option is Deployment Panel 1, which is made specifically for those going on their first deployment who want a very comprehensive exam. The military needs specific information about your physical makeup and health in the case of emergencies during deployment. They also want to make sure that you don't have any health conditions that will hold you back during your career.
This initial deployment panel tests your blood type in the case that you need blood transfusions. The ABO group and Rh type test will determine if you are type A, B, O, or AB as well as whether you have the Rh-antigen on your blood cells.
In addition, you'll receive a complete blood count that analyzes your blood makeup that ensures everything is normal and no infections are present. Also, you'll get a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), which tests your fluid balance, electrolytes, glucose, and kidney and liver function.
A lipid panel tests your cholesterol levels. The Hemoglobin AC1 and Glucose 6 Phosphate tests will check for diabetes. The test will also check for signs of HIV and Chicken Pox-related viruses.
Finally, the panel tests your urine for any infections or other issues.
Initial: Deployment Panel 2
Deployment Panel 2 is also an initial deployment panel, but with fewer tests. It includes the same tests as the first panel for cholesterol, diabetes, and HIV. It similarly performs a complete blood count, comprehensive metabolic panel, and a urine test.
It doesn't, however, have the testing for blood type. If you already know your blood type, you won't have to pay for this test. It also doesn't test for Chicken Pox and its related illnesses like Shingles.
Initial: Deployment Panel 3
The third panel, Deployment Panel 3, is for males over 40 going on their first tour. This panel is meant to test for all the basic tests in panel 2 but includes tests for issues related to middle-aged men, such as the prostate-specific antigen (PSA). The PSA test will check for proteins that are released by the prostate in the case of prostate cancer.
Repeat: Deployment Panel 4
Since military members who have already been deployed have their blood type on file, Deployment Panel 4 does not include this test. Instead, this panel is similar to panel 2 but includes the Chicken-Pox test.
Repeat: Deployment Panel 5
Deployment Panel 5 tests for 4 fewer biomarkers than Panel 3, which is for initial deployment. This panel is for males under 40 getting deployed, so these members aren't yet required to check for prostate cancer and don't need a cholesterol test.
This panel checks for blood type and performs both a CBC and CMP. It also checks biomarkers for diabetes, HIV, Chicken Pox, and runs a urine test.
Deployment Panel 6
Finally, Deployment Panel 6 includes everything in Deployment Panel 5 plus a Lipid panel to check cholesterol and a PSA Total test to check for prostate cancer.
Benefits of Deployment and Military Lab Testing with Ulta Lab Tests
Ulta Lab Tests offers highly accurate and reliable tests so that you can make informed decisions about your health. Here are a few great things to love about Ulta Lab Tests:
- You'll get secure and confidential results
- You don't need health insurance
- You don't need a physician's referral
- You'll get affordable pricing
- We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee
Order your military blood testing today. You'll get your results online in 24 to 48 hours for most tests.
Take control with Ulta Lab Tests today!
