The Army Medical Profile, also known as the Physical Profile Serial System (PULHES), is used by the United States Army to assess a soldier’s physical capabilities and limitations.
The Army uses PULHES to evaluate various aspects of a soldier’s health and physical condition to determine whether they can continue specific military duties and assignments.
The PULHES system consists of six categories, each represented by a letter:
- Physical Capacity or Stamina (P)
- Upper Extremities (U)
- Lower Extremities (L)
- Hearing and Ears (H)
- Eyes and Vision (E)
- Mental (S)
Medical Profile Evaluation Criteria
The Army assesses each category within the PULHES system based on specific evaluation criteria.
Each soldier is assigned a numeric code corresponding to their level of fitness or impairment.
The codes range from 1 to 4, with 1 indicating no limitations and 4 representing varying degrees of restriction or impairment of the soldier.
Example:
- “1” signifies no limitations, while higher numbers represent varying degrees of restriction or impairment.
- Combining these codes forms a soldier’s medical profile, which helps determine their eligibility for specific military roles and duties.
PULHES Numeric Codes and Descriptions
| Numeric Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | No limitations |
| 2 | Mild limitations |
| 3 | Moderate limitations |
| 4 | Severe limitations |
Army PULHES Evalution Categories
Physical Capacity or Stamina (P):
- This category assesses a soldier’s overall physical fitness and endurance.
- It considers factors such as cardiovascular health, strength, and agility.
- A soldier with a P-1 designation will demonstrate excellent physical capacity, while a P-4 designation indicates severe limitations.
Upper Extremities (U):
- The U category evaluates the functionality and condition of a soldier’s arms, shoulders, and hands.
- It accounts for disabilities, injuries, or conditions affecting upper body strength and agility.
Lower Extremities (L):
- L category focuses on the lower body, including legs, knees, and feet.
- It assesses mobility, agility, and any impairments that may affect a soldier’s ability to walk, run, or perform physical tasks.
Hearing and Ears (H):
- This category evaluates a soldier’s auditory health and sensitivity.
- It considers factors such as hearing loss, tinnitus, and other auditory impairments that may impact communication and situational awareness.
Eyes and Vision (E):
- E category assesses visual acuity, depth perception, and overall eye health.
- It identifies any visual impairments, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, or color blindness, that may affect a soldier’s performance in various environments.
Mental (S):
- The S category evaluates a soldier’s mental health and cognitive functioning.
- It considers factors such as psychological disorders, cognitive impairments, and emotional stability.
- A soldier’s ability to cope with stress and make sound decisions under pressure is also assessed.
PULHES Categories and Evaluation Criteria
| Category | Evaluation Criteria |
|---|---|
| Physical Capacity or Stamina | – cardiovascular health, strength, endurance |
| Upper Extremities | – arm functionality, shoulder mobility, hand dexterity |
| Lower Extremities | – leg mobility, knee functionality, foot health |
| Hearing and Ears | – hearing sensitivity, tinnitus, auditory impairments |
| Eyes and Vision | – visual acuity, depth perception, color perception |
| Mental | – psychological health, cognitive functioning, emotional stability |
Utilization of Medical Profiles
- Once a soldier’s evaluation is complete, combining numeric codes across all PULHES categories forms their medical profile.
- This profile helps determine a soldier’s eligibility for specific military roles, duties, and assignments.
- It ensures that soldiers are assigned tasks that align with their physical capabilities and limitations, optimizing their effectiveness and minimizing the risk of injury or impairment.
Sample Medical Profile
| Category | Numeric Code | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Capacity (P) | 1 | No limitations |
| Upper Extremities (U) | 2 | Mild limitations |
| Lower Extremities (L) | 1 | No limitations |
| Hearing and Ears (H) | 3 | Moderate limitations |
| Eyes and Vision (E) | 1 | No limitations |
| Mental (S) | 1 | No limitations |
These tables provide a structured breakdown of the PULHES categories, their evaluation criteria, the corresponding numeric codes, and a sample medical profile illustrating how the codes are assigned based on assessment results.
Army PULHES Conclusion
- The Army Medical Profile, through the PULHES system, plays a crucial role in assessing and managing military personnel’s health and physical readiness.
- By evaluating various aspects of a soldier’s health and fitness, the PULHES system ensures that soldiers are assigned tasks and responsibilities appropriate to their abilities, promoting operational effectiveness and mission success.
Army Medical Profile Codes and Assignments
| Medical Profile Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Fully deployable; no restrictions or limitations. |
| 2 | Limited duty; restrictions on certain activities or assignments. |
| 3 | Non-deployable; significant restrictions or limitations; requires medical review. |
| 4 | Temporarily non-deployable; severe restrictions or limitations; requires medical evaluation. |
| 5 | Medically non-deployable; permanent restrictions or limitations; may be subject to medical board. |
Examples of PULHES Numeric Codes and Their Meanings
| Numeric Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1 | No limitations; fully fit for military duties. |
| 2 | Mild limitations; suitable for restricted duties. |
| 3 | Moderate limitations; may require further evaluation. |
| 4 | Severe limitations; may be unfit for military service. |
These additional tables further clarify the medical profile codes, their assignments, and examples of how numeric codes are interpreted within the PULHES system.
Born and raised in Bozeman, Montana, he graduated from George State University with an MBA in Actuarial Science. His hobbies include beach volleyball, hiking, fishing, and lifting weights
George is also a certified nutritionist with a passion for health and fitness.
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