The PULHES Factor is a United States military acronym for the Military Physical Profile Serial System. It is used to qualify an enlistee's physical profile for each military skill. For instance, the MOS 19D Cavalry Scout requires a physical profile of 111121 or better.
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Four numerical designations are used to reflect different levels of functional capacity. The basic purpose of the physical profile serial is to provide an index to overall functional capacity. Therefore, the functional capacity of a particular organ or system of the body, rather than the defect per se, is evaluated in determining the numerical designation 1, 2, 3, or 4.
For example, if a military job requires a physical profile of "123123," that means, in order to qualify for that job, a person would have a medical rating a "1" in the area of "Physical capacity or stamina," a medical rating of "2" or better in the area of "Upper extremities," have a medical rating of "3" or better in the area of "Lower extremities," a rating of "1" in the area of "Hearing and Ears," etc.
As for the numerical designators, they generally mean a military medical evaluation of:
This is an abridged excerpt from Air Force Instruction 48-123 Medical Examinations and Standards "Table 1.1. Physical Profile Serial Chart." and Attachment 3 "HEARING PROFILE".
P-1. Free of any identified organic defect or systemic disease.
P-2. Presence of stable, minimally significant organic defect(s) or systemic diseases(s). Capable of all basic work commensurate with grade and position. May be used to identify minor conditions that might limit some deployments to specific locations (i.e. G6PD deficiency).
P-3. Significant defect(s) or disease(s) are under good control. Capable of all basic work commensurate with grade and position.
P-4. Organic defect(s), systemic and infectious disease(s) which have already undergone an MEB (Medical Evaluation Board).
U-1. Bones, joints, and muscles normal. Able to do hand-to-hand fighting.
U-2. Slightly limited mobility of joints, mild muscular weakness or other musculoskeletal defects that do not prevent hand-to-hand fighting and are compatible with prolonged effort. Capable of all basic work commensurate with grade and position.
U-3. Defect(s) causing moderate interference with function, yet capable of strong effort for short periods. Capable of all basic work commensurate with grade and position.
U-4. Strength, range of motion, and general efficiency of hand, arm, shoulder girdle, and back, includes cervical and thoracic spine severely compromised which has already undergone an MEB (Medical Evaluation Board).
L-1. Bones, muscles, and joints normal. Capable of performing long marches, continuous standing, running, climbing, and digging without limitation.
L-2. Slightly limited mobility of joints, mild muscular weakness, or other musculoskeletal defects that do not prevent moderate marching, climbing, running, digging, or prolonged effort. Capable of all basic work commensurate with grade and position.
L-3. Defect(s) causing moderate interference with function, yet capable of strong effort for short periods. Capable of all basic work commensurate with grade and position.
L-4. Strength, range of movement, and efficiency of feet, legs, pelvic girdle, lower back, and lumbar vertebrae severely compromised which has already undergone an MEB (Medical Evaluation Board).
A3.1.1. Definition: Unaided hearing loss in either ear with no single value greater than:
| 500 Hz | 1000 Hz | 2000 Hz | 3000 Hz | 4000 Hz | 6000 Hz |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25dB | 25dB | 25dB | 35dB | 45db | 45db |
A3.2. H-2 Profile.
| 500 Hz | 1000 Hz | 2000 Hz | 3000 Hz | 4000 Hz | 6000 Hz |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25dB | 25dB | 25dB | 35dB | 45db | 45db |
An H-3 profile is any loss that exceeds the values noted above in the definition of an H-2 profile.
H-4 Profile. Hearing loss sufficient to preclude safe and effective performance of duty, regardless of level of pure tone hearing loss, and despite use of hearing aids. This degree of hearing loss is disqualifying for all military duty.
E-1. Minimum vision of 20/200 correctable to 20/20 in each eye.
E-2. Vision correctable to 20/40 in one eye and 20/70 in the other, or 20/30 in one eye and 20/200 in the other eye, or 20/20 in one eye and 20/400 in the other eye.
E-3. Vision that is worse than E-2 profile.
E-4. Visual defects worse than E-3 which has already undergone an MEB or ALC fast track as determined by the DAWG.
S-1. Diagnosis or treatment results in no impairment or potential impairment of duty function, risk to the mission or ability to maintain security clearance.
S-2. World Wide Qualified and diagnosis or treatment result in low risk of impairment or potential impairment that necessitates command consideration of changing or limiting duties.
S-3. World Wide Qualified and diagnosis or treatment result in medium risk due to potential impairment of duty function, risk to the mission or ability to maintain security clearance.
S-4. Diagnosis or treatment result in high to extremely high risk to the AF or patient due to potential impairment of duty function, risk to the mission or ability to maintain security clearance and which has already undergone an MEB (Medical Evaluation Board).