DRE and prostate exams in the military

I have read (where, i don't recall) that physical exams of guys in the us military include a visual rectal inspection. but i've also read (again, can't remember where) that a full dre and prostate exam can be required for men over 40 or are entering specialized units.

i'm curious to know at what age does/if the full rectal exams start and what special units also require them. would also be interested in hearing personal experiences with full rectal exams in the military from those that went through them or administered them.

Drafted into US Army 1964. I remember being checked for, hernia. That is all, down that way. But they were highly alert to my dental condition and had my wisdom teeth pulled 8 months after Basic Training, while i was unaware i had a problem of any kind, till the day i was ordered to the dentist office, right out of the clear blue.

During Basic, we had one man with a bleeding hemorrhoid. He was fitted with a Kotex pad and we marched on.

I actually wore prosthesis in both of my shoes. I could not walk a quarter mile without them, and we marched on.

We had one man that was almost a midget. We marched on till the day he broke an arm.

We had 3 people that were certifiable crazy, at least 3, not counting myself. And we marched on.

During our Basic Training, we lost 3 men and one Drill Sergent ( a super hero to us ). That counts about 2%.

Probably 10% were physically injured, but we marched on.

Oh, and they made it appear we were all nearly killed and the majority feared a square needle in the dick. I for one was watching for it and had made up my mind, there was no way in hell.

I enlisted in 1980 and it wasn't done as part of the induction physical. We were checked for hernias and visually examined for hemorrhoids or any other external issues.

After boot camp and on board ship I never heard it ever mentioned by anyone who had went to sickbay, but then again I doubt if anyone would have said anything about having it done. I would imagine if it needed to be done as part of a examination it would have been done just like in the civilian world.

@lzrd I love your description of marching on. Besides the obvious medical issues such as a hernia, if you were warm, you were fit for duty and if cold they buried you. God bless the army.