A Trip to the Meps: Military Entrance Processing Station

If you’re reading this because you’re planning to join the military, you’re in the right place!  Joining the military will require at least two trips to the MEPS.  What does MEPS stand for?  MEPS stands for Military Entrance Processing Station, though on some forms you’ll see it being referred to as USMEPCOM (United States Military Entrance Processing Command). 

For most people, their first trip to MEPS is a two day process.  The first day will include taking your ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery), the second day will include your full physical exam, and possibly swearing into DEP (Delayed Entry Program).  I’ll cover both days in this, since that’s how I did it.  All of the information in this is from my first-hand experience.  I got back home from MEPS yesterday (19 MAR 09).  Different MEPS do things differently, but overall the experience is the same.  The MEPS I went to was in New York.

Before you even leave for MEPS, you and your recruiter should have already went through any medical conditions, law violations, anything that could possibly DQ you from serving, or anything you may need medical forms for.  If not, it’s a good idea to give your recruiter a call and ask why you haven’t yet done this.  Your prescreen will be sent to MEPS.  If you have any conditions that could PDQ you, meaning no chance of a waiver, your processing will stop before you even get to MEPS.  If you’re blind, missing any limbs, that is where your processing will stop.  If you have any medical conditions, ask your recruiter if you should get any records from your hospital BEFORE going to MEPS.  If you don’t, you have a chance of being temporarily disqualified to join the military until you get those.  That will mean…. Another trip to MEPS for you!  Also, being honest on all medical forms you will out is VERY important.  You will fill out that same form about 3 times; one with your recruiter, one at the medical briefing at MEPS, and verbally in your exam with a doctor while at MEPS.  If your answers are different on any of those forms, you could be DQed.  Oh, and not all of the staff in MEPS are in the military.  The staff giving you your asvab, and your physical exam are civilians.  The uniformed personell in your liason ARE in the military, and in your branch of service.  This means…. “Yes, sir/ma’am.  No, sir/ma’am.” answers apply.  They don’t get mad if you don’t answer with sir/ma’am, but you should.