Qualifying for Service
Once you have spoken with a recruiter and decided to enlist in the army, you have to report to the nearest Military Entrance Processing Station, or MEPS for short.
This procedure applies to everyone entering any branch of the military. All recruits have to pass through an MEPS facility before heading to boot camp. MEPS is a U.S. Department of Defense organization staffed with both military and civilian professionals. They determine your “physical qualifications, aptitude and moral standards as set by each branch of military service.”
Fact
You will be required to take a test called the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB). This series of tests measures aptitude in a broad range of career fields. A product of more than fifty years of research, the ASVAB is now available in both computerized (CAT-ASVAB) and traditional written versions. Some young people take the ASVAB in high school for enlistment purposes. Each service combines the test section results to produce its own unique scores for various career fields.
Everyone has to be in good shape to survive the challenges of basic training and military service. The physical examination consists of the following:
Height and weight measurements
Hearing and vision examinations
Urine and blood tests
Drug and alcohol tests
Muscle group and joint maneuvers
Complete physical examination and interview
Specialized tests, if required
For Women Only
According to the Army, “The MEPS will provide a drape or gown for you during the physical examination. Your visit with the physician will be in a private room. Underclothing is required during your physical. A female attendant will accompany you when you must remove your clothing. You will also be given a pregnancy test.” Medical technicians will instruct you on how to complete the questionnaire pertaining to your medical history before the physical examination begins.
Women play a more active role in the armed forces than ever before, but the prospect of women in direct combat remains a controversial subject. In days past, women were relegated to positions behind the lines. The only women who were close to combat were military nurses. These days, women find themselves on the front lines.
Alert
Since the war on terror began, rumors of a draft reinstatement have arisen. Ironically, one of the first efforts to reinstate the draft after September 11 came from two Democrats, both of whom oppose the war. Congressman Charles Rangel of New York and Senator Ernest Hollings of South Carolina introduced separate bills in 2003 that would compel draft-age men and women to perform military or civilian government service. These bills were floated prior to the war in Iraq. Their purpose was to make sure that military service would not fall disproportionately on the poor and on minority groups. The bills did not come to a vote before the Republican-led Congress.
Enlistment
If you have met standards set by the physical and CAT-ASVAB tests for the branch of service you have selected, a service liaison counselor will tell you about job opportunities and the enlistment agreement. There will be a final interview and fingerprinting for an FBI check. You will also complete a briefing before you take the oath of enlistment.
Joining the military is a serious decision and one that should not to be taken lightly. Once you have enlisted, it is next to impossible to back out of your commitment. By joining the military, you are entering a new realm that has different rules and laws than the civilian world. Discuss your plans with your parents, counselors, and any veterans you know. Remember, today's military is not operating in peacetime. Though the war on terror is not as clearly defined as conflicts like World War II, it is a war, and chances are you will deployed into a hotspot somewhere in the world.
Arrive Prepared
Here are a few things you should do before reporting to the MEPS facility:
Discuss any childhood medical problems with your parents and bring documentation with you.
Bring your Social Security card, birth certificate, and driver's license.
Remove any earrings, as they obstruct the headset used for the hearing test.
Dress conservatively. Profanity and offensive wording or pictures on clothing is not tolerated.
Leave your hat at home, as headgear is not permitted inside the MEPS.
If you wear either eyeglasses or contacts, bring them along with your prescription and lens case.
Bathe or shower the night before your examination.
Wear underclothes.
Get a good night's sleep before taking the CAT-ASVAB.
Wear neat, moderate, comfortable clothing.
Don't bring stereo headphones, watches, jewelry, excessive cash, or any other valuables.
Ask your recruiter for a list of recommended personal items to bring to basic training.
Processing starts early at the MEPS, so get up early. You must report on time.
