Meps

[Marine Wannabee]

Hello Marines.

I have been thinking of joining the marine corps for awhile now. I was wondering how meps works? I know they check all your medical history and so on.

Do they have access to what medicine you have ever taken?

Do they have access to bones you have broken?

I would love if my questions could be answered and if someone could tell me a breif explanation about what goes on at MEPS. Thanks.

[Lisa 23]

MEPS at a Glance
An Overview of the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS)
http://usmilitary.about.com/od/joiningthemilitary/a/mepsglance.htm


US Military Enlistment Standards
Age Limits
By federal law (10 U.S.C., 505 (http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode10/usc_sec_10_00000505----000-.html)), the minimum age for enlistment in the United States Military is 17 (with parental consent) and 18 (without parental consent). The maximum age is 42. However, DOD policy allows the individual services to specify the maximum age of enlistment based upon their own unique requirements.
http://usmilitary.about.com/od/joiningthemilitary/a/enlage.htm

[Rocky C]

MEPS stands for Military Entrance Processing Station. Once you have gone through initial questioning phases with your recruiter and have discussed your options, your recruiter will set an appointment for you to go to the nearest MEPS. Here you will take the ASVAB, have a physical, and (if you pass) - choose your job and swear in. Everything together should take 2 days, though there are some situations that may make things shorter or longer. Some people will go into their branch's DEP (Delayed Entry Program), and go home after MEPS to wait until their ship out date. Others will embark to basic training immediately following MEPS. Remember, you have NOT joined the military before going to MEPS, but by the end of it you will be asked to. Do you still want to join? Be sure of this before you go!

Here are some helpful hints for BEFORE you go to MEPS:

1. Discuss any childhood medical problems with your parents and bring documentation with you.
2. Bring your Social Security card, birth certificate and driver's license.
3. Remove earrings (they obstruct the headset used for the hearing test).
4. Profanity and offensive wording or pictures on clothing is not tolerated.
5. Hats are not permitted inside the MEPS.
6. If you wear either eyeglasses or contacts, bring them along with your prescription and lens case.
7. Bathe or shower the night before your examination.
8. Wear underclothes.
9. Get a good night's sleep before taking the CAT-ASVAB.
10. Wear neat, moderate, comfortable clothing.
11. Don't bring stereo headphones, watches, jewelry, excessive cash or any other valuables.
12. Ask your recruiter for a list of recommended personal items to bring to basic training.
13. Processing starts early at the MEPS - You must report on time.

The typical process at MEPS is:
1. ASVAB test
2. Physical
3. Job selection
4. Swearing in

About MEPS
The MEPS is a Department of Defense joint-service organization staffed with military and civilian professionals. MEPS personnel determine applicants' physical qualifications, aptitude and moral standards as set by each branch of military service.

Testing
Each applicant for military service is required to take the CAT-ASVAB, which measures aptitude in a broad range of career fields. Each service combines the test section results to produce its own unique scores for various career fields.

You may have already taken the ASVAB in high school or for enlistment purposes. If so, tell your recruiter or your test administrator, because you may not be required to take the test.

Physical
Physical examinations are vitally important because everyone entering the armed forces must be in good health to endure the challenges of basic training and military service. You will have to remove your outer clothing during parts of the examination. Your physical examination consists of: · Height and weight measurements · Hearing and vision examinations · Urine and blood tests · Drug and alcohol tests · Muscle group and joint maneuvers, in underclothing (NOT exercises and running, just a few simple flexibility and balance tests to make sure you have proper ranges of motion) · Complete physical examination and interview · Specialized tests if required. Examples: fat percentage test (if you're overweight), secondary vision and hearing tests, other tests if you have an unusual medical history) Remember that many conditions can be waivered, but you must provide appropriate documentation! Check with your recruiter BEFORE you go: you will need to bring all documents with you, or else MEPS will disqualify you.

For Women Only
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 History
Medical technicians will give you instructions on how to complete a questionnaire on your medical history before the physical examination begins. You may find it helpful to talk with your parents about any childhood diseases or medical problems you have experienced before going to the MEPS.

Meals & Lodging
Meals and/or overnight lodging accommodations, if needed, will be arranged for you. Most applicants will share a room with another applicant and are expected to be considerate of other guests and hotel property. You will pay only for extras, such as telephone calls.

Enlistment
After you have met the physical and CAT-ASVAB standards of the branch of service you have selected, a service liaison counselor will tell you about job opportunities and the enlistment agreement. You are making important decisions and need to be informed. Service liaison counselors can explain each program and answer your questions. When in doubt ... ask!

A final interview, fingerprinting for a FBI check and pre-enlistment briefing will be completed before you take the oath of enlistment. Members of your family are welcome to watch you take the oath. A waiting room is available for them. Your family may take photographs of you with the military officer who gives you the oath.

If you are entering the Delayed Entry Program, or not enlisting at this time, return transportation to your home will be coordinated by your recruiter. Those of you entering active duty will receive instructions on your transportation arrangements to basic training.

[Quinbo]

You fill out a questionaire before you ever go to MEP's. A mile of questions ranging from broken bones to surgery to medications. Some where along the lines you will fill out another one and if you were honost on the first one then the second one will match.

They're is not going to be some universal search on whether you broke your tail bone when you fell out of the swing in 4th grade and your grandma made you eat a spoon full of castor oil every day but if you have nothing to hide then just be up front with them.

[Marine Wannabee]

Okay good information Marines!

So MEPS cant see medicine that has been subscribed to you in the past?

[Lisa 23]

All meds that you have taken that have prescribed by a doctor and broken bones, should be told. DO NOT lie about anything. If you do, it will be fraudulent enlistment, and you'll find yourself in big doo-doo.

[Quinbo]

They'll see it when you put right on the questionaire the medicines you had prescribed and next to it is a explanation box. You then sign it saying everything on the form is the truth. With your signature.

If you had to take a purple pill twice a day when you were 12 to keep you from breaking all the furniture in the house then drinking out of the toilet then you need to tell them.

[Marine Wannabee]

lol, alright thanks for the answers Marines.

You have all been such great help.

EDIT:

Can I take the ASVAB at my high school ordo I have to take it at MEPS?

[Rocky C]

If you had to take a purple pill twice a day when you were 12 to keep you from breaking all the furniture in the house then drinking out of the toilet then you need to tell them.


WOOF!!!:D
Good One Bob......

[Marine Shu]

Testing
Each applicant for military service is required to take the CAT-ASVAB, which measures aptitude in a broad range of career fields. Each service combines the test section results to produce its own unique scores for various career fields.

You may have already taken the ASVAB in high school or for enlistment purposes. If so, tell your recruiter or your test administrator, because you may not be required to take the test.


I would say that if they are giving it at your school, take it there. It would help to have your scores when you go talk to the recruiter because they would know what you qualify for already.