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LA Meps Experience
I just finished most of my MEPS experience and I thought share what I went through for the benefit of future recruits.
To begin, I am 19 years old college student who is hoping to gain new experiences and new insight into life.
With this goal in mind, I contacted the ARMY recruiter, SSG Lim, and after much talking about what I want to do and what I want to get out of this whole experience, I finally got my packet together.
Next was the ASVAB, Full Physical, Job Search, Signing the Contract, and finally swearing in.
I'm not to sure how every else did it, but my recruiter wanted me to take the ASVAB first before the packet was ready. He says it was because he wanted to see what job I was qualified for and so that he can reserve a job as soon as possible before I go into MEPS for the rest of the stuff.
So after a little studying, (I used the Barron's guide) my recruiter and I went to the Los Angeles MEPS which is located just off the 405 freeway by the LAX airport.
At the MEPS, I learned 3 things upon entering, no hats, be polite, and always stick by your recruiter as he is your guide on this long journey.
After entering, my recruiter and I stood in a line for the front desk which is right by the entrance.
Then I quickly followed the procedure for checking in which includes taking a photo (think DMV), signing a few papers, and getting a finger of your choice fingerprinted elctronicly. Remember what finger you use as you'll need to use the same one to verify who you are and what not. Basically it'll become your second signature.
After checking in, I went upstairs and went to testing area. At first I didn't know what to do so I aproach the desk with my paperwork, but the receptionist told me to sit down. So don't be like me and piss the lady off, just sit down in an empty chair and I promise you, she'll call you.
The ASVAB itself was fairly simple, a lot of common sense question and if you are lucky you also get to take the personality test called TAPAS which is, according to the Navy recruiter that was there, a test to see if you are crazy or not.
As soon as the test were done, I got my results for both the ASVAB and the TAPAS. After showing both to my recruiter, I was done for the day and done with MEPS until my recruiter could find my MOS, 68W, and reserve it for me.
Despite what people said, it is not that hard to get that MOS, yes it may be over filled but as long as you are willing to wait, you can get it. And wait I did, for almost a month. But I got it and reserved it, and I was due to go to the MEPS again on the 18th of October. This time for my Physical and assuming it goes well, my contract signing and swearing in.
On the 17th, my recruiter called at 6PM and promptly picked me up to take to a hotel called Radisson Hotel which is also near LAX. The staff was friendly enough and were willing to help which was nice but unfortunately I somehow drew the short stick because I got lumped together with 2 other people and ended up sleeping on a makeshift bed which was lumpy compared to the real beds that were so much more comfortable with there sleep number technology and what not.
Like most recruits that were at that hotel, I couldn't sleep and ended up staying up the whole night until 3am, at which I took a shower and went down for breakfast that was served at 4:15am.
After breakfast, I took a bus to MEPS and began my full physical.
It started with getting my blood pressure and initial screening by a few choice doctors who will touch you and make you bend over as well as ask questions about your medical history. Next comes the urine test which is no big deal as you pee in a cup. Done. About the urine test, don't be the awkward guy who just stands there waiiting for a drop or two, drink plenty of water and just hold it until the test.
Anyway, after that is the basic hearing test (you push a button when you hear a sound), and the eye exam where they make you search for numbers in jumble of colors and test your eyesight. After that is the blood test. Now maybe I am the lucky one but I got the guy who screwed up taking my blood and ended up hitting a nerve in my arm. But no worries, it very rare according to the main doctor that was there.
And finally the excerices and calisthenics that includes the most talked about: the duck walk. It wasn't that bad, they made you manipulate your body in certain ways to see if there are any physical deformity. About the duck walk itself, its not that hard and practice at home if you are worried about it.
After that, you talk with your doctor one last time before you are cleared to go talk with your career counselor. But unfortunately for me I was permanently disqualified becuase of my eyes. Something about astygmatism and refraction error. The scariest part was when they made sign stating that I acknowledge the fact that I am permanently disqualified. Thankfully, after being so stern with me the whole time, he smiled and says he recommends that I get a waiver as I am just barely over the limit.
Still, to be honest I was crestfallen and I thought the waiver will never come as I heard the ARMY has reached its recruiting goals and did not need any more soldiers. After calling my recruiter at 2PM, I went back to my place hoping for a waiver to come.
Couple weeks later, it did and I went back to MEPS today, 11/03/10. Normally a recruit would be dropped off at the hotel again to repeat their experience but after telling my recruiter what happen last time I went, he picked me up at 4:30am and took me directly to MEPS.
Once there, I checked in at the front desk, got my waiver and had the doctor sign and approve my waiver. That was done in 10-15mins tops. After that was just job searching. Because of my waiver I lost my 68W which was reserved so I had to start anew. And this time instead of 68W, I was looking to get 11X as I decided that 68W was damn near impossible as I heard horror stories of how soldiers had to wait weeks just to take classes at AIT.
After a lot of talking and negotiating, I finally got my 11X. Initially they wanted me to go to Supply, 92B. But I finally wrestled a 11x out of them. So in summary, I got 11x, 2K signing bonus, promotion to E2 for my year in college, and an awesome fun of being a grunt for 4 years.
After, signing my contract, I swore the oath with my family at the sides taking pictures and I went back home at 2:30PM
All in all, not bad of an experience. Be really nice with everybody as they can make the process so much smoother for you but just the same do the opposite and they can make you wait for hours and just make you miserable.
Also hold out for the MOS you want but don't be afraid to compromise. Yes the counselors will try snakeoiling you into filling a slot but just say no and state what you want.
I am leaving for Fort Benning in 02/28/11 which is cool because I get to experience one more real christmas before the my new life in the army begins.
I hope this was informational as I tried to be as descriptive as possible. Feel free to ask me questions though I recommend you don't as I am not a recruiter. Speaking of recruiters, I like to say thanks to CavTrooper as he is awesome for answering questions for future soldiers out there.
Thanks again!
To begin, I am 19 years old college student who is hoping to gain new experiences and new insight into life.
With this goal in mind, I contacted the ARMY recruiter, SSG Lim, and after much talking about what I want to do and what I want to get out of this whole experience, I finally got my packet together.
Next was the ASVAB, Full Physical, Job Search, Signing the Contract, and finally swearing in.
I'm not to sure how every else did it, but my recruiter wanted me to take the ASVAB first before the packet was ready. He says it was because he wanted to see what job I was qualified for and so that he can reserve a job as soon as possible before I go into MEPS for the rest of the stuff.
So after a little studying, (I used the Barron's guide) my recruiter and I went to the Los Angeles MEPS which is located just off the 405 freeway by the LAX airport.
At the MEPS, I learned 3 things upon entering, no hats, be polite, and always stick by your recruiter as he is your guide on this long journey.
After entering, my recruiter and I stood in a line for the front desk which is right by the entrance.
Then I quickly followed the procedure for checking in which includes taking a photo (think DMV), signing a few papers, and getting a finger of your choice fingerprinted elctronicly. Remember what finger you use as you'll need to use the same one to verify who you are and what not. Basically it'll become your second signature.
After checking in, I went upstairs and went to testing area. At first I didn't know what to do so I aproach the desk with my paperwork, but the receptionist told me to sit down. So don't be like me and piss the lady off, just sit down in an empty chair and I promise you, she'll call you.
The ASVAB itself was fairly simple, a lot of common sense question and if you are lucky you also get to take the personality test called TAPAS which is, according to the Navy recruiter that was there, a test to see if you are crazy or not.
As soon as the test were done, I got my results for both the ASVAB and the TAPAS. After showing both to my recruiter, I was done for the day and done with MEPS until my recruiter could find my MOS, 68W, and reserve it for me.
Despite what people said, it is not that hard to get that MOS, yes it may be over filled but as long as you are willing to wait, you can get it. And wait I did, for almost a month. But I got it and reserved it, and I was due to go to the MEPS again on the 18th of October. This time for my Physical and assuming it goes well, my contract signing and swearing in.
On the 17th, my recruiter called at 6PM and promptly picked me up to take to a hotel called Radisson Hotel which is also near LAX. The staff was friendly enough and were willing to help which was nice but unfortunately I somehow drew the short stick because I got lumped together with 2 other people and ended up sleeping on a makeshift bed which was lumpy compared to the real beds that were so much more comfortable with there sleep number technology and what not.
Like most recruits that were at that hotel, I couldn't sleep and ended up staying up the whole night until 3am, at which I took a shower and went down for breakfast that was served at 4:15am.
After breakfast, I took a bus to MEPS and began my full physical.
It started with getting my blood pressure and initial screening by a few choice doctors who will touch you and make you bend over as well as ask questions about your medical history. Next comes the urine test which is no big deal as you pee in a cup. Done. About the urine test, don't be the awkward guy who just stands there waiiting for a drop or two, drink plenty of water and just hold it until the test.
Anyway, after that is the basic hearing test (you push a button when you hear a sound), and the eye exam where they make you search for numbers in jumble of colors and test your eyesight. After that is the blood test. Now maybe I am the lucky one but I got the guy who screwed up taking my blood and ended up hitting a nerve in my arm. But no worries, it very rare according to the main doctor that was there.
And finally the excerices and calisthenics that includes the most talked about: the duck walk. It wasn't that bad, they made you manipulate your body in certain ways to see if there are any physical deformity. About the duck walk itself, its not that hard and practice at home if you are worried about it.
After that, you talk with your doctor one last time before you are cleared to go talk with your career counselor. But unfortunately for me I was permanently disqualified becuase of my eyes. Something about astygmatism and refraction error. The scariest part was when they made sign stating that I acknowledge the fact that I am permanently disqualified. Thankfully, after being so stern with me the whole time, he smiled and says he recommends that I get a waiver as I am just barely over the limit.
Still, to be honest I was crestfallen and I thought the waiver will never come as I heard the ARMY has reached its recruiting goals and did not need any more soldiers. After calling my recruiter at 2PM, I went back to my place hoping for a waiver to come.
Couple weeks later, it did and I went back to MEPS today, 11/03/10. Normally a recruit would be dropped off at the hotel again to repeat their experience but after telling my recruiter what happen last time I went, he picked me up at 4:30am and took me directly to MEPS.
Once there, I checked in at the front desk, got my waiver and had the doctor sign and approve my waiver. That was done in 10-15mins tops. After that was just job searching. Because of my waiver I lost my 68W which was reserved so I had to start anew. And this time instead of 68W, I was looking to get 11X as I decided that 68W was damn near impossible as I heard horror stories of how soldiers had to wait weeks just to take classes at AIT.
After a lot of talking and negotiating, I finally got my 11X. Initially they wanted me to go to Supply, 92B. But I finally wrestled a 11x out of them. So in summary, I got 11x, 2K signing bonus, promotion to E2 for my year in college, and an awesome fun of being a grunt for 4 years.
After, signing my contract, I swore the oath with my family at the sides taking pictures and I went back home at 2:30PM
All in all, not bad of an experience. Be really nice with everybody as they can make the process so much smoother for you but just the same do the opposite and they can make you wait for hours and just make you miserable.
Also hold out for the MOS you want but don't be afraid to compromise. Yes the counselors will try snakeoiling you into filling a slot but just say no and state what you want.
I am leaving for Fort Benning in 02/28/11 which is cool because I get to experience one more real christmas before the my new life in the army begins.
I hope this was informational as I tried to be as descriptive as possible. Feel free to ask me questions though I recommend you don't as I am not a recruiter. Speaking of recruiters, I like to say thanks to CavTrooper as he is awesome for answering questions for future soldiers out there.
Thanks again!
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