My Navy recruiter said that when I go to MEPS, I have to pick a job on the spot. Is this true?
Is it a true? As with all things a Navy recruiter will tell you it’s all “true”. The question is should you? And most importantly do you?The process is (at least when I did it/ to the best of my memory) is you pile into a car with the recruiter, head down to MEPS with a couple of his other recruits, take the ASVAB, get a medical exam, meet a detailer. The detailer looks at your ASVAB and if you’re 85 or higher you can have the pick of what’s available.Given there are 57 different ratings in the Navy and various specialities that cascade from underneath that, how do you the civilian with no Navy family to talk to make the right decision at that particular moment of time?IMHO, if you’ve scored well on the ASVAB you should be a FC/CT/ET. If you’re a math whiz go nuclear. Those are going to equal awesome jobs if you decide to get out. They also had the highest re-enlistment multiples.Now, the thing is, if they don’t have the job you want, you can always just leave. There is no penalty for not picking the job and committing to the date at that exact moment in time. In fact, if you do, and you change your mind later, you can still break the contract because you aren’t part of the military yet. They want you to think so, but up to the day you ship off to bootcamp you can back out without penalty.One final word of advice… DO NOT ship off as an undesignated seaman. NO NO NO! You’ll go to the boat, scrape rust, and paint stuff for 2 years, then maybe, just maybe you might get sent off to an A school of the ships choosing.
How long after meeting a Navy recruiter until you go to MEPS?
That depends entirely on you. If you're trying to expedite the process, you could theoretically go from the office to MEPS in about three days. When you factor in issues like needing medical or legal records, you'll add time on to that. Your recruiter must make sure that you at least appear to be qualified for service (meaning that they have all of the records needed for MEPS to make the final determination and that they've covered the mandatory requirements for enlistment.) For every few items that you answered YES to on the medical prescreen, add another 24 hours. That time is for MEPS to reference their instructions to ensure that nothing is disqualifying on it's own, like being HIV+, in an extreme example. If you already had a qualifying ASVAB and had no legal or medical issues, you could probably go from the office to swearing into the Navy in about 4 days.
What branch has the least stringent medical standards/requirements, the US Army or US Navy? (specifically SEAL's and SF)?
Well when you go to MEPS, (forgot abbreviation name) where you take your ASVAB (Military entry exam) and all medical test to enlist, you will basically be going with all branches. When I went I was sitting next to Marines and Airforce. I was joining Navy to go SEAL. If you pass MEPS for medical, then you should be just fine. As for SOF such as SEAL or SF for Army, that may be different. From what I’ve been told they give you another checkup, like their own system, but I know everyone goes to MEPS again right before boot-camp. If you have any medical condition you should let your recruiter know, before you even sign any papers (long before MEPS). They will most likely ask for documents from your doctor, along with a note or something saying your just fine to enlist. If your planning to do SOF or SF then you should be in great shape, practically an athlete. Now if you have a condition, even thought your still in good health, again that’s something you have to talk to your doctor and recruiter about.If you do have a mental/health/condition issue or any kind, I would suggest you walk into a recruiting office of either Navy or Army ( go Navy, cough cough) and talk to a recruiter and see what they will say. Know that you don’t have to sign anything or make your choice right away of which branch your joining. Take your time cause this is your life, and possibly your future career were talking about. So go in one check it out, explain what you want to do, ask questions about the SOF and SF, then go check out the other branch and do the same. See which you like better then, start to work with them. Take the quick computer test (mini ASVAB), tell them want you want to be, tell them your medical position, and work your way from there.This of course is just my opinion
Who gives out more medical waivers to people meps vs dodmerb?
Does dodmerb give out more waivers because army officers are more of a priority instead of enlisted soldiers? How long do i have to be seizure free for dodmerb standards not meps.
Which military branch is easier to get a medical waiver to enlist?
I've been a Army ROTC cadet at a university for a little over a year now and going for my second year. Due to a birth defect leaving my left hand missing a pinky and ring finger, the Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board (DoDMERB) says I am disqualified from service as an officer and I am unable to get a waiver from Army cadet command since the military is downsizing. Since nearly all, if not all, branches are downsizing, I may not be able to commission into the other ROTC programs at my university (especially since I would be behind in training and already have numerous college credits). I'm attempting to get another waiver, however in the mean time I want to explore all military branches in case I want to enlist in case I am denied again. My idea would be either enlist after my second year of college and finish school later on and maybe go through OCS (or when I return to college, I'll have enough training and school to finish ROTC in a Green to Gold program or something similar) or I will enlist after I graduate in little over two years and go directly to OCS. Sorry about the length of the question so I'll get to the point, I would like to know which branch will most likely offer me a medical waiver for enlistment? I really want to serve in the military in any branch at this point, I am interested in every single one. Here are some points that might be helpful in order to answer my question: -Since being born missing fingers, my hand adapted over the years allowing me to perform just like everyone else and especially those in my ROTC unit (ex. pull-ups and push-ups). -Right handed. -Age: 19 going on 20. -An Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) average score of 260 out of 300. -Meets height/weight standards for the Army. -ASVAB scores: TBD. -Medically qualified overall (ex. sight, bones, skin, etc.) except my left hand of course. -No criminal record or tickets. -Qualified as a marksman at the shooting range at Joint Base Lewis-McChord with my ROTC unit. -I do understand those enlisting go through MEPS instead of DoDMERB, however knowing I could show up to day one of MEPS and be disqualified could be a military career ender for every branch. Perhaps there is a certain medical process for me to take prior to MEPS as well? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you and hope everyone had a wonderful New Years.
If you go to MEPS, do you have to make a decision to enlist right then?
OK here is the scoop...Most people enlist when they go to MEPS. They expect you to do so. However, you are not reqired to sign anything. You can still back out if you wish. If you are having second thoughts really consider why you are doubting it. Think about the reasons you don't want to go. Make sure that it is not just cold feet. I mean it is a big decision. It is a major life changing event like getting married. You can not just change your mind later. So if you have doubts now then you need to examine them. What happens at MEPS is all the final processing. You have your physical, and meet with the career counselors. They will tell you about the job you are signing up for and show you your contract. You need to read it before you sign it. Up until the point that you sign it you can back out. Don't be surprized if they put pressure on you to go ahead and sign...but you are not required to at that point. They might seem angry and tell you that you are waisting their time...they may be right if that is what you plan on doing, but still you have that right. Let them get angry...they will get over it...best if you tell your recruiter that you changed your mind and avoid it all together. If you stand on the fence too long then they will get tired of working with you. You might be banned from joining for a year if you pull something like that... All I can say is make sure that you want to 100 percent before you do. It is a big decision... I was in and I am glad for it. I think the military can ge a good thing. Also look at why you want to. You could be having butterflies and be a little nervous and that is normal. You will get over that if it is just you nerves. Best wishes at what ever you decide.
What constitutes as a MILITARY "medical waiver?" This is in regard to enlisting in the US Army. *Please read the additional information.*?
BACKGROUND: I am a 21 year old college senior who is looking to enlist in the U.S. Army as a 68W option 40 contract. This will later transfer to an 18D if passing through RASP. *NOTE- I am strictly interested in going in enlisted as an E4 Ranger. SITUATION: At the age of 4 years old I had a constant cough and my parents were told by my doctor that I could possibly have Asthma, however nothing came from it. After about 3 months the cough went away and I never had an issue again. Since then, I have played high school varsity sports, college D1 sports, work out daily, and acquired a 299 pt score on the Marine Corps physical fitness test. (This test was administered by a Marine Corps OSO). I have gone to MEPS before for a completely different reason and was told I would be DQ until I had a PFT done. I had taken a PFT before and scored a 107% and 109% on these pulmonary function tests however they were before MEPS. *QUESTION: Based on my situation, does my personal history or the need for a PFT constitute as a military "medical waiver" OR is it simply a way of proving to a MEPS doctor that I do not have Asthma and therefore DO NOT need a waiver? IN ADDITION: Airborne, Army Ranger option 40, and Special Forces 18x all say that they cannot be placed in a contract if you need a medical waiver. However, I have read about a few who have had a medical waiver, yet still contracted with option 40. With that said, I have hope, but need clarity.