SmokeEater

Today I went to MEPS to begin my processing into the Navy Reserves. Since I had already taken the ASVAB, I just needed the actual medical exam.

From what I understand the full MEPS program is about two days where the ASVAB is given one day. The next day consists of not only the physical, but a meeting with your branch of military to discuss your job obtions, and for some the swearing in, and for others a trip to basic training for their respective service.

Because of the reserve program I'm in, I only needed to take the medical physical and nothing else.

My adventure began at 3am, having to drive to Charlotte which is about an hour and a half away. I did manage to get there on time, although I was running late. At 5:15am, a USMC Gunney Sgt had us all lined up in front of the building. He told us what was expected inside, and told us what we could and could not do.

Each of us had to pass through a metal detector and have our belongings searched. There were 21 of us in all. Two of them were females. Three men were prior service, and I was the only reservist from what I knew. There were mostly Army and USMC hopefuls, and only a few potential squids and zoomies.

Once inside we had to check in with the liason for our respective branch of the military. There was no one in the Navy, so I was in and out. I recieved some paper work and a tag with my name, branch, and what I was at MEPS for.

We then sat down and had to check-in with the main desk. An Army SFC kept us moving around and keeping everything moving. Once we were checked in, we had our vital signs checked, and did some paper work. Next we saw a slideshow on what MEPS is all about.

Next the Medical staff spoke with us, and went over the questionaire we recieved at check in. Honesty and Integrity were the words of the day. They wanted to make sure that we were 100% physically, emotionally, and mentally fit to serve in the United States military. Each of us had our own file with our information that will stay with us throughout our military careers.

The first test we had was the breathalyzer. I passed of course. Files in hand we proceeded with the physical exam. The SFC kept us moving around. When we were done with one test, we moved on to the next. That way there was no wait between exams. The longest wait was for the one-on-one interview with the doctors.

Everything is scrutinized. When you give your urine test- someone is present with you. You have your blood drawn. Hearing. Sight. Big Hint- unless you are concerned with weight, drink some water before going to MEPS. You are allowed a certain amount of time to produce a specimen, and if you cannot produce one you will have to return at another date to produce a specimen.

Certain exams are done strictly male/male and female/female. The Height/Weight and Oncological/Neurological exams were done that way, but simultaneously. There you have to strip to your underwear. I mean nothing but underwear. Big Hint- Wear clean underwear.

Because I was over the maximum allowable weight for my height to get in the Navy, I had to be measured on body fat. I got in under that. Not a bad accomplishment considering that I've lost nearly 40lbs since June 1, 2004.

For the Onco/Neuro exam they have you do a routine of motions and skills to determine that everything is in working order.

Finally we are allowed to dress and speak with the head physican.

He told me that I was a disgusting fat body, and recommended that I lose more weight before shipping off to boot, or else I may be put into the Pork Chop Platoon. Other than that I was good to go.

I waited for about 15 minutes for my exam results to get to the Navy liason. She printed me a copy and I was on my way.

MEPS doesn't mean that you're in the military, and you can still opt out at this point. However, you will be asked to follow military courtesies (Yes Sir, No Sir. Yes Ma'am. No Ma'am). The staff personnel will not hesitate to tell you to shut up in a tactless way. They even threatened to dismiss thoughs who could not follow directions (none were dismissed as far as I know). Prior service persons were allowed to go ahead of us in line all of the time, and they finished first. Most of the people getting processed were straight out of high school- so discipline is a key. But this is not boot camp, and the whole group doesn't get punished for one persons mistake.

After getting my papers I was off. Next my recruiter has to do my paper work for the reserves, and get the contract ready.

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tigger

well, good lucky being a swabbie. hope that you have a fun time and get to do all sorts of things in your new life. i did my 4yr stint and i salute you for you service in these troubling times.


AT2 Keith Tollett

50cal

LMFAO!! He called you a fat body already??!?!?!?! LMFAO!!! Hang in there bro, believwe me your'e going to hear worse but your lucky in that your going to the navy. When I went to boot camp (USMC-OOO-FREAKING-RAH!!) it was funny as hell. Onl;y cuz I was getting yelled at and called worse things by some people in my family. So I had a great time there. PT was nothing till I got on the rappel tower. LOL! Now I'm not a big height enthusiast but I did my part and lo and behold, I ended up with an MOS that deals with helicopters. And no I was no got dang flyboy. LOL!! Anyways, have fun!!! Ooo-rah!

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SmokeEater

He probably assumed I was going to boot sometime in the near future. They don't really distinguish between active duty and reservist, and with the program I am going under I won't go to Great Lakes for another several months (but I'll be drilling up until then). I'm looking forward to going to FMSS.

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canavajo

Check out the Seabees when you talk to your recruiter again. I was a Seabee for eight years and that's how I met my husband he was regular Navy - an airdale. I loved being in the Seabees and they have their own bases to train. One in Gulfport, MS and Port Hueneme, Ca. I was in A-School in Gulfport< MS. There are different rates, bu-builders, ea-engineering aides, ut-utilitiesman, ce-construction electician, eo-equipment operators. You may want to know if you can change your rate if you know what that is. Oh, yeah take a few college courses that will help by putting you up in rank. E1 to E2. Just ask what Seabees do. The Seabee Motto is 'We build, We fight, We party all night.' They also have t-shirts made with the logo. I went to boot camp in Orlando, FL. The Navy does not distinguis between Reserves and Active duty, it is all the same and the boot camp is the same. Only after A-school do you go back home and do your time for reserves. And in the Seabees your just plan Seabees. Also the Seabees were Battle fatigues not Navy dungarees. That was the best. Post back, I would like to know what you think about the Seabees. I worked side by side with the Seals and the Marines. Take Care and check out the SEabees. OOOOH, RAAAAH!! :1Party: :sailingaw

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Navy Seabees!!

The only stupid question is the question that is not asked.

SmokeEater

Actually there is a bit of difference between the training for Active duty and Reserves.

The Navy has two programs- the AIA (Advanced Intial Accession) and the APG (Advanced Pay Grade) programs. The AIA program allows someone to enlist in the Navy at an E-2 or E-3 paygrade as either a SN, AV, or FN position. The APG (which I am in), allows reservist to enlist at E-4 or E-5 with a specific Rate. APG'ers can come in under a rate that is comprable to their respective civilian field (provided they've been doing that for a year or two).

APG/AIA'ers only go through a 17-day boot camp at Great Lakes, IL after they've completed four or five weekends of training at their reserve center. APG'ers get to skip A-School for their rate, because the Navy feels that they are already trained enough to do the respective job.

However APG/AIA cannot be deployed until they have completed 84 days of duty. Going one weekend a month, and two weeks a year will mean that individual cannot be activiated with their unit for about two and a half years.

Even though I get to skip Corpsman School at Great Lakes, I still have to go through FMSS and all th other C-Schools for HM's.

It's a pretty good program. I just had my first drill weekend, and my next one is next weekend. It sucks not being able to do much for two or three years, but for those who cannot afford three or four months off from our civilian jobs it's a blessing.

Of course the traditional RTC/A-School is still an option- and those sailors are deployable upon their return.

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