The Military Entrance Processing Station you report to is assigned by your recruiter based on where you live, drawn from 65 MEPS facilities spread across the United States and Puerto Rico.1United States Military Entrance Processing Command. Sectors, Battalions and MEPS You don’t pick the location, and you don’t need to hunt for it on a map. Once you’ve started working with a recruiter, they’ll tell you which station you’re going to and handle the travel arrangements.
How Your MEPS Gets Assigned
Your military recruiter assigns you to the nearest facility, schedules your visit, and gives you the address along with reporting instructions. The military covers your transportation to and from the station, puts you up in a hotel near the facility if you need to stay overnight, and provides meals at no cost.2U.S. Army. Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS) If you haven’t spoken with a recruiter yet, you can reach one through any branch’s official website or by walking into a local recruiting office.
Once your visit is on the calendar, your recruiter will give you a specific date and check-in time. Stay in close contact with them in the days leading up to it. Last-minute changes to your schedule or requests for additional documents happen often enough that you shouldn’t assume the first plan is the final one.
Where the 65 MEPS Are Located
MEPS facilities are managed by the United States Military Entrance Processing Command (USMEPCOM) and exist in every region of the country, including one in Puerto Rico.1United States Military Entrance Processing Command. Sectors, Battalions and MEPS Most states have at least one station. Seven do not: Connecticut, Delaware, Kansas, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wyoming. Applicants in those states get assigned to a MEPS in a neighboring state.
The full list of all 65 locations, with phone numbers, is published on the USMEPCOM website.1United States Military Entrance Processing Command. Sectors, Battalions and MEPS You can look it up if you’re curious about how far you’ll be traveling, but the assignment itself isn’t something you choose from the list. Where you live determines which station is yours.
What to Bring Once You Know Where You’re Going
MEPS days start early and run long, so showing up prepared matters. Bring the following:
- Government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license or passport
- Your physical Social Security card, not just the number
- An original or certified copy of your birth certificate
- Educational documents: high school diploma, GED certificate, or college transcripts
- Any medical records your recruiter told you to bring
Your recruiter should give you a specific list, since requirements can vary slightly by branch.2U.S. Army. Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS)
What to Wear and Leave Behind
Wear comfortable, presentable clothing and appropriate undergarments. Clothing with profanity or offensive images is not allowed, and you’ll be asked to remove all piercings and hats.2U.S. Army. Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS) Leave valuables and weapons at home. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them along with your prescription and a lens case.
The Night Before
Get a full night of sleep. You’ll be at the station for most of the day, and fatigue makes every part of the process harder. Bathe the night before and show up clean. In the morning, eat a light breakfast. Many recruiters advise skipping coffee and heavy foods before your blood work, since caffeine can temporarily raise blood pressure readings. That isn’t an official MEPS rule, but it has tripped up enough applicants to be worth following.
What Happens After You Arrive
The entire MEPS process takes one to two days. If you’re traveling from a distance, you’ll check into a hotel the night before, where dinner and breakfast are provided at government expense.3Military Entrance Processing Command (MEPCOM). Applicant Pre-Arrival Fact Sheet The day begins with breakfast and a briefing.
The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is typically the first step. Many applicants take it at a separate session before their main MEPS visit, but if you haven’t completed it yet, you’ll take it at the station. You need a qualifying ASVAB score before you can proceed to the medical examination.3Military Entrance Processing Command (MEPCOM). Applicant Pre-Arrival Fact Sheet Your scores also determine which jobs you’re eligible for in your branch.
After the ASVAB comes the medical screening, which is the most thorough part of the day. It includes height and weight, vision and hearing, blood and urine analysis, drug and alcohol testing, muscle and joint evaluations, a pregnancy test for female applicants conducted by a female attendant in a private setting, and a full physical by a doctor.2U.S. Army. Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS) Be honest about your medical history. Many conditions that seem disqualifying turn out to be waivable, and a concealed condition that surfaces later offers no such protection.
Once you’ve cleared the medical exam, you sit down with a guidance counselor who matches your ASVAB scores to available positions in your branch. This is where you choose your military occupational specialty. From there you’ll be fingerprinted, complete a pre-enlistment interview, sign the DD Form 4 enlistment contract, and take the Oath of Enlistment.2U.S. Army. Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS) Read the contract carefully before you sign; it spells out your service obligation and the terms you’re agreeing to.