MEPS (Army)

[Redguy]

Thats right, this coming week the 4th - 5th i'll be heading out to MEPs to get processed, and enter the DEP program. I'm taking the ASVAB the 4th (any advice is welcome!!) I plan on my MOS being Infantry, or Combat engineering.
After all that i just have to finish my senior year.
Any advice for me about for life, or advice about the army. i'd like very much.

-Ryan

[Aerosoul]

Don't ask, don't tell.
Don't star in a **** film with a theme pertaining to gay army hunks.

[sucker4gurls]

Two of my friends just went through MEPS. They got two of the 4 remaining 11X-ray slots left. Apparently you don't get the prostate exam unless you are over 40 now-a-days.
They told me you just gotta stay cool, even when someone is staring at you while you pee.

[Redguy]

Two of my friends just went through MEPS. They got two of the 4 remaining 11X-ray slots left. Apparently you don't get the prostate exam unless you are over 40 now-a-days.
They told me you just gotta stay cool, even when someone is staring at you while you pee.

ha, it'll be hard to get a stream going......

[WARPIG]

I can't say that Army Dep is worth your while. It may allow you to lock a slot in.. but it doesn't mean you want that slot. Keep this in mind. You can go through the whole damned process and refuse to enlist at the end. If you don't get the job you are qualified for, don't sign.. yet. I am not telling you to be an ass.. but get a look at what job you want, what the physical requirements are, (PULHES) and the ASVAB "line" scores required for that MOS. If you meet all of those and you get offered another job.. say no. You might get some pressure from the recruiter, but they can't do squat. Basically you will come away fully qualified and could take that to any branch if you wanted. The recruiters know that. So, do your research, be cool at MEPS, and keep your priorities straight. If you have any specific questions (after you do some research) give me a PM. I have some experience with MEPS and if I don't know the answer, I still have friends in MEPS that can get me answers.

[Biglug]

Two of my friends just went through MEPS. They got two of the 4 remaining 11X-ray slots left. Apparently you don't get the prostate exam unless you are over 40 now-a-days.
They told me you just gotta stay cool, even when someone is staring at you while you pee.


They still do the old ball cup and cough though for everyone as far as I know.
That's was just wrong to me. Went into an examination room where an old man doctor was, he had me drop my drawers, grabbed my nuts and told me to cough.:-( Wrong I tell ya, just wrong!!!

[Redguy]

I can't say that Army Dep is worth your while. It may allow you to lock a slot in.. but it doesn't mean you want that slot. Keep this in mind. You can go through the whole damned process and refuse to enlist at the end. If you don't get the job you are qualified for, don't sign.. yet. I am not telling you to be an ass.. but get a look at what job you want, what the physical requirements are, (PULHES) and the ASVAB "line" scores required for that MOS. If you meet all of those and you get offered another job.. say no. You might get some pressure from the recruiter, but they can't do squat. Basically you will come away fully qualified and could take that to any branch if you wanted. The recruiters know that. So, do your research, be cool at MEPS, and keep your priorities straight. If you have any specific questions (after you do some research) give me a PM. I have some experience with MEPS and if I don't know the answer, I still have friends in MEPS that can get me answers.

Thanks alot Warpig, I don't plan on settling for anything less then what I want. And i'm working my butt of to get a good score, i've got tons of ASVAB study books scattered around.

[Biglug]

I can't say that Army Dep is worth your while. It may allow you to lock a slot in.. but it doesn't mean you want that slot. Keep this in mind. You can go through the whole damned process and refuse to enlist at the end. If you don't get the job you are qualified for, don't sign.. yet. I am not telling you to be an ass.. but get a look at what job you want, what the physical requirements are, (PULHES) and the ASVAB "line" scores required for that MOS. If you meet all of those and you get offered another job.. say no. You might get some pressure from the recruiter, but they can't do squat. Basically you will come away fully qualified and could take that to any branch if you wanted. The recruiters know that. So, do your research, be cool at MEPS, and keep your priorities straight. If you have any specific questions (after you do some research) give me a PM. I have some experience with MEPS and if I don't know the answer, I still have friends in MEPS that can get me answers.


What Warpig said here is right on, and if you stick to your guns about getting more of what you want you will. The recruiters want you and need to get recruits in. I still think they have a quota. Don't be afraid to turn down what they offer if you don't think it's for you.

I went DEP too and using that time to prepare yourself physically and mentally will help out. I don't know if you have anyone around with an AR that could take you shooting for better training and practice with the iron sights, but all practice is good.
Try to get as fast as you can at running two miles, as many pushups and situps as possible and you'll be better off later than many others that are in worse shape.

Good luck from an old Airborne 11b.:)

[Redguy]

No AR, all i have is an Ak-47... and i have been working my face off getting into shape.

[Biglug]

No AR, all i have is an Ak-47... and i have been working my face off getting into shape.

An AK's better than nothing that's for sure, you may be able to find a range that rents if you look.

Save some face though while working out for when you'll really need it after basic for the honeys and are about as in need to get laid as it gets.:backhand:

[WARPIG]

Don't bother with the shooting practice. Stay in shape, understand what you are getting into, and why. Don't study for the asvab.. study for your HS finals. If you are doing all you can to get a good score on an SAT.. then your score on the ASVAB will be good too.

Don't write off college just because you are going to swear in. If you want to see any forward movement as a soldier, you need college as well.

I sound like I know a little something about accession to the ARMY for a reason. I am currently a career counselor and worked in recruiting recently. So, watch who you take advice from. Not trying to discount lug's avice.. but I have some recent and valid knowledge of this stuff.

[Hunterhr]

Don't bother with the shooting practice.

That's what I've heard.

[WARPIG]

That's what I've heard.

Here is why.

You will likely pick up bad habits.
Although most rifles and shooting principles are similar.. an M16 and M4 are not daddy's shotgun.

Iron sight and shooting with the CCO are different.

And, learning to shoot on the civilian side won't teach you the range safety standards for boot camp.

Spend your time with your girlfriend, friends, family or working out. You can get the extra practice with the weapons when you get to boot camp. But, being a PT stud will get you big props.
Spend the time getting your mind right. Develope a positive attitude and motivation for challenge. Set some boot camp goals for yourself and do the research on how to achieve them.

[Biglug]

Don't bother with the shooting practice.


I remember hearing this too before I went in and have to say now after shooting for a long time, being an 11b and having lots of time on M16's. It's bull****.
Yes you may have the possibility of making some bad habits, but any you do make they'll break you of. Having more time on the system or iron sights and action similar is really only gonna make you better off more than any bad points it will give you.
Even better if your worried about it, than try and find a Vet you can get some training from. Even any of the carbine classes that may be offered in any schools near by are most likely going to be taught by a veteran.
Practice makes perfect is not a false statement and many of the soldiers in different MOS's are still crappy shots because they don't much time on the weapon besides qualifications after basic. Grunts seeing action do, but there are alot of soldiers in and ex that can't shoot for sh** and are also less apt on maintaining the weapon properly besides just cleaing carbon.


Work on your position shooting if you get a chance too. All of it will make you better whether in qualifying or fighting OP4. Standing, kneeling, ****ed supported and unsupported. Moving and shooting is never a bad skill to get better at also. Why do think some many different units do it to improve their skills, whether military or police?

[Biglug]

Another thing to look at, bring the best pair of running shoes you can afford with you when you go.

[mattnwnc03]

Don't bother with the shooting practice.


I remember hearing this too before I went in and have to say now after shooting for a long time, being an 11b and having lots of time on M16's. It's bull****.
Yes you may have the possibility of making some bad habits, but any you do make they'll break you of. Having more time on the system or iron sights and action similar is really only gonna make you better off more than any bad points it will give you.
Even better if your worried about it, than try and find a Vet you can get some training from. Even any of the carbine classes that may be offered in any schools near by are most likely going to be taught by a veteran.
Practice makes perfect is not a false statement and many of the soldiers in different MOS's are still crappy shots because they don't much time on the weapon besides qualifications after basic. Grunts seeing action do, but there are alot of soldiers in and ex that can't shoot for sh** and are also less apt on maintaining the weapon properly besides just cleaing carbon.


Work on your position shooting if you get a chance too. All of it will make you better whether in qualifying or fighting OP4. Standing, kneeling, ****ed supported and unsupported. Moving and shooting is never a bad skill to get better at also. Why do think some many different units do it to improve their skills, whether military or police?

i wouldnt practice at all, especially if its a different rifle. all the time your gonna use up trying to break the old habits with the old rifle you could be kicking butt with the m4. your sergeants will tell you theyd rather have someone who never shot a rifle before in their life than have sombody come in whos been shooting all their life, because they have to break them of all the bad habits. i remember having a tough time breaking all my habits on the range, thats time i could have been making my shot better.

[WARPIG]

Don't bother with the shooting practice.


I remember hearing this too before I went in and have to say now after shooting for a long time, being an 11b and having lots of time on M16's. It's bull****.
Yes you may have the possibility of making some bad habits, but any you do make they'll break you of. Having more time on the system or iron sights and action similar is really only gonna make you better off more than any bad points it will give you.
Even better if your worried about it, than try and find a Vet you can get some training from. Even any of the carbine classes that may be offered in any schools near by are most likely going to be taught by a veteran.
Practice makes perfect is not a false statement and many of the soldiers in different MOS's are still crappy shots because they don't much time on the weapon besides qualifications after basic. Grunts seeing action do, but there are alot of soldiers in and ex that can't shoot for sh** and are also less apt on maintaining the weapon properly besides just cleaing carbon.


Work on your position shooting if you get a chance too. All of it will make you better whether in qualifying or fighting OP4. Standing, kneeling, ****ed supported and unsupported. Moving and shooting is never a bad skill to get better at also. Why do think some many different units do it to improve their skills, whether military or police?


As a grunt.. I can see what Lugs is getting at.. but I wouldn't assume that I am bull****ting you.

If you have someone that is training you or getting you familiar with the system.. yes trigger time is great. The difference between a good shooter and a great shooter is about 3000 rounds. The more exposure the better.
But, the staff at MEPS could give **** all about how well you shoot. So getting ahead of yourself is going to be counter productive. If the opportunity is there to get some weapons training in, go for it. I just wouldn't go out of my way. You will have the time to practice in boot camp as well as AIT. Learn the ARMY way to shoot. It will net you the best score on the range. Now when it comes to practical application in the field.. every thing you can possible learn will be of help. Don't get the two mixed up.

If you think learning a weapon skill won't net you some habits.. go for it. Just keep the priorities in perspective.