MEPS / Job Classification Rating Questions

[Teresa (proud Mom of Adrian)]

My daughter, Adrian 19, is making her first trip to MEPS on Thursday. We were initially told by the recruiter that we would be able to go to MEPS with her when she picked her job, swore in for the first time, etc.; and wow they have said we can't go for security reasons. Which is true?

Also, she doesn't seem to be getting a lot of help with choosing a job. I know they deal with this more at MEPS; but I expected a little more guidance from the local recruiter. She was told to have a list of at least 5 jobs she would like before she travels to MEPS. This is difficult when you really can't find much information about the jobs. She definitely does not want to have an "office job". She likes to be moving around and active. So far, she has DC Damage Control on her list. She also is considering MA Master at Arms, which I think would increase her chances of being stationed at prison camps overseas, etc. She has scored very well on her ASVAB and is told she qualifies for everything. Please help with good ratings for her to check out. . .

Thanks so much!
Teresa (Mom of Adrian 19)

[Kelly **gunnerJ's mom**]

hi,
my son signed in aug. he's in dep program until next summer. I know we got onto the navy website, there you can get lots of info and your daughter can take a test online,that will help tell her what kind of jobs she is suited for. they just answer a lot of questions, a lot about personal interests and personality and it gives you your top jobs. of course, she needs to do okay on her asvab test to get some of those jobs. check out the navy websits or call the recruiting office and talk to a different recruiter. i know since my son was only 17 at the time, 2 recruiters came to our house to answer all the questions we had. the website really helped us, had tons of info in it. hope this helps.

[diane {Shawns mom}]

OK...is there something new about going to MEPS...What is the reasoning? Security..???is the alert higher....I do know parents have been going to MEPS with their children for sometime and will continue...I did ask a friend to respond here....
I am real curious..of the Security thing???

[Paula S.]

I believe you can go to watch the swearing-in ceremony. But when they go to MEPS, they get put through a battery of tests including a physical exam and they usually report the night before. Based upon their test scores, they meet with a counselor and the counselor will present what they qualify for and what is available. The availability can also determine the length of their DEP. My daughter originally chose Damage Control but later changed to Aviation Ordnance. I would not recommend AO for the girls... it's a very physically demanding job although she has been a Plane Captain (brown shirt) during her first combat deployment in 2007 and worked the flight deck. If your sailor choses AO, depending upon whether they get assigned to a squadron or ship's company could mean very different duties. Squadron AOs are directly involved with loading/unloading the ordnance on the jets. Ship's company will involved everything related to the ordnance including getting it up to the flight deck. Holly had a friend who was Master at Arms and she was on deployment onboard the carrier. Another factor in chosing a rating might be the sign-up bonus. Different ratings offer different bonuses depending upon the demand. Hope this helps a little!

[Hoppi aka Angie]

Only factor people should look at when joining the Navy is what do they want to do.

[Hoppi aka Angie]

Families are normally not allowed to go to MEPS when people who are trying to join the Navy go though the tests. They normally can be there for the swearing in though.

Your daughter is of legal age, did she tell the recruiter she dosen't want you there?

What does your daughter want to do?

Most recruiters tell everyone "you scored very well and qual for evereything" unless she has a 99 she doesn't qual for everything. The way people are found eligable for a rate is by their ASVAB line score's.

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/enlistedjob1/a/navyjobs.htm

http://www.navy.com/careers/#enlisted-jobs

[Hoppi aka Angie]

Thank you for the info.

[Lori (Jeff's Mom)]

Thank you for explaining this. My son has a wonderful recruiter, and his Dad and I plan to keep in touch with him in the future because we have that much respect for him. My son is going to take the ASVAB again because he scored a 45, and wants to do better on it; BUT, we want him to know that (from Dad's experience, too) that there are good jobs out there even if he doesn't make a 99.

[Mr. Johnson]

That's not entirely true. Even with a 99 asvab score, she wouldn't necessarily qualify for everything. Everything comes into play when it comes to classification/job qualification. (Drug and alcohol use/history, police involvement, medical history, hearing, eyesight, etc.)

[Karen - Proud Mom of Amber]

Our daughter was 19 when she went to MEPS. Her recruiter was there and encouraged us to go. We did not show up until after lunch. Morning is physical and test taking. But we did not have any problems being with her when she was choosing her job.

[Karen- Brittany's mom]

Karen-Brittany's Mom
My daughter was 18 just out of high school when she went in in July 2008. When she went to MEPS, they allowed us to go without any problems to her swearing in, take pictures, stay with her until they took her away to go to Chicago for Boot Camp. As for her job, it changed from when and what she signed up for to what she is until she reaches the age of 20 to become eligiable to go for the school/job of her choice. Even though she isn't in the job yet of her choice she is loving the Navy, and has matured so much this last year. She has turned into the beautiful woman way before her time.

[Rosalind R. Broyer]

Hi I am currently in the navy I'm using my moms profile.
When I went to MEPS my recruiter wasn't even allowed in until the end. As for the swearing in it's just 4 people in a small room taking the oath of enlistment. They don't want people to go to meps because it is all a stress mind game where they threaten you with jail time for anything false and make you wait a long time for anything.If parents went the children would feel more confident and then bootcamp would have to weed out even more unwanted undecided youths bootcamp I hear costs around $10,000 per person and they dont want to waste their investment.Make sure that your child doesnt give into their tactics. The person who has you sign the contract tries to get you to sign the contract without knowing all the details. Remember that even if you take the physical at meps,you DON'T have to sign the contract then. You and your child can than request for a copy of the contract so you can look it over at home instead of jumping into it.

[Barbara]

http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/joiningup/a/recruiter.htm

Teresa, this is an excellent web site (what the recruiter never told you)

My husband and I went with our son to MEPS. I was able to be in with him when he spoke with the career counselor and when he signed his paperwork. His recruiter also went with us an stayed the entire time. I am glad that I went, because they had to reprint Stephen's paperwork 4 times. It had several mistakes on it. If it is not correct.....what he signs is what will be.....not what the recruiter promised him. Make sure you go and ask alot of questions. Make sure your daughter asks questions. Stephen and I did alot of research ahead of time about the jobs and the ASFAB scores and what Stephen would be able to qualify for.

Good Luck