First Visit to MEPS in January 2012

[Hannah88]

So after searching on this site (and Craig's Depper site) for several hours, I either couldn't get a straight answer or the info was from 2009 or earlier, so I wasn't sure it was still accurate.

We are on recruiter #3 who seems more interested in filling her quota than giving us the answers we want and actually tried to talk me OUT of going down in January to his first MEPS visit, so I don't trust her at all. There is a bunch of info on this site about NOT accepting any rate simply because you want to enlist and don't want to go down to MEPS again (not a big deal for us, only 1 1/2 drive although it is missed work time), or don't want to wait for your rate to open up, but I don't want him to be in a vulnerable situation after going through the whole MEPS ordeal that he'll take anything they throw at him, so I know the more homework we do before we go, the better, and yes I know nothing is guaranteed until they put his ASVAB, AFQT and physical results together. It tooks like I'm allowed to see the contract before he signs it, is that right? Am I allowed in the room? Is that the final contract, or does he sign another one at the final MEPS visit before he actually ships out?

He scored 82 on his ASVAB and total 223 on his AFQT and we're told he qualifies for almost anything except nuke. We were shown the AFQT breakdown on a computer screen. Is there any way to get the breakdown so we can actually look at it to find out what rates he qualifies for? Son will be a Depper as he doesn't graduate till June 2012.

Also, it looks like anything AW (any aircrew?) and obviously any SWCC and Spec Ops (redundant?) rates require SERE training, but are there any other not so obvious rates that require it? Son is not afraid of hard work or beatdowns (been dealing with a-hole football coaches for 6 years that even made them drag tires till they puked), but simulated enemy capture is not on his list of fun things to do (tongue in cheek), so that would also be nice to know before we go down, too.

Also, one of the depper meetings each month is at 11am an hour's drive away. When I mentioned that it would be impossible for him to make that meeting (there is another one on a different day at 4pm he CAN make),  I asked if he needed to go to both meetings and they said yes, but we'll try and work with him. What does that mean? He can't make an 11am depper meeting in the middle of the week which will be a stain on his record, I'm guessing, but if he doesn't go to class, he won't graduate and then he can't enlist! 

On a lighter note, thanks to this site, I actually knew more than the recruiter did about a bunch of things, like where A school is for HM (San Antonio not GL), how many days between yr 17th and 18th bday eligible to go to BC (90 not 30), and a lot of others, which I have to admit was satisfying, to say the least. 

Hope everyone's loved one is safe and sound, wherever they are, this holiday season.

[Tom]

I wish more families had the openness that you and your son have. :)

[Hannah88]

We are very lucky!

[Hannah88]

So is the attached pdf all there is to the contract they sign? Seems really generic...

[Tom]

Yes, that plus an annex to the contract (NAVCRUIT 1133/52) that will specify the rating or program, bonus (if applicable, etc.

[Hannah88]

Thanks, Tom. Found the attached plus a confusing assortment of 1133 forms that appear customized for a particular rate, but the only one I found was for Musicians :)  There is a reference to Classifier Rating/Program Fact Sheet (which I did not find) and the Homeport agreement (which I did find). How much time do we get to read through this paperwork? Our recruiter has told us nothing about any of this, except of course he would signing a contract (hopefully). Is this something they know about or do we need to wait and talk to the detailer? Also, we were under the impression it was the recruiter who gets the bonus (depending on the rate), not the person enlisting, at least not for the initial enlistment. I can see how people would end up agreeing to things they had no clue about.

[Tom]

First, the Recruiter does not get a bonus for enlisting any applicant. Recruiters get Spcial Duty Assignment Pay (SDAP) at level 6 which is $450 per month. They get the pay because they are on recruiting duty working in a job completely foreign from their rating, usually a long way away from base facilities. They get SDAP whether they enlist someone or not.

Essentially, enlistment bonuses exist for a few reasons; first, the rating/program is hard to fill because most people don't want to do it, or the rating/program is something most people don't qualify to do; secondly, bonuses have been given for having formal education, ie AA, BS, etc degrees. 

The person you would talk to about the contract, and the specific documentation associated with it, would be the Classifier and processors at the MEPS. The Detailer is the person who is assigned to his rating that writes his orders to follow-on duty stations, C schools, etc., the Classifier is the one who assigns a rating/program based on availability, qualification and desire at the time of enlistment.

For the specific contract written, it must be reviewed and signed the day it is written (before the MEPS has the final swear-in of the day), otherwise, the rating/program has to be released back into the system.

[Hannah88]

Thanks, Tom. We're just trying to be as prepared as we can. It would be nice to be able to find out what kinds of contracts are associated with the different ratings, like AECF or MC but I guess we'll have to wait till we get there.  Thanks again.

[Concernedad]

I've skipped ahead a few pages, so excuse me if this has already been mentioned, but their rating will also be based on how many years they enlist for. Many rates require a six year commitment, so if your son signs up for only four, he also will be limiting his options.

I can only share my own experience, but my son wanted SO, but his eyesight wouldn't allow it. He was told he could apply later to have RK eye surgery, but for now, he must select a non critical rating as well. We were not allowed to be present at his signing, and he was given no time to consider his other options, so he went with what was suggested to him at MEPS.

Within a couple days, his recruiter came to our house and went over everything with us, however, there was no implication he could just change his mind on the fly. It seems the Navy is not hurting for able bodies.

FWIW, he scored a 97 on the ASVAB, so he could go whichever route he desired. He stayed away from Nuke, because he knew it would be impossible to change later to Spec Ops if the opportunity were to arise. In other words, while you are doing your research, you might want to check out the CREO list for the future.