Going to MEP's with your son or daughter

by katydids61

Feb 17, 2011

My son went to see the recruiter again today. He wanted to schedule a time to take his ASVAB. He has taken his practice and scored a 68.  The recruiter is telling him to take it at MEPS then they can do everything at one time. Well, before my 18 year old signs anything I want to read it and make sure what they are telling him is in the contract and he has a clear understanding of it. This is all so new to me and as much as I have read it still is a bit confusing and overwhelming. So, do you usually go to MEPS with your child? How about when they go and meet with the counselor and they talk about the rates offered? They get sworn in at the same time, right? And we can watch them getting sworn in? . What if he takes his asvab and is not happy with the score and wants to take it again. At MEPS you cannot do that since they plan to put you straight through. Ah, so many questions! Please advise.
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  • up

    A 68 isn't very likely to get him a good choice of jobs. He needs to do some serious studying (ASVAB for Dummies may help). The competition is very strong so the higher score he can get the better. He doesn't HAVE to do everything at once, despite what they tell him. His recruiter should be willing to explain everything to you but in the end it's your son who'll have to make his own decisions. Tell him not to be in such a rush, study, retake the ASVAB, score higher and then worry about MEPS.

    Feb 18, 2011

    • up

      BunkerQB

      Check the info on this site.

      http://usmilitary.about.com/od/navy/l/blasvabscores.htm

      and this discussion.

      http://www.navyformoms.com/forum/topics/the-navy-has-no-jobs
      3

      Feb 18, 2011

      • up

        Arwen

        The following is based on my son's experience, and my own experience 20 years ago (it hasn't changed much). If I'm wrong on some details, please, whomever has better information, help me correct my error.

         

        ~~~

         

        For what happens in MEPS: no, you may not be able to look over the contract before his signs it. At this point he is a legal adult, and the Navy does not allow parents or spouses any part in the process. The only parents allowed to be part of the process are those whose sons or daughters are not yet 18.

         

        Your prospective recruit will ride to MEPS with his recruiter. He arrive the night before and stay in a hotel at the Navy's expense.  The next morning your son then undergoes testing - the ASVAB, medical tests, a drug test, interviews, and more.

         

        After lunch, prospective recruits are taken to meet with a specialist who matches applicants to jobs. At this point, even the recruiter will not be allowed to remain there with him.  Once he enters that room, he has no contact with anyone, no cell phone (phones are not allowed in that room).

         

        If there are no jobs available to fit within his scores, or if he rejects all of the jobs offered, he is sent home. Most recruits have to go to MEPS several times before they get a job. There are a lot of people who want to join, and few jobs available.

        If he is offered a job, he will not be allowed to contact anyone until he signs the contract, or rejects it.

         

        Once he signs the contract, he will be allowed into a special room where he can call someone to tell them the basic information, and when he leaves, he is given a copy of the contract.

         

        You can look at that contract all you want, or have a lawyer look at it. If you find the contract is unacceptable, and he agrees that it is not what he wants, he *can* get out of it, but it would be very difficult for him to sign a new one in the future. Its uncommon for someone who has backed out once to be given a chance to try again.

         

        You *can* watch them get sworn in, but that happens at another time - when they get ready to leave for boot camp.  Yes, there is a ceremony to swear-in for DEP the day they sign their contract, but it's not the important one.

        Feb 21, 2011