Son about to go to MEPS next week

[momofawsm]

I am excited and scared all at the same time.  My son didn't score great on the ASVAB, but high enough.  However, his scores in certain areas qualified him for a great many jobs that he is interested in - so that is wonderful.  We were told for him to pick 6-7 jobs that he would be "happy" with and rate them and then be prepared with that information when he speaks to the job placement specialist at MEPS.  The recruiter told us that he would stay the night at a hotel on Wednesday night and then go to MEPS Thursday morning.  I assume there he will be doing the basic medical and physical stuff as well as making sure he doesn't do drugs, etc.  Then he goes to the placement person -- then he is sworn in?  How will his father and I know when he will be sworn in?  Will he be able to call us and we can go?  I'd like to be there when he selects his job too and signs the contract.  I want to be sure everything is clear.  I also want to know when he is leaving for boot camp etc.  Will all that be known on MEPS day?

[jacqueline-rn]

I'm fairly new at this but I think it varies.  My son just graduated from high school last month.  He went to MEPS and took the ASVAB sometime during the winter.   There was also a pretty basic physical at that time.  Then in April I think it was I got a call from school and my son said, "Mom, the Navy popped for a job and the school needs for you to okay me to leave!"  He was very excited and I was a nervous wreck for two days.  He had a specific job (I believe the Navy word is "Rating") that he wanted so that may have had something to do with the wait time.  Also the fact that he was still in school.  When he got his rating he signed his contract and got the date he would leave for bootcamp (in his case November).  I believe that in November he goes back to MEPS again (which in our case means going south to get to MEPS before going north to Great Lakes) and there is a formal swearing in at that time.  For some I think the process is quicker.  You might want to check out the group "New Moms Stop Here".  Several experts check in there frequently and answer questions for us Newbies.  Oh, and welcome to the Navy!

[momofawsm]

Thanks so much Jacqueline.  --- Stacey (proud mom)

[Angie]

My nephew this week to MEPS and wasn't allowed to call anyone.  BUT his parents talked to the recruiter and the recruiter told us what time he "might be " sworn in.  So we showed up about 30 min before the time the recruiter said.  We waited about 2 hours for him to be sworn in.

 

Recommend you talk to the recruiter and ask him what time they "think" he will be sworn in.  (if he gets a job).

 

It is up to your son if you can go in while they offer him a job and he signs the contract. 

[Rochesterhillsmom]

When my son went to MEPS in November, he took the ASVAB that day and did the physical. We showed up around lunch time and signed in as a guest. We saw him briefly while he had lunch there. When it came time for the job placement, he did come out and review them with us. He was offered 3 positions, but by the time he went back in his top choice was already taken. The jobs are in "real time" and other MEPS are competing for them as well. He did sign his contract then because he was not sure what jobs would be offered if he returned. He will be an IT Specialist, a job not initially on his list. We then hung around some more and were able to attend the swearing in ceremony. We were the only parents there! I think the job placement people go home at 4:00, so they wrap things up by 3:00...at least at our location. It was a long day. Hope there are some jobs available that he is interested in. I've heard that at the moment they are very limited and some young men have to go into the reserves and play the waiting game. When my son signed his contract, he got the date he would leave for bootcamp....July 6th!!!! P.S. just graduated from high school, so could not leave before now anyway....