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M.E.P.S. Question
Hi,
First let me say thank you to everyone on this site who have so willingly shared their experience and knowledge to help moms that are new to all of this! This site has already been a tremendous help to me and my daughter!
I am totally new to all of this and I have spent a lot of time doing research and have been able to find answers to almost all of my questions except this one so if you don't mind helping me out with it, I would be so grateful. Thanks!
My daughter, who is 17, will be graduating high school in May and she has decided she would like to join the Navy. We have started the paperwork with the recruiter and she is scheduled to go for M.E.P.S. at the first of April. The closest M.E.P.S to us is about 2 hours away so my understanding is that the entire process from the ASVAB testing to choosing a job and swearing in will happen over two days. The way I understand it is that when they get to the portion of processing where she chooses a job, she will be given the jobs available (that she qualifies for) and will have to choose one right on the spot and the recruiter said that neither I nor her dad will be able to be present when she is doing this. My concern is this... what if none of the jobs that she is interested in are offered to her? So I asked the recruiter what would happen if that were the case and basically it sounded like they wouldn't be too happy if she didn't choose to take anything they offered her right then. She is only 17 and I don't want her being intimidated in to signing a contract for a job that she may hate just because it's inconvenient for them that she take time to consider her options. She has a handful of jobs that she would be interested in, but there is no way to know in advance how her testing will go - if she will even qualify for those jobs and also no way to know if those jobs will even be open. I hope I am making sense. Like I said I am new to all of this so I am hoping maybe I misunderstood the process. In some of the things I have read a few people seemed to indicate that they were given a few days to think about the job they chose.
Anyway, any information that you can share with me to help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again!!
Views: 439
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Anti M on
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She does not have to sign anything if she does not feel it is what she wants to do. With the Navy being overmanned, many of the rates are closed or have very long waiting periods. Do NOT let her believe she can "change later". That rarely happens. She can and should hold out for something she wants and qualifies for. A good recruiter has no need to pressure her, it isn't like they have a quota they can't fill. They may use that to intimidate her, but she shouldn't take the bait.
The initial swearing in is to be in the Navy's Delayed Entry Program, not to actually join the Navy. Think of a promise ring, not a wedding ring. The actual oath and final contract are done immediately before leaving for boot camp.
Look for user Craig here, he runs a DEPPER site and can give you very good advice.
Just so you know, it can up to a year before she ships out.
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Permalink Reply by Concernedad on
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I don't want to give you any specific site to go to, however, there are plenty to find just by Googling. They will explain the ratings of the Navy and hopefully your daughter will find one that appeals to her AND she can qualify for.
My son went to MEPS unprepared and I have to wonder if he'd like a do over. Have her do her own research as this is something that will affect her life very directly. I would also suggest buying one of the many study books on taking the ASVAB. Again, this is one of those times of their lives where results have a direct impact on their future.
FWIW, My son was sort of "led" into a position of need when he was at MEPS after a physical flaw prevented him from signing up for what he truly wanted.
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Permalink Reply by Angie on
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She doesn't have to sign up for a job if she doesn't want it, she can go back to MEPS a few times. Now if she is job locked, meaning only wants one or two jobs, odds are the recruiter will drop her and not deal with her after a certain number of times.
Sorry to say, lots of people just sign what ever job, in the hopes they can change it. Which isn't always true...they can try and change it BEFORE they leave for bootcamp...but once they leave for bootcamp that is the job they will get. Some recruiters will say they can change while in bootcamp or even after bootcamp. NOT TRUE! They either stick with the school they got, or if they fail out (they can't just quit the school) they go undes. They can TRY And switch jobs after 24 months in the job they have...or after 12 months if they end up undes....BUT there needs to be a need for that job and they need to be qualifed for it.
Oh-yea about the you can't be there...that is a line. you can go to MEPS! If the recruiter says you can't tell him you want to talk to his boss...BUT make sure your daughter wants you there...if she says no, it is no you can't go with her. Once at MEPS your daughter is the one who needs to ask for you to be in on certain things, and yes there are certain things you can not go in on.
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Permalink Reply by Denise-- Seabee Mom on
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My son signed up when he was 17 and was in boot before he was 18. When he singed..I should say when I signed him up he was very clear as to what he wanted. He said to get him in but he didn't want to be on a ship. He tested where he needed to get what he wanted. We didn't live close to where he had to go for MEPS. The recruiter took him when he needed to go. I have to admit I am talking about 1998 so things were different. But something that hasnt changed is you arent going to want to sign her up if you think she isnt sure. Since she is under 18 you do have that control. It does suck that if they are offered a job at times they dont have the "think about it" time. The job can be gone the next day
Your daughter is only 17 you still have the power. have her read up on the navy jobs and see what interest her. Have her check out Craig's forum for deppers.
Heres some things to check out
http://www.navydep.com/forums/
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