I have meps tomorrow and I am a bit worried. I have passed multiple drug test at home with very faint lines plus the test my recruiter provides at the office. Although, my test at home have very faint lines which is making me nervous. I am going on 80 days clean and my recruiter says I’ll be fine, any recommendations or words of encouragement? (THC)

Is my chances ruined of joining since I cant swim? I considered coast guard, army and air force. Also, which branch would probably be best to join as a single mom ?

I'm going to MEPS this week. I've got 2 indoor cats who have all of their claws, and they are prone to scratch if they're trying to jump in my lap and miss, or if they're trying to jump out of my arms. I've got a few small scars around on knee and one small scar on my abdomen that are visible. Will the doctors make a big deal about this?

Or should I just show up? Also, does it make a difference if you should reach out over the phone/email vs showing up in person?

I was sanctioned for non consensual sexual contact in undergrad but I have been trying to find ways to be accepted into a medical school regardless. Would a military medical school care about this?

If you're trying to join the military before you reach the maximum entry age, what are your reasons? I think hearing these would be inspirational for others at any age who are on the fence. What's driving you to want to get in before you miss out on the opportunity forever?

I'm going into OSUT for either 11B or 11C in a little less than 2 weeks. As a 5'8" 140 lb dude, I'm kinda on the skinnier side of things.

I'm able to bench more than my bodyweight (155 lbs for 1 - 2 reps) and do good number of pushups, as well as run at around an 8 min per mile pace.

Around me I see dudes who are more jacked than me, and it gives me this insecurity and doubt if I really belong there.

Anyone else feel the same way?

I am currently finishing my 3rd year of college, pursing a Computer Science Degree (3.23 GPA). I have 1 year left before I graduate and I have set my sights on becoming a Commisioned officer in the Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Airforce). and eventually becoming a Pilot.

I am currently interested in the Air Force because my school has a 3 year ROTC program that I can attend at the local state college but doing so would require me to start my Senior year of college and pursue a masters degree for 2 years which is possible but very very demanding money wise and time wise. Are there any other options to becoming a commisioned officer or is the best option for me. I am open to joining other branches of the military other than the Air Force if it helps me get my foot in the door and take another step towards becoming a military pilot.

Army has me interested since I can choose my first duty station and my job, with the downside of the QoL and barracks being obviously worse. But the chance to guarantee EU for a couple years honestly sounds like a dream.

Meanwhile in the AF I'm gambling for a job and duty station, with the horrifying possibility of getting stationed right in my hometown at Nellis AFB. But single person dorms, no field work, probably better for my career field (cyber/it), more retirability.

I just don't know if i should take chances at being stationed overseas vs getting it in the contract.

I guess I don't plan on retiring since there's much more money in the civ tech world, but I'm sure a more enjoyable 20 yrs would make the retirement benefits more worth it. Idk i'm just stuck between these two because I feel like living overseas is a rare opportunity not only in the military but probably throughout my whole life.

I recently sat down for the ASVAB, thinking it was just a verification test. But, surprise, surprise, it was a full-blown test! It took way longer than I thought.

On the same day, I also took the TAPAS test. But, to be honest, I’m in the dark about how I did. I’ve been trying to get in touch with my recruiter to find out my TAPAS scores.

I’m aiming to join the Space Force, and I’m a bit worried about my TAPAS performance. Does anyone know if there’s a policy for retaking the TAPAS test if things didn’t go well?

And one more thing, can we ask for our TAPAS scores? I mean, is it something they share with us?

Any advice or info would be super helpful. Thanks a ton!

21m went to college dropped out two years ago to help my family construction business now the projects are done I just feel lost in life I’ve worked pretty much everyday for the last two years

I’m not worried about hard work I’m good at self discipline.

My reason for joining is a just a life reset , a do over , go somewhere new , meet new people etc. My older brother died a year ago and I just feel the need to leave this place . I’m making whatever money and realistically couldn’t afford to move out in SoCal by myself.

So is being tired of living at home and not being able to afford to go back to school and wanting to get stuck working at the family business a valid reason to join. I don’t mind what I do put I feel like it there so much more to the world then my small town. My buddy enlisted and he comes back from deployments with stories, he’s a lot more confident and mature now and stuff

I know that a lot of the qualified MOS are things like helicopter repair, do the people that do repair still go into combat? Or is it select mos that actually go in?

For the PULHES testing im hoping to get a 1 for my eyes, but I do need glasses to see 20/20 and I have an astigmatism. My glasses correct both of those things so if I wore my glasses I would probably get a one.

I tried to join the reserves as a pharmacist but was told there are no positions open for that job. Spoke with an army recruiter and took the pretest scores 95 if it matters. Recruiter told me I need to take the asvab if I want to go to ocs to be a reserve officer. A veteran I work with is saying the asvab is only for enlisted. Just wondering if anyone can confirm one way or the other. Thanks guys

This is for army. I am looking g to find out if there is an official publication stating how to address cadets. I’m not talking about west point cadets I’m talking about your basic run of the mill college ROTC cadets. I’m not finding any official answer to this and was hoping to get finding that. I don’t care about what people actually do. I don’t care that “they’re cadets they haven’t earned it yet” type answers. I’m an NCO and currently always give rotc cadets the greeting of the day same as any officer. I always refer to them as sir or ma’am. I need to find the official publications to know if I need to salute them per regulation not per opinion. Thank you for any help!

Howdy, I’m 19 and I’ve been in the enlistment process up to a year now and I’m finally (according to my recruiters) on my last step. Around 2 years ago I was diagnosed with anxiety (even though it was supposed to be social anxiety) and I’ve never taken meds and only went to one follow up appointment afterwards. I’m scheduled May 7th for a behavioral consult and I can’t screw this up. I want to know what to expect at one of these, how should I act, etc. From the sounds of it, I’m not going to MEPS, just the recruiters office. Thanks, I need all the info I can get.

Hey guys, last August I went to San Jose MEPS and did well on asvab/physical except that I needed a psych eval based on anxiety. I went around october and on november got told I was temporarily dq for 6 months because of an unfavorable consult. My consult was like 5 mins and the last guy was like an hour. It was fast bc most of the questions were ones I did not have to think much to answer so maybe she thought I was lying/nervous because I answered fast or something like that.

Anyways, can retry around May/June and my rc told me to work on getting a clearance letter. I asked the old counselor I had if he could do that but said he could not as I had stopped treatment so I would have to get a new appointment. Where would I even get a one visit letter for this? I have seen many people online as well who have no idea where to get one. At this point I don’t really care if I have to pay out of pocket if it is faster.

This is for Army btw.

Long story short I went to MEPs, they doctor their only brought up my RAD and ADHD, all he said was I may need a PFT for the RAD (Reactive airway disease) too show that I don't have it. He told me not to schedule anything yet because I may not even need one. I was just wondering how long it takes to hear back from MEPs, it's only been a week thus far!

I am 22 and have been thinking about enlisting, and then complete college (I already have an associates) and become and officer.

What are the options for an enlisted to become an officer in each branch? Does the work (I believe it’s called MOS) affect my chances of being approved for any programs to become and officer? Are certain MOSs more easily approved?

If I was approved to any of these programs, can I choose my major even if it’s unrelated to my MOS. For example, getting is as a “machinists mate nuclear” and then studying computer engineering. Or would I have to study nuclear engineering?

What kind of officer would I become after university? If I studied Computer science would I become a CWO or continue working on a nuclear reactor?

How long would it take to become an officer after enlisting? And how would I start the process? Would this process be easier in any of the branches?

Flying had always been in the back of my mind but I had never really considered it as something I would want to do. I'm working on enlisting (Currently waiting on a medical waiver) I know that there is the street to seat program but since I've already done a lot to just enlist I figured I'd enlist and then drop a packet later if thats something I still want to do. I just wasn't sure what the process was like to do that. Do you have to wait until you are a specific rank to apply? I'll be going in as an E4. What other steps are there?

I am shipping off to basic training July 2nd for OSUT then I’ll be headed off to jump school right afterwards. I heard that you have to do a 5 or 6 mile run under 45 minutes but I’m not sure if that’s accurate? Also, for the jump school PT test, do they have you do pull-ups or chin ups? Thank you in advance!

I have a question. I have a major back surgery a couple years ago and was off work for 4 months I get a disability check at 50% disability rate. I heard that they should have paid me at 100% while on recovery is this true? And if so is there a yime limit to put in for it??

I’m in college right now finishing up an associates in computer science. I’m struggling to find work in this field (even with an IT certification) and I don’t imagine it will be any easier with an associates… so I’m thinking of joining either the navy or army reserves for IT if I don’t find work by the time I’m 25. I feel like that is my best option.

I actually enlisted in the navy in 2019 and my rate was going to be IT, but I backed out last minute because I wasn’t ready for the commitment. However I think it will be different this time since I’d be doing part time. I’m still unsure whether the military is right for me though. I’m most worried about not having time for my hobbies. So I guess that’s another question - would I be allowed to bring my crafting supplies and work on my art while I’m in A school/ B school?

Hello, I’ve been back and forth about enlisting since I had graduated high school. I was on SSRI’s for less than a month my junior year and when talking to a recruiter for the Navy, they said I could get a waiver for it since my three years was almost up. Instead of enlisting, I decided to move across the country on a whim away from all my friends and family and my mental health plummeted. Before leaving my state I had my actual doctor sign off that I no longer experienced depression because my recruiter said it would make my life a lot easier if I went to MEPS.

This last week, since I don’t have insurance, I submitted a request for Sertraline through an online service named Hims. I don’t want to take the pills because I think my “depression” is only situational and plan to move back home when my lease is up in a couple months. I’m not really depressed at all, just sad that I’m so far from home and desperately want to go back. It’s not really because I’m homesick, I just don’t have any drive and it’s always been hard for me to make friends. I understand I’ll be far from home while in the military as well but I’d rather be surrounded by others in the same boat, able to work on my career and establish friendships while serving.

What I’m asking is if MEPS would be able to see my prescription if it wasn’t through a “real” doctor, or if a recruiter would be able to work with me in anyway. I apologize if this is the wrong place to post this, but thank you in advance to anyone who may be able to help me out.

Hello, I am 20 and will be graduating soon with my Bachelor's in Economics, with a Minor in Mathematics and Public Policy.

Right now I am lost on where to get started following graduation. I find lots of fields to be interesting and currently can't bring myself to focus on specific fields. Originally I wanted to be an Engineer, then a city planner, and for the last few years an Economist. However, my real passions are in history, economic development, and domestic/international affairs, computer hardware or policy analysis. My GPA isn't spectacular (projected ~3.3 depending when I graduate), but given the coursework and my optimism for the future, I don't mind. I have been introduced to higher level maths and graduate level economics work, like econometrics and game theory, and am currently working for a political campaign in policy analysis.

I have been considering becoming a military reservist, or going through some kind of agency/department training, but I have no clue where to focus on. Intelligence Officer, strategist, international relations strategy, defense industry economics, working for some executive/government agency, working for a defense think tank, etc all sound like possible career choices.

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So my question is, where do I start? Currently I am leaning towards commissioning in the Navy Reserve, and then furthering my education through graduate school (joint service like NDU/NIU, Navy post-grad, or civilian institution). As a reservist, I plan to pursue some private sector/government job depending on if I actually commission or not, while I serve. But basically I see a career in the military as I join as an officer and take advantage of education opportunities (not necessarily tuition covered, but the unique things the military teaches).

Any thoughts, advice? I'm also asking for clarity here, if I have some wrong assumptions, way too much optimism, or if I'm on the right track. Thank you

Long story short I’m going to Basic this summer for the marines then I go to SOI and then joining a reserve unit, so I can go to college and Commission as (if I still want to) as an Infantry Officer. I wanted to know the chances (after I go active) of getting stationed at the Böblingen Headquarters in Germany?

I’m 21 M and wanting to enlist in the Space force, Im 5 10”, abt 160 and have a hs diploma. I wanna enlist to make some money and hopefully further my education, I’ve been living with my gfs family since I was 17 and working at a grocery store.

Haven’t taken the Asvab test want to know what resources I should study to do well, I’m interested in space systems operator minimum score 60.

After that I’d like to know how miserable I should expect basic to be I’ve read it’d be at San Antonio Lackland and it concerns me bc I’m on the skinny side and don’t work out besides pulling pallets.

Besides that I’m a pretty anxious person and know nothing so I’m looking for advice on everything, thanks

So, for context, they're very light. They aren't deep, but they ARE consistent on my arms. Getting into the Navy has been a HUGE dream of mine since I was like, 14 years old. I'm 22 now, and they just dropped their diploma requirements, and I am EAGER to get in and snatch the opportunity up. I intend to get them covered up with tattoos, but that's just expensive and I can't afford it at the moment. And I can't find another job to save up and get them covered, because I wanna snatch this opportunity ASAP while I still can!

They're ONLY on my wrist, so I was thinking of just saying "I dated a girl that had very sharp nails and they were made in bed. I didn't mind it because I liked it" or whatever and just play it off. Will this work? I know I could shoot for a waiver but like I said, I don't want to miss this opportunity and I wanna get in ASAP.

It's been about 3-4 years since I've done this too. It was very short term, and very stupid of me to do it. I don't even know WHY I did it.

How long does it typically take for MEPs to schedule a psych evaluation? I was told I am required to get one due to my therapy notes having stuff in there that was false (minor inconsistencies along with some stuff not even being filled in on simple yes and no questions). I was told by my Air Force liaison that I can submit a written statement that would be attached to my waiver as well and I did that the very same day I finished up my first visit at MEPs.

How long do evaluations last, and what should I expect question wise when they schedule it?

Hey, how do those that served the military for 20+ years and never had the chance to deploy honor your years of service to your country. I'm about to hit my 18 year mark, and never had the opportunity to deploy. I feel embarrassed and like I'm the kid on the bench still waiting for their time in the field. I've sacrificed so much at home station for my branch, my military, but I feel I'm lacking. Hiw do you tell people you served, without ever being deployed. How do you go about having pride in your service if you never deployed? I know I should be proud I completed as many years as I have, and I have many years left. I'm not stopping at 20. But after 18 years, and not spent anytime deployed, has caught up to me. I feel like an outcast ( only in my head). I feel like I am missing out of something my brother's amd sisters have in common, that I know nothing about.