MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station)
MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station) is a Department of Defense facility where military applicants complete the CAT-ASVAB, undergo medical examinations, and take the oath of enlistment. There are 65 MEPS locations across the United States.
Exam Tip
MEPS is where you take the CAT-ASVAB, get a medical exam, and enlist. 65 locations nationwide. Serves all branches. MET sites offer only paper ASVAB testing, not full processing.
What is MEPS?
MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station) is the centralized facility where all prospective military recruits are evaluated for enlistment. It is jointly operated by the Department of Defense and serves all branches of the military.
What Happens at MEPS
| Step | Activity | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | CAT-ASVAB testing | ~3 hours |
| 2 | Medical examination | 3-4 hours |
| 3 | Background screening | Varies |
| 4 | Job counseling | 1-2 hours |
| 5 | Oath of enlistment | Brief ceremony |
Medical Examination
| Component | What's Checked |
|---|---|
| Vision | Acuity, color vision, depth perception |
| Hearing | Audiometry test |
| Blood/Urine | Drug screening, HIV, blood type |
| Physical | Height, weight, body composition |
| Orthopedic | Joint flexibility, range of motion |
| Medical History | Review of disqualifying conditions |
MEPS vs. MET Sites
| Feature | MEPS | MET Site |
|---|---|---|
| ASVAB version | CAT-ASVAB | Paper ASVAB |
| Medical exam | Yes | No |
| Job counseling | Yes | No |
| Oath of enlistment | Yes | No |
| Locations | 65 nationwide | Hundreds |
| Full processing | Yes | Testing only |
Important MEPS Facts
- Recruits typically stay overnight at a hotel near MEPS (paid by the military)
- The process usually takes 1-2 full days
- All branches process through the same MEPS facility
- MEPS personnel are not recruiters and represent the DoD, not a specific branch
- PiCAT verification tests are completed at MEPS
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Related Terms
Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)
The ASVAB is a multiple-aptitude test administered by the U.S. Department of Defense to determine qualification for military enlistment and job placement across all branches. It consists of 10 subtests covering verbal, math, science, and technical domains.
CAT-ASVAB (Computer Adaptive Test)
The CAT-ASVAB is the computer-adaptive version of the ASVAB taken at Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS). It adapts question difficulty based on your answers, contains 145 questions across 10 subtests, and takes approximately 154 minutes.
Delayed Entry Program (DEP)
The Delayed Entry Program (DEP), also called the Delayed Enlistment Program, allows individuals to enlist in a branch of the U.S. military and delay reporting for active duty for up to 365 days, giving time to finish school, get in shape, or wait for a desired job opening.
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