ProTalk: The MEPS Applicant
By Rick Welling, Dr. David Dawson, Sgt. 1st Class Jeremy Barbaresi, USAREC, Doctrine Division
Sept. 11, 2015
"The MEPS Applicant" is the final stage Jessica Carter encounters before she enlists in the United States Army becoming a Future Soldier. This scenario provides additional TTPs on how to turn an applicant into a Future Soldier.
Staff Sgt. James Johnson just completed the enlistment record on applicant Jessica Carter, who is scheduled to process through the MEPS the following week.
Johnson gave his center leader, Sgt. 1st Class Carl Miller, a complete QC’d enlistment record that includes an FSR2S reservation for MOS 68W, Live Scan submission, and high school ASVAB pull.
He reminds Miller that Jessica’s father will attend the swear-in ceremony. Johnson is prepared to pull the trigger and project Jessica for a Monday night hotel stay and Tuesday MEPS processing and enlistment once Miller gives his ok.
Miller: “Staff Sgt. Johnson, I just QC’d Jessica’s enlistment record and everything looks good. Go ahead and project her to floor for Tuesday. As with every applicant, I want to speak with her Monday prior to you leaving for the MEPS hotel. Sgt. Carla Morris will ride with you to the MEPS, I told her to clear her calendar. You should also plan to take Mrs. Debrowski a nice certificate next week for providing this referral.
I told Capt. Armor about how much she helps us with recruiting and he wants to present her a certificate of appreciation next Thursday during his center visit. He also wants to speak with Jessica when she enlists to congratulate her. The company commander’s new policy is that he or the first sergeant will personally congratulate each new Soldier upon enlistment.”
Johnson informs Jessica that her hotel reservation has been made for Monday and her enlistment is set for Tuesday. He reminds her to bring a change of clothes, including a traditional bra and panties (no thongs, lingerie, lace, etc.), to drink plenty of water and rest over the weekend, avoid loud noises, and stay out of trouble.
They then review the timeline of events for Monday to include her 11 a.m. arrival at the center for a final MEPs briefing and hotseat with Miller. Johnson sends Jessica an email confirming all the details they just discussed and a link to the “A Day at the MEPS” video asking her to review it at www.mepcom.army.mil/video.html.
Johnson continues with his mission assignments in support of the center ROP throughout the week - making and conducting additional appointments, identifying testers, ultimately generating additional applicants to enlist.
Johnson knows the mission doesn’t stop just because he has an applicant ready to enlist. He is always looking for the next Future Soldier. Johnson volunteers to accompany other recruiters on their appointments and challenges others to continually prospect and exceed the center’s mission.
On Friday afternoon, Miller conducts his weekly station training session, immediately followed by his weekly AAR. He provides his recruiters the common operating picture for the center’s mission, explaining that the center needs two additional high school grad alphas to make their assigned mission, and presents the plan to succeed.
Miller provides the following week’s major muscle movements, including MEPS processors (Jessica Carter), shippers, testers, the center’s lead-generating events, planned school visits, Future Soldier training, and targeted prospecting efforts, concluding with his weekend safety briefing.
During the weekend, Johnson calls Jessica to make sure she is doing okay, reinforce the timeline for Monday and Tuesday, remind her of everything she is required to bring with her, and ask if she has any additional questions.
First thing Monday morning, Miller holds his weekly center planning meeting. He reinforces everything they discussed on Friday during the AAR and uses this as a tool to get his Soldiers focused on the mission and ready to execute their plans.
In addition to the major muscle movements, Miller also talks more in detail about specific prospects and applicants, Future Soldiers, and individual recruiter plans for the week. At the conclusion of the meeting all recruiters are focused on what they need to do to contribute to the center’s mission.
Jessica arrives at the center just before 11 a.m. with her overnight bag. Johnson greets her, introduces her to Morris, and asks her to have a seat at his desk. He engages Jessica in general small talk, asking her about her weekend, to make her feel more comfortable.
Johnson confirms with Jessica that nothing has changed since they last met, that she hasn’t been in any trouble, been sick, injured, or been around anyone using illegal drugs. He asks her to fill out the unit’s Pre-MEPs Questionnaire to help identify any potential issues that may arise during the physical and enlistment the following day. After she finishes the questionnaire, Johnson reviews it for possible issues and then notifies Miller that Jessica is ready for her final hotseat prior to leaving.
Miller asks Jessica if she reviewed the video “A Day at the MEPs.” He discusses in detail every aspect of what she should expect from the physical and enlistment process, from the hotel stay to her getting picked up after the swear-in ceremony the following day. Miller reviews the Pre-MEPs Questionnaire asking her again about every medical issue he can possibly think of, criminal history to include juvenile offenses, drug use, pregnancy, and ultimately reinforcing her commitment to enlist into the Army.
When he is satisfied Jessica has no issues that will surface at the MEPS, he congratulates her again on her decision to enlist.
At noon Johnson, Morris, and Jessica depart on the long drive to the MEPs hotel. During the entire drive, Johnson and Morris continue to emphasize to Jessica the importance of displaying proper conduct while at the MEPs, how to ensure there are no unforeseen problems with the physical, and what to expect from the Army guidance counselor.
Morris provides Jessica a female’s perspective about the Army and Army life. Both Johnson and Morris continue to make Jessica feel as if she is already part of the Army family. Johnson talks to Jessica about each of the Army guidance counselors at the MEPS, how professional they are at what they do. He assures her that each counselor is an expert and will take care of her and her father.
Once they arrive at the hotel, they take Jessica to the front desk and sign her in, ensuring she gets her meal ticket and listens to the hotel clerk explain the rules and actions needed to get to the MEPS in the morning. The three walk to Jessica’s room, ensuring there are no room issues.
Johnson spends 10 minutes reviewing for the final time the expectations for tomorrow, prior to saying good night and driving back to the recruiting center. He ensures Jessica has his and Morris’s phone numbers, just in case she has any additional questions. He then calls Miller telling him that he and Morris are departing the hotel heading back to the center.
Miller instructs Johnson and Morris to report two hours late in the morning to compensate for their late evening.
When Johnson arrives at the center the following morning he asks Miller if there was any word from the MEPS. Miller answered that Jessica arrived at the MEPS and that no news is good news. Johnson reviews and starts executing his daily plans.
At the MEPS, Jessica completes her physical and returns to the Army’s liaison office. One of the guidance counselors introduces himself, instructing Jessica to go to the break area until he has a chance to review her enlistment record. She recognizes his name as one of the counselors Johnson spoke of the night before.
Ten minutes later her name is called. Standing in the doorway is the Army guidance counselor and her father, who walks with them to the counselor’s office.
The guidance counselor tells Jessica that he can tell Johnson completed her enlistment record explaining that it is “piece of beauty,” a perfect enlistment record. He then explains to her that it is his job to match her record with all the Army job vacancies available, based on her credentials.
The counselor asks her several questions about her goals, taking note of the FSR2S pull for MOS 68W, and asked what got her interested in healthcare. Jessica describes her passion and long-term goals for a career in healthcare. The guidance counselor then confirms with Jessica that she wants MOS 68W and begins the process confirming her selection and associated Army programs. He completes all the paperwork and congratulates Jessica and her father. He directs Jessica to the MEPS control desk to complete her enlistment record, informing her father to wait in the break room until the swear-in ceremony.
Jessica completes all the required paper work and interviews required then reports back to the Army liaison office to talk with the senior guidance counselor. The counselor completes a thorough review of Jessica’s enlistment record and signs it confirming its accuracy and completion. The counselor congratulates her, explaining he expects her to return with her bags packed in a few months.
Jessica reports to the control desk telling the control officer she is ready to swear in to the United States Army. The control officer directs her to the break room to wait for her name to be called.
When she enters the break room, she sees Johnson and her father talking. Both look relieved and happy to see Jessica has completed the hardest elements of the enlistment process.
Johnson asks her how the day went and did it flow the same as he and Miller had described it would. Johnson asks her to describe any differences between what he told her to expect and what actually occurred, because he knows getting immediate feedback is important to being able to better prepare future applicants. He congratulates Jessica and her father again, telling Jessica he’s proud of her and her decision to serve.
Johnson takes photos following the ceremony of Jessica and the swearing-in officer from inside the room, inviting her father to join them.
Jessica returns to the guidance counselor’s office to finish up her enlistment contract, and is then informed that she’s done for the day and is allowed to leave with her recruiter.
As Johnson, Jessica, and Jessica’s father leave the MEPs together, Johnson walks them to their car, then calls his commander to congratulate Jessica on her enlistment. Johnson tells Jessica to enjoy the rest of her day and to expect a phone call from him tomorrow so they can discuss a time to conduct her Future Soldier orientation counseling.
Recruiters such as Johnson provide this lifetime experience to applicants every day. Some recruiters fully understand the meaning of the badge they wear. The circular band represents the Army’s continuous need for young men and women of quality to fill its ranks. The eagle stands for federal authority. The upraised wings and flaming torch refer to the many opportunities for advancement through education and training offered by the modern Army.
Based on the number of applicants floored when this article was written (91,063) for both the regular Army and Reserve, USAREC enlisted 71,409. That’s a conversion ratio of 78 percent. Considering the total number of appointments conducted (442,559) to the number of enlistments, the command converted 16 percent of appointments conducted to Army enlistments.
By Rick Welling, Dr. David Dawson, Sgt. 1st Class Jeremy Barbaresi, USAREC, Doctrine Division
Sept. 11, 2015
"The MEPS Applicant" is the final stage Jessica Carter encounters before she enlists in the United States Army becoming a Future Soldier. This scenario provides additional TTPs on how to turn an applicant into a Future Soldier.
Staff Sgt. James Johnson just completed the enlistment record on applicant Jessica Carter, who is scheduled to process through the MEPS the following week.
Johnson gave his center leader, Sgt. 1st Class Carl Miller, a complete QC’d enlistment record that includes an FSR2S reservation for MOS 68W, Live Scan submission, and high school ASVAB pull.
He reminds Miller that Jessica’s father will attend the swear-in ceremony. Johnson is prepared to pull the trigger and project Jessica for a Monday night hotel stay and Tuesday MEPS processing and enlistment once Miller gives his ok.
Miller: “Staff Sgt. Johnson, I just QC’d Jessica’s enlistment record and everything looks good. Go ahead and project her to floor for Tuesday. As with every applicant, I want to speak with her Monday prior to you leaving for the MEPS hotel. Sgt. Carla Morris will ride with you to the MEPS, I told her to clear her calendar. You should also plan to take Mrs. Debrowski a nice certificate next week for providing this referral.
I told Capt. Armor about how much she helps us with recruiting and he wants to present her a certificate of appreciation next Thursday during his center visit. He also wants to speak with Jessica when she enlists to congratulate her. The company commander’s new policy is that he or the first sergeant will personally congratulate each new Soldier upon enlistment.”
Johnson informs Jessica that her hotel reservation has been made for Monday and her enlistment is set for Tuesday. He reminds her to bring a change of clothes, including a traditional bra and panties (no thongs, lingerie, lace, etc.), to drink plenty of water and rest over the weekend, avoid loud noises, and stay out of trouble.
They then review the timeline of events for Monday to include her 11 a.m. arrival at the center for a final MEPs briefing and hotseat with Miller. Johnson sends Jessica an email confirming all the details they just discussed and a link to the “A Day at the MEPS” video asking her to review it at www.mepcom.army.mil/video.html.
Johnson continues with his mission assignments in support of the center ROP throughout the week - making and conducting additional appointments, identifying testers, ultimately generating additional applicants to enlist.
Johnson knows the mission doesn’t stop just because he has an applicant ready to enlist. He is always looking for the next Future Soldier. Johnson volunteers to accompany other recruiters on their appointments and challenges others to continually prospect and exceed the center’s mission.
On Friday afternoon, Miller conducts his weekly station training session, immediately followed by his weekly AAR. He provides his recruiters the common operating picture for the center’s mission, explaining that the center needs two additional high school grad alphas to make their assigned mission, and presents the plan to succeed.
Miller provides the following week’s major muscle movements, including MEPS processors (Jessica Carter), shippers, testers, the center’s lead-generating events, planned school visits, Future Soldier training, and targeted prospecting efforts, concluding with his weekend safety briefing.
During the weekend, Johnson calls Jessica to make sure she is doing okay, reinforce the timeline for Monday and Tuesday, remind her of everything she is required to bring with her, and ask if she has any additional questions.
First thing Monday morning, Miller holds his weekly center planning meeting. He reinforces everything they discussed on Friday during the AAR and uses this as a tool to get his Soldiers focused on the mission and ready to execute their plans.
In addition to the major muscle movements, Miller also talks more in detail about specific prospects and applicants, Future Soldiers, and individual recruiter plans for the week. At the conclusion of the meeting all recruiters are focused on what they need to do to contribute to the center’s mission.
Jessica arrives at the center just before 11 a.m. with her overnight bag. Johnson greets her, introduces her to Morris, and asks her to have a seat at his desk. He engages Jessica in general small talk, asking her about her weekend, to make her feel more comfortable.
Johnson confirms with Jessica that nothing has changed since they last met, that she hasn’t been in any trouble, been sick, injured, or been around anyone using illegal drugs. He asks her to fill out the unit’s Pre-MEPs Questionnaire to help identify any potential issues that may arise during the physical and enlistment the following day. After she finishes the questionnaire, Johnson reviews it for possible issues and then notifies Miller that Jessica is ready for her final hotseat prior to leaving.
Miller asks Jessica if she reviewed the video “A Day at the MEPs.” He discusses in detail every aspect of what she should expect from the physical and enlistment process, from the hotel stay to her getting picked up after the swear-in ceremony the following day. Miller reviews the Pre-MEPs Questionnaire asking her again about every medical issue he can possibly think of, criminal history to include juvenile offenses, drug use, pregnancy, and ultimately reinforcing her commitment to enlist into the Army.
When he is satisfied Jessica has no issues that will surface at the MEPS, he congratulates her again on her decision to enlist.
At noon Johnson, Morris, and Jessica depart on the long drive to the MEPs hotel. During the entire drive, Johnson and Morris continue to emphasize to Jessica the importance of displaying proper conduct while at the MEPs, how to ensure there are no unforeseen problems with the physical, and what to expect from the Army guidance counselor.
Morris provides Jessica a female’s perspective about the Army and Army life. Both Johnson and Morris continue to make Jessica feel as if she is already part of the Army family. Johnson talks to Jessica about each of the Army guidance counselors at the MEPS, how professional they are at what they do. He assures her that each counselor is an expert and will take care of her and her father.
Once they arrive at the hotel, they take Jessica to the front desk and sign her in, ensuring she gets her meal ticket and listens to the hotel clerk explain the rules and actions needed to get to the MEPS in the morning. The three walk to Jessica’s room, ensuring there are no room issues.
Johnson spends 10 minutes reviewing for the final time the expectations for tomorrow, prior to saying good night and driving back to the recruiting center. He ensures Jessica has his and Morris’s phone numbers, just in case she has any additional questions. He then calls Miller telling him that he and Morris are departing the hotel heading back to the center.
Miller instructs Johnson and Morris to report two hours late in the morning to compensate for their late evening.
When Johnson arrives at the center the following morning he asks Miller if there was any word from the MEPS. Miller answered that Jessica arrived at the MEPS and that no news is good news. Johnson reviews and starts executing his daily plans.
At the MEPS, Jessica completes her physical and returns to the Army’s liaison office. One of the guidance counselors introduces himself, instructing Jessica to go to the break area until he has a chance to review her enlistment record. She recognizes his name as one of the counselors Johnson spoke of the night before.
Ten minutes later her name is called. Standing in the doorway is the Army guidance counselor and her father, who walks with them to the counselor’s office.
The guidance counselor tells Jessica that he can tell Johnson completed her enlistment record explaining that it is “piece of beauty,” a perfect enlistment record. He then explains to her that it is his job to match her record with all the Army job vacancies available, based on her credentials.
The counselor asks her several questions about her goals, taking note of the FSR2S pull for MOS 68W, and asked what got her interested in healthcare. Jessica describes her passion and long-term goals for a career in healthcare. The guidance counselor then confirms with Jessica that she wants MOS 68W and begins the process confirming her selection and associated Army programs. He completes all the paperwork and congratulates Jessica and her father. He directs Jessica to the MEPS control desk to complete her enlistment record, informing her father to wait in the break room until the swear-in ceremony.
Jessica completes all the required paper work and interviews required then reports back to the Army liaison office to talk with the senior guidance counselor. The counselor completes a thorough review of Jessica’s enlistment record and signs it confirming its accuracy and completion. The counselor congratulates her, explaining he expects her to return with her bags packed in a few months.
Jessica reports to the control desk telling the control officer she is ready to swear in to the United States Army. The control officer directs her to the break room to wait for her name to be called.
When she enters the break room, she sees Johnson and her father talking. Both look relieved and happy to see Jessica has completed the hardest elements of the enlistment process.
Johnson asks her how the day went and did it flow the same as he and Miller had described it would. Johnson asks her to describe any differences between what he told her to expect and what actually occurred, because he knows getting immediate feedback is important to being able to better prepare future applicants. He congratulates Jessica and her father again, telling Jessica he’s proud of her and her decision to serve.
Johnson takes photos following the ceremony of Jessica and the swearing-in officer from inside the room, inviting her father to join them.
Jessica returns to the guidance counselor’s office to finish up her enlistment contract, and is then informed that she’s done for the day and is allowed to leave with her recruiter.
As Johnson, Jessica, and Jessica’s father leave the MEPs together, Johnson walks them to their car, then calls his commander to congratulate Jessica on her enlistment. Johnson tells Jessica to enjoy the rest of her day and to expect a phone call from him tomorrow so they can discuss a time to conduct her Future Soldier orientation counseling.
Recruiters such as Johnson provide this lifetime experience to applicants every day. Some recruiters fully understand the meaning of the badge they wear. The circular band represents the Army’s continuous need for young men and women of quality to fill its ranks. The eagle stands for federal authority. The upraised wings and flaming torch refer to the many opportunities for advancement through education and training offered by the modern Army.
Based on the number of applicants floored when this article was written (91,063) for both the regular Army and Reserve, USAREC enlisted 71,409. That’s a conversion ratio of 78 percent. Considering the total number of appointments conducted (442,559) to the number of enlistments, the command converted 16 percent of appointments conducted to Army enlistments.