MEPS for commissioned officers

chudder · Jun 27, 2012

You will not stay overnight or take your oath. Getting through MEPS is a prerequisite for commissioning, not a guarantee that you will get a commission. You will stand in line with everyone else :)

CaitsMommy · Jun 28, 2012

Thank you!

willhigg6 · Jun 28, 2012

Hi,
I have been rummaging through the topics and I have not found anything recently regarding MEPS for commissioned officers. I apologize if I have missed a topic regarding my question. I am scheduling my MEPS appointment for the Navy in 2 weeks. I have my BSN and am currently interviewing for Med-Surge positions. I am a new graduate. My recruiter has told me to go ahead and look for Med-surge jobs due to the waiting list for commissioned officers. He hopes that I will be able to do active duty by next Oct. I have read a lot about MEPS but it seems most of the information is regarding enlisted. My questions are as follows:
1. Is it true that potential officers do not have to stay overnight?
2. Are there different requirements for officers at MEPS?
3. I have read/viewed that enlisted candidates swear in at MEPS if they are cleared. Is this true for officers?
4. In general, what are the main differences between MEPS for enlisted and commissioned officers?
5. Does being cleared by MEPS mean that I will be able to come into the Navy as a commissioned officer as soon as a spot opens or is their still the possibility the board will deny me?
I have seen many posters on this site who have direct experience, and would appreciate input from such posters. Thank you very much in advance.

I went through it back in January or so. I didn't have to stay overnight, but I was also within 30 minutes driving distance. I'm not sure where your closest MEPS center is. You will not swear in. Main difference between the two, to the best of my knowledge, is they interview and select a job after the medical and fingerprint part (I just left after that). And you will have to be selected to be commissioned. Going through MEPS is a prerequisite/requirement and part of your application to be commissioned. Hope this helps!

midinphx, BSN · Jun 29, 2012

MEPs is simply one small (yet very important) step in applying for a commission. It's basically ruling out anyone who is not physically capable of being in the military.

I went through when I enlisted at 18yr and I went through when I commissioned at 41yr. It's essentially the same experience for the physical part. Enlisted swear in at the MEPS station. Officers get commissioned after the entire paperwork and acceptance process is complete. You will leave the MEPS station with either a yes, no, or a wait. And the recruiter doesn't send you to MEPs until other paperwork is complete.

If you are healthy, MEPs is just a one day boring sit through. I showed up at mine alone at the appointed day and time and left on my own when dismissed. After which was more months of waiting.

Enjoy. :)

CaitsMommy · Jun 29, 2012

Thanks for all the replies. I figured this might be the case. I have asked my recruiter what might make me more marketable to the board. Didn't really get much of a response. I've read around and it seems no one really knows if there is any rhyme or reason to the selections?? Has this been the experience of most here? Also, I read on the boards here that they may refuse reserve nurses from going active due to having a hard time keeping reserve nursing slots filled? Has anyone else heard this? The recruiters I spoke with said a reserve nurse has to apply just like any other nurse trying to be commissioned, but nothing about it may be harder to get in. It was my understanding being reserve looks good on the packet. Sorry for all the questions. I am very determined to get in and I would like to do whatever I can to increase my chances even if I have to reapply next year. Thanks in advance.

CarolinaFNP · Dec 22, 2013

Is it true they disqualify you for breastfeeding? I'll be six months postpartum going in but if it's anything like my first child, I didn't dry up completely for six months after I stopped with her.

coconutzz · Dec 22, 2013

CarolinaFNP,

Before you go to the board or leave for COT (it is different depending on how you apply), you need a qualifying physical. Each MEPS might have a different interpretation of the qualifying and disqualifying conditions, but they showed me the documentation that stated that pregnancy and breastfeeding are disqualifying for a MEPS physical. Because both enlisted and officers go through MEPS, and basic training does not accommodate pumping, they do not allow lactation. I was told COT also does not accommodate pumping, but I may be wrong. I would ask your recruiter to contact someone about this because it took A LOT of doctors and phone calls to get this corrected, even after months of no longer breastfeeding. It was very stressful! You can contact me by pm once you get enough posts if you have questions:)

anichka · Dec 22, 2013

You need to be worldwide deployable when you go in. If you are breastfeeding, the Navy gives you 1 year after giving birth to do that. It sounds like you are planning to continue breastfeeding past 6 months - so it will likely put any plans on hold for a little while. If you chose not to breastfeed that long, of course, it won't stop you.

coconutzz · Dec 22, 2013

There is a difference between once you are in and when you are applying. Going in, you cannot breastfeed during basic (COT, OTS, or basic). After you get in is another story. This is how it was explained to me as I was applying and hit my own roadblock.

cateetee · Dec 23, 2013

Is it true they disqualify you for breastfeeding? I'll be six months postpartum going in but if it's anything like my first child I didn't dry up completely for six months after I stopped with her.[/quote']
While I was at COT last Oct, there was someone in my flight that was 3 months postpartum & they accommodated her pumping schedule. It was rough on her as you are already sleep deprived as it is, but she made it work. I'm pretty sure they still allow it.

jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA · Dec 26, 2013

As far as rhyme or reason for acceptance, it's a lot like a job interview on steroids. Grades (Nursing), certifications, work experience, and your interview skills all play a role. I had to apply twice and got it the 2nd time. From my limited experience, it seems as if they like people who have applied before and also prior enlisted. I don't know what branch you are applying to, but the Navy and Army are extremely difficult right now; the AF is still doing multiple boards per year and taking new grads without ROTC. I would recommend applying to multiple branches to increase your chances.