I have a few pretty basic questions. Can someone help me out?
1) I am going to do MEPS this upcoming week, can anybody tell me what to expect. More specifically time, what type of evaluations and any advice anyone has.
2) I have been pro-rec'd SNA and my recruiter told me that I will be attending OCS in RI and then going down to AOCS in Pcola. Is this the normal shakeout or is there reason for concern like maybe my pro-rec isnt all it seems. Also will I be in RI for the full 12 weeks and then an additional 4 weeks in Pcola or 12 weeks in total or some other breakup.
3) I am in exceptional physical condition and am comfortable in the water and see no problem passing the swim test and abandon ship drill, I am concerned about the survival float and garment inflation. My prep book is fairly vague as to what these two assessments actually are and how to prepare for them. Anybody with knowledge have any suggestions.
Thanks
1. Typical physical. Eye test, blood pressure, blood draw, hearing test, 15,000 forms, piss test, one on one with the doctor (turn your head and cough) and then the civvie olympics. The civvie olympics is the only real new and different part. It is a test where you stand in a room with around six other guys in your underwear while a doctor and enlistedman watch you. It is a test for joints and range of motion. Make sure you first, wear underwear and second, wear underwear that look normal. I did not have any problems with this part, but I also have never had a serious joint injury. If you have had an injury ask your recruiter for some help passing the test. Usually there are some tricks to make the test go alright.
Before I left for MEPS I asked an old flight surgeon for advice. This is what he told me.
1. Don't lift weights for 2-3 days before MEPS. It will raise the amount of protein in your blood and this can appear like you have diabetes.
2. Some people have problem with the piss test so when they wake up in the morning they hold it in till the test. This piss can have abnormal amounts of stuff in it and may not look good. So when you wake up, take a piss and the immediately drink a large glass of water. You should then be good for your piss test once you get there. You sign paperwork for what seems like the first hour, but then tell someone you have to go so you can get the test out of the way early on. The lucky individuals who can not pee in front of someone easily get to sit there drinking water until they can go.
3. Make sure you eat a full, healthy breakfast in the morning and try to get sleep.
4. You are going to have to list the recent times you have gone to a doctor. Try to get a list of what you went for, the name of the doctor you went to and an address for them. I had a tough time remembering the last time I had a sinus infection, much less the address for the doctor.
5. Do not call the CO or any officer dude. I saw a guy about to enlist in the Marines call the Marine CO "dude" to get his attention. The CO looked like he wanted to rip his head off, but calmly answered his question. This was the same guy who wore boxers with dragons on them.
2. I do not completely understand what you are saying, but this is how it goes. You applied and are Pro-rec, meaning professional recommendation. Complete MEPS and you EPSQ with no problems and you are in. OCS is 12 weeks. AOCS was the Aviation Officer Candidate School and does not exist anymore. When you graduate you go off to a school for your career field.
3. Get in a pool and start trying those exercises if you feel really insecure. Most will say to not worry about it until you get there.
If you have any other questions feel free to ask me.
