The Field Guide
Plain-language answers to the busy work. Official links where they exist. Confirm with your recruiter before you act on anything.
Clearance
Process
What happens at MEPS?
Military Entrance Processing Station: medical, ASVAB/PiCAT verification, job consult, and often the oath.
What is DEP?
Delayed Entry Program — you are in, but you have not shipped to BMT yet.
The enlistment contract
The DD Form 4 and annexes are the job, term, bonuses, and ship date in writing.
Ship date vs report date
Ship date is when you leave for BMT. Report date is when you must be there.
What you get paid
Base pay is by rank and years. BAH and BAS come after you leave BMT in most cases.
GI Bill briefing
You will get a benefits briefing. You choose programs; you do not get all of them by default.
Admin
Transcripts and records
Official high-school or college transcripts, and medical records your recruiter asked for.
Waivers
A waiver asks the service to accept something that is otherwise disqualifying.
Tattoos and appearance
Content, location, and size are regulated. Document everything before MEPS.
Drug history
MEPS will test you. Past use can need a waiver. Current use ends the process.
The busy work, honestly
Copies, signatures, waiting rooms, and doing it again because one date was wrong.