Free Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS) Job Counseling and Contracts Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An applicant qualifies for multiple jobs and expresses a strong desire for an intelligence role. The Service Counselor, aware of a critical shortage in infantry positions, offers the applicant a large enlistment bonus to sign for infantry. What is the counselor's primary responsibility in this situation?
- To assign the applicant to the infantry role because it is a critical need for the service.
- To accurately inform the applicant of all available options they qualify for, explaining the benefits of the critical-need job, but allowing the applicant to make the final choice. (Correct answer)
- To exclusively process the paperwork for the intelligence role the applicant initially requested.
- To inform the applicant that the intelligence role is unavailable and they must choose the infantry position to proceed.
Correct answer: To accurately inform the applicant of all available options they qualify for, explaining the benefits of the critical-need job, but allowing the applicant to make the final choice.
A Service Counselor's role is to balance the needs of the service with the qualifications and desires of the applicant. They must provide comprehensive and accurate information about all jobs the applicant is qualified for, including any incentives like bonuses for high-need fields, but the ultimate decision from the available options rests with the applicant.
Question 2: Which of the following documents serves as the legally binding enlistment contract that specifies an applicant's term of service, pay grade, and any guaranteed incentives like enlistment bonuses?
- SF-86, Questionnaire for National Security Positions
- ASVAB Score Report
- DD Form 2807-2, Medical Prescreen Report
- DD Form 4, Enlistment/Reenlistment Document (Correct answer)
Correct answer: DD Form 4, Enlistment/Reenlistment Document
The DD Form 4 is the official, legally binding contract between the enlistee and the U.S. government. It, along with its annexes, details the specifics of the enlistment agreement, including the length of service, job, and any financial incentives promised.
Question 3: A high school senior enlists under the Delayed Entry Program (DEP) in November and is scheduled to ship to basic training the following August. During the time between their first and second swearing-in, what is their official military status?
- Active Duty Trainee
- Civilian Candidate
- Inactive Reserve (Correct answer)
- Future Soldier
Correct answer: Inactive Reserve
Upon signing the initial contract and taking the first oath, an individual in the DEP is officially a member of the inactive reserve of their chosen service. They do not draw pay or accrue benefits and are not yet subject to the full Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) until they ship to basic training and transition to active duty.
Question 4: A Service Counselor is reviewing an applicant's test results to determine their eligibility for a highly technical role like a Cryptologic Technician. Which factor is most critical for qualifying for a specific Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) or rating?
- The applicant's overall AFQT percentile score.
- The applicant's highest individual subtest score.
- The relevant ASVAB composite line scores for that specific job field. (Correct answer)
- The applicant's Career Exploration Scores.
Correct answer: The relevant ASVAB composite line scores for that specific job field.
While the Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) score determines overall eligibility to enlist, specific jobs require minimum scores on various composite line scores. These line scores are combinations of different ASVAB subtests that are tailored to predict success in a particular career field, such as technical, electronics, or clerical roles.
Question 5: An applicant in the Delayed Entry Program (DEP) is guaranteed a specific job as an Aviation Mechanic. Three months before their ship date, the service informs them that the promised training slot is no longer available. Which of the following is a primary option for the applicant?
- They must ship on the original date under a general aptitude contract.
- They can request to be separated from their DEP contract without penalty. (Correct answer)
- They are automatically assigned to the next most similar job available.
- They must extend their DEP time indefinitely until a slot opens.
Correct answer: They can request to be separated from their DEP contract without penalty.
The enlistment contract guarantees a specific training program. If the service cannot fulfill its promise, the contract is broken. The applicant then typically has the choice to renegotiate for a different available job they qualify for or to be released from their DEP obligation entirely, a process often called a DEP discharge.
Question 6: When an applicant is offered an enlistment bonus for a specific job, where must the details of this incentive be officially documented to be considered a binding part of the contract?
- In the verbal promises made by the Service Counselor.
- On a separate, informal document kept at the recruiting station.
- In an annex attached to the DD Form 4, specifying the amount and conditions. (Correct answer)
- In the applicant's personal notes from the counseling session.
Correct answer: In an annex attached to the DD Form 4, specifying the amount and conditions.
All binding promises and incentives, such as enlistment bonuses, must be officially documented in writing as an annex to the DD Form 4. This annex will specify the exact dollar amount, the job it is tied to, and the requirements for payment (e.g., successful completion of training). Verbal promises are not considered binding.
An applicant qualifies for multiple jobs and expresses a strong desire for an intelligence role.
The Service Counselor, aware of a critical shortage in infantry positions, offers the applicant a large enlistment bonus to sign for infantry.
What is the counselor's primary responsibility in this situation?