MEPS Applicant Processing and Conduct Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An applicant arrives for MEPS processing wearing clothing with political slogans and is carrying a large, non-transparent backpack. What is the appropriate initial action for the control desk staff to take?
- Immediately disqualify the applicant for failing to follow the prescribed dress code.
- Report the applicant to their recruiter and instruct the recruiter to handle the situation.
- Advise the applicant on the MEPS dress and conduct code, and direct them to secure the backpack in a designated locker and obtain appropriate attire if necessary. (Correct answer)
- Allow the applicant to proceed but monitor them closely for disruptive behavior throughout the day.
Correct answer: Advise the applicant on the MEPS dress and conduct code, and direct them to secure the backpack in a designated locker and obtain appropriate attire if necessary.
The standard operating procedure is to inform the applicant of the station's rules on conduct, dress, and prohibited items first. This provides the applicant an opportunity to comply by securing their items in a provided locker and, if needed, changing into appropriate attire before being denied processing.
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of the 'Moment of Truth' briefing conducted just prior to an applicant taking their final Oath of Enlistment on their ship date?
- To provide a final, formal opportunity for the applicant to disclose any previously concealed disqualifying information before making their final commitment. (Correct answer)
- To offer the applicant one last chance to renegotiate their military job or enlistment bonus.
- To complete the final pay and benefits paperwork for the applicant's family members and dependents.
- To administer a final physical fitness test to ensure the applicant meets the standards for basic training.
Correct answer: To provide a final, formal opportunity for the applicant to disclose any previously concealed disqualifying information before making their final commitment.
The 'Moment of Truth' briefing is a critical final step to ensure the integrity of the enlistment process. Applicants are explicitly warned about the legal consequences of fraudulent enlistment and are given a last chance to reveal any disqualifying facts (medical, legal, etc.) they may have previously hidden.
Question 3: An applicant is scheduled for a two-day processing appointment that requires an overnight stay. Which of the following best describes the standard procedure for applicant lodging?
- The applicant's recruiter is responsible for providing and supervising their lodging.
- Applicants are given a voucher and are responsible for finding their own approved hotel.
- Applicants are lodged at a government-contracted hotel, typically with same-gender roommates, under the supervision of MEPS liaisons. (Correct answer)
- Applicants with local family are permitted to stay with them to reduce costs.
Correct answer: Applicants are lodged at a government-contracted hotel, typically with same-gender roommates, under the supervision of MEPS liaisons.
For accountability, safety, and control, MEPS is responsible for all aspects of an applicant's processing, including overnight lodging. They use contracted hotels and provide supervision to ensure applicants are present and ready for the next day's processing.
Question 4: Which of the following actions by an applicant constitutes fraudulent enlistment and would likely lead to immediate disqualification and potential legal consequences?
- Failing to achieve a qualifying score on the ASVAB during the first attempt.
- Deliberately concealing a documented history of chronic asthma that required an inhaler after age 13 on the DD Form 2807-2. (Correct answer)
- Arriving late for a scheduled processing appointment due to traffic.
- Expressing disagreement with a MEPS guidance counselor over available job choices.
Correct answer: Deliberately concealing a documented history of chronic asthma that required an inhaler after age 13 on the DD Form 2807-2.
Fraudulent enlistment involves the deliberate concealment or misrepresentation of a material fact that would otherwise disqualify an applicant. Concealing a disqualifying medical condition on an official prescreening form is a clear example of this, as it undermines the integrity of the medical evaluation.
Question 5: During the final 'shipper inspection' on the day an applicant is scheduled to depart for basic training, what is a primary focus of the MEPS staff?
- Conducting a final interview to gauge the applicant's motivation and morale.
- Re-administering the ASVAB to ensure the applicant's scores have not changed.
- Reviewing the applicant's social media accounts for any new disqualifying activity.
- Verifying the applicant's weight is still within standards and checking for any new injuries, tattoos, or illnesses. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Verifying the applicant's weight is still within standards and checking for any new injuries, tattoos, or illnesses.
The shipper inspection is a final quality control check to ensure the applicant is still fully qualified on the day they are set to leave. This includes a weight check, a visual inspection for any new or undisclosed conditions like injuries or tattoos, and a direct inquiry about their current health.
Question 6: An applicant becomes loud and argumentative with the medical staff after being told they need an additional consultation for a potential hearing issue. What is the most appropriate initial response from the MEPS personnel?
- Immediately call the applicant's recruiter to have them removed from the station.
- Escort the applicant to a private area, calmly explain the reason for the procedure, and remind them of the station's code of conduct. (Correct answer)
- Ignore the behavior and proceed with the next step in processing to avoid further conflict.
- Permanently disqualify the applicant for demonstrating an inability to follow orders.
Correct answer: Escort the applicant to a private area, calmly explain the reason for the procedure, and remind them of the station's code of conduct.
The professional standard is to de-escalate the situation first. By moving the applicant to a private setting, personnel can address the issue without disrupting others, calmly reiterate the procedural necessity, and reinforce behavioral expectations. Immediate disqualification or removal is an escalatory step reserved for more severe or persistent misconduct.
MEPS Applicant Processing and Conduct Questions and Answers
An applicant arrives for MEPS processing wearing clothing with political slogans and is carrying a large, non-transparent backpack.
What is the appropriate initial action for the control desk staff to take?