MEPS Applicant Pre-Screening Process 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the term 'DEP' refer to in the context of the MEPS pre-screening and enlistment process?
- Drug Evaluation Protocol
- Delayed Entry Program, which allows qualified applicants to formally enlist before shipping to training (Correct answer)
- Dependent Enrollment Procedure
- Defense Eligibility Program
Correct answer: Delayed Entry Program, which allows qualified applicants to formally enlist before shipping to training
The Delayed Entry Program lets applicants who pass MEPS enlist immediately while deferring their training start date by up to a year.
Question 2: During pre-screening, an applicant admits to past marijuana use. Which factor most affects whether they can still qualify?
- The brand of product used
- The frequency, recency, and quantity of use, along with branch-specific policy (Correct answer)
- Whether the use occurred in a legal state
- Only whether they passed a drug test that day
Correct answer: The frequency, recency, and quantity of use, along with branch-specific policy
Branches evaluate how recently and how heavily an applicant used marijuana; some require a waiting period, while heavy use may require a waiver.
Question 3: What is the purpose of the 'Records Review' step that occurs after the recruiter submits the pre-accession packet to MEPS?
- To verify the applicant's fitness test scores
- To allow MEPS personnel to review the packet for completeness and flag any issues before the applicant arrives (Correct answer)
- To formally approve the applicant's job selection
- To conduct a psychological evaluation remotely
Correct answer: To allow MEPS personnel to review the packet for completeness and flag any issues before the applicant arrives
MEPS staff conduct a records review to confirm the packet is complete and to anticipate any issues that need resolution on processing day.
Question 4: An applicant who is under 18 years old arrives at pre-screening. What additional requirement applies?
- They must take a special junior ASVAB version
- They must have written parental or guardian consent to enlist (Correct answer)
- They are automatically deferred until age 18
- They must submit a letter from their school principal
Correct answer: They must have written parental or guardian consent to enlist
Applicants aged 17 require a signed parental consent form before they can enlist or be processed at MEPS.
Question 5: Which of the following best explains why financial history (e.g., bankruptcy or unpaid debts) is reviewed during MEPS pre-screening?
- Poor credit automatically disqualifies an applicant from all branches
- Financial issues can affect eligibility for security clearances required by certain military occupational specialties (Correct answer)
- Debt history determines the applicant's pay grade at entry
- Financial records are only reviewed for officer candidates
Correct answer: Financial issues can affect eligibility for security clearances required by certain military occupational specialties
Some MOSs and ratings require security clearances, and significant financial problems can be a disqualifying factor for those clearances.
Question 6: What is the standard waiting period before an applicant who previously failed a MEPS drug test can be re-screened?
- 30 days
- 90 days (Correct answer)
- 6 months
- There is no set waiting period — the applicant is permanently disqualified
Correct answer: 90 days
Generally, applicants who test positive for drugs at MEPS must wait at least 90 days before reapplying, though policy may vary by branch.
Question 7: Which of the following is NOT part of the pre-screening documentation an applicant typically provides to the recruiter?
- Birth certificate
- High school diploma or GED
- Completed SF-86 security clearance application (Correct answer)
- Social Security card
Correct answer: Completed SF-86 security clearance application
The SF-86 is a security clearance investigation form completed after enlistment for clearance-required jobs, not during the initial recruiter pre-screening.
MEPS Applicant Pre-Screening Process 5
What does the term 'DEP' refer to in the context of the MEPS pre-screening and enlistment process?