MEPS Job Selection and Enlistment 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the 'Job Board' at MEPS?
- A physical bulletin board listing recruiter contact information
- A real-time computer system showing currently available military job openings (Correct answer)
- A list of jobs permanently banned from enlistment offers
- A ranking of the most popular MOS choices
Correct answer: A real-time computer system showing currently available military job openings
The Job Board is a real-time database system at MEPS that shows which military occupational specialties currently have open slots for new recruits.
Question 2: How do enlistment bonuses affect a recruit's tax obligations?
- Enlistment bonuses are completely tax-free
- Enlistment bonuses are taxable income unless earned in a combat zone (Correct answer)
- Enlistment bonuses are tax-deferred until the service obligation is complete
- Enlistment bonuses have a flat 10% military tax rate
Correct answer: Enlistment bonuses are taxable income unless earned in a combat zone
Enlistment bonuses are generally subject to federal income tax, but if earned while serving in a designated combat zone, they may be tax-exempt.
Question 3: What is 'Future Soldier Training' during the DEP period primarily designed to do?
- Fulfill military training requirements before shipping
- Prepare recruits physically and mentally while they await their ship date (Correct answer)
- Replace Basic Combat Training for certain MOSs
- Earn college credits before active duty begins
Correct answer: Prepare recruits physically and mentally while they await their ship date
Future Soldier Training (or similar DEP activities) helps recruits stay physically fit, informed about military life, and prepared for Basic Training while they wait to ship.
Question 4: A recruit who changes their mind about enlisting while in the DEP can typically do what?
- Face criminal charges for backing out
- Request a discharge from the DEP, which is usually granted without penalty (Correct answer)
- Be forced to complete their full enlistment regardless
- Transfer to a different branch automatically
Correct answer: Request a discharge from the DEP, which is usually granted without penalty
DEP discharges are routinely granted because DEP members are in the Inactive Reserve and have not yet reported for active duty, making involuntary retention impractical.
Question 5: What role does a recruit's physical profile (PULHES) play in job selection?
- It has no bearing on job eligibility
- It determines which physical fitness test standard applies
- It identifies physical limitations that may restrict eligibility for certain MOSs (Correct answer)
- It sets the recruit's initial pay grade
Correct answer: It identifies physical limitations that may restrict eligibility for certain MOSs
The PULHES physical profile rates six physical categories (Physical capacity, Upper extremities, Lower extremities, Hearing, Eyes, Psychiatric) and certain MOS assignments require specific minimum ratings.
Question 6: What is the primary reason the military offers enlistment bonuses for certain MOSs?
- To reward recruits for high ASVAB scores
- To fill critically understaffed or hard-to-fill specialties (Correct answer)
- To compensate for longer basic training duration
- To incentivize recruits from disadvantaged backgrounds
Correct answer: To fill critically understaffed or hard-to-fill specialties
Enlistment bonuses are offered as financial incentives to attract recruits to MOSs that are understaffed, require difficult training, or have high attrition rates.
Question 7: After taking the oath of enlistment at MEPS, what is the recruit's next major milestone?
- Signing the enlistment contract
- Completing the ASVAB
- Shipping to Basic Combat Training on their assigned ship date (Correct answer)
- Receiving their security clearance
Correct answer: Shipping to Basic Combat Training on their assigned ship date
After the oath of enlistment formalizes their entry into military service, the recruit's next major step is departing for Basic Combat Training on their contracted ship date.
MEPS Job Selection and Enlistment 5
What is the 'Job Board' at MEPS?