Waiting at the End
Once the day is over and you don't have anything to do, you'll be very tired. You are not allowed to sleep while at MEPS. Don't you wish you'd have gone to bed earlier last night? I had to stay for a 3rd day so that I could take the DLAB (Defense Language Aptitude Battery) for the linguist job. I had to wait all day to take a test that lasted 2 hours. I promise you, even after a full 8 hours the night before, I wanted to sleep very badly. But this is when I realized that MEPS is not nearly as scary as Sgt Daugherty, my recruiter, said it would be.
I took smoke breaks with the Naval Petty Officers, I shredded paperwork for the Air Force Sergeants, and joked around with the Army Sergeant at the Control Desk. Because I showed them respect and followed directions, they were friendly to me. In fact, MSgt Eakins, the head-honcho-USAF-liaison guy bought me a Coke and a Snicker's bar for helping them out! You'll notice that the liaisons are on your side. Assuming you're not a total punk, they are glad you've decided to join the Air Force (or your respective branch), and they also appreciate your help if you aren't doing anything else.
So, young recruits, be respectful, follow directions, don't put your feet up on chairs, don't sleep, give firm answers during your physical, be prepared, and MEPS will be good to you. It doesn't have to be as scary as your recruiter said! By the time I left, I was no longer "hey, you", I was "Ms. Elmore". It could happen for you, too! Good luck.
