by Derek—2004.08.20 @ 1633
Wake-up call came at 4:00 a.m., but I was already awake from a restless night. The thought of getting the physical exam was on my mind, especially finding out what kind of shape I was in. It was an early morning, but I didn't mind. I met the rest of the recruits who would be processing today and we started to get to know each other. I was suprised by how young they all were -- many 17-year olds still in High School.
The morning schedule as as follows:
4:00 a.m. -- Wake-up Call
4:45 a.m. -- Check-out
4:50 a.m. -- Breakfast
6:00 a.m. -- Leave for MEPS by Bus
6:30 a.m. -- Arrive at MEPS for processing
The recruiter warned me that there would be a lot of wait time today, and that I should bring a book to keep myself occupied. It turned out to be quite the opposite, and I was busy all day filling out paperwork (LOTS of paperwork) and getting different parts of the physical. The process was very streamlined and I shuffled from one area to another: eye exam, hearing exam, blood test, urinalysis, and the physical.
The only thing extraordinary about the physical was the fact that 20 people were being examined at the same time, in the same room. If it weren't for the gigling 17-year old boys, the process would have been completely painless. The most tedious part of the whole day was 1) listening to the entrance presentations and having to read the forms line-by-line, and 2) filling out more paperwork.
The day ended with another visit to the Army Liason office who completed my paperwork. For most recruits, this is the time where you pick your "career" in the military. As I already knew where I was going, some of that process was skipped. However, I was with the Liason office for a very long time because of my appointment to the Army Band. I think I was being watched over by several people at MEPS who were watching my entire progress. A few people asked me how I found the job and what it was all about. I think there was some awe and interest in how this came about.
I was just glad to be done. However, the most interesting feeling came over me when it was time to actually "enlist."
After all the paperwork was done, the realization that I was joining the U.S. Military became very real. Although I had a solid 3-year committment, I found I had a (negotiable) 8-year contract. My mind was also racing trying to make sure I had told the officers everything in my medical and criminal background (they make it a point to remind you several times about the criminality of fradulant enlistment).
I'll admit, I was a little nervous walking into the hall where you take the oath. However, raising my arm to the square and pledging to "defend the constitution from enemies, both foreign and domestic" was not difficult. It was with some pride that I completed the Oath with, "so help me God."
Well, it is done! I am now officially in the Army with a "delayed entrance" status. I have just over a month before I ship off to Basic Training in Missouri. I guess that gives me a little time to "train," shape-up, and get a short-term, part-time job.