Regarding Job Selection at MEPS - AIRFORCE?

Question

Going to MEPS tomorrow morning, my interests solely sit wit administration and computer work. I told my recruiter I have absolutely no interest what so ever in being in security forces or any special forces job what so ever. aerial gunner, EOD exc. I also told him I will not put down "General Index" or "General Open" Basically meaning im open to any job in the general field. Well Security forces is in general field, he told me you will not get security forces if you do not put security forces. Even if that is true, I do not intend of putting in Open simply because I do not want to be in BMT for 4 weeks and find out im going to be a cook for 4 years because I put in Open General careers.

After saying that though he played the "Well when would you like to leave?" Well I would like to leave ASAP. So what do you think? Is this simply another recruiters mind game to get you out of their hair faster and thats why they try and get you to put down an open area like. Mechanics Open meaning you could get any job in the mechanics section. Cant say I really like that idea. I would rather wait 6 months and get what I want rather than leave now and become a cook for 4 years. The option of changing job is not as easy as they make it sound. I have more immediate family that has been in the military or is still in the military to know that. Dad just retired after 30 years in the Navy.

Answer 1

Hold out for the job you want. Having to wait awhile for the one you want is nothing compared to having to crawl around in a planes fuel tank or something like that for the next 4 yrs.

Answer 2

If you want to be an Air Traffic Controller, don't do combat control- they barely control traffic (I really don't think they control traffic at all to be honest) A year and a half ago, I put down 6 jobs, ATC was my last choice and I booked it 2 weeks after I went to MEPS. I think the job was in high demand at that time, I'm not sure if it is still in high demand. If your scores are high you probably have a good chance of getting the job. I scored an 81 overall. I hope you get ATC, it's a kick *** job.. I'm so happy I was given the opportunity. If you have any questions about the schooling, or anything at all let me know. I just went through it so it's pretty fresh in my mind.

Answer 3

Your gonna go to MEPS, list 5 jobs, it doesn't matter if you physically write down an open area or not, they will add the area you had the highest line score in.



Then in around 2 months, they will tell you if you receive one of those 5 jobs or an open area and what your ship date will be.



Then you can decide, if you want to take whatever job or open area they assigned you, or withdraw from DEP.



Its that simple, you have no leverage at all, you can demand a specific job all day long, but its not gonna change how they assign jobs.



Note: if you enlist in an open area, the AF doesn't just give you a job in basic.



You go to a job councilor and pick your jobs from a list of open jobs ( not all jobs, just those open )



Then at the end of the week, they assign jobs based on your choices and your rating ( rating come from your ASVAB score, your line score and any physical profile you have )



The highest rated, get the jobs first.



If you want a specific job, then go enlist in the Army, the Air Force doesn't work that way, unless your a Tier One recruit - asvab over 93.

Answer 4

Have you already gotten your ASVAB score? This will determine your selection of jobs, and then you will (as other answerers have mentioned) select your Top 5. My initial frustration was that the majority of jobs that I wanted (Including Computers, and Technical Applications Specialist) involved taking additional tests. My counselor would NOT let me put those selections on my sheet until I passed the EDPT (Electronic Data Processing Test).



My recruiter really wanted to get me my top choice, however, I felt like the job counselor at MEPS just wanted me to list 5 random jobs and be off.



I was a bit nervous/wary as you are since I had to choose other jobs for my top 5, but I called my recruiter, scheduled the test, and as soon as I got the word that I passed, I spoke to another Air Force counselor and made the change on my job list within the hour.



Once that position was available, my recruiter called me and gave me my leave date (Jan. 19, 2010 Technical Applications Specialist). My job is on my contract, so I'm feeling pretty confident that it will all go through as planned.



Go with your gut- don't just put an Aptitude Area. Then, you won't select an actual job until you are at Basic Training, and like you mentioned, that leaves a lot to chance! Chances are, if you score well on your ASVAB and choose 5 jobs that interest you, you will leave within the next 6 months and have a nice MOS lined up.



One thing that helped me decide was that the counselor let me borrow the book of Job Descriptions over lunch, and I read that along with the list of jobs I qualified for. Some jobs *sound* really cool, and then turn out to be secretarial positions!



Stick to your guns, and work with your recruiter! It sounds like you are trying to be patient- keep it up! I had to wait 6 months, and I know guys that have waited 10 months.



Good luck!

Answer 5

Meps Career