CAME BACK FROM MEPS!

Wednesday (2/1/2012):

I went to the recruiters office before 11am and I signed more papers, checked if there was any errors or anything misspelled on my papers. Then while she was going to quadruple check my papers, I went into the video room and had to watch three CD's about the USAF. (I basically knew what it was going to be about but I sat through it) and as I watched the videos about MEPS, swearing in, BMT and everything else... I was super excited! And then I had to be pulled out because it was taking too long and my ride (Mr. Medina) was at the office ready to pick me up with another recruit, Jonathan. (He's SO cute, but he's 17. I'M A TOTAL PEDOBEAR!) and then we started to talk about the process that will happen tomorrow, what to remember when we're at the hotel and stuff like that. But since we were hungry, we stopped by Burger King.

Jonathan: Are you hungry?
Reanne: Oh, no thanks. I already ate. I can wait until dinner at the hotel...
Jonathan: Are you sure? I can buy you something.
Reanne: Aww, no thanks. It's okay. We're going to eat dinner. You can eat since you're hungry.
Jonathan: Alright~
(takes the food out to the hotel, finds a spot to sit down at and wait until we can check in at 4pm.)
Jonathan: Here, you can have my fries.
Reanne: Are you sure?!
Jonathan: Mhmm. (smiles)

- P-E-D-O-B-E-A-R status.

Then we met up with other MEPS recruiters. Two navy, one army. Then we talked until 4pm, fell in line for check in and got our rooms. One of the people that was enlisting for the navy, Jacqueline, was my roommate. And then we all met up for dinner, but the army girl, Tayah, ate dinner with her roommate and Jonathan was stuck with other army kids.

After dinner, we go back to our rooms and we watch tv, I took a shower, called some friends up and I was planning to wake up at 2:55am so I can make it to breakfast early at 4am and check out the minute I eat breakfast. But I ended up sleeping at 11pm. LOL.

Thursday (2/2/2012):

When the hotel alarm clock rang and my phone rang, I woke up and I didn't want to leave the bed because the pillows were just too comfortable. So I hopped out of bed at 3:10am, got ready and made sure everything was with me and all that jazz and I left the room with Jacqueline at 345am. We were 15 people behind but we still made it.

I knew we were going to be at MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Exam) for a long time so I had a huuuuuuge breakfast! Scrambled eggs, a handful of bacon, steamed potato cubes, sausage patty, a bread roll, orange juice, water, and a banana.MMMMM. And I ate all of that in 7 minutes and after, I rushed out and head in line for the shuttle. IT WAS FREEZING COLD. But since there was a lot of people, not everyone could fit in the shuttle so they had to make three trips. I swear, these fucking people don't know the meaning of "stand in line" because once the shuttle door opened, they all rushed in. So, I was like, "F- this. I'll wait." I ended up taking the third shuttle. These people are f-ing retarded. (ahem, ahem, army retards, ahem)

By the time we arrived at the MEPS, the police guard at the front told us to make a line and started yelling at us and telling us to follow instructions (but people are still trying to talk) and told us to make things quick. So, he calls everyone by four and we have to go through scanners, put our bags in scanners and x-rays and then go inside and place them in the lockers and head to the briefing room. Everyone was being slow and taking their time but then when it was me and the other three, I went in one fluid motion and the guard saw how quick I was going, and he basically pointed me out of the people in line and said, "See. THAT is how you do it, folks. Now... PICK IT UP!" - I guess that's what happens when you basically lived in crowded airports.

Then I went to the locker, dropped by stuff and went to the briefing room. We were given instructions and whatnot and then we fell in line to get our papers and folders to start the medical process.

AND THE DAY BEGINS...

I went upstairs to get my blood pressure checked, then waited in line to do vision, hearing and blood but someone called all of us to go into a room and start filling out our forms. After, we were dismissed to do what we needed to do. But after, they told all the girls to go into the room where we do body inspections, urinalysis and whatnot.

When we were all in line for urinalysis, most of them weren't ready to do it and some didn't know what to expect but I already did it so I knew what I had to do. When you do it at MEPS, the lady that instructs you has to watch you do your business.

So, she will instruct you to pull your pants down to your ankles, grab a cup from behind you, pee in the cup and then give her two drops into another cup so she can test if your pregnant through your piss... Oh! WHATEVER YOU DO, DON'T PUT YOUR CUP ON THE FLOOR UNTIL SHE TELLS YOU OR YOU ARE DISQUALIFIED AND RECYCLED.

So we go through the line, and then there was this Russian girl who was trying to enlist in the army. She went in with another girl in line and so Ms. Walker (our black urinalysis instructor) was giving out instructions, and apparently, this Russian girl (who looks like she's in his mid-30's) didn't understand or was stressed because she constantly kept putting her pants down to her knees and Ms. Walker is hollering and saying "ANKLES!" all the time and the Russian keeps pulling it back up and back down to her knees and then suddenly, she pees in the toilet and she tried to POOP in the cup! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

I'm not the kind to laugh at people but I thought that was hilarious. So she had to go back to the front desk and do something (not sure what) and then the line continued. After the piss test, we had to go out and do vision and hearing, when we finished that, we go back into the room. I went to the vision first and I surprisingly passed the "Depth Perception" test! YES! And then hearing was good. I couldn't tell if I passed that or not but it looked good. LOL. Then we went back into the room...

Ms. Walker had us sitting against the wall and we had to see the other doctor (some lady) who will inspect our eyes, neck, and mouths. Then we go back outside and when everyone's done, Ms. Walker tells us to strip down to our bras and underwear. We line up for height and weight then we go back and sit down, and that's when we do our other stuff.

While we're all stripped down, she said that we have to do some physicals. Duck walks, heel walks, squats, arm windmills and other stuff. It was alright. Nothing special. And then after we go through that procedure, Ms. Walker tells us to grab a "gown" (which looks like a giant kitchen paper towel) and we have to wear that and then take off our bra and underwear. And of course, the Russian gets chewed on all day and she manages to rip it. HAHA! The next thing you know, you see her bum and all the woman parts are poking out. We had to fall in line to get our breasts checked and basically do what you do when you're at the OBGYN. We were in that room for three hours!

After, we are to put on our clothes, bring the folders to the front desk, they'll do what they got to do, call you and tell you to drop it off at your selected branches room and then you give your folder to whoever's there and they will ask if you've eaten lunch, if not, they will tell you to go upstairs and eat. The MEPS is pretty big so you have to go up and down all the time. And then I ate lunch with some of the girls I met and the boys that I met a day prior. After that, we are to come back to the selected branches room and follow instructions. Some will tell you to wait, some will tell you to do something. But by lunch time, a lot of people started to come by...

Most of the are army, a few are marines, a small group is navy and I only saw a handful of air force. Out of the whole day, it was me and this white girl that was joining the air force. Everyone else were guys.

I was told to wait outside and wait for my name to be called, I waited almost an hour and I text some people from my phone while I wait (but you cannot have your phone when you're on the medical floor) and then I texted PB.

Me: I'm at MEPS. I'm almost done!
PB: Don't go.
Me: I said I'm almost done.
PB: Don't do it.
Me: Why?
PB: Trust me, you won't like it.
Me: What?
PB: Trust me. I don't want you to make that mistake. I don't want you to be owned by the government. I've known you for so many years and I know you're going to change.
Me: You joined the army and LEFT me.
PB: Yeah, and I regret it all. Please don't do it. I love you.
Me: But...
PB: You want to do this huh?
Me: Yeah... I can try four years. Will you still talk to me?
PB: Then we might as well not be talking right now.
Me: Are you serious?
PB: Trust me okay? I want us to be together... I love you so much!!! Please don't leave me for the military. Don't do this to me...

Basically, we were fighting and he was trying to call me. I told him why I was doing this and how it'll help me in the long run and he was telling me that I could have just took out grants and loans for school and find a job. I applied 30+ jobs in California, 15+ jobs in Seattle and 10+ jobs in Maryland. NONE called me back or only offered an interview. I am so desperate for a job that I'll mop floors for money. But he was almost begging me not to join...

That really hurt my feelings.

But I went ahead. I spoke to a job counselor and did what I needed to do. (I will explain the jobs I have in another blog)

But then my mood changed, I saw so many people in a army uniform and I started thinking of Blue Fox and then, PB comes to me and talks about this? THIS? Seriously?

He joined the army and then LEFT me. LEFT ME. I supported him! I encouraged him to join because I knew what it was going to do to him but he took it and it changed him for the worst. He became an asshole. He didn't even give me his address so I could write him. And when he was official, he didn't speak to me. It was as if I was nothing anymore and now that I'm doing something that I have to do in my life and something that I want to do, he's telling me "no don't do it"? Does he not believe in me? Does he not trust me?

I can still be with him if I'm enlisted, I can still talk to him and see him but he's saying it won't work. I think this has more to do than just "change". I think he doesn't trust me.

I spoke to Ssgt. Harvey and he helped me with everything else and I even lifted up some weights as well. Just to increase my chances of getting jobs.

After, he told me to take a seat and wait and that he will call me again for the job lists. Then I came back in after 30 minutes and looked at the jobs that were being offered. Some of the jobs on my last list was no longer being offered but I got some cool jobs. (Will explain in another blog)

After, I had to wait some more. I had to be interviewed and have my background check for security purposes and then I got my fingers printed and scanned. Then, I went to the front desk and wait to be sworn in on DEP.

FINALLY!

I went in the room where everyone takes the Oath of Enlistment and now, I'm officially on the DEP! (Delayed Enlistment Program) :)

TAADAAA... :D

I left the MEPS at 5:30pm and I arrived home at 7:30pm. Sigh, but it was a good day. I met a lot of good people and made good memories. I was there for 13 hours! But sadly, I have to do it again before I leave for bootcamp and then the first week of bootcamp, we have to do it again. LOL.

Officially a DEP-per,
Otter