MY Recruiting process step 4: Enlisting and DEP

It took exactly a week to get three major processes done when enlisting in the Navy. It was exactly a week from when I went to MEPS that I stepped into the Navy recruiting office asking for information on joining the Navy. A week Later I signed an temporary 8 year contract to be in the Navy, 4 years of active duty and 4 years of reserved duty. I say temporary because my recruiter did not want me to leave MEPS without a job and so had me sign a contract while I wait for a spot to open up for the job field I wanted.

Going into the Navy recruiting office I knew what  wanted, to be in the navy but only if I would be in the job field that I wanted, if not than I would wait until that job field opened up. I knew I did not want to just to anything that was open just to be in the Navy, which was fine if  I just wanted to do anything, but that wasn't the case. I wanted to be in the medical field to gain as much experience as I can to be a Nurse after the Navy. I wanted to work in a field I could use after I leave the Navy and that I can use for my future.

A week and 4 days later I got the call I wasn't expecting for at least weeks to come. The both the Chief at MEPS and my recruiter called me during class and left me a voice-mail. I quickly dismissed myself from class just to call them back, not even waiting to hear what they had to say from the voice mail. I got the news that came within a week of my whole Navy recruiting process to receive. I was fortunate enough to get a position in the October 25, boot-camp ship date to go train straight after to be a Hospital Corpsman (HM). I will be able to gain experience in the navy to be a medical care-giver, to be a medical specialist, that will serve aboard ships or on land to any enlisted, government affiliated, and or family member associated with the military.

The next step in my enlistment process is possibly the most important. After enlisting and once my recruiter asked "Are you ready to be in the United States Navy," and one hand shake and a signed contract to sign the deal I am officially in the Navy. However, since my ship date is not until October 25th, 2011 I am considered to be in the Delayed Enlistment Program. This means that from now till my ship date I need to make sure I follow three things, as stated by recruiter; 1- do not get in trouble with the law, 2- do not do any drugs and if I choose to drink, drink responsibly, 3- do not get pregnant. I think as a female he was more concerned with number 3. He said with guys he was more concerned with them breaking 1-3-- with 3, getting someone pregnant before shipping out for number three. Being in DEP i had to report to my recruiter for a check in every Monday and have a meeting with all the DEP's once a month. I'll only get to attend 1 DEP meeting here in San Francisco because ill be heading home after graduation before the second one. I heard that DEP meeting they were all going to go to CRUNCH Fitness to go train for free. There seems to be a lot of support from the recruiters to their recruitee's. My recruiter was especially helpful through the whole process and I was lucky enough to have such a caring recruiter to understand what I wanted as far as joining the Navy.

MY final Tips overall for joining the military:

1. Know exactly what you want before you go in to see/ talk to a recruiter.
2. Research various job fields, know whats available for you. 
3. Make sure you are ready and that there is no doubt that you want to join because once you sign that contract there is no room for turning back and if you decide to turn back there will be major consequences. 
4. Know that joining is a big deal and so making the decision to join is a big decision that will not only affect you but your family and significant other, not to mention your future.

I took my readers from the moment I stepped into the recruiting office to the moment I signed the contract. In between that time a lot of worry, signing, and research was done to get me to where I am now. This process all occurred during school and so I had to fit it into my schedule and make sure that I can get everything done for both school and the Navy done before I leave here in a couple of weeks. It was an overwhelming process that I know will only benefit me in the future in the end, so long as I keep my focus on what I want, work hard for it, and keep learning every step of the way.