Process of Becoming an Enlisted Reservist

Your official Navy Reserve career begins at the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS). Through MEPS, you’ll take an aptitude test and physical examination. Then you’ll select a Navy Reserve career and recite the Navy Oath of Enlistment.

Currently, there are 65 MEPS facilities located throughout the United States. That means there's a location close to you. Your Navy Reserve Recruiter will schedule an appointment and provide additional details.

A Step-by-Step Guide to MEPS

Step 1: Undergo prescreening with your Recruiter
During your initial physical screening, your Recruiter will fill out a basic medical prescreening report and forward it to the medical personnel at MEPS. After review, they will give your Recruiter the go-ahead to schedule your first visit to MEPS.

Step 2: Take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test
You will have to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery to determine which careers you qualify for, based on your aptitude to be trained for those careers. There are commercially produced ASVAB information/study guides available.

Step 3: Gather together the necessary documentation
There are several standard documents you will need to bring with you for your first visit to MEPS. These include:

• Social security card
• Driver’s license
• Direct Deposit Form 1199 signed by a bank official or the name, address and routing number of your financial institution along with your account number
• If applicable, notarized copies of your marriage certificate, divorce decree or separation order
• Notarized copies of birth certificates for your children under 18 years of age
• Affidavit of support for parents
• Court documents and direct deposit forms, if ordered to pay spousal and/or child support
• Proof of citizenship (immigrants only)
• Name, social security number and military address of your spouse, if you are married to another servicemember in the Navy or any other military branch
• Copies of your lease agreement or rental contract for any dependents residing outside of government quarters
• Documentation of any ROTC experience and college transcripts

Step 4: Keep copies of your orders
Be sure to keep all copies of orders and documents issued to you by your unit Recruiter and/or MEPS.

Step 5: Provide medical history and undergo physical exam
Your MEPS physical will begin with the Report of Medical History. You’ll be asked questions about your current or past medical conditions, if applicable. Next, you’ll undergo basic blood and urinalysis testing, followed by hearing and vision exams. Your height and weight will be recorded, and then you’ll perform simple flexibility tests. In the final step, you’ll talk to a doctor about your medical history.

Step 6: Select your Reserve career
After you’ve completed your medical history and physical exam, you’ll be sent to your Career Classifier to select a Navy Reserve occupational specialty. If you’re not sure what you want to do, take some time now to visit the career opportunities section of this site.

Step 7: Complete your Pre-Enlistment Interview
The next-to-last step at MEPS is the Pre-Enlistment Interview, where you will be asked questions about your background. If any additional testing is required for the career path you’ve chosen, it will be performed at this time.

Step 8: Take the Oath of Enlistment
After you’ve completed this interview, you and your Navy Reserve Recruiter will review and sign your enlistment contract before you take the Oath of Enlistment.

I,___________________________________, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the Officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me, God.

Questions? Contact a Navy Reserve Recruiter for details.

Process for Becoming a Reserve Officer

The process for becoming a Reserve Officer also involves the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS). However, the specific steps that apply to you can vary depending upon a variety of factors, including your professional background and the specialty you will serve in.

Contact a Navy Reserve Recruiter for details.