I was supposed to go to MEPS a couple weeks ago but due to illness my recruiter recommended we reschedule. I am now scheduled to go next Thursday July 12/13th. I have already since taken the ASVAB (in the form of the PiCAT- An un-proctored, un-timed version of the ASVAB which I found less stressful) and as long as I can pass a short verification test to prove I was truly the one who took it I can keep my score which was qualifying for the jobs I would like. I am hoping I do not have to reschedule this trip to MEPS again as I have been sick again *insert eye roll here*. Fingers crossed I am feeling better by Monday. The only good part about being sick is that I’ve gotten down to 170lbs finally so I’m hoping this is just God’s way of saying here’s a little help from me.

Learn more about the PiCAT here.

It’s been a long, stressful process submitting medical records and what not to the doctors up at MEPS but I finally got good news! I’m going to MEPS!

My recruiter called me yesterday to tell me and schedule a day. In a little less than two weeks I will be going up to Portland, ME to get my physical, take the ASVAB and hopefully swear in to the Delayed Entry Program. The past twenty four hours I’ve gone through what feels like a rollercoaster of emotions: relief, excitement, nervousness. My life is about to change forever and I am mostly excited about it but part of me is nervous. I’m mostly nervous about BMT and being away from everything and everyone that I’ve known for the past 24 years of my life. But I guess that is normal, this is going to be a HUGE change.

More Updates:

1) I now weigh in at 177 (only two pounds away from my max weight!)

2) I finally passed my NREMT exam and am a Nationally Registered EMT- third times a charm ?

3) Braces still aren’t off but fingers crossed for July!

I have never had an asthma attack and have only used inhaler whenever I’ve been sick with a respiratory illness (which I feel is normal for most people). Today I went and had my Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) done. My recruiter suggested I have one done so we can hopefully get me an Asthma waiver for the Air Force.

It’s been an interesting process but today was finally the day and my results came back normal. I’ve never had a PFT done and I stressed over this test for the past month. I can’t believe I psyched myself out over something so easy. My visit went like this: I checked in with the front desk, waited about fifteen minutes, was called into a tiny room, was asked a few preliminary questions, blew into a gadget five times and then… it was over. Piece of cake! I’m meeting with my primary care doctor who I’ve seen for a few years now on Wednesday to go over the results with her and hopefully get a letter for medical clearance to also submit to my recruiter. My next steps in this journey will be to:

1. Hit my goal weight (after my visit today I learned I am 5’7″ and not 5’6″ which means my max weight can be 175 vs 170, yay!)
2. Get my braces off- hopefully May!
3. Get my MEPS date.
4. Goto MEPS- At MEPS I will be taking the ASVAB and finding out what jobs I qualify for, getting a physical exam, and if everything goes right officially enlisting into the Air Force!
5. Get my boot camp date and hopefully leave around September.

I can’t believe this is really happening- and I’m sure this won’t be the first time I say this! I am so excited and so nervous for what this new chapter in my life has in store.

Yup- you read that right. Those close to me know that I have always talked about joining the military since high school. I was involved in an Army Junior ROTC-like program my senior year and wanted to join the National Guard after high school. Unfortunately, I was caught up in a relationship and life got in the way. Seven years later and here we are!

Why I chose the Air Force:

I want to go back to school
But like most of the population, I have zero dollars to do so. Joining the Military gives me the option to pursue a degree. What really caught my eye is that the Air Force is the only branch that from day one you are earning college credit starting with Basic Military Training (BMT).

I have a handful of friends in the Air Force
I have a good amount of friends in the Military in general. I made sure to ask around and get their opinions on different branches. All of my Military friends from branches other than the Air Force told me “Definitely go Air Force”. The friends that are currently in the Air Force told me the same.

My experience with the recruiter
When deciding which branch to join I ultimately narrowed my options down to either the Navy or the Air Force. I first met with a Navy recruiter based out of my local mall. He asked me why I wanted to join and basic questions about me. He also had me take a practice ASVAB to determine whether I would be eligible or not. He then gave my mother and I the opportunity to ask him questions. A few days later I had reached out to my friend Jake who is currently in the Air Force Reserves. He referred me to his recruiter and I contacted her to set up a day to meet. The office was much nicer, the recruiter was super nice, overall a much better experience than when I met with the Navy recruiter. It was also awesome that she was female.

So what are my next steps? I’m going to turn my application packet in on Friday. I have the diagnosis “Asthma” attached to my Medical Record I need to go have a Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) done to prove that it isn’t an issue. I have never had an asthma attack, I was only prescribed an inhaler and used it on two occasions in which I had respiratory illness/infections. So once I have the “ok” from that test then I will hopefully be able to get a MEPS date and take my ASVAB! I’ve chatted with my recruiter and we’re going to aim for May of this year to get things processed- this also gives me time to get in shape and reach my goal weight of 170 lbs (15 lbs to lose).

I am super excited to begin this journey and document every step of the way! I hope that by sharing my journey I can help other females (males too!) along their Military journeys.