Top News Stories

1st Lt. Jeffery Bennett, Pittsburgh MEPS assistant operations officer, smiles with medal and pie prizes after winning first in his age group after participating in Veterans Day 5k. Pittsburgh MEPS personnel participated in a Veterans Day 5k Nov. 10, 2024 to support veterans in their community.
Pittsburgh MEPS Supports Veterans and Builds Camaraderie in Veterans Day 5k
By Ashley Toomey | Nov. 20, 2024
Pittsburgh MEPS strengthened its community ties and boosted morale by initiating a monthly Interservice Recruiting Committee (IRC) running group in August 2024, which has spurred a growing interest in physical fitness and community involvement among MEPS personnel.

USMEPCOM and Program Executive Office Defense Healthcare Information System personnel pose for a group picture during a Hackathon, Nov. 13 – 15. The Hackathon was a kick-off event for a project to connect MHS GENESIS and USMIRS 1.1, improving processing efficiency for military applicants.
USMEPCOM and DHA Collaborate to Connect Key Data Systems
By Derrik Noack | Nov. 15, 2024
USMEPCOM’s Innovation Facilitation Team (IFT) hosted a hackathon with the Program Executive Office Defense Healthcare Information System’s (PEO DHMS) Enterprise Intelligence and Data Solutions (EIDS) team, Nov. 13 – Nov. 15. The IFT and EIDS hackathon brought key players together to begin building a connection between MHS GENESIS (MHSG) and USMIRS 1.1, two platforms used by MEPS personnel to qualify and process military applicants.

Marc Porrazza, human resources assistant, speaks to an applicant during pre-accessions interview at Jacksonville MEPS.
Meet an HRA: An HRA’s Dedication from Honolulu to Jacksonville MEPS
By Ashley Toomey | Nov. 8, 2024
A Human Resources Assistant (HRA) at a MEPS is the first face applicants see, playing an essential role in guiding them through the enlistment journey.

(Center) Melissa Garret, Navy veteran and USMEPCOM Manpower and Force Management chief, poses for a photo with fellow USMEPCOM personnel and veterans (L) Florence Wells and (R) Kim Johnson at a banquet where Garrett was honored for her service and commitment to uplifting other veterans. Garret served in the Navy from 1993 to 2004 and at USMEPCOM since 2012.
Continuing Service: Finding Ways to Serve after the Military
By Derrik Noack | Nov. 8, 2024
Navy Veteran continues life of service

Participants of the Pittsburgh Interservice Recruiting Committee (IRC) run take a break during the two-mile trek. Pittsburgh MEPS has revitalized its communication efforts by launching a monthly IRC run, allowing partners to build relationships.
Pittsburgh MEPS Kicks Off Monthly IRC Runs
By Derrik Noack | Oct. 30, 2024
In the heart of Pittsburgh, the city known for its steel bridges and passionate sports fans, a breeze of change had swept through the city’s MEPS. With the arrival of new commanders at USMEPCOM HQ, Eastern Sector and Pittsburgh MEPS, there was a renewed energy and directive to align efforts with the vision of these new leaders.

Lt. Cmdr. Tamarah Grant, Tampa MEPS commander, discusses hurricane recovery during all-hands with personnel after Hurricane Milton. Tampa MEPS closed from Oct. 9-11 for safety reasons due to Hurricane Milton.
Tampa MEPS Prevails Through Hurricanes
By Ashley Toomey | Oct. 23, 2024
Hurricanes Helene and Milton took the southeast and its MEPS by storm, but the teamwork and flexibility demonstrated by Tampa MEPS personnel showed that when weathering the storm together, they came out stronger.

Elizabeth Fonk, talent acquisition specialist, speaks to a potential candidate at a recruiting fair at Solider Field, Chicago, Ill., in October 2023, one of the first TAD attended after formally launching.
USMEPCOM Doubles Down on Strategic Hiring Team
By Tyechia Price | Oct. 17, 2024
It was a warm summer night in Greenville, S.C., when Andrew Wangelin and his wife, out on a date, struck up a conversation with the man at the next table. The resulting small talk meandered, touching a range of topics before landing on work. While Wangelin was actively searching for work at the time, he never seriously considered a career in government.