Remote Processing Station Opens in Riverside, California

By Scott Koker
Messenger associate editor

A new Remote Processing Station has opened in Riverside, California.

The Riverside RPS began processing applicants May 26 and swore in its first service member, a National Guard applicant, two days later. With the grand opening, Riverside joined Las Vegas as the only two remote stations in the United States.

The Riverside RPS, which is located about 80 miles from the Los Angeles Military Entrance Processing Station, is in a convenient location for applicants from cities such as Riverside, Anaheim, Victorville and Indio.

“It’s a closer drive than Los Angeles MEPS for them,” said Army Capt. Travis Odette, the officer in charge at Riverside.

The station has also been a hit with recruiters.

“Every recruiter I’ve talked to said it’s been a big win and they hope it sticks around,” Odette said. “They like it because they don’t have to travel so far.”

Discussions on opening the Riverside station began April 14, with Col. Richard T. Brady, USMEPCOM commander, later setting a target date for June 1.

“(The station) was set up in about six weeks,” Odette said. “It was very rewarding to see it come together that quick.”

Along with Odette, Army Sgt. 1st Class Susan Mcintosh, USMEPCOM Western Sector medical officer Dr. Colleen Murphy, building supervisor Levi Kelly, lead medical tech Jessie Hatch and lead human resources assistant Samuel Chism are playing significant roles at the Riverside RPS.

Odette hopes the station, which is in the initial stages of a six-month pilot program, will become a permanent fixture.

“We want to keep processing applicants,” Odette said. “It makes it easier for recruits to join the military and for our recruiting brothers and sisters because they don’t have to travel into Los Angeles.”