News Articles

In alignment with Department of Defense (DoD) Instruction 5400.17 and recent Executive Orders issued by the President, USMEPCOM has reviewed and adjusted its social media content to ensure compliance with DoD policies and priorities.

As a result, certain posts have been removed, are in a process of being removed or modified to maintain consistency with federal guidance and uphold the integrity of our official communication channels. Content will be archived in accordance with DA PAM 25–403.

USMEPCOM remains committed to transparency, professionalism, and adherence to DoD directives while continuing to engage with our community in a manner that reflects our core values.

For any questions regarding social media policies, please refer to official DoD guidance available at https://www.esd.whs.mil/Directives/issuances/dodi/
Paul Holley, works as an Intermittent Test Administrator for the San Diego Military Entrance Processing Station, administering the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) Career Exploration Program (CEP) test to high school students in Southern California.

April 23, 2025

Meet an ITA: The Winning Balance of a Part-time Career

SAN DIEGO, Calif — Looking forward to retirement is a milestone shared by many. Paul Holley, from San Diego Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS), has crossed this milestone twice – so far – in his lifetime and now looks forward to his work as an Intermittent Test Administrator for the MEPS, administering the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) Career Exploration Program (CEP) test to high school students in Southern California.

Miami MEPS, USMEPCOM’s 10th BN and USMEPCOM leadership cut the ribbon during the Miami MEPS grand opening ceremony. Miami MEPS held a dedication ceremony for their oath room and quarterdeck and grand opening ceremony on April 15, 2025.

April 16, 2025

USMEPCOM Celebrates Miami MEPS Grand Opening

Miami, Fla. — After more than seven years in the making, United States Military Entrance Processing Command (USMEPCOM) celebrated the official grand opening of the newly relocated Miami MEPS on April 15, 2025.

Matthew Kaminski, Pittsburgh MEPS test score technician, poses with a Marine Corps veteran at an Operation Veteran Now event, supporting veterans in the Pittsburgh area. Matthew Kaminski founded "Meetup Volunteers Pittsburgh" a local volunteering group that has garnered more than 600 members and contributes to various charities and non-profits aiming to make a positive difference in the Pittsburgh area and beyond.

April 9, 2025

Service Beyond Self: Pittsburgh MEPS Testing Tech Leads with purpose

PITTSBURGH MEPS, Pa. — Matthew Kaminski, a dedicated Test Score Technician at Pittsburgh Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS), spent more than two decades serving his country in uniform, first in the Navy, then in the Air Force and now out of uniform as a federal employee. His service doesn’t stop there, Kaminski is also the driving force behind MVP - Meetup Volunteers Pittsburgh, a community organization he founded two and a half years ago that has grown to more than 600 members.

Britney Hodges, Montgomery MEPS test coordinator, left, and Misty Calhoun, Montgomery MEPS Education Services Specialist, right, pose with Alabama Governor Kay Ivey's signed proclamation that declared October 2024 ASVAB Career Exploration month after the ceremony. Misty Calhoun serves as the Montgomery MEPS Education Services Specialist (ESS) and USMEPCOM 8th Battalion ESS subject matter expert, coordinating the ASVAB and ASVAB CEP in schools across the region.

April 2, 2025

Meet an Education Services Specialist: Shaping Futures at Montgomery MEPS

NORTH CHICAGO, Ill. — Education Services Specialists (ESSs) play a vital role in the military processing mission across USMEPCOM, serving as the primary coordinators for the ASVAB Career Exploration Program (CEP). As the main advocates for the program, ESSs collaborate with school counselors, administrators and other education professionals to expand access and awareness, ensuring students have the resources they need to make informed decisions about their futures.

Navy Capt. Sarah Nolin, Navy Lt. Cmdr. Lisnnette Rhea, Caleb Goddard, acting Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy of Mauritius, Navy Reserve Chief Petty Officer Amber Baker-Ruiz, and Master Sgt. Ellie Rivas pose for a photo during Cutlass Express 2025. Navy Reserve Chief Petty Officer Amber Baker-Ruiz, USMEPCOM program analyst, facilitated a peace and security symposium during Cutlass Express 2025 in Port Louis, Mauritius.

March 25, 2025

Serving at Home and Abroad: Amber Baker-Ruiz’s Dual Mission

NORTH CHICAGO , Ill. — USMEPCOM civilian employees play a vital role in shaping the future of military service, ensuring that each applicant is prepared for the challenges ahead. For Amber Baker-Ruiz, a program analyst in Eastern Sector, that mission extends beyond her civilian role—she also serves as a U.S. Navy Reserve Chief Petty Officer, bringing a unique dual perspective to her work.

(L to R) Luz Ramirez, Quispicanchi project manager; Malu Mamani, Quispicanchi project regional advisor; Diana Olivares-Salazar, Quispicanchi project intern and New York MEPS medical technician; and Carmela Vise, process design consultant meet about expanding health programs in the Quispicanchi province of Peru. Olivares-Salazar, a medical technician at New York MEPS, recently traveled to Peru as part of her Master of Public Health program working with a nonprofit organization focused on sustainable health solutions in less fortunate communities.

March 18, 2025

New York MEPS Med Tech Supports Public Health Initiative in Peru

NEW YORK MEPS, N.Y. — Diana Olivares-Salazar, a medical technician at New York Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS), recently traveled to Peru as part of her Master of Public Health (MPH) program, working with a nonprofit organization focused on sustainable health solutions in less fortunate communities.

Col. Frankie Cochiaosue, USMEPCOM commander, greets attendees of the USMEPCOM OPSO Symposium. Operations Officers from MEPS nationwide gathered at USMEPCOM headquarters for a symposium to enhance leadership, improve communication and strengthen peer networking, marking the first event of its kind in more than a decade.

March 10, 2025

OPSOs Strengthen Leadership and Collaboration at USMEPCOM Symposium

HQ USMEPCOM, NORTH CHICAGO, Ill. — Operations Officers (OPSOs) from Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS) across the country gathered at USMEPCOM headquarters, March 4 – 6, for a symposium designed to enhance their leadership, improve communication and strengthen networking among peers.

The New Orleans Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) staff prepares a potluck for the staff. Hugh Brown, an information technology specialist at the MEPS enjoys the meals they share together, which consistently features cuisine unique to New Orleans.

March 5, 2025

Meet an ITS: A Second Career with Purpose

NEW ORLEANS MEPS, La. — At the New Orleans Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS), Hugh Brown found a meaningful way to connect with the next generations of military applicants in a surprising second career as an information technology specialist (ITS).

(L to R) Dr. Megan Hart Lee, lead clinical psychologist, Air Force Maj. Daniel Strickland, deputy command surgeon, and Dr. Connor Rose, clinical psychologist, engage in behavioral health consulting training at USMEPCOM HQ. The Behavioral Health Consulting program at USMEPCOM has significantly improved processing efficiency and reduced wait times for military applicants needing behavioral health consultations.

Feb. 25, 2025

Behavioral Health Consult Program Increases Efficiency and Impact

HQ USMEPCOM, NORTH CHICAGO, Ill. — Since first directly hiring behavioral health providers in December 2023, USMEPCOM has made significant strides in improving processing efficiency and reducing the wait times for military applicants requiring behavioral health consultations. What started with just six MEPS has now expanded to 12, with plans to grow to 16 MEPS based on identified needs.

The Minneapolis MEPS medical team, led by Dr. Kristina McCaughtry (third from left) poses for a photo. Dr. Kristina McCaughtry serves as the Chief Medical Officer for Minneapolis MEPS and recently made her own challenge coin to show gratitude to an Army guidance counselor at the MEPS

Feb. 18, 2025

From Jet Mechanic to Chief Medical Officer: The Story Behind a Unique Challenge Coin

There are many tales of how challenge coins came to be a military tradition. The most common assumption dates to World War I, when a Soldier’s unit medallion saved his life by proving his identity to French soldiers, leading to many service members carrying them after. Another depiction says the tradition began in Vietnam, where U.S. troops avoided buying drinks in a bar by showing a coin to prove combat service.