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/
USMEPCOM Commander passes the unit guidon to Army Command Sgt. Maj. Gary Krese during a change of responsibility and retirement ceremony May 15. Krese accepted responsibility as the new senior enlisted advisor of USMEPCOM HQ, succeeding Army Command Sgt. Maj. Yveline Symonette.

May 15, 2026

USMEPCOM Holds Change of Responsibility and Retirement Ceremony

NORTH CHICAGO, Ill. — Army Command Sgt. Maj. Gary Krese accepted responsibility as the new senior enlisted advisor (SEA) of USMEPCOM, succeeding Army Command Sgt. Maj. Yveline Symonette, who is retiring after three decades of service in the Army.

Army Lt. Col. Angela Nolen, physician assistant, reviews documentation with an applicant during the Capacity Augmentation Team proof of concept at New York MEPS, Feb. 28. USMEPCOM's first full Capacity Augmentation Team initiative took place Apr. 28-30, achieving a 70% increase in maximum daily capacity/allocation.

May 6, 2026

Capacity Augmentation Team Expands Applicant Processing at Fort Lee MEPS

FORT LEE, Va. — U.S. Military Entrance Processing Command (USMEPCOM) successfully executed its first full Capacity Augmentation Team (CAT) deployment at Fort Lee Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS), marking a significant step forward in the command’s efforts to increase applicant processing capacity and support service recruiting missions.

Military applicants wait to be sent to their next evaluation at Chicago MEPS. USMEPCOM's new Conditions Unlikely to be Waived (CUW) policy will focus evaluations on applicants more likely to qualify for service.

May 4, 2026

New Process to Increase Efficiency in Military Accessions

North Chicago Ill — In collaboration with Service recruiting partners, U.S. Military Entrance Processing Command (USMEPCOM) implemented a policy, “Conditions Unlikely to be Waived” (CUW), effective May 4, that stops processing for applicants with one or more of 28 medical conditions designated as unlikely to be waived by Service partners.

Dr. Brian Piltz, USMEPCOM Western Sector medical officer, processes an applicant during a MEPS in a Box popup in Orlando, Fla. Dr. Piltz brings a uniquely diverse background to guide operations, mentor providers and support the mission with a hands-on, problem-solving approach.

April 21, 2026

Meet a Medical Officer: Experience That Shapes Leadership

NORTH CHICAGO, Ill. — Dr. Brian Piltz has just recently settled into his role as Western Sector medical officer, but he has a perspective shaped by nearly two decades with USMEPCOM and a career path he describes as anything but traditional.

Home school students from the National Capital Region receive post-test interpretation after completing the ASVAB. Baltimore MEPS spearheads an initiative for home school students with the first-ever event aimed at connecting home school students with a multitude of career opportunities, including those in the military by utilizing the ASVAB Career Exploration Program.

April 3, 2026

USMEPCOM Surpasses Annual Student Testing Goal

NORTH CHICAGO, Ill. — As of April 3, 2026, United States Military Entrance Processing Command (USMEPCOM) has surpassed its annual testing goal, administering 536,197 student tests as part of the ASVAB Career Exploration Program (CEP).

Lt. Amber Martz, a nurse practitioner with the USPHS Commissioned Corps, conducts a physical with an applicant at Memphis MEPS. Martz serves as the first-ever USPHS officer within USMEPCOM.

March 18, 2026

Memphis MEPS Welcomes First US Public Health Service Officer in Historic Partnership

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — United States Military Entrance Processing Command (USMEPCOM) has reached a milestone with the assignment of its first-ever United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps (USPHS) officer to a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS).

Col. Frankie Cochiaosue, USMEPCOM commander, speaks with attendees of the 2026 USMEPCOM Medical Leadership Training Symposium (MLTS). The USMEPCOM MLTS, held March 9-11, brought medical leaders together to strengthen collaboration, share best practices and advance standardization efforts supporting the accession of the next generation of service members.

March 10, 2026

USMEPCOM Medical Leaders Strengthen Accessions Mission at MLTS

ROSEMONT, Ill. — The USMEPCOM Medical Leadership Training Symposium (MLTS) returned Mar. 9 – 11 in Rosemont Ill., bringing the top command providers and leadership together for three days of discussion, process improvements and standardization training.

(L) Yvette Meeches, Fort Dix MEPS lead human resources assistant, takes the oath of enlistment into the Army Reserve.Meeches joined the Army Reserve as a 38B, civil affairs specialist and will continue to support the MEPS after initial entry training.

Feb. 26, 2026

Fort Dix MEPS Lead HRA Answers the Same Call She Helps Others Answer Every Day

FORT DIX, N.J. — Fort Dix Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) marked a powerful full-circle moment when lead human resources assistant (HRA) Yvette Meeches raised her right hand and took the Oath of Enlistment.

Travis Stahlhut, USMEPCOM management analyst and US Army veteran, poses with his daughter, Holly, after her own oath of enlistment at Chicago MEPS. A legacy of service extended a generation when Holly Stahlhut enlisted into the US Army at Chicago MEPS on Jan. 13, 2026.

Feb. 10, 2026

A Legacy of Service: One Family’s Journey Through MEPS

CHICAGO, Ill. — For Travis Stahlhut, management analyst, J-1 Human Resources directorate, service has never been just a career, it’s been a conversation, a set of values, and now, a legacy shaped through MEPS.

Col. Frankie Cochiaosue, USMEPCOM commander, speaks with members of J-3's Analysis & Architecture team on their data report designs. USMEPCOM uses real-time data tools to help leaders and partners make informed decisions that strengthen operations.

Jan. 26, 2026

Using Data to Drive Decisions at USMEPCOM

To some, data may just be raw numbers on a spreadsheet but at USMEPCOM it is the key ingredient used to steer conversations and guide decisions. More than 50 data reports developed by the command’s J-3 Analysis and Architecture (A&A) team ensure MEPS, leaders and partners can easily digest and use the insights found in them.