News Archive

News Stories

Joint Recruiting Commander’s Conference (JRCC) attendees take a group photo in front of The Alamo, San Antionio, TX, Sept. 20, 2023. The conference brought together Recruiting Command, Accession Policy and USMEPCOM leaders to discuss issues and opportunities for collaboration and share ideas and best practices. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Devin Doskey)

Oct. 4, 2023

Military Recruiting Leaders Gather, Collaborate in San Antonio

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Recruiting leaders from all U.S. military services gathered here to collaborate on strategies and discuss policies from Sept. 19-21, 2023.As fiscal year 2024 loomed on the horizon, top recruiting

Jeff Poulton, Butte MEPS ASVAB CEP manager, assists Montana Youth Challenge Academy (MYCA) Cadets with the iCAT login process. MYCA helps teens at risk of not graduating with a residential program that uses the ASVAB Career Exploration Program to learn about their individual skills and interests.

Sept. 18, 2023

ASVAB CEP Passes the Test in Treasure State

Butte MEPS, Mont. — In 1999, the Montana National Guard established the Montana Youth Challenge Academy (MYCA) to aide teens who dropped out of high school or weren’t on track to graduate. MYCA works with participants for one year after they graduate from a residential phase to help with college or trade school enrollment or to join the military. They also use the ASVAB Career Exploration Program to learn about their individual skills and interests.

(Center) Christian Castro, Navy applicant, poses for a photo with his parents following his Oath of Enlistment at Tampa MEPS. USMEPCOM recently released policy allowing two guests per applicant about to ship to basic training, as well as National Guard and Reserve component applicants.

Sept. 13, 2023

Visitor Policy Brings Families Back to the MEPS

Tampa MEPS, Fla. — As the eight middle-aged residents of Tampa file into the blue-carpeted and wood paneled room and stand against the walls, it’s a stark contrast from those who are already standing in the middle. Nearly 20 young adults and older teenagers, whose expressions range from excitement to nervousness, look straight ahead. Those standing on the outskirts of the room have their own array of expressions, with the men looking very proud and the women, teary-eyed and deep in thought, looking toward those in the center.

Dr. Katie Helland, director of Military Accession Policy, presents Chicago Federal Executive Board's Agency of the Year trophy to Col. Megan Stallings, USMEPCOM commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Yveline Symonette, USMEPCOM senior enlisted advisor.

Aug. 22, 2023

USMEPCOM wins Agency of the Year Award at the 2023 Chicago Federal Executive Board Employee of the Year Awards

HQ USMEPCOM, North Chicago, Ill. — USMEPCOM won the Agency of the Year Award at the 2023 Chicago Federal Executive Board (FEB) Employee of the Year Awards ceremony June 29.

Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Daniel Kenemore, the new senior enlisted advisor (SEA) of USMEPCOM Eastern Sector, receives the unit’s colors and symbolically accepts his new role during a ceremony, Aug. 10, at USMEPCOM headquarters in North Chicago, Illinois. Kenemore received responsibility from Army Col. Janelle Kutter, during the ceremony.

Aug. 10, 2023

Eastern Sector Welcomes New SEA

HQ USMEPCOM — North Chicago, Ill  – Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Daniel Kenemore accepted responsibility as the new senior enlisted advisor (SEA) of Eastern Sector, USMEPCOM, succeeding Air Force Chief Master Sgt.

USMEPCOM welcomes Army medical personnel during summer surge

July 28, 2023

Support through Summer Surge

North Chicago, Ill — USMEPCOM welcomes Army medical personnel for medical processing support during summer surge.

USMEPCOM headquarters battalion senior enlisted advisor Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Marc Ascher passes the unit guidon to Army Command Sgt. Maj. Yveline Symonette during a change of responsibility ceremony July 7. Symonette accepted responsibility as the new senior enlisted advisor of USMEPCOM HQ, succeeding Army Command Sgt. Maj. Lorenzo Woodson.

July 7, 2023

USMEPCOM Holds Change of Responsibility and Retirement Ceremony

HQ USMEPCOM, North Chicago, Ill. — Army Command Sgt. Maj. Yveline Symonette accepted responsibility as the new senior enlisted advisor (SEA) of USMEPCOM, succeeding Army Command Sgt. Maj. Lorenzo Woodson, who is retiring after nearly three decades of service in the Army.

Navy Capt. Michael Carmichael passes the Western Sector guidon to Cmd. Sgt. Maj. Roger Rendon, Western Sector senior enlisted advisor, during a change of command ceremony June 28.

June 28, 2023

Navy Officer Returns to Command Western Sector

North Chicago, Ill — Navy Capt. Christopher Carmichael assumed command of Western Sector, USMEPCOM, succeeding Marine Corps Colonel Jesse Sjoberg during a change of command ceremony June 28 at USMEPCOM headquarters in North Chicago, Illinois.

Air Force Tech Sgt. Jude Baidoo and other LEAP scholars visit Bunce Island, one of more than sixty slave trading forts established in the 1600s on the West African coast. (Courtesy photo)

May 31, 2023

LEAP Scholars

BOSTON MEPS, Mass. — With events happening around the world at a moment’s notice, service members must always be ready for the fight. Not unlike the skills built over time by a pilot; the culture, language, and regional expertise the total force needs for critical missions cannot be “just-in-time” trained.

Applicants taking oath of enlistment

May 22, 2023

USMEPCOM Launches Pilot for Applicant Guests to the MEPS

NORTH CHICAGO, Ill. — USMEPCOM Launches Pilot for Applicant Guests to the MEPS

(L) Navy Lt. Cmdr. America Estevez-Guerrero, Tampa MEPS commander, listens intently during a presentation at the USMEPCOM Leadership Conference. The conference brought leaders from all MEPS locations and headquarters together for the first time since 2019.

May 15, 2023

Leadership Conference Connects USMEPCOM Command Teams

HQ USMEPCOM, North Chicago, Ill. — At a command where teamwork is imperative and members are spread across 65 locations, conferences are a great tool for unit synergy and building important partnerships. The USMEPCOM Leadership Conference, which brings together Sector, Battalion and MEPS commanders and senior enlisted advisors, returned May 8-12 to Lake Delavan, Wisconsin, after a four-year pause due to the pandemic.

Col. Megan Stallings, USMEPCOM commander, engages with attendees at the 2023 Medical Leadership Training Symposium (MLTS).

May 1, 2023

Accessions Medical Leadership Come Together for Collaboration and Coordination

HQ USMEPCOM, North Chicago, Ill. — After a four-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the USMEPCOM Medical Leadership Training Symposium (MLTS) returned, bringing the top command doctors and leadership together for three days of activities and presentations.

(L to R) Col. Megan Stallings, commander, USMEPCOM, Carter Stallings, Air Force recruit, and Chris Stallings, executive director, Naval Service Training Command, pose for a photo at Chicago MEPS moments before Carter ships to Basic Military Training.

April 17, 2023

Stepson of USMEPCOM Commander Enlists

Chicago MEPS, Ill. — When your father and grandfather were both Army Aviation Officers, and your stepmother is currently an Army colonel, following their legacy seems like an obvious path to pursue. That is, of course, if you aren’t a 22-year-old wanting to forge your very own path. Instead of choosing to “Be All You Can Be” with the Army, Carter Stallings decided to enlist and “Aim High” with the Air Force. Carter is the stepson of Army Col. Megan Stallings, commander, USMEPCOM, and his father is retired Army Col. Chris Stallings (current executive director of Naval Service Training Command). His father was on active duty before he was even born, so Carter grew up on various bases and military communities. From a young age, he favored Airmen wings to the Army’s five-pointed star.

Lt. Cmdr. Iman Parirokh, Chicago MEPS executive officer, leads a group of applicants through the oath of enlistment at Chicago MEPS February 1, 2023.

March 31, 2023

Working Hard for the Mission: USMEPCOM, Recruiting Partners Working Overtime to Get the Job Done

HQ USMEPCOM North Chicago, Ill. — Starting in April, USMEPCOM will reintroduce Saturday processing days at select MEPS around the country.

Dave Foland, administrative support technician, Portland MEPS, (center) is presented with the Western Sector Coin for Excellence by Marine Corps Col. Jesse Sjoberg, USMEPCOM Western Sector commander. Foland was recognized for intervening and disarming a possible active shooter in Troutdale, Ore.

March 14, 2023

Portland MEPS Technician's Quick Action Disrupts Gunman

Portland MEPS, Oregon — It was close to 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 16 and the dinner rush was in full effect at a pub in Troutdale, Ore. A man entered the pub armed with a shotgun tucked under his arm. Visibly intoxicated, he quietly

CHICAGO (November 4, 2021) Dr. Liza Pilch, a medical provider at Chicago MEPS, conducts a medical evaluation with an applicant in Chicago MEPS medical department.

Feb. 15, 2023

SMDRP Update: Streamlining and Standardizing MEPS Medical Processing

HQ USMEPCOM, North Chicago, Ill. — With hundreds of medical providers of various specialties working at 65 Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS) and two Remote Processing Stations across the country, standardizing the medical qualification process for military applicants is a challenge. United States Military Entrance Processing Command (USMEPCOM) took that challenge head on with recent updates to the Supplemental Policy Guidance (SMPG) and Supporting Medical Documentation Review Program (SMDRP).

Army Staff Sgt. James Nelson, guidance counselor, Milwaukee MEPS, talks an applicant through signing his contract on USMIRS 1.1, Jan. 24 2023.

Feb. 8, 2023

User-Centered Approach Guides USMIRS Evolution

HQ USMEPCOM, North Chicago, Ill — The development and launch of USMEPCOM Integrated Resource System (USMIRS) 1.1 in 2021 was one of the most critical modernization efforts in USMEPCOM’s history. Feb. 10 marks the second anniversary of the system launching, but there are no “terrible twos” here. With updates released biweekly and major innovations due later this year, USMIRS 1.1 is on track to reach high viability before it even turns three.

Michael Hughes, management analyst, J-3, and Karlie Shrewsbury, management analyst, J-3, discuss topics to be covered during their next “30 Minute Thursdays” forum. The recurring forum is held every Thursday at noon CDT and calls for open discussion in the agile recruiting environment.

Feb. 2, 2023

30-Minute Thursdays

HQ USMEPCOM, North Chicago, Ill — USMEPCOM’s J-3 Policy and Training branch kicked off a new weekly forum, “30 Minute Thursdays,” on Jan 12. The forum provides an opportunity to share information about fast-paced policy updates and

Maj. Cameron Webb, Fort Lee Military Entrance Processing Station commander, speaks to a room of mostly Fort Lee MEPS employees Jan. 25, 2023, as part of a ‘MEPS of the Year Celebration’ at Fort Lee, Va. “Today is your day to celebrate,” Webb said. “You show USMEPCOM that we are setting the standard with the tools given to us by achieving excellence quarter after quarter.” (U.S. Army photo by Chad Menegay)

Jan. 27, 2023

Fort Lee wins MEPS of the Year

FORT LEE MEPS, Va. — The Fort Lee Military Entrance Processing Station celebrated its own excellence Wednesday with a ‘MEPS of the Year Celebration’ here.United States Military Entrance Processing Command recognized Fort

Information Technology Specialists (ITS) from MEPS locations receive training to develop the tools they require to support very busy personnel providing critical services to MEPS applicants. (Photo by Darrin McDufford)

Jan. 6, 2023

Immersion training: Info Tech Specialist dive deep into training

HQ USMEPCOM, North Chicago, Ill — Information Technology Specialist (ITS) Immersion Training is a two-week training course held at USMEPCOM offering in-depth training on various operations of software and hardware computer support.