News Archive

News Stories

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.

Members, Delayed Entry Program, view the cockpit of a C-130H

Nov. 30, 2022

USMEPCOM and Recruiting Partners Streamline Waiver Process

NORTH CHICAGO, Ill — USMEPCOM implemented a program to allow applicants with frequently waivered medically disqualified conditions to conditionally enroll in the delayed entry program.

Jordan Page (left) and father, U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Michael Page, Eastern Sector senior enlisted advisor (right), pose for a photo following Jordan's oath of enlistment at Milwaukee MEPS. Jordan joins the Air Force Delayed Entry Program as he prepares to leave for basic training July 2023.

MILWAUKEE MEPS, Wisc. Nov. 9, 2022

Son of Air Force Chief Prepares to Take Flight

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Michael Page, Eastern Sector senior enlisted advisor, was able to witness his son take the oath, sign his contract and join the United States Air Force at Milwaukee MEPS Oct. 24.

Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Michael Page, Eastern Sector Senior Enlisted Advisor (far left) poses with the five Military Members of the Year (MMOY) finalists from Eastern Sector. (From L to R) Navy Senior Chief Brandon Majors (Ft. Jackson MEPS), Coast Guard Lt. j.g. Addisen Rutkoske (Chicago MEPS), Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Mark Welling (Montgomery MEPS), Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Antionette Ward (Atlanta MEPS) and Navy Chief Petty Officer Richard Calderone (Louisville MEPS) visited San Diego for this year's competition

Oct. 24, 2022

Military Members of the Year Compete in San Diego

HQ USMEPCOM, North Chicago, Ill. — The 2022 USMEPCOM Military Members of the Year (MMOY) competition brought the final 10 contenders to San Diego for a week of mental and physical challenges. After competing through the levels of command, five military personnel from each Sector faced off to claim MMOY for their rank.

U.S. Navy Cmdr. Michael Keppen, former Eastern Sector deputy commander, receives a Joint Service Commendation Medal from U.S. Army Col. Megan Stallings, USMEPCOM commander, during an awards ceremony at headquarters, Oct. 12 for his heroic efforts to save two people from drowning. Upon seeing a child and older man struggling in the Fox River May 30, Keppen dove into the water and swam them both to safety.

Oct. 12, 2022

Navy Officer Awarded for Life-Saving Action

HQ USMEPCOM, North Chicago, Ill. — U.S. Navy Cmdr. Michael Keppen, former Eastern Sector deputy commander, received a Joint Service Commendation Medal (JSCM) during an awards ceremony at headquarters, Oct. 12. The JSCM is presented by the United States Armed Forces to individuals who have performed an exceedingly heroic act, exceptional achievement or commendable service.

Army Col. Megan Stallings, USMEPCOM commander, addresses the Joint Recruiting Commander’s Conference (JRCC) in North Chicago, Ill. Sept. 27 -28. The conference brought together Recruiting Command, Accession Policy and USMEPCOM leaders to discuss issues and opportunities for collaboration and share ideas and best practices.

Oct. 3, 2022

Accession Policy and USMEPCOM hosted the Joint Recruiting Commanders Conference (JRCC) in North Chicago, Ill. Sept. 27 -28

Dr. Ashley Jackson, USMEPCOM Western Sector medical officer, trains U.S. Army Maj. Marsha Paul, U.S. Army Maj. Marjorie Whitehead and U.S. Army Maj. Wendy Hand in completing medical prescreens in MHS GENESIS. Paul, Whitehead and Hand all recently retired from service but chose to come back and become providers, assisting MEPS with completing medical prescreens.

Sept. 22, 2022

Retired Soldiers Return to Support USMEPCOM

Headquarters USMEPCOM, North Chicago, IL — It had only been a few months since U.S. Army Maj. Marsha Paul, nurse practitioner, retired and put away her uniform, but luckily, she did not pack it too far back into her closet. While checking her email, she saw an exciting opportunity to come back and work with the latest medical technology. Paul decided to return to assist with the Prescreen Support Coordination Center (PSCC). Paul is among nine retired Army doctors, physician assistants and nurse practitioners answering the call to come back on active duty to help review prescreens virtually.

Jodi Goss answers a question about cybersecurity during the Information Technology Specialist training held at USMEPCOM.

Sept. 7, 2022

USMEPCOM focuses on cybersecurity

Headquarters USMEPCOM, North Chicago, IL — The annoyances of entering your PIN multiple times and the removal of the Common Access Card every time you walk away from the computer can pay big dividends to an organization and its members.

A group photograph of the USS Carter Hall chiefs mess. The individuals in color left to right are Senior Chief Brandon Majors, Master Chief Adam Singleton and Senior Chief Ioana Wolfinger.

Aug. 26, 2022

Master Chief shapes leaders, leaving military members of the year in his wake

USMEPCOM, North Chicago, IL — True leaders always hope to see their people achieve more than they did, but they don’t always get the satisfaction of seeing that success come to fruition. For Master Chief Adam Singleton, former Honolulu MEPs senior enlisted advisor (SEA), confirmation came when Senior Chiefs Brandon Majors, Ft. Jackson MEPS SEA, and Ioana Wolfinger, New Orleans MEPS SEA, respectively became the Eastern and Western Sector military members of the year.

Battalion Executive Directors engage in an open table discussion during a conference at USMEPCOM. USMEPCOM hosted the first ever ED conference, Aug. 9-11.

Aug. 12, 2022

USMEPCOM Hosts Battalion Executive Director's Conference

HQ USMEPCOM, NORTH CHICAGO, IL — USMEPCOM hosted the Battalion Executive Director (ED) conference Aug. 9-11. Bringing together all 12 Battalion EDs, the conference was the first of its kind since the position was established five years ago.

From L to R) U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Peterson, Chicago Recruiting Battalion command sergeant major; U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Renee Barton, policy NCOIC, J-3/5/7; and U.S. Army Lt. Col. Shane Doolan. Chicago Recruiting Battalion commander, pose for a photo during an awards ceremony at USMEPCOM, Aug. 9.

Aug. 10, 2022

MEPCOM Soldier Recognized by Recruiting Partner

HQ USMEPCOM, NORTH CHICAGO, IL — USMEPCOM’s August Awards Ceremony began with a special presentation in recognition of U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Renee Barton, policy NCOIC, J-3/5/7. U.S. Army Lt. Col. Shane Doolan and U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Peterson presented Barton an engraved sword for her work in training Chicago Recruiting Battalion’s company command teams.

Western Sector Change of Responsibility

July 29, 2022

Western Sector welcomes new Senior Enlisted Advisor

North Chicago, Ill — Army Command Sgt. Maj. Roger Rendon accepted responsibility as the senior enlisted advisor of Western Sector, USMEPCOM, succeeding Army Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Jackson during a change of responsibility ceremony at USMEPCOM headquarters July 29.

Illustration by Amy Gregorski

June 29, 2022

MEPCOM Hones Virtual Capabilities

NORTH CHICAGO, Ill — USMEPCOM takes advantage of the electronic health record to create capability for remote prescreening.

Eastern Sector Change of Command

June 23, 2022

United States Military Entrance Processing Command welcomes new Eastern Sector commander

NORTH CHICAGO, Ill — Army Col. Janelle V. Kutter assumed command of Eastern Sector, USMEPCOM, succeeding Army Col. Joe Ratliff at a ceremony held June 23 at USMEPCOM headquarters in North Chicago, Illinois.

MEPCOM civilians take on expeditionary opportunity

June 22, 2022

MEPCOM Employees Take Expeditionary Opportunity

Two MEPCOM join the Expeditionary Civilian Workforce (ECW) program for a temporary assignment in Kosovo.

Donovan Phillips, USMEPCOM Chief of Staff, (right) reads the citation for an honorary Hamby award presented to David Hamby, USMEPCOM inspector general (left) during a command and staff meeting, May 6. The Hamby award, usually presented to Soldiers at Fort Irwin, was created in memory of the late U.S. Army Col. Jerrell Hamby, David’s father.

May 9, 2022

USMEPCOM IG Surprised With Hamby Award

North Chicago, IL — David Hamby, USMEPCOM command inspector general, was surprised with an honorary Hamby award during a command and staff meeting May 6. The Order of Hamby, or Hamby award, is an internal award for Soldiers at Fort Irwin.

Jill Anderson, field support branch chief, J-8, leads a class during the Program Support Specialist (PSS) Workshop at USMEPCOM.

April 29, 2022

USMEPCOM Hosts PSS Workshop

NORTH CHICAGO, Ill — USMEPCOM hosted a Program Support Specialist (PSS) Workshop, April 26-28. The workshop covered all aspects of the PSS position to maximize utilization of both logistics and budgeting resources.

Shannon Midgette, St. Louis MEPS test control officer, takes a selfie during a break from her eight-day-long ride in Washington.

North Chicago, Ill April 26, 2022

Cross Country Chopper Adventure

Rise and Ride,” was the mindset 28 women fostered when they set off for a 48-state motorcycle adventure in memory of Bessie Stringfield, the mid-century legend known as “The Motorcycle Queen.” For the group of women, including Shannon Midgette, St. Louis MEPS test control officer, the idea to take on the cross-country ride came about in late 2019.