I know I can't do this on my own and I'll need help to make sure I have all my paperwork squared away before MEPS in December. Is it permissible to contact and begin working with a Career Counselor from my local MEPS to make sure the package is complete prior to going down there?

If not, who do I contact to get assigned a Career Counselor for regular correspondence and preparation for the in processing?

And no, my recruiter isn't willing or able to provide that level of support.

I don't know that you can contact a "Guidance Counselor" (not to be confused with a Career Counselor), but the resident Recruiter should be able to answer this.

Again, do not confuse a MEPS Guidance Counselor with a Carerr Counselor.

The guidance counselors at MEPS are not assigned to individuals. It is just a matter of who picks up your packet the day your there to enlist. All they do is verify that your recuiter has completed your packet and pull up the list of jobs you qualify for that are open at that time.

My concern about MEPS and choosing an MOS is that I am not yet a citizen.

However, I haven't taken my ASVAB yet and I don't plan to join until I have completed my graduate studies. Unfortunately, with my status, I may not be able to choose the MOS that I want. My recruiter told me that I could choose another MOS, apply for citizenship while in the army and then apply for the MOS that I want. I am wondering now if I should instead apply for citizenship first and THEN enlist. However, I am already 30 and I don't want to be too old when I can finally join.

I was thinking of possibly joining for the minimum amount of time, apply to be a citizen and when my contract is up, apply for the MOS that I want. It sounds like an ideal plan, but this is not like choosing a profession or a field of studies. What are the possibilities of this happening then?

Cheers

quote:

All they do is verify that your recuiter has completed your packet and pull up the list of jobs you qualify for that are open at that time.

Not exactly. A guidance counselor is an additonal skill identifier for MOS 79R. You must take a 2 phase course; the first phase is non-resident and the 2nd phase is a 4-week course taught at Fort Jackson, SC. They do much, much more than just check packets and look up jobs. They have to process waivers, interpret regulations and policies, run the REQUEST database, probe the applicants to verify they have provided all pertinent information---I could go on and on discussing the scope of duties involved for a Guidance Counselor. Please, before posting comments, do a bit of research to make sure you know what you are talking about. By the way, I am NOT a guidance counselor myself, I just happen to know they do alot and I went on ahead and researched it.