This is a second hand review as I personally have only ever driven here to pick up my son near the front flag pole but haven't been inside. I think you'll find it helpful if your child will find themself here. I can remember the day like it was yesterday... a day like any other here in Sunny SoCal - my son, a sophomore college student who was majoring in Criminology/Criminal Justice told me when we were out on a hike that he wanted to take this path. Was I completely caught off guard? Yes! Did I give him a long drawn out speech about how when we start things, we finish them and he was absolutely not putting his college education on hold to detour down a different road? Yes! I told him, after he graduates he can explore this passion to serve our country and thought that was the end of it. Fast forward to this March when I check his location and find he's at a local US Army recruiting station and my heart falls out of my chest. As a single mother since he was 9 months old, this past year has been interesting to say the least. As a college graduate he knew he'd go the Officer route and began the prep and testing earlier in the year. He's been to MEPS a few times now. They typically put him up at the LAX Marriott, as a parent of a child who rarely if ever sleeps away from home unless it's at a best friends house this was a very new experience for the both of us. Rooms are shared at the hotel, meals are provided, and wake up seems to be around 230/3a, brekke at 345a, with a shuttle back to the center around 430a. My son was extremely determined to follow his next dream after graduation. He maxxed out on all tests written, physical (we're a fairly athletic family already so these things were no stretch), etc. and went in front of the local board this past October. I knew the week of December 5th would be a very exciting one for him. I also knew within ten days I'd have the end date to our Book 1 Chapter 22. My son received his acceptance call from his recruiter as told on Dec 9th (congrats to all accepted), he signed his 8 year 3yr 24month active duty contract and was sworn in 4 days later. I was not able to be in the building but they live stream these and I was able to watch it in that capacity. Things move extremely slow at MEPS, but food is provided and phones can be used from time to time for communication. My son noted many of the men and women here are very young (high school age). There are no words to express the amount of pride I have in him, the confidence I have in his leadership and admiration I have for his courage and bravery. He'll be at Fort Jackson and then at Fort Benning. So while I look up every yummy restaurant and fun spot in Columbia and Columbus, and pick out graduation dresses he is off on a very big and exciting journey to serve amongst the less than 1% (a category I do love us tackling but my marathons just can't quite compare to this on any level). I know my two grandfathers are smiling down, beaming with pride. I truly believe all men should be required to, as time has passed I see so many benefits to it. I don't like using the word "real man" but I really do feel like it takes a certain kind to go active duty and quite frankly out here in the West I don't think it's as common as in other states. I know our political party has nothing to really do with this and some are going strictly for the benefits, and even marrying for extra cash flow which is certainly a path. My son doesn't care much about the salary, his motive is service and acquiring the skills to better land a spot in the CIA or FBI by way of becoming a US Army Ranger serving in the 75th regiment. Reach for the stars baby! Columbia, SC here we come!!! Ok, maybe just me for graduation, yummy bites and weekend adventures. I refuse to be the crazy mom who does a short term rental near the base just to know I'm breathing the same air near him, unless.... I do that near Fort Benning ;) kidding kidding. Bring your patience when you are coming here, the days are long and things like fingerprints can take 5 hours to do in just a few minutes. Travel arrangements for ship dates are taken care of here but seem to be an all day process as well. Patience, patience, patience. Hurry up and wait is definitely accurate. Sending love to all of the families of our service men and women from a very new empty nester single Army Mom who is looking forward to being a resource to others in similar situations. read more

I wouldn't say it was the BEST experience, but it definitely wasn't bad. I noticed some attitude from the people working there, but after seeing how busy it was, and how much was going on while they're working with like 3 people at a time, it's definitely understandable lmao. I went in for the marine section, and forgot a valid form of ID, but they actually allowed me to go through the process either way since they had it on file. I'm appreciative of this place because it's the start of something big. I wish the workers there, and the new recruits going in the best of luck ! read more

Testing day is easy, medical will take morning till about 4-5 of waiting moto of hurry up and wait

went in early morning to the army office, was asked by my guidance counselor if I was going to vote for one political party, if I believed in a strong America, this was before their candidate was elected. I thought the military wasnt suppose to be political. after sitting for most of the day waiting, I was told to take the picat personality test, said there wasn't any need to read the questions, just mark any answer so they could finish. I guess if the personality test is just a formality then why have it?. I wanted to serve but think the army at least is too unprofessional. While I was sitting there, I heard them make some racist comments about an Asian applicant. posted a review twice on google and both were erased. I guess the army is powerful in more than one way. I doubt this review will be up for long. read more

If you're enlisting in the military, you're gonna have to go through Meps regardless. Yes it's a lot of waiting to be done but it teaches you patience. I'd say bring a book so you don't get bored. Place is pretty cool though, some folks are nice others aren't, regardless. Just be respectful, you don't know if you'll make someone's day better being positive or nice. read more

Military Entrance Processing Center - Public Services & Government Near Me - El Segundo, California

For all the baby's that put less than 5 stars shame on you when I when to MEPS yes I woke up 3am to get there waited 2 hour out side and the employee there had a some what (I don't care about my job attitude) but remember there there ever day putting up with young people who don't k ow a thing about the real world there doing there job ifs a good day or bad day yes you will be there for over 5-8 hours but the sever in any branch of the army is a honor sometimes the process can take a turn and take long but remember this was your choice and there here to help do as fast that they can when I did my MEPS and physical yes it took a while but I knew what I was getting in to the employees are just try get stuff done fast so they can help the next person if your having a bad time just remember they are have it 10X more than you! read more

Military Entrance Processing Center - Public Services & Government Near Me - El Segundo, California

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I can only speak from my experience, this is the only MEPS I have been to. I arrived at 4am and the gates doesn't open until 4:45am. There will be a lot of waiting, possibly for hours of waiting, I noticed many of the employees just standing around and gossiping. I ended up finishing at 5:00pm Arrived 4:00am Finished 5:00pm I did have 2nd thoughts about joining the military because of my experience here. read more

Get ready for everything you fear for! jk lol *I just didn't know how to start this review* Services Offered: - ASVAB/ PICATT Testing - Physical Test - Vision Test - Bloodwork - Hearing Test - Contract Details and signage - Boredom and Anxiety - Tears and Smiling faces - New Beginnings and/or Terrifying endings - Recruitment services for all branches - Free Parking Brace yourself and be brave. Muahahaha ha! Anyway I just wanted to write a review. Not a big deal. You'll be fine! read more

Man this place is huge. There are tons of new recruits lining up and filling in rooms. Lots of men & women in uniform with lots going on here. All the kids are bright eyed and eager to join. They do get sweared in here, but i'm not sure how legit it is since no one is required to head to boot camp from here that I am aware of. read more

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They make hella side conversations with coworkers instead of working with you but the short asian guy for the urinalysis test is funny asf

This place was exactly what I expected. Slow, slow, slow! They are very unorganized. They don't communicate. They make you wait for nothing. BUT that's what you signed up for. So kids if your complaining about the MEPS process...Stand By! Your in for a rude awakening read more

Military Entrance Processing Center - It was worth the wait! - Public Services & Government Near Me - El Segundo, California

My experience with the staff was great! Shout out to Senegal in the Army office! The second floor was excellent! The beautiful young lady who drew my blood made me feel very confident and comfortable. Shot out specifically to Shay Cole on the second floor! Thank you for your professionalism and kindness. The whole day is mapped out for you. It will be a wait, but if you listen and do what is asked of you, you will have a great time. The staff made a long and hard day a breeze thank you all for your stellar service. read more

"Hurry up and wait!" That's the saying there, my experience was long and tiring. Got through the security door at around 4:45am and started medical examinations at 6:00am (after a brief orientation). The entire process was long and mentally agonizing. The staff is nice and they all respect you, so long as you don't act like a total assclown. Show courtesy, do as you're told, and there might be some good timing for you after all. Let's just say that I was up early morning since 3:00am and finished everything at MEPS by 6:30pm I made it alive and well, thankfully. Just remember to follow orders and you'll be as cool as Fonzie. read more

certainly an emotional place to be. Usually your family member is being sworn into the military or is shipping out. They do a great job or taking care of the recruits and getting them through the process read more

The RS Orange Marines liaisons are extremely effective in their processing the most busy MEPS in the country. They are extremely respectful and helpful. read more

Today I said my goodbyes to my soon to be Marine . My husband and I spent 5 hours at MEPS and I am happy to share that our experience was amazing. I have to say I was not expecting a positive outcome based off the reviews I read. I am happy to say all the staff exceeded my expectations. Thank you to all the Staff for your respect , patience , direction and support during this process . Oooh ! Rah ! read more

It's not as bad as everyone says. Just do as you're told, be polite and they'll probably be polite back. It worked with me. Be patient, if you aren't a patient person. You will have a bad time. It's definitely an experience. Also, be prepared for a super long day. Don't worry. You'll make it. read more

Patient patient and patient is what I gotta tell ya...Yes expect to be here for a LONGGG day because you will be waiting on the line whether you're going for testing, medical or swear in. Staffs are generally nice and I don't blame them to be strict all the time based on the amount of people they dealt with everyday. Get there early around 4:30am to get in front of the line because once the shuttles from the hotel arrives people are coming in bunch and you will just wait for awhile. If you get holdover they will provide accommodation and meals so don't get freak out. Best of luck to all future soldiers. read more

This place takes legit forever just to process paperwork. I highly recommend going to san Diego me.

Hurry up and wait!!! The MEPS makes the DMV look like candy land. However they do process their recruits quickish. They lose paper work, medical bat. lost blood samples of recruits pushing their careers back in extreme lengths of time. Overall, the military staff is great but civilian staff needs to learn humanitarianism. read more

A lot of the staff is VERY rude. Although, you have to understand they deal with a lot of idiots half the time, on a daily basis. I feel my experience at Los Angeles MEPS could have been better, I went, and did what I had to do, and will be shipping off to BCT soon. read more

Food was bleh. Customer service was bleh. The best part of this place is when you ship out (glad that was a long time ago for me).

Waiting.. waiting.. and more waiting.. I thought it was gonna be a 6 hour day but on average its a 10-12 hour day. The Meps staff aren't so bad, they just want to get you processed. The reason people have to wait so long is because meps is under staffed. There's an average of 120 recruits, 1 Meps employee at each station and 7 stations that each recruit has to visit. Let that sink in for a minute.. Survival guide: 1. Get sleep the night before. Youre going to have a full 10-12 hour day and you will want to be well rested. 2. Bring a sweater. At 3 am when you're lining up outside, it gets really cold. 3. Don't talk to other recruits. Meps will be throwing so much information at you and if you aren't focused, you WILL miss something and they will yell at you. 4. When you're in line for something(Blood test/duck walk/security check/etc) Look at what the person in front of you is doing, so you know exactly what to do. 5. Understand that if a Meps worker yells at you, its nothing personal, its simply their military mentality. At the end of the day, many will start joking around with you. Bonus: - In addition to "the duckwalk," you also have to be able to balance on one leg and kick with the other, so make sure you can balance on one leg for at least 10 seconds. read more

Army liason office, Ms.Hatch, Specialist Cartwright, Dr.Abbah(?) etc., made the process efficient and as stress free as possible. The process was definitely not as horrid as described to me. Just say, "yes sir", "yes maam" and do as you're told and you'll be just fine. read more

I went to MEPS on 20170907 and 20170908, it was a long process to get everything done, but the staff truly just wants to help you get done as soon as possible. They had a nice sense of humor but stayed professional the whole time. Ms. O also drew my blood and it was the most painless blood draw I ever had. Glad I got everything done and was able to enlist. read more

This place was really not everything everyone says, I had a fine almost great experience. They are kind and caring about your feelings toward everything. Don't be scared and go with an open mind. You will have a fine time. Do your nation proud. HOOAH!!! read more

It is true, most of the staff is extremely rude. I've never been treated so poorly in my life. Especially by this large Hispanic lady in the top floor who will give you attitude and yell at you for just about anything. She clearly hates her job and is disrespectful towards everyone, even to the applicants that have trouble speaking or understanding English. Other than her and a handful of others, everyone else was decent. One of the doctors (the man with the "funny" accent) helped the nerves with all the jokes he's made, one of the Hispanic ladies with glasses that did the exercises with all us girls was really nice and funny, and the doctor for the girls was just as nice. read more

Its been several years since I went through here, and as with most military institutions, Im quite sure not much has changed with the exception of the people working there. After reading all of these kids complaining about hurry up and wait, and having to pee in front of other people and no ipods or phones ...all i can say is quit whining!!! The people there process hundreds of people per day and though the system isnt near perfect....its the same one MEPS has always used and will continue to use. If a 12 hour day stresses you out, or if being yelled at hurts your feelings.....go join a basket weaving club, because the military is NOT for you. Trust me....a tour in Iraq or wherever the next battlefield is located WILL be much more stressful.... read more

My experience at MEPS Los Angeles is from the perspective of a family member. Today is my fifth trip to MEPS. Enlisting my son into the Marine Corps is one of the most difficult things I have ever done. I support him 100% but as a mom it's hard to see him go. MEPS has done NOTHING to make this process any easier. Beginning with the security guard at the door who would not allow me to re-enter the facility after running out to my car without waiting outside for over fifteen minutes. The man behind the desk yelling at me for sitting on the bench by the main door so I could put my shoes on after coming through security. The "hurry up and wait" mentality of every employee here. My favorite today, waiting for my son to ship out to basic training and wanting to witness his final swear in I was crowded into a small room, yelled at, as were all the family members, by a man giving unclear directions and then continuing to wait, only to find out they do not have a senior office available to swear the recruits in. Everyone was forced to shuffle out to the waiting area to wait again. I'm emotional enough, as are the other family members waiting in the family area. We do not deserve to be treated with such disrespect! read more