When did MEPS start? While the concept of entrance processing dates back to early U.S. conflicts like the American Revolution and World War I (around 1917), the modern MEPS system as we know it evolved over decades to create a unified, nationwide framework. The Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) refers to the standardized facilities used by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to screen and process military recruits through medical exams, aptitude testing (like the ASVAB), background checks, and enlistment oaths.
When Did MEPS Start: Historical Timeline of MEPS
- World War I Era (1917–1918): The roots of structured military induction began here. President Woodrow Wilson’s declaration of war in 1917 led to rapid expansion of enlistment processes, including basic physical and aptitude screenings. By the end of World War II, this had grown into one of the largest human classification systems globally, processing millions of recruits across decentralized service-branch stations.
- Post-WWII Standardization (1950s): The U.S. military formalized a consolidated system in 1951, shifting from fragmented, branch-specific processing to a more centralized model. This addressed inconsistencies in medical and aptitude evaluations, laying the groundwork for today’s MEPS by ensuring uniform standards across the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard.
- Official Naming and Command Structure (1978–1982): The United States Military Entrance Processing Command (USMEPCOM) was established on July 1, 1965, initially as the Armed Forces Examining and Entrance Stations (AFEES) under the Army. It became a DoD Major Command in 1978. The stations were officially renamed “Military Entrance Processing Stations” (MEPS) effective January 1, 1982, by the Assistant Secretary of the Army, marking the full transition to the current branding and operations.
Today, USMEPCOM oversees 65 MEPS locations across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, headquartered in North Chicago, Illinois. These stations process over 200,000 recruits annually, incorporating modern tools like digital fingerprinting and biometric identity verification. The system’s evolution reflects the military’s need for efficiency, especially during conflicts like the Korean War (which influenced the 1951 changes) and Vietnam.
If you’re preparing for MEPS or researching enlistment history, check official DoD resources like Military OneSource for the latest procedures. This timeline highlights how MEPS has been “Freedom’s Front Door” since its formalized start in 1951, with key milestones in the 1970s–1980s solidifying its role.