Hello everyone,
I am currently training to become a PJ, I am excited about joining and ready to get going. The problem i am having is with my recruiter. He is very difficult to get in touch with, and just seems uneducated about the process for joining PJ's. Example: Originally I was told that after they ran my credit report and everything was fine, I would go to MEPS be sworn in, after MEPS I would then take my PAST test, after passing my PAST test I would then sign my contract and find out when i would leave. Now i am being told that requirements have changed, and i must pass a practice PAST test before I can even leave to go to MEPS. It just seems that my recruiter keeps pushing things back when i am ready to sign and get going. Does anyone have any advice for me? It would be much appreciated.
Thanks!!!

This is from the Proceedural Guidance Message regarding the PAST:

Prior to conducting the PAST on an applicant, the applicant must pass a complete physical examination given at MEPS.

This includes a "practice" PAST. Best advice is to be professional and keep on top of it...ask him to review the PGMs for PJ.

Thanks for your input.

Dont worry about it, i sorta felt the same way. I took my ASVAB last September and just finally went to meps this week. at times i thought it was becuese my recruiter was putting me off or not to interested in me, but i was wrong. He wanted to make sure that every part of this was 1try, not 4-6 like some other people. When i finally went to meps i made it threw first try, I litterly just got done with my PAST right now and i also past that my first try.

All in all your recruiter is probably just like mine, has 20 or so people DEP then has all the random people that just show up, and then has the 20 or so people wanting to go to meps. Dont worry about it just stay focused and dont give up. On the bright side even, the more time you have the more you can work out, and the more you work out the better.

Hope it helps
wil

Yeah, I've been in the process of getting into DEP for a long time. It seems I'm finally good to go, so I should be taking my PAST soon. Keep in mind that there is a huge surplus in recruits and the system just doesn't move as fast as you want it to, especially if you have some altercations.

So, if you're wanting to do this, don't say you want to be in the best shape before you even talk to the recruiter. That is just stalling and you're wasting time, in my opinion. Even if you have no complications, you still have to spend time in DEP (meanwhile getting more fit).

And BigD, even though it isn't the standard procedure, why don't you take the practice PAST anyways to try and eliminate any roadblocks? TheDon, have you gotten a BMT date? If so, what is it? Just looking for current DEP waiting times...

I'm an active duty recruiter and I think I know whats going on. We are limited or completely stopped on putting non spec ops guys into the dep right now. That being said we can dep in an endless amount of Spec Ops applicants. Your recruiters particular chain of command might want to have the applicant show you he is capable of passing the PAST before they can send you up to dep in hoping you will pass the real one once you pass the physical.

The PGM states specifically that a person must have a medical exam at MEPS before giving the PAST. It states that no other physical (sports, ect.) can be substituted for the MEPS physical.

If a "practice test" is required by the chain of command without a physical (i.e. before MEPS)...they're wrong.

I understand that we cannot give an official PAST test before they take the physical at MEPS. That doesnt mean an applicant cant test his own ability to complete the required fitness standards. I'm guessing thats what his recruiter is asking for. We do not want to DEP in a spec ops applicant if he stands little to no chance of passing the PAST test within a short period. You wouldnt believe the amount of people that claim to be able to pass that 500 meters that do less than 3 laps on the first test. If they stand little to no chance of passing then they have to wait in line to process as a regular processor. The wait for regular processors to get a physical is about 2 months right now(for me, it varies by recruiter). A spec ops only can phys right away if it looks like they stand a good chance of passing the test.

I would believe it...I've done many PASTs myself as a PJ working with local recruiters where I'm stationed. I also know if guys give themselves a practice PAST, the form may be lacking or they'll fudge a few extra seconds on the run so they can tell their recruiter they're good to go...so, if you take the word of recruit they may or may not be honest...if, to prevent that, you "watch" a guy take a "practice PAST", again I think RS is asking for trouble.

Thanks men for all the great input, i spoke with my recruiter yesterday and they are sending me to MEPS first and then taking the PAST test. I am just ready to get this damn test over with, and get my career moving forward. I hate this limbo stage, but you're right it is giving more time to train. Thanks again!!

Congrats! Have you succefully completed the PAST test on your own? Have you taken the asvab or practice asvab and do you wear glasses or contacts? (sarcasm font on)Enjoy the MEPS physical its full of good times(sarcasm font off).

True. Maybe I'm just lucky and have found an honest bunch of guys but up to this point if they told me they have succesfully completed the test on there own, they passed it on the official try. That being said there have been instances of former "lifeguards" that told me 500 meters would not be an issue and they didnt need to train prior to the official test that couldnt pass it first time though.

i have taken a practice past test with my trainer and passed. i have already taken the asvab and scored well enough to become a PJ. I do wear contacts, but my vision is not worse than 20/50, so i should be good. But i read that in the airforce they offer corrective surgery, i know i cant get lasik but i can get the other one, PRK i believe it is.