Good Morning All, I'm new here and had a question or two regarding recruiting..I'd appreciate any help or insight.

Long story short,

I currently live in Houston, Tx with my parents. I've met with my local recruiter, who sent me to MEPS where I took the ASVAB (95), the next day I was scheduled for the medical exam, a problem arose with documents, but has been resolved and is re-scheduled for Tuesday (8/3) or Wednesday (8/4).

However; my parents are in the process of retiring and are interested in moving from the Houston, TX area. Upon my first interview with my local recruiter I brought this to his attention, where he told me it would be slightly more work for him having to transfer all records to a new recruiter.

My questions would be..

1. If I am set-up with a ship date do I still need to be local to that specific area? (Could I sign up in Houston, move to Florida and still ship from Houston?)..so long as I have all documents in order?

2. I know each recruiting area has a range of allotments for recruits..which would lead me to believe that bigger areas/cities would tend to have a greater allotment..would I be jeopardizing a spot by moving to a smaller area?

3. I fully expect passing the medical exam next week (the paperwork problem was my recruiter forgetting to fax a med record to the MEPS doctors)..what is next in line after the medical examination in the recruiting process?

Again, I appreciate any thoughts or comments. From reading some other topics it appears as if there are many knowledgeable persons here willing to share information.

Thanks Again.

-Alex

I switch recruiters from Boise, WA to Spokane, WA and basically had to start all over again. I hadn't gone through MEPS yet but still had to do all the entry papers and questions all over again. Now I'm living in Bend, OR and shipping out of Spokane on Aug 10th. I did not even try and bother the recruiter with moving where I'm shipping from closer. I've worked in the goverenment before and I've learned that the least number papers are moved (never) the better chance that they won't be misplaced.

The short answer, is that it depends.

If you get fully qualified there, and that particular recruiter decides that you are one of their best applicants, that doesn't necessarily mean that you would be one of the best applicants for the new recruiter. You could be, but there's no guarantees. Having said that, if you get fully qualified in Houston, and they get you a ship date, they could arrange for what's called a "courtesy ship", where you would ship from your closest office.

Talk to your recruiter about your options. What area will you be moving to?

Thanks for that input, lavabear.

Cooch - It looks like I'd be relocating to an area a little North of Tampa, FL. I've looked on the USCG website and it lists Tampa as having a recruiting station. I'd be disappointed if I was a favorite in one locality and not another, but I guess it all just depends on the numbers of qualified applicants and allotment per office..

Do you have to relocate with the parents? Is there anyone in Houston that you could stay with in order to complete the process and get a ship date? As hard as shipdates are to come by I would not take a chance and relocate unless it was an absolute no other option must...

I wish you the very best...

captkyguy - I would be of much help to my parents during the move, however; I'm not locked into it. As far as another place to stay, it's only difficult because of housing contracts. (I wouldn't want to lock into an extended lease). I'm really trying my hardest to get to boot camp as quickly as possible to begin my career. My recruiter and MEPS in Houston has been invaluable, I've only had that minor paperwork hiccup, other than that it's gone very well. I'd just really hate to be a nuisance and create more problems for anyone else or myself.

I would not have any problem traveling back from wherever I move to Houston and processing out of that MEPS, I'd just like a definitive answer.

Maybe I'm worrying over nothing.

Makes sense...but instead of leasing a place and signing contracts is there any family or friends you could bum a room from for a few months or so, a blow up mattress in a spare unused room is what I was suggesting. You could always help the parents move then come back to Houston until your ship date...but only a suggestion I do not know anything about you situation or what would really work best for you just throwing ideas out there for you to ponder on.

Keep us posted so we can cheer you on!

I got one of those queen size blow up mattresses at all times in the trunk of my vehicle..been a lifesaver more times than I can remember.

I appreciate all the help - lavabear, cooch, captkyguy, specific thanks to y'all.

Just finished up at MEPS today with the medical and got a call really quickly from my recruiter..he informed me his office just received their recruitment numbers for 2011. I've reserved a spot for Oct. 5th, with a trip back to MEPS to DEP on Aug 31., theoretically all should work out with the dates and not having to transfer recruiters or cause any more headaches/worry.

Thanks again everyone!

AKUGEL,

Congratulations on getting the ship date! That is really terrific!! Best of luck. If you have any questions between now & then, hit us up, we'll be happy to help however we can.

Macie

Way awesome...enjoy the journey!

My recruiter offered to fly me up to spokane for my ship date (which I declined) but maybe you will be so lucky and save you some money.