What was your DEP experience like and how long did you wait to book a contract?

A1C Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 14:00:19 -0400

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Aug 6 at 2015 2:03 PM

SCPO David Lockwood — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 14:03:53 -0400

If you're talking about the Delayed Entry Program I was in it for 9 months.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2015 2:07 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 14:07:27 -0400

I was a DEPer for about 8 months... I'm not sure what I could say about the experience... there really wasn't anything special about it nor was there anything that stood out... I was a DEPer because I had to finish High School. So, not much else to say about it.

Response by MSgt Stephen Council made Aug 6 at 2015 2:13 PM

MSgt Stephen Council — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 14:13:41 -0400

I signed DEP paperwork in Feb 1982 and left for Lackland on 20 July 1982. I was in the service and at my first base before even turned 18 years old.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2015 2:34 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 14:34:54 -0400

Entered it in July. Left for boot in September.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2015 2:46 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 14:46:30 -0400

I got in the DEP 26 Sep 2008, had my AFSC chosen by early November, and enlisted 05 Jan 2009. Just over three months and a week... The "DEP experience" wasn't anything. When you go to MEPS for the DEP, there isn't much you do. It was happy go lucky. Show up, sign some papers, understand your obligation, and understand what you are signing up to sign up to do. After that, you just sit and wait living your life as normal, pre military. Check in with the recruiter as required. Sit and wait some more. See if they got you an AFSC.

Enlistment day at MEPS was much more of an experience. The night before enlisting, I stayed in a hotel waiting to get bussed to MEPS. Shared a room with someone who stayed up all night watching t.v. Woke up early, had breakfast, then got on the bus to go to MEPS. It was there that I finally got the first real taste of military structure. Shut up. Stand in line. Follow orders. Only told once. Hurry up and wait. Single file along the wall. Time for a physical, a drug test before going, small lunch. Do everything you are being told. Sign all paperwork. Finally do your Oath of Enlistment. Now it's time to get in the van and head to the airport and leave for Lackland. The rest was history.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2015 3:16 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 15:16:27 -0400

I'm trying to remember how long I actually spent in DEP.

I ended up not being "formally" in DEP for a long time because I had to prove to the AF that my High School Diploma was good since it was "only" WASC accredited. Then I had to go back up to MEPS a second time to actually complete initial processing since it got halted halfway through by the diploma thing. All told I think it took almost 15 months for me to get a slot and ship out and I only spent 3 of those months actually in DEP status as far as I remember.

Fun times.

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Aug 6 at 2015 3:19 PM

Maj Chris Nelson — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 15:19:36 -0400

I was DEP starting 17 Aug 1986. Departed for Army basic training July 22, 1987. 11 months or so. There were "meetings" (normally involving PIZZA) about once a month just for some basic familiarization training done by the recruiters. Overall, I would say that most of that was pretty worthless for me. Pizza was good tho!

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2015 3:27 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 15:27:23 -0400

I joined DEP when I was still in high school, in fact right before I started my Senior year so I was in ten months I believe. I'm not sure what you mean by booking a contract, but I assume you're referring to getting your MOS? I think the Air Force calls it something else, as does the Navy. AFSCC? I don't know. I was assigned a rate on my first trip to MEPS. As far as my experience, it was great. Believe it or not, the recruiters truly cared about us, took us out on PT and mentored us. Made some short-lasting friendships there which was nice.

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2015 3:53 PM

CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 15:53:41 -0400

I take it you are still in HS? Did you sign on yet? ((Forgive my memory--it has been a long time since I signed anything at Recruiters))

Response by SSgt Michael Cox made Aug 6 at 2015 4:05 PM

SSgt Michael Cox — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 16:05:56 -0400

In 1995 I went and signed up for DEP for the Air Force that March and went to MEPS that September and left for basic the same day. I didn't have to do any weekend drills or anything since I was in the Marine Corps JROTC and only had to call in everyone few weeks to let him know I was still committed.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Aug 6 at 2015 5:20 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 17:20:12 -0400

I think I signed up DEP Either on my 18th Birthday or upon Graduation and didn't enter until after summer vacation period. It was Great. Start of a Wonderful Adventure that becames a Career as a Navy Spook.

Response by A1C Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2015 6:21 PM

A1C Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 18:21:41 -0400

I was in it for about 7 months. It could have taken longer but I opted to go in open general

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2015 6:45 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 18:45:13 -0400

I was in DEP for about 7 months. We would meet once a month or so. My recruiter actually did a really good job telling us what to expect in basic. We studied up on the ranks and other basic information that is easier to learn in a more relaxed environment then it is in basic training; where some is yelling at you, or where you are trying to read you BMTM in front of the chow hall when the heat index is 120F and your sweat is pouring into your eyes.

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Aug 6 at 2015 8:46 PM

CMSgt James Nolan — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 20:46:05 -0400

A1C Private RallyPoint Member Less than 2 weeks. Had already taken the ASVAB in HS, so when I went to the Marine Recruiter, we talked and got everything set, my scores were high enough to open any job, but I wanted to be MP. He was puzzled, I was adamant, he realized that he had a sucker in the office and he started talking about 6 months-9 months DEP. I asked him if there was anything sooner, and he looked at me funny, and asked how soon? I replied that I was thinking 2-3 days? He laughed, I laughed, and within 2 weeks, I was no longer laughing, but having my butt whipped at Boot Camp. Great choice, never looked back.

Basic Training is easy. Do what you are told, when you are told. Do it right the first time. Always be motivated. It will suck, it is meant to. Nothing good is free.

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made Aug 7 at 2015 2:00 AM

SrA Matthew Knight — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 02:00:54 -0400

Was in the DEP for a year due to needing to finish high school and not having a slot for my job until August of '12. As for experience, it's going to be different for everyone but for me it was just the typical go in once a month to prove I'm not dead or in jail. Otherwise it was nothing special. My recruiter did set up some events like a base tour and what not but Because of my long drive and working on weekends and such I passed on it. Had already been on the base and figured I would see enough of AFBs while in anyway. And I was right.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2015 2:30 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 02:30:59 -0400

I was in it for a year and one week. Looking back at it I wish I had more time. I wanted to go on a trip to mexico before I left. It never happened.

Response by TSgt Melissa Post made Aug 7 at 2015 6:12 AM

TSgt Melissa Post — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 06:12:30 -0400

I was in DEP for a year. My recruiter was not going to give me any other job but linguistics. I did do the RAP program once though and it was a bit different for those kiddos than it was for me. They actually went and played sports together. Mine never worked out with us or had us do sports. That was something we had to do on our own.

Response by A1C Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2015 10:58 AM

A1C Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 10:58:34 -0400

I was in DEP for 11 months all together. I signed my contract after 9 months. lets just say my DEP experience was long and complicated.

Response by TSgt Gwen Walcott made Aug 7 at 2015 2:08 PM

TSgt Gwen Walcott — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 14:08:58 -0400

Didn't do DEP and was told that contracts were recruiting tools that were otherwise null and void, depending on the Needs of the Air Force

Response by SSgt Kristi Aldridge made Aug 7 at 2015 11:39 PM

SSgt Kristi Aldridge — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 23:39:59 -0400

I was on DEP for almost a year (1991) and decided to go in open general no preference... I had a guaranteed job and turned it down (guaranteed...lol) Did nothing to prepare for basic...They took everyone's cigs and "contraband"items when we got there (basic). This was a long, long time ago, just enjoy your time, do not fall in love and marry the first female you see and keep your mouth shut :)