What to Bring to MEPS – Papers, Clothes and Hotel Bag

All 29 items

Papers and ID 6

Any other paper your recruiter listed The Army says your recruiter makes sure you arrive with the proper documentation.
Birth certificate One of the three papers the Army's page says you will need to bring.
Driver's license The third paper on the Army's page. No license? Ask your recruiter what to bring.
Medical records your recruiter asked for The Navy says the exam cannot be completed without all the necessary papers.
Papers on any past medical condition The Army says to tell your recruiter about past conditions and bring the documentation.
Social Security card On both lists. The Navy also takes a DD Form 214 or NGB Form 22 that shows the number.

Glasses, contacts and braces 5

Contact lenses and a lens case The Army's page names the case along with the lenses.
Doctor's note for contacts under a year old The Navy asks for the refraction and its date; the exam cannot finish without them.
Eyeglasses, if you wear them Both the Army's page and the Navy's booklet say to bring them.
Orthodontist's note, if you wear braces The Navy asks for a note that says when the braces will be removed.
Your lens prescription The Army says to bring it along with your glasses or contacts.

To wear 3

Comfortable, presentable clothes The Army's wording. The Navy's booklet says to dress appropriately.
Sweater or sweatshirt The Navy says the buildings are air-conditioned and often cool.
Underwear The Army's page names it with the clothing to wear.

For a night at the hotel 7

Change of clothes for the second day Our suggestion, on neither list: the Army says the process takes one to two days.
One small overnight bag The Navy says to pack accordingly if you stay overnight: luggage space is limited.
Phone charger Our suggestion. Ask your recruiter how phones are handled during processing.
Sleepwear Our suggestion for the hotel night, on neither list.
Soap and deodorant Our suggestion: the Army asks you to bathe the night before your examinations.
Spending money for snacks On the Navy's list. Lodging and meals are provided, the Army says.
Toothbrush and toothpaste Our suggestion for the hotel night, on neither list. Check it with your recruiter.

Leave at home 8

Leave at home: a hat The Army's page says not to wear one.
Leave at home: anything your recruiter did not suggest The Army's rule for personal items: only bring items suggested by your recruiter.
Leave at home: clothes with offensive words or pictures The Army rules out offensive wording or pictures; the Navy, offensive logos.
Leave at home: jewelry The Navy's booklet says not to bring it.
Leave at home: piercings The Army says to be sure to remove all of them.
Leave at home: suggestive or gang-related clothing Both are named in the Navy's booklet under dressing appropriately.
Leave at home: valuables Both the Army and the Navy say to leave them behind.
Leave at home: weapons of any kind Barred by both lists; any kind is the Navy's wording.

How it works

What should I bring to MEPS? Three papers first: your Social Security card, birth certificate and driver's license. The 29 items follow the Army's and the Navy's lists; five are ours and say so. Unofficial: not affiliated with the processing command or any armed service.

Read the full guide

Your recruiter's list comes first

Two lists were read on 15 October 2026: the Army's MEPS page on goarmy.com and the applicant booklet of Navy Recruiting Command. The Army's rule for personal items is to bring only what your recruiter suggests, so pack from your recruiter's list and use this page to see what such a list holds.

What you do not need to pack

The Army says lodging, meals and transportation to and from MEPS are provided, that the process takes one to two days and that the day starts with breakfast and a briefing. One small bag is enough.

The Army's page says to get plenty of sleep before the early start and to bathe the night before your examinations.

Questions and answers

What should I bring to MEPS?

Your Social Security card, birth certificate and driver's license, the medical papers your recruiter asked for, and your glasses or contacts with the prescription and a lens case. Wear comfortable, presentable clothes and take a sweater.

What to bring to the MEPS hotel?

The Army says it provides lodging at a hotel near MEPS for those who need it. The Navy's booklet says luggage space is limited and to bring some spending money for snacks. The spare clothes and toiletries on this list are our suggestion.

What to bring to MEPS as a female?

Neither list names anything extra for women. The Army's page says the physical exam for female recruits takes place with a female attendant in a private room, with a drape or gown provided. The Navy's booklet also says a woman will be present.

What can you not bring to MEPS?

Valuables and weapons, by both lists, and jewelry by the Navy's. The Army also says to remove all piercings and not to wear a hat, and both rule out clothes with offensive words, pictures or logos.

Can my parents come with me to MEPS?

The Army's page says parents or guardians may accompany you but are not allowed in the area where processing and examinations take place. Family and guests are welcome to watch the Oath of Enlistment ceremony and take pictures.

Notes

Facts on this page were checked against the sources named under the list. If you spot a mistake, tell us through the contact page and we will check it and correct the page.

More notes about this page

This page is a reference list for learning, quizzes and creative work. It is not medical, legal, financial or safety advice, and it is no substitute for a professional.

How this list was compiled: A line that names the Army follows the page "Processing & Screening (MEPS)" that the U.S. Army publishes on goarmy.com (https://www.goarmy.com/how-to-join/steps/processing-station). A line that names the Navy follows the applicant booklet of Navy Recruiting Command, 014-0370 of March 2026, pages 6 and 7 (https://etoolbox.cnrc.navy.mil/assets/rads/011-0128.pdf). Both were read on 2026-10-15 and put in our own words, and each of those lines says only what the page says. The five lines marked as our suggestion are ours and come from neither list. This page is unofficial and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Military Entrance Processing Command or any armed service. Lists differ by service and change: follow the one your recruiter gives you. Licence: wording own work; the two lists are works of the U.S. government (public domain)