Military Entrance Processing Station

TAMPA, FL 3520 West Waters Avenue Tampa, FL 33614-2716 Phone: (813) 932-0079 ext. 1105 Fax: (813) 932-8763

On 1 July 1982, HQ USMEPCOM issued permanent order 67-1 authorizing the establishment of a MEPS station to be located on MacDill Avenue and Columbus Drive in Tampa, Florida. The MEPS was constructed and became operational in early 1983. However, in January of 1987, the building began to fall into a sink hole and was condemned. Following this incident, Tampa MEPS executed an emergency contingency plan relocating to the Army National Guard Armory on Howard Ave. In July of this same year,the Tampa MEPS was again relocated to the Veterans Affairs building in St. Petersburg, FL. Finally, in August 1991, Tampa MEPS moved to its current location on 3520 West Waters Avenue in Tampa, FL. We provide jobs through our various contracts such as meals and lodging and maintenance and utilities. Finally, we add to our state by recycling paper and aluminum as well as by participating in volunteer projects such as scouting and the Combined Federal Campaign.

The Tampa MEPS is one of a network of 65 MEPS located nationwide and in Puerto Rico.

A separate Department of Defense (DoD) agency, USMEPCOM is comprised of two geographical sectors and staffed with personnel from all military services.

The mission of USMEPCOM and the Tampa MEPS is to process individuals for enlistment or induction into the armed services, based on DoD-approved peacetime and mobilization standards.

Three primary areas are considered in determining an applicant's qualifications for enlistment:

• aptitude for military service
• physical qualification
• background evaluation screening