Military Entrance Processing Station

DES MOINES, IA 7105 NW 70th Avenue Building S-71 Johnston, IA 50131 Phone: (515) 224-0125 ext. 312 Fax: (515) 224-4906

In January 1959, the Des Moines Armed Forces Examining and Entrance Station (AFEES) relocated from offices in the KRNT Theater to Buildings 63 and 64, Fort Des Moines. During this period the MEPS expanded to support the increased manpower needs necessitated by the Vietnam War. The MEPS was the point of departure for thousands en route to serve their nation. In 1973, with the end of the draft and the birth of the all-volunteer force, the methods and procedures for enlistment processing began to modernize and increase in sophistication to provide the best possible support to the recruiting services. In May, 1987, the Des Moines MEPS moved to 2500 University Avenue, West Des Moines where it remained until 2008. On January 22nd, 2008 the Des Moines MEPS moved into a newly-constructed facility located on Camp Dodge, an Iowa Army National Guard base located in Johnston, IA.

The Des Moines 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 Des Moines 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