My first trip to MEPS was ... interesting ...

As someone being admitted directly to OCS (professional) I was given a room at the hotel to myself, and was allowed to drive myself to the hotel and to the MEPS station. That's where the wheels came off my day.

All kids were horsing around and I was isolated by the Gunny assigned to me. Eventually before the sound and vision rooms we were all told to assemble together. I strolled up at the end of the line. That's when the bus departure speech came and the little part about no weapons. As an officer candidate I wouldn't be taking the bus but I still had an obligation to answer "yes" when we were asked if anyone had a knife or .... gun ....

That poor sap didn't know what he had on his hands. He was kid gloves with me and asked where the knife was. To which I responded, well the knife is in my pocket and the guns are under my shirt. He said.. "GUNS???". They asked to me to unload them and put them on the deck at my feet. So out came a knife, Glock 19, Glock 26, and three spare mags, a baton, can of mace, and pair of brass knuckles. (This was my standard traveling gear at the time). He said "HOLY **^#!" The kids all looked scared, impressed and generally freaked out. The Gunny took me out to vehicle and only said "you're going to make on he&& of a Recon Marine (he knew my father was Recon and that I was going that route)".

After I went back in all of the kids thought I was James Bond. They didn't understand the special circumstances and I had already been briefed on the the frat agreement.

Still makes me laugh!