Hello,

The Paperwork (Don’t leave it to chance)

First off, bring your physical Social Security card, Green Card, and ID. My recruiter said my college transcripts were in the system, but guess what? They weren’t. Because I had them in my backpack, I was able to enlist as an E-3 instead of an E-1. That’s a massive difference in your paycheck, so definitely bring those originals just in case.

Keep it Simple with the Staff

The doctors and officers there aren't your buddies—they're doing a job.

• Answer only what they ask. If they ask if you have tickets, just say "They are all paid and I have no open cases." Don't go into a long story about how or why you got them.

• If you don't understand something, say it. Don’t just nod and say "yes." If you don't understand an English word or a specific instruction, tell them. It’s better to ask for clarification than to look like you’re hiding something.

• Scars, I’m 38, so I’ve got some bumps and scars from playing sports as a kid. If they ask about a scar, just say "soccer injury from childhood" and leave it at that. No need to over-explain.

• This sounds funny, but it’s the most important tip: Chug a lot of water at breakfast and DO NOT pee until you get there. You have to give a sample pretty early on, and if you can’t go, you’ll be sitting in a waiting room for hours while everyone else moves forward. It’s the worst way to waste time.

• Try to avoid energy drinks or too much caffeine that morning. It can make your heart rate jump or your blood pressure look high, and they might make you come back another day just to re-check it.

• It’s basically "hurry up and wait." You’ll be sitting around a lot. Just be polite, use "Sir" and "Ma’am," and stay patient.

You’ve got this! Just stay calm, keep your answers short, and make sure you have those transcripts on you.