So I returned to the hotel yesterday and to MEPS today because I had to take the DLAB (Defense Language Aptitude Battery). It is a standardized test determining the potential of an English speaking person to learn a new language. There is no way to study for this test, but it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with grammar rules of English.
I checked into the hotel again at 1600 and went up to my room. My roommate followed right behind me, introduced herself, and promptly left. I took the time to take a nice nap. I woke up around 2000 and headed down for dinner chow. I sat with some relatively normal people and secretly rejoiced that Creeper was no where to be found. After eating (our surprisingly tasty meal) we headed downstairs for the briefing. I watched the briefing again, and then positioned myself up near the front so that I would ensure my evening snack.
My new friends and I decided to play a card game called Kemps. (After coming home and sharing my story, my brother and sister informed me that we play this game also...we just call it Squares). Anyways, this game was pretty addictive and we played it all the way until 2230, where the smokers once again went out for their last call.
The next morning was a repeat of the rude 0400 awakening, herding downstairs for chow, herding onto the bus, and formation outside of MEPS. This time, however, since I was there for a special test and not for in-processing, I was one of the last names to be called. Once I was called in, the very attractive Air Force officer checked me in and escorted me to the testing room.
While I can not discuss the contents of the test, I can say that it was really freaking hard. The audio section was straight forward and required a lot of critical thinking, but overall it was doable. The written section turned my brain into Jell-O. However, I did fairly well and scored a 132 out of 176. In order to qualify to learn a language in the Army you need to score at least an 85, and to qualify for the most difficult languages you need to score a 105. So needless to say, I will be learning Arabic, Mandarin, or Korean.
That is the end of my time at MEPS until I ship out. Good riddance.
I checked into the hotel again at 1600 and went up to my room. My roommate followed right behind me, introduced herself, and promptly left. I took the time to take a nice nap. I woke up around 2000 and headed down for dinner chow. I sat with some relatively normal people and secretly rejoiced that Creeper was no where to be found. After eating (our surprisingly tasty meal) we headed downstairs for the briefing. I watched the briefing again, and then positioned myself up near the front so that I would ensure my evening snack.
My new friends and I decided to play a card game called Kemps. (After coming home and sharing my story, my brother and sister informed me that we play this game also...we just call it Squares). Anyways, this game was pretty addictive and we played it all the way until 2230, where the smokers once again went out for their last call.
The next morning was a repeat of the rude 0400 awakening, herding downstairs for chow, herding onto the bus, and formation outside of MEPS. This time, however, since I was there for a special test and not for in-processing, I was one of the last names to be called. Once I was called in, the very attractive Air Force officer checked me in and escorted me to the testing room.
While I can not discuss the contents of the test, I can say that it was really freaking hard. The audio section was straight forward and required a lot of critical thinking, but overall it was doable. The written section turned my brain into Jell-O. However, I did fairly well and scored a 132 out of 176. In order to qualify to learn a language in the Army you need to score at least an 85, and to qualify for the most difficult languages you need to score a 105. So needless to say, I will be learning Arabic, Mandarin, or Korean.
That is the end of my time at MEPS until I ship out. Good riddance.
Hmmm, the very "attractive Air Force" guy?
What happened to Major Nelson? At any rate, stay away from pretty bottles--I don't want you learning to communicate with genies in their native language.
I'll wake you up at 4 tomorrow--you know, I just want to be helpful and help you get used to the early rising. ;-)