"Alright, Mr. Grey. Let's get started with those tests,"
Sergeant Miller said, sliding a booklet and a sharpened pencil across the desk.
"This is the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, or ASVAB. It's a
multiple-choice test that measures your aptitude in different areas. It'll help
us determine which jobs you're best suited for. I know you are interested in
infantry but its a formality."
Neville nodded, picking up the pencil. He'd heard about the ASVAB; it was a standard part of the enlistment process. He'd even taken a couple of practice tests online, just to get a feel for the format.
"Take your time," Sergeant Miller continued. "Read each question carefully. If you're not sure of an answer, it's better to make an
educated guess than to leave it blank. And don't worry, everyone feels a little
nervous."
Neville managed a small smile. He wasn't exactly nervous, more focused. He opened the booklet and began. The first few sections covered general science, arithmetic reasoning, and word knowledge. These were fairly straightforward, and Neville moved through them at a steady pace. The math and mechanical comprehension sections were even easier; the concepts were familiar
from his previous coursework. He breezed through the formulas and diagrams,
answering with confidence. The only sections that gave him pause were the
paragraph comprehension and word knowledge, which required a bit more careful
reading and consideration.
After a couple of hours, he finished the test and handed it back to Sergeant Miller. "Done," he said.
Sergeant Miller took the booklet and glanced at the clock. "Alright. We'll get these scored. Now, here's the thing. Due to a scheduling window that opened up, we have an opportunity to send you to MEPS today if
you're willing."
Neville's brows furrowed in confusion. MEPS, the Military Entrance Processing
Station, was where they did the physical and medical evaluations. He'd expected
that to be a separate trip, maybe even a different day. "Today?"
"Yeah. It's a bit of a rush, but it could save you some time in the long run. If you're up for it, we can get it done."
" Everything is suspicious." Noted Neville internally.
Neville considered for a moment. He had nothing better to do and the sooner he's done the sooner he's deployed. "Sure," he said. "Let's do it."
Sergeant Miller smiled. "Great. Let me make a few calls."
A short while later, Neville found himself being shuttled to the local MEPS facility. The atmosphere there was noticeably different from the recruiter's office. It was busier, more clinical, with a steady flow of young men and women in various stages of process.
" Many people really turned up." Thought Neville.
The MEPS process was a whirlwind. There were more forms to fill out, more tests to take.
First up was a brief interview with a counsellor, going over his background and qualifications.
Then came the physical. He was measured, weighed, and had his vision and hearing checked.
He had to perform a series of basic exercises to assess his physical fitness. The medical examination was the most thorough, involving a review of his medical history and a physical examination by a doctor.
He had to do a duck walk, a series of squats performed while walking across the room, designed to test his knees and ankles and cough while the doctor checked him, and other things he found a little awkward.
Neville was surprised at how quickly the day went. One moment he was taking the ASVAB, the next he was in a room full of other recruits, waiting for his turn to be poked and prodded. He was relieved when the final evaluation was done, and he was given a stack of paperwork.
"Alright, Mr. Neville," a staff sergeant said, handing him the documents. "You've completed the MEPS process. Your ASVAB scores will be sent to your recruiter, and we'll let you know if there are any issues with your medical qualifications. If everything checks out, you'll be ready to swear in."
Neville took the paperwork, feeling a mix of mental exhaustion and anticipation. It had been a long and intense day, but he felt like he'd taken a major step towards his goal. He was one step closer to becoming a soldier.
"Neville, we'll contact you soon with your ASVAB results and any issues that might come up," Sergeant Miller said, giving him a reassuring pat on the back. "Just keep an eye on your phone and email."
"Thanks, Sergeant," Neville replied, managing a tired smile. He appreciated the straightforwardness and support.
He boarded the bus, finding a seat near the back where he could have some space to himself. The bus was relatively empty, the hum of the engine and the occasional chatter of other passengers providing a soothing background noise. Neville leaned back, closing his eyes for a moment, trying to process everything that had happened.
His phone buzzed in his pocket, pulling him out of his thoughts. He pulled it out and saw a notification from a news app. The headline
caught his eye immediately: "Woman Sues Blaire Family Over Denied Child's Claim
to Fortune." Neville's got curious as he read further. The article detailed how a woman was suing the Blaire family, claiming that her unborn child, allegedly fathered by Edward Blaire, was entitled to a share of the family's fortune. The lawsuit was expected to take several days to be concluded by the jury, but it was already causing quite a stir.
Neville wasn't surprised to see the woman's photo accompanying the article. She was the same woman he had driven with Edward to the lover's suite. Her confident, almost smug expression looked the same as it
did that day. That woman loved the spotlight.
He sighed, feeling a mix of frustration and resignation,that family kept themselves in drama. He hoped he wouldn't be dragged into it
once more.
As the bus continued its journey, Neville stared out the window, lost in thought. The cityscape blurred past, his mind focused on what
he's going to do moving forward.
The bus arrived at his stop, and Neville got off, walking the short distance to his apartment.
Once inside his apartment, Neville sat down at his desk,pulling out the enlistment brochure again. He flipped through the pages, reminding himself of the reasons he had chosen this path.
His phone buzzed again, another notification about the lawsuit. He ignored it, determined not to let the drama distract him.