Extensive personality and skills testing, paperwork, medical exams, and processing at the recruiting center and the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS). Once testing is complete, they give you a list of jobs you qualify for. Your scheduled leave date usually depends upon slots open in basic training and Advanced Individual Training (AIT) that line up. Can take anywhere from 3-18 months. Took me approximately 6 months from the first conversation face-to-face to leaving for Basic Training at Ft. Jackson, South Carolina.