How long do MEPs serve?

The question “How long do MEPs serve?” has two common interpretations, and the answer depends entirely on which meaning is intended.

1. If referring to a Member of the European Parliament (MEP):
Members of the European Parliament are elected for a standard five-year term, with elections held across all European Union member states. There is no term limit, so an MEP can be re-elected multiple times.

2. If referring to the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS):
MEPS is a processing facility, not a person. Civilians and military personnel work there as staff, but applicants (“MEPs” is not a standard term for applicants) do not “serve” at MEPS. An applicant’s time at MEPS typically lasts one to two full days for initial processing, which includes testing, medical examinations, and enlistment contracting.

Given the context of your previous questions, the second interpretation is most relevant. Your stay at the MEPS facility is a brief but critical step before beginning your actual military service contract, which is for a set number of years.

For a clear understanding of conduct during this processing period, you can review our guide on What is not allowed in MEPS?

For an official external timeline of the enlistment process, including MEPS, you can visit the U.S. Army’s Step-by-Step Joining Process.