What was your DEP experience like and how long did you wait to book a contract?

In 1995 I went and signed up for DEP for the Air Force that March and went to MEPS that September and left for basic the same day. I didn't have to do any weekend drills or anything since I was in the Marine Corps JROTC and only had to call in everyone few weeks to let him know I was still committed.

I joined DEP when I was still in high school, in fact right before I started my Senior year so I was in ten months I believe. I'm not sure what you mean by booking a contract, but I assume you're referring to getting your MOS? I think the Air Force calls it something else, as does the Navy. AFSCC? I don't know. I was assigned a rate on my first trip to MEPS. As far as my experience, it was great. Believe it or not, the recruiters truly cared about us, took us out on PT and mentored us. Made some short-lasting friendships there which was nice.

I was DEP starting 17 Aug 1986. Departed for Army basic training July 22, 1987. 11 months or so. There were "meetings" (normally involving PIZZA) about once a month just for some basic familiarization training done by the recruiters. Overall, I would say that most of that was pretty worthless for me. Pizza was good tho!

I'm trying to remember how long I actually spent in DEP.

I ended up not being "formally" in DEP for a long time because I had to prove to the AF that my High School Diploma was good since it was "only" WASC accredited. Then I had to go back up to MEPS a second time to actually complete initial processing since it got halted halfway through by the diploma thing. All told I think it took almost 15 months for me to get a slot and ship out and I only spent 3 of those months actually in DEP status as far as I remember.

Fun times.

I got in the DEP 26 Sep 2008, had my AFSC chosen by early November, and enlisted 05 Jan 2009. Just over three months and a week... The "DEP experience" wasn't anything. When you go to MEPS for the DEP, there isn't much you do. It was happy go lucky. Show up, sign some papers, understand your obligation, and understand what you are signing up to sign up to do. After that, you just sit and wait living your life as normal, pre military. Check in with the recruiter as required. Sit and wait some more. See if they got you an AFSC.

Enlistment day at MEPS was much more of an experience. The night before enlisting, I stayed in a hotel waiting to get bussed to MEPS. Shared a room with someone who stayed up all night watching t.v. Woke up early, had breakfast, then got on the bus to go to MEPS. It was there that I finally got the first real taste of military structure. Shut up. Stand in line. Follow orders. Only told once. Hurry up and wait. Single file along the wall. Time for a physical, a drug test before going, small lunch. Do everything you are being told. Sign all paperwork. Finally do your Oath of Enlistment. Now it's time to get in the van and head to the airport and leave for Lackland. The rest was history.

Entered it in July. Left for boot in September.

I signed DEP paperwork in Feb 1982 and left for Lackland on 20 July 1982. I was in the service and at my first base before even turned 18 years old.

I was on DEP for almost a year (1991) and decided to go in open general no preference... I had a guaranteed job and turned it down (guaranteed...lol) Did nothing to prepare for basic...They took everyone's cigs and "contraband"items when we got there (basic). This was a long, long time ago, just enjoy your time, do not fall in love and marry the first female you see and keep your mouth shut :)

Didn't do DEP and was told that contracts were recruiting tools that were otherwise null and void, depending on the Needs of the Air Force

I take it you are still in HS? Did you sign on yet? ((Forgive my memory--it has been a long time since I signed anything at Recruiters))