Denver MEPS returns to permanent location

Denver MEPS returns after to permanent location

The files room at the newly renovated Denver Military Entrance Processing Station sits empty during the transition to the facility Aug. 1, 2014, at the Denver Federal Center in Denver Colo. The temporary station was shutdown and packed in a single weekend. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Phillip Houk/Released)

Denver MEPS returns after to permanent location

Stacks of boxes lie in the hallway of the temporary Denver Military Entrance Processing Station in preparation of the move to the new facility Aug. 1, 2014, at the Denver MEPS in Denver. The temporary station was shutdown and packed in a single weekend. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Phillip Houk/Released)

Denver MEPS returns after to permanent location

A ceremonial room where service members recite the Oath of Enlistment lies empty during the transition to the newly renovated Military Entrance Processing Station Aug. 1, 2014, at the Denver Federal Center in Denver, Colo. The transition will enhance the staff's ability to provide efficient service to more than 200 applicants a day. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Phillip Houk/Released)

Published Aug. 7, 2014
By Senior Airman Phillip Houk
460th Space Wing Public Affairs

BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- The Denver Military Entrance Processing Station has returned to their newly renovated location at the Denver Federal Center Aug. 4.

The General Services Administration moved the Denver MEPS three years ago after renovations were required at their facility.

"They moved us out because GSA determined there was enough time to renovate the facility," said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Keith Collier, Denver MEPS 3rd Battalion commander. "Now that the renovations are finished, we have been moved back to our original space."

With this move, several changes will happen at the Denver MEPS, allowing a more efficient work environment.

"I have federal marshals and the Federal Protection services securing the facility," Collier said. "At the old facility, we had to set up shifts for security. Now I can have all of my staff dedicating their time to the applicants."

MEPS is one of the first stops every military member makes on their journey, receiving testing, medical physicals and their final oath before training from a single facility. The Denver branch processes more than 200 applicants a day, which allowed very little time for the move. This challenged the staff to move the entire facility quickly.

"We have a very professional organization here, and we have all been looking forward to this move," said U.S. Navy Command Senior Chief Barbara A. Vazquez, 3rd Battalion MEPS senior enlisted advisor. "It's a very challenging move to pack up on Friday and go fully functional on Monday.

"However, us having the team we have, I am confident it will be like we never left this building three years ago," she said.