About this Unit
The Armed Forces Examining and Entrance Station (AFEES) at Fort Hamilton, Brooklyn, NY, played a critical role in processing and inducting new service members into the United States military throughout much of the 20th century. Established to serve the densely populated New York City area, AFEES Ft. Hamilton conducted medical examinations, aptitude testing, and administrative processing for draftees and volunteers, particularly during periods of large-scale mobilization such as World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. The station was a central hub for thousands of recruits, reflecting the diverse urban population it served. In later years, AFEES was re-designated as a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS), continuing its mission at Fort Hamilton to this day.
Historical Facts
• Historic Gateway: Fort Hamilton, located in Brooklyn, New York, has served as a key military gateway to New York City since its establishment in 1825. The AFEES (Armed Forces Examining and Entrance Station) at Fort Hamilton has processed thousands of recruits over the decades.
• Ellis Island of the Military: At its peak, the Fort Hamilton AFEES functioned similarly to Ellis Island for the armed forces, as many New Yorkers and tri-state residents began their military careers by going through its doors.
• World War II Mobilization: During World War II, Fort Hamilton's processing center was instrumental in the rapid mobilization of troops, with AFEES handling a significant portion of New York’s draftees.
• Draft and Volunteer Service: Both draftees and volunteers reported to AFEES Fort Hamilton for medical exams, aptitude testing, and induction—a rite of passage for generations of soldiers.
• Cultural Melting Pot: Reflecting New York’s diversity, AFEES Fort Hamilton saw recruits from virtually every background, making it a microcosm of American society entering military service.
• Vietnam War Era: The AFEES at Fort Hamilton processed thousands of New Yorkers for service during the Vietnam War, with some notable figures, including celebrities and athletes, having passed through its halls.
• Transformation to MEPS: In the 1980s, AFEES Fort Hamilton was redesignated as the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS), continuing its legacy of processing applicants for all branches of the armed forces.
• Famous Alumnus: Legendary boxer Joe Louis was processed through Fort Hamilton before his WWII service as a morale-boosting soldier and boxing instructor.
• Historic Architecture: The Fort Hamilton complex retains several 19th-century buildings, giving those reporting to AFEES/MEPS a tangible sense of military history while beginning their service.
• Modern-Day Operations: Today, the successor to AFEES at Fort Hamilton continues to process thousands of applicants annually, supporting both active duty and reserve components of all branches with state-of-the-art testing and medical evaluation facilities.
