Honestly, I don't think they are checking references right now. The giant packet we had to fill out is very similar to the packet I had to do on every applicant that I had in my recruiter days (if you think filling out the packet sucked imagine being the recruiter who had to enter all of that info in to a computer for dozens of applicants, I don't miss those days at all). All of the info you submitted must be entered into the application system for your packet to "validate" at MEPS and in the application tracking system. If anything is left blank it won't pass QC and will get kicked back. To be honest a lot of that info probably won't be used at this point in time. The residence, work, and education history are sometimes necessary for background checks. We used to be required to obtain city, county, and state police checks anywhere you worked, lived, or went to school. For old folks like me who have bounced all over the country that is a giant pain. They will run an interagency, federal level check when you go to MEPS, but those things don't show a lot of local stuff. Even though a lot of the info won't be used I would still hold onto the packet if I were you. It is very similar to the packet you may have to fill out if you need a security clearance down the line. If you save the your packet now you can save yourself the hassle of regathering all of that info down the line. For Secret clearances they start digging in a little deeper. If you ever need a Top Secret clearance that info is vital, as they may actually do in person interviews with some of the people you list.
Your mileage may vary, but this is how things have gone in my experience.
