Did your recruiter lie to you or did you have selective hearing?

SMSgt Tony Barnes — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 08:02:46 -0400

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Aug 7 at 2015 8:07 AM

SGT Ben Keen — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 08:07:13 -0400

My recruiter was spot on. He went as far as to call a friend of his that worked in the MOS I was looking at before I signed my papers at MEPS.

Response by SFC Stephen King made Aug 7 at 2015 8:08 AM

SFC Stephen King — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 08:08:59 -0400

I would like to say selective hearing but he was pretty honest and on point.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2015 8:14 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 08:14:00 -0400

My recruiter was straight with everything.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Aug 7 at 2015 8:21 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 08:21:38 -0400

More a case of not knowing the right questions to ask, or understanding the "answers as provided."

My recruiter never lied to me. A case could be made that he "omitted" information, but I think even that would be a stretch.

As an example, "what will I do while waiting for training classes to kick off?" - Working Parties.

17 year old me didn't know what a working party was, but what it sounds like is not what it was.

Response by TSgt Kevin Buccola made Aug 7 at 2015 8:42 AM

TSgt Kevin Buccola — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 08:42:30 -0400

My recruiter was great - I was prepared and good to go. When I became a recruiter I did my best to be like him. I kept my business true, legal and honest. I made sure that everyone I recruited was prepared for what was going to happen.

Response by MSgt Curtis Ellis made Aug 7 at 2015 8:53 AM

MSgt Curtis Ellis — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 08:53:27 -0400

I'm gonna go with selective hearing on this one since as soon after entry, I discovered that the military, in fact, doesn't shut down and take summer vacations... But I did learn that they could all take off in the fall, and they call it "Sequestration"... Maybe that's what he was talking about?

Response by PO1 Jim Kerick made Aug 7 at 2015 8:55 AM

PO1 Jim Kerick — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 08:55:47 -0400

His lips moved, so he lied, duh! No, my recruiters didn't lie. I didn't understand the retirement changes the discussed, then again I am not sure they did either.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Aug 7 at 2015 9:08 AM

MSG Brad Sand — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 09:08:51 -0400

I know both do happen but it is rare where the recruiter lies to applicants. I think what often happens is that the recruiters are telling their stories of their experiences and we, of course, are going to have a different experience and different perception of those experiences.

Response by SSgt Dan Montague made Aug 7 at 2015 9:56 AM

SSgt Dan Montague — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 09:56:03 -0400

I initially was going to join the Army. However, I found out he was full of BS and was just telling me what I wanted to hear. The Marine recruiter was upfront and honest with me.
As a former recruiter myself, I prided myself in not lying to kids. And the famous words uttered throughout "My recruiter never told me about this" As a recruiter you have 1-3 visits with this kid. Mostly to sell and do paperwork and ship him/her. There is no time to explain every detail of the military to that kid. If they don't ask, they don't get told about it.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2015 9:57 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 09:57:21 -0400

Perhaps a little of both

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Aug 7 at 2015 11:10 AM

CMSgt James Nolan — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 11:10:52 -0400

The only thing that I took issue with, and it was my own fault for not "really" knowing the Marine Corps: I, being a Midwesterner, thought it would be awesome to go to the West Coast to experience the sun and sand. I got orders for Yuma, AZ (which had plenty of sun and sand), which was considered West Coast-minus the water. All good

Response by MSgt David Haupt made Aug 7 at 2015 11:18 AM

MSgt David Haupt — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 11:18:22 -0400

Ok as I tell all who ask about recruiters. It is like a used car salesman. If YOU don't ask the questions very little will be told. I have had conversations with troops who say, "My recruiter did not tell me that" Well did you ask?

Response by SGT Jeremiah B. made Aug 7 at 2015 11:21 AM

SGT Jeremiah B. — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 11:21:42 -0400

My recruiter was actually quite aweseom. He neither lied to me nor did I have selective hearing. I was pretty much decided before I even talked to him and he just made sure I knew what I was getting myself into. He totally wanted me to go MI though (his MOS) and made sure my mom knew he had nothing to do with it when I came home from MEPS with "11X" on my contract. hahaha

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2015 1:05 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 13:05:59 -0400

My recruiter failed to give me all the options ... and maybe I just was too young to know what to ask. I don't think my recruiter ever lied directly to me.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Aug 7 at 2015 2:55 PM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 14:55:38 -0400

My recruiter was straight up except for what to expect in basic. He made it sound a little easier than it headed up being.

Response by Cpl Dan Christopher made Sep 3 at 2015 2:20 PM

Cpl Dan Christopher — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 14:20:05 -0400

I had just turned 17 when I joined and talking to the recruiter I specifically asked about going in to be a mechanic. He said he would sign me up for the Z4 Mechanical/Electrical field. I asked again if I would be guaranteed to be a mechanic. He said yes. After boot camp I went to Field Wire School and became a 2512 Field Wireman until I re-enlisted and changed MOS's to 0313, LAV Crewman. In my eyes he lied, to others he may have stretched the truth as they are both in the mechanical/ electrical field.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 3 at 2015 2:35 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 14:35:28 -0400

I maxed the ASVAB and the effer told me they only have Infantry and Tank Mechanic available, and not to worry cause the tanks were computerized.