For those of you who were recruiters, how was your experience in USAREC?

1SG John V. — Mon, 28 May 2018 14:22:16 -0400

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2018 3:57 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 May 2018 15:57:03 -0400

I was recruiting in Hialeah, Florida from 2005 to 2008. I learned what back stabbing really mean while over there. I went from zero to hero and back several times. I learned what toxic leadership really is. I did good, earned the gold badge with three sapphires, but my biggest achievement is that I was able to help out some people. I missed it a few times and even thought about going back, now I am glad I didn't.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2018 8:46 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 May 2018 20:46:34 -0400

So I had a very unique experience, I was detailed from 1999-2002, was then involuntarily converted to 79R, earned a commission and then returned as a Company Commander. Which did I enjoy the most? Command was the most fulfilling. Being a detailed recruiter was 2nd best because I was able to shape young minds, but being a Cadre 79R was unbearable. Back in 2002-2009 the pressure was incredible and the work hours unsustainable. But overall Recruiting developed my EQ and communication skills.

Response by 1SG John V. made May 28 at 2018 9:37 PM

1SG John V. — Mon, 28 May 2018 21:37:36 -0400

In response to my own question, I was a recruiter from 1981-1986. My experiences were pretty much the same as the other responders. I enjoyed making a difference in the lives of those who joined (or even didn’t join). I was even ok with the long hours, and six day workweek. What I didn’t enjoy was the other BS that came with the job, when the six day work week became a seven day workweek, the lack of caring for the family, and the hero to zero mentality.

Response by 1SG Cameron M. Wesson made May 28 at 2018 10:59 PM

1SG Cameron M. Wesson — Mon, 28 May 2018 22:59:22 -0400

My time was spent in KC Bn in Joplin Company 92-94.

One word... Awful!

No desire of the leadership to train... no desire to see me or other recruiters succeed... no desire to reevaluate RZAs when required... limited desire to hold recruiters that were doing actions contrary to "good discipline" accountable.

I can honestly say (for my perception) that leadership didn't appear to care for the recruiters at all.

An interesting story happened in 93.

We were in Springfield, MO (Battlefield Station) for "low producer training" and the 1SG was on a role about how we failed (while we were in a "quasi" formation in the station. He then looks at me (I was at that time an Infantryman.. and one of the only two in the company) and says, "SSG Wesson if I tell you to take a hill and you fail to take the hill you failed your mission right?"

He thought that I'd agree..... wrong!

In a very even tone I replied.

"No 1SG. I didn't fail. My leadership failed because they gave me and my element a mission that didn't succeed... no matter how hard element fought."

He was stunned.

I then added, "Also 1SG, depending on the action... and what was required by the element... there might even be some awards for the soldiers for acts of valor and for those that got wounded in the action."'

I stopped.

What was left in the air that everyone was thinking was... "we get nothing here... at all! not even recognition for trying"

Needless to say, he was pissed.... but could do nothing as he asked a question.

He tried to write me up on a 4856 for insubordination... which I sent to the commander and IG... and was retracted.

A month later the entire Pittsburg, KS Station was relieved and he sent me there to take over... his words to me were actually very decent, "Wes... you're not a great recruiter... but your honest. That's what we need over here right now. Just be yourself and plant those seeds"

I did and when my time was up... went back to the the Army.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2018 2:02 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 May 2018 14:02:03 -0400

I recruited in Albany BN in CT. I didn’t mind the job of recruiting and working with new recruits, especially the Future Soldiers, but I hated the command. While there were some rewarding aspects of the job, USAREC is perhaps the most toxic command I have been a part of. I was also a part of a not so military friendly area as far as High Schools go which soured the experience.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2018 11:07 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 02 Jun 2018 11:07:04 -0400

I was an AMEDD Recruiter from 2012-2016. I extended a year so that my wife could finish her Bachelors Degree. I enjoyed my time in Recruiting and would go back if they asked me. My leadership, from Battalion all the way down to the Center, was always very supportive of me and our team. It did probably help we were the top small Center for 3 years running. I did have some long hours but it was because I made them long, I wasn’t forced like the guys who came before me. I had the opportunity to take my children to school, be there for school events, work from home if I needed to, attend additional training for my MOS, etc.. I had more of an opportunity to pursue higher education than I do in the Operational Army. I know people will say AMEDD Recruiting is different and they are right BUT... USAREC is what you make of it. The only thing I hated was that they took away the Gold Badge right before I came on Recruiting Duty so I am permanently stuck with the Silver Badge.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Jun 3 at 2018 1:27 PM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Sun, 03 Jun 2018 13:27:42 -0400

'95-'98, Hollywood, FL RS within Miami Recruiting BN....longest and worst 3 years of my 26-year career and of my life....command above the RS level did not care about the recruiters under their command, it was all about numbers and if you were not making numbers then you were a substandard Soldier in their eyes. If a recruiter was making numbers, then they could pretty much get away with anything up to and including "dipping a DEP"....only when an action was so egregious as to rise above the CO/BN level was it taken seriously and acted upon, and even then the backlash was felt by those who did things the right way and hadn't committed any illegal/immoral acts....I would have rather completed 36 consecutive NTC rotations if it was an option.....

Response by SFC Wayne Theilen made Jun 27 at 2018 1:45 PM

SFC Wayne Theilen — Wed, 27 Jun 2018 13:45:01 -0400

I was in Brooklyn company NYC. I was asked if I was a white boy when I was at the school house in SC. Reported to NY after graduation. And was put on the North side of Staten Island. To see if a white boy,(not my words CSMs) if a white recruiter could make it in Wu-tang land. Made my ring just before I PCS back to the line. 14 hr days. Made 2!kids and almost a divorce. Finished my degree. Lots of face to face at college. And I’d do it again.

Response by SFC Mark Bailey made Aug 1 at 2018 1:49 AM

SFC Mark Bailey — Wed, 01 Aug 2018 01:49:34 -0400

Detailed Recruiter in Scottsdale Station, Phoenix Bn from 1987-1991.
Gold Star w/ 3x SS with 14 months as Assistant Station Commander
42 missions with one month where I was given a double GFA mission
Longest hardest assignment I ever had, with some very good NCO's around me and just about the most toxic environment imaginable.

Scottsdale Station had a 67% Year to Date mission accomplishment rate and nobody cared.... we kept getting impossible numbers to meet and no real assistance or concern that we were working a 74 hour workweek.

Although it was (probably) the reason I made E-7 so fast, I did everything I could think to actually fail my TT&E period. When I went through the TT&E review board I managed to fail every single question I was asked.

My Command Sergeant Major smiled at the three First Sergeants ...looked at me and winked... and said "Nobody can fail that many questions without knowing the REAL answers, welcome to Recruiting SSG Bailey."

I had originally volunteered for Drill Sergeant and was in fact 'snatched' enroute to that assignment. My Bag and Baggage had to be located at Fort Jackson and re-sent to AZ a month later.

Only thing I will say that I learned was exactly how much punishment I could endure and not crack under the pressure

Response by 1SG Timothy Trewin made Sep 2 at 2018 1:09 PM

1SG Timothy Trewin — Sun, 02 Sep 2018 13:09:00 -0400

It was a time that I will never forget (both good and bad). Did I learn a lot about the process and system required to get someone from the civilian world to a Soldier? Sure. Do I feel good about the people who’s lives I was able to change? Sure. Would I ever recruit for USAREC again? Not in a million years. I respect those who can do it for a career, but I now understand why it takes a special person to do it long term.