How can you tell if a recruiter is "misadvising" a recruit?

Maj James Tippins — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 11:20:11 -0400

I want to know if they are lying to an acquaintance about not allowing him to pick an AFSC (or whatever it is called today) in the USAF prior to enlisting.

UPDATE: Per my recommendation last night, he talked to his recruiter. The recruiter said he would guarantee an AFSC if his supervisor would approve it. This sounds promising.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2020 11:26 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 11:26:37 -0400

Mayhaps the AFSC your friend wants isn't available at present.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2020 11:36 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 11:36:00 -0400

A non prior service recruit can select an AFSC prior to contract if they have the minimum score for that AFSC and it is still open.
Recruiters for any branch might be inclined to steer a recruit to a job that is priority that month as opposed to putting the recruit in DEP for a seat 3-6 months down the road, because many recruits bail out of DEP for another branch or just lose interest in the military.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2020 11:38 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 11:38:32 -0400

His/Her lips are moving? Hahahaha!
Seriously though, while in BCT, I had several guys ask me what they would be doing in their MOS, or if their MOS is "cool." I asked them if their recruiter had gone over what they would be doing in their MOS. Most said no, and that their MOS was pushed on them or were told it was a "cool" MOS. It baffled me that someone would select an MOS without knowing as much as possible about it, and/or based upon a "salesman" telling them it was "cool."

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2020 12:47 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 12:47:17 -0400

Tell ‘em to go see an Army recruiter. They always tell the truth!!!

Response by SSG Brian G. made Sep 3 at 2020 12:52 PM

SSG Brian G. — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 12:52:31 -0400

As far as I know, providing the recruit has the scores that meet the AFSC, they can pick any AFSC. Certain ones might not be available depending on the type of contract he or she opts for and as always there are other circumstances.

Recruiters are given jobs to push, as the service is in need of those but that does not mean they are limited to just what is pushed.

He or she needs to decide what they want to do and then stick to their guns and not settle for what the recruiter is pushing. There might be a wait but I guarantee that if they stand up and tell the recruiter no not interested in that and go to leave, the tune changes.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2020 12:58 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 12:58:56 -0400

It starts with "Welcome.... I'm SGT Smith............."

I had a new recruit getting pushed to my unit via a Recruiter, but I had to provide a waiver memo for her commute distance (reserves) for her enlistment packet. Anyway, she was a recent dental assistant school graduate. However, in her own county there were said USAR dental assistant vacancies at E4 and below.

I believe they push the openings that higher is sticking the screws to them. I also believe the worse the MOS the high the incentives.

Response by LT Brad McInnis made Sep 3 at 2020 1:24 PM

LT Brad McInnis — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 13:24:06 -0400

A friend's kid looked to join the Army. Thought they were getting the run around. I told him, their first mistake was not joining the Navy, and told them to try going to another recruiter. See what they say. Many times it is different, because certain shops have quotas to meet. SO, my recommendation is to go talk to another recruiter and see what they say.

Response by SGT Christopher Hayden made Sep 3 at 2020 6:58 PM

SGT Christopher Hayden — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 18:58:17 -0400

The old "Let me check with my boss, even though I don't actually have to just to make it sound like I wasn't just trying to screw you over." routine, eh?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2020 9:42 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 21:42:46 -0400

As far as I know only the Army can have your job guaranteed before you sign your contract. Everyone else it's an open contract for the most part. I never understood why anybody would sign such a contract.

Response by 1SG Brian Adams made Sep 4 at 2020 1:06 AM

1SG Brian Adams — Fri, 04 Sep 2020 01:06:06 -0400

when in doubt, call the MEPS branch liaison or MEPS Commander to field any potential misadvise or potential improprieties...