How do you feel about your recruiter? If you served as a recruiter, what are some similarities and differences of the times?

2017-03-16T08:30:16-04:00

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2017 8:32 AM

2017-03-16T08:32:03-04:00

It was 33 years ago but he lied to me. I avoided recruiter duty like the plague.

Response by MSG Bobby Ewing made Mar 16 at 2017 8:37 AM

2017-03-16T08:37:20-04:00

I was recruited by then, SSG Bobby Tyson out of Pensacola, FL. He was a great man and an outstanding recruiter. He never told a lie, because he was scared of my mother with good reasons...lol. Any and all questions my family and I had, he answered truthfully and to the best of his abilities. He treated all DEPs (telling my age...) with the same respect, no matter their ASVAB score or social status.
During my time as a recruiter, I did my best to follow his example. Always being available for my applicants, their families, etc. Treating each the same no matter where they come from or social status. I had a difficult first 16months, but turned things around with my actions and referral system. In turn, I've had the pleasure of coming across several of my applicants back in the Army and even having one of my OCS applicants serve as my Platoon Leader for a few months.
Looking forward to others input to pass of to a few Mentees that are interested in going Recruiting. Doesn't matter your branch, because another thing SSG Tyson showed me the advantages of working with the other branches and building spirit de corps throughout the military.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Mar 16 at 2017 8:40 AM

2017-03-16T08:40:55-04:00

I enlisted in the Army in 1961 and was a Recruiter from 1984-1987. When I went in no decent job would hire you until you had fulfilled your military obligation. Many people just went to the Draft Board and had themselves moved to the top of the list. That was only two years of Active Duty but you were going to get a shitty job. The services don't like to admit it but adventure sells. I got more results with bullets than benefits

Response by Maj Marty Hogan made Mar 16 at 2017 8:57 AM

2017-03-16T08:57:15-04:00

Well that was 6 Feb 1984...I knew what I was getting into to and didn't need the sell speech. I just wanted to know what they would let me be... All of us are recruiters in the Guard. Honestly I work with youth and get a lot of "recruiting" type questions. I always see what aptitude the individual has and never push one way or the other regarding branches. Trying to get the right fit for the service and the person.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Mar 16 at 2017 9:11 AM

2017-03-16T09:11:21-04:00

I still talk to my recruiter from time to time. I'm glad that he was my recruiter because he was open and honest about what I was getting myself into and even came down to see me graduate from basic training. I ran into several years later in Iraq. He is a great mentor and always set the example of what it meant to be a good man.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2017 9:48 AM

2017-03-16T09:48:53-04:00

All three of my recruiters, I respected and appreciated. Except for my initial 1993 recruiter when he told me that I could skip the main line in the DFAC and go for pizza if I didn't like the options offered.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Mar 16 at 2017 9:55 AM

2017-03-16T09:55:25-04:00

I liked my recruiter (circa 1980) the guy got me the MOS and first duty station I wanted, hometown recruiter duty at the end of my AIT en-route to my duty station.
I got to enter service as an E-2 because of enlistment contracts generated prior to entry and made PFC off the contracts generated through the incentive program as hometown recruiter , so I was never able to complain about SFC Gunderson. He worked me like a dog and PT'd me to death while on the hometown recruiter program but took care of me for my efforts.

Response by SFC George Smith made Mar 16 at 2017 10:37 AM

2017-03-16T10:37:13-04:00

44 years ago I got sold a Bill of goods... But I managed to "Soldier " my way thru 26 Years of it...

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2017 10:40 AM

2017-03-16T10:40:32-04:00

My first recruiter from back in 1998 got bagged for engaging in relations with potential female recruits. The rest of the recruiters I've dealt with were good guys, especially the Guard recruiters. As one of them put it, "Active Duty recruiters probably won't ever see the people that they put in ever again. Guard recruiters will probably end up in the same unit as the people they put in so we can't fit that recruiter stereotype or someone might come back and whoop our @$$."

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Mar 16 at 2017 10:51 AM

2017-03-16T10:51:14-04:00

I like my recruiter. He took a chance on an older recruit who wanted to make something out of himself and he assisted in helping me on my journey. Well considering not much time has passed since I was originally recruited, if I was a recruiter myself, I think my methods would be quite similar to my recruiter's.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2017 11:11 AM

2017-03-16T11:11:26-04:00

I posted a similar question last year. Sadly, I could relate to the worst answers..

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/what-was-your-worst-memory-with-a-recruiter?cid=5166467

What was your worst memory with a recruiter? | RallyPoint

Just got processed into the Reserve. First couple meetings were very productive, and my recruiter was always available to answers questions/concerns. After MEPS, my SF-86 was completely messed up, recruiter not taking back my calls, paperwork lost.. Welcome to the military I guess EDIT: I certainly don't want this thread to be a bashing contest on all recruiters. While I wasn't the luckiest recruit with mine, I am sure there are some great...

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Mar 16 at 2017 12:32 PM

2017-03-16T12:32:34-04:00

I think my recruiter is a great man, MSG Bobby Ewing. I enlisted on 9AUG69. Although 1LT Frank Bray administered the oath of enlistment, CW4(ret) Pete Morris (then SGM) did all the work to "enlist" me in the unit. We are friends to this day. He was an extraordinary soldier.

Response by LCpl Stephen Arnold made Mar 16 at 2017 12:53 PM

2017-03-16T12:53:42-04:00

My recruiter was a ball busting, ass chewing kickass Marine from Arkansas, who found his way to sleepy little surf city, Santa Cruz, CA. He was fierce but deathly loyal to his recruits. I LOVED Sgt Wille.

Response by LCpl Shane Couch made Mar 16 at 2017 12:56 PM

2017-03-16T12:56:55-04:00

I liked my recruiter as well. Although SSgt Edwards was given a lot of shit from the other recruiters due to my weight, he worked with me on a daily basis for 10 month in delayed entry to get me from just over 400lbs down to 325lbs for MEPS and then 235lbs for bootcamp. His recruiting duty ended 2 weeks after I left for boot but took the time to check on my progress with my Senior DI, without my knowledge, and showed up to my graduation. Great Marine.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2017 1:34 PM

2017-03-16T13:34:52-04:00

My recruiter simply asked me what my plan for life was.....I had no answer, he promised me airborne school, college money and a job I would never forget. That was 27 years ago and I am currently the XO in the recruiting BN I first enlisted from. Absolutely surreal!

Response by SSgt Boyd Herrst made Mar 16 at 2017 1:54 PM

2017-03-16T13:54:39-04:00

I went in to the recruiter and I had my plan. We sat down and he brought in his partner recruiter (A AF Reserve Recruiter)and they helped me to
Tweak it. I went in far enough ahead of time so I could do it. I had been in AF-J.R.O.T.C. and had completed the basic Cadet program up through getting the
Achievement needed to be awarded A1C-E-3, upon completion of BMT. I had also completed some other extra-curricular Leadership tng programs offered through the AIr University Some Advisors helped me get into those. I had brought those with me in the portfolio I had. The Reserve Recruiter said ; " And you want to do what, Are you out of your....? You
Have a fantastic portfolio here!" I told them I had worked for my Great Aunt at her restaurant since I was a little guy.. shucking beans, clean' g corn-on-the cobs, freen beans and when I got older
I graduated to actual kitchen work. Being
Family, exceptions in certain labor laws were made, so I could operate Food processors, table and floor mixers, Slicer..
I'd worked doing Prep like making casseroles. Baking pies and cakes, Roasts.. working and running the Cook line.. so I look forward to taking the by-pass test for the first skill level(I'd already seen the career development books and done the volume tests and EOC test thanks to some Certain Reservists I knew)
That raised eyebrows.. As I understand it, the Reserves and Guard is the same as a part-time job, so I should be allowed to
Join Reserves or Guard and still complete my Senior year. I'd already spoke to my Congressman and U.S. Rep. My Commandant arranged for me to have a psych work-up to see if I had the maturity
to withstand basic military training. One of the encampments I went through we had recently retired MTIs that put us through the drill what enlistees went through. I came through top scores by those MTIs. Their evaluation was used in
The psych work-up . I kept things to myself about doing the Reserve right up to actually enlisting.. Of course I had to resign from JrROTC.. and I had to do it prior to signing up. So I got signed up, did everything that had to be done.. went
To Lackland and did BMS and returned..
in time to start school.. By then, the JROTC Commandant, and Advisors/ instructors were aware of what I had done. . . No restrictions about communications with cadets was needed
That was determined by the commandant.
We just had an understanding.. That next year went pretty good, a few rough spots with some of the civilian teachers.. (I got some leeway in being allowed to getting off early on Fridays and maybe coming back late Monday if needed. The Principal and Superintendent were cool with me having to leave early and coming back late if needed.. some teachers and the 1st Vice principal not especially.. They were determined to get me cut loose, saying it was disrupting to other students.. bla-bla-bla... thankfully nobody in power gave them an ear ..
The next spring I was asked if I were
Interested in going Regular AF.... A sitrep arose about a big bunch of drug busts and Reserve and Air Guard were being asked.. I got on board.. I actually had plans to go active, this just made it easier to do so.. part of being asked was I had achieved the 5 skill level and had an assignment to a position of leadership responsibility on the shift I was assigned
(Had been assigned as a 1st cook who is just after the shiftleader in shift responsibility. I had also been a shiftleader on occasion when the shiftldr could not be at drill.. [3x].. they didn't want people that had very little leadership
Responsibility when they arrived to their base in case they may be saddled suddenly as a shift-ldr or team chief..
which happened to me when I got to my base.. (l got assigned as a 1st Cook).
The Leaders: A TSG, SMSG(soon to be Chief). Didn't seem to think I had it in me
To be a 1st Cook at 1st... (didn't really want to blow my own whistle here but I have to relay that I was not somewhat incompetent just 'cause I came from a squadron of Weekend warriors). I showed them I could put out a meal that would make that restaurant down the road jealous. We did a meatloaf comer that csme out really good.. they stayed together good, just the right amount of
Breading and green and red peppers and onions .. and just enough tomato sauce on top. We cut them on the line.. we also had beef stew.. that went over really good.. the meat was kinda tough but we
Tempered it with some cider vinegar and that broke down the fibrous tissue pretty good. I had about 3 meat loaves left, we pretty much finished the stew.. we served about 700 that night.. maybe more. We also had burgers and other sandwiches..
I had my turn on that line too.. it was pretty equally divided.. They seen I'm a good cook and did't waste me on the burger line too often. They found out I was good on the administrative end getting that cook sheet filled out properly.
So The shift-ldr had me completing it quite a bit.. The other forms like the Senior Cook Requisition and some of the transfer sheets that I did, I was good at.
The idea was to know the forms and the regulations and directions that went with them.

Response by SPC David Hannaman made Mar 16 at 2017 1:55 PM

2017-03-16T13:55:25-04:00

I have to start out with the caviet that I only missed one question on my ASVAB, and I checked the box for "recruiters may contact me about exciting careers in the Armed services" so my experience with recruiters may not be typical.

The first recruiter I met with was the Air Force recruiter, I figured they had the coolest "toys", SR-71, A-10, U-2, F-15, AC-130, Air Force 1... the list goes on, but there were very few jobs they could *guarantee* me, and I none of them had a high appeal (Ham radio operator, Turbine engine mechanic).

The next recruiter I talked to was the Navy... again, some really cool toys. They pushed really hard for me to be a nuclear tech, but the idea of spending months aboard ship didn't really appeal to me.

I completely skipped the Marines, God bless the Marines, but I'm just not "gung ho" enough to want to be the first guy to hit the beach. It sounds too much like "cannon fodder" to me.

My Army recruiter really wasn't much of a fit for his job... lacking in social skills he would have made a poor salesman just about anywhere, but he did look at my ASVAB and say "With that score I can guarantee you any job that the Army has open, let's get you down to MEPS and see what jobs are available... if you don't see anything you like, don't sign up."

That's what got me, I signed up for "Biomedical equipment repair specialist" (fixing hospital equipment) good job, applicable in civilian life, five year commitment. The job sold itself, and was a good fit for me.

I think that's the major problem with the recruiter service... all too often they're asked to force a round peg into a square hole. That's not good for the pride in their job (makes them take the role of used car salesman) and it's not good for the recruit (naw, it's not that tough, I need to fill the quota for this position).

There's a simple solution, make the military more attractive. I propose waiving federal income tax for veterans *for life*.

It really wouldn't cost that much in terms of tax revenue, only about 7% of the population carries the title "veteran", but it would attract a lot of people who otherwise wouldn't consider serving in the military.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2017 2:03 PM

2017-03-16T14:03:06-04:00

Mine never lied to me. I asked him questions and he would say, "Do you want my answer or the Army answer?" To which I always replied both. If he had experience in that line of questioning he gave me that experience, and then the Army's advertising pitch. If he didn't for example my MOS was the first he'd ever recruited so he didn't know about it very well. So he looked it up, called a few people and got me a better idea of what I would be doing.

Funny enough this being the National Guard, I ended up at his unit. Not for too long though, being a Recruiter he ended up moving some place else before too long. So unlike the average story of you never see them again I got to see mine. Of course we linked back up so I knew where I was going until I got to my section, ended up in S1 for a bit.

He also gave me my first coin and pinned my rank on me in RSP. I wasn't expecting the punch to the chest when he put the patch on. Winded me for a second. I remember him saying it was a good idea choosing my MOS, that I may have better options for jobs later. Originally I chose MP or Infantry but when I saw Paralegal was open I switched. Sometimes I regret it, not being Infantry but I enjoy my work for the most part.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Mar 16 at 2017 2:31 PM

2017-03-16T14:31:04-04:00

Actually the Air Force Recruiter I went to never told Me anything that wasn't true. I did pretty well in the USAF, no major problems. I did run into My recruiter years later at Hanscom Field MA. He was stationed there as a Special Agent in OSI, Office of Special Investigations.

Response by SFC Dave Mccain made Mar 16 at 2017 2:33 PM

2017-03-16T14:33:38-04:00

That guy still owes me a steak dinner

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2017 5:26 PM

2017-03-16T17:26:15-04:00

MSG Bobby Ewing My recruiter did not have to sell me on joining. I did my research and then went to meet the Marine Corps recruiter to enlist.

Response by SGT Chris Hill made Mar 16 at 2017 6:26 PM

2017-03-16T18:26:41-04:00

My recruiter told me a lot of things, mostly false, none true. 10 years burnt me out, it was a good run and great experience, but I'll leave it as that, just an experience.

Response by SSgt Gary Andrews made Mar 16 at 2017 10:52 PM

2017-03-16T22:52:26-04:00

I served on recruiting duty from May 1975 through August 1978, and I tried my best to tell it straight. In 39 months, I only had one recruit return from training that wanted to kick my ass.....so I think I did pretty good. And when he realized I had considerably more stripes than he did......the ass kicking never took place. Ton of pressure on recruiters at that time, because they had just gone to the all volunteer model.....and it had to work! I would assume there is still a lot of pressure to make your numbers......

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Mar 17 at 2017 1:31 AM

2017-03-17T01:31:05-04:00

My recruiter never lied to me. She may not have told me everything but who ever does. When I was a recruiter I always told the truth but I did leave out things at times. I remember her well and would like to thank her for the entire experience.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Mar 17 at 2017 6:57 PM

2017-03-17T18:57:01-04:00

It is a much smaller Army. I used to have missions of 6 I-IIIAs. It was a relief when I was relieved

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2017 9:41 PM

2017-03-18T21:41:10-04:00

It's questions like this that made me do everything I could for my recruits when I was a recruiter (2010-13). I didn't want to go down in somebody's history as the douchebag recruiter that lied. I figured if I lost a recruit because they decided that they didn't want to do it in the end because they felt like it didn't fit, I thought that was fine. I always went out of my way to spend time with them and talk to them whenever I could. To this day, I still talk to a bunch of them, I even hung out with one while we were stationed in the same place. You make these connections, they join to change their lives, and you can't just abandon them after. I feel that I recruited some good people, a lot of them reenlisted already.

Response by SGT David T. made Mar 20 at 2017 1:37 PM

2017-03-20T13:37:29-04:00

I liked mine actually. He never once lied to me and always answered my questions truthfully. Now that career counselor at MEPS is another matter telling me all I could be was Infantry or Field Artillery with a 120 GT score lol.

Response by SSgt Michael Cox made Mar 23 at 2017 5:49 PM

2017-03-23T17:49:11-04:00

My recruiter and I didn't get along at all and actually cost me E-3 and the pay that would have come with it. I know I pissed him off when he told me I should go in open general and I told him I wasn't going to be an Fing cop or cook since in college I received my computer assembly and programing certification. But he was an AF cop before being a recruiter and I think because of that he didn't let me know that JROTC, College, or even signing up for 6 years would have gotten me free rank.

Now that I am out and work in veteran services I have met some really great recruiters that really care about the young ladies and gentlemen they are putting into the service or back into the service.

Response by PO3 Chris Wright, MBA made Mar 23 at 2017 7:01 PM

2017-03-23T19:01:18-04:00

My recruiter never lied to me. He said basic would, A school would suck a little less, and being the fng at my first command would suck a little. He said just bust ass and get all your quals plus some. I did and I never had to go cranking or to security. I think he was excited I was the first of his recruits to pick the same job as him. Now the career guy at meps was a different story. He was like, here is what I want you to do and I said, I don't care what you want me to do it is what I want to do. I had a good paying job so it is not like I needed the Navy.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Mar 23 at 2017 7:56 PM

2017-03-23T19:56:23-04:00

Having been a recruiter I understand the plight of my recruiter. It was sleet and cold on the 29th of November an he must have need one to make mission quota. The other guy didn't go but I wanted out of Philly. He got me a job I liked and could do. As far as I am concerned he did a bang up job

Response by SFC Oddie Brown made Mar 23 at 2017 8:30 PM

2017-03-23T20:30:14-04:00

I wanted to be a drill and was selected to be a recruiter. I don't care how good you are today if you don't have someone ready tomorrow your a POS. Daily threats, road trips on the weekend for up to 6 hours to get a 10 minute ass chewing. I loved the civilians, hated the bastards I worked with. Backstabbing, skirt chasing, picture taking assholes. I was the only guy in the office that came from combat arms. I had all the ribbons, awards and stories and was hated for it. Worst 3 years of my life. 1988-1991. On the plus side, I learned how the system really worked while I was out there. I did such a great job they sent me to Korea thinking I would get out. I went, did my 20 and retired. It did nothing to help me make E-7. Hindered me though.

Response by SSgt Bob Mobbs made Mar 24 at 2017 3:44 PM

2017-03-24T15:44:45-04:00

Forty-six years after dealing with him I still vividly remember my recruiter - and a lie he told that changed my life. I was scheduled to leave for Basic on 8/25/71. On 8/19 my recruiter - TSgt Hatchey - called and told me that if I didn't leave the next day (8/20) I would be put on hold for up to 6 months - so I went. Half way through basic I ran into the friend I was supposed to have travelled with on the 25th and he introduced me to the person who took my place that day. He was the son of TSgt Hatchey's - who had to attend a wedding on 8/21 so Hatchey put him in my spot and lied to me to encourage me to take his place.

The part that changed my life - my girlfriend and I had planned on getting married when I came home from basic - but as it turned out she went to the beach with her girlfriend on 8/21 and she met a guy she married 3 weeks later. Myabe it was for the best, but a recruiter's lie definitely made a major impact on my life.

The funniest part is when I let TSgt Hatchey know I had met the kid who he swapped me with and called him on his lie he laughed and said "Shit Happens".

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 28 at 2017 2:07 PM

2017-03-28T14:07:45-04:00

My Recruiter didn't LIE to me... But he did omit some pertinent info. Now that I am a Recruiter, I have taken the position of full disclosure and honesty. I figure, if I have to lie to you, or trick you, to get you to enlist... we don't need you. Besides, a happy DEP or satisfied Soldier home on leave after training is the best advertisement out there. I have maintained contact with most, if not all, of my guys and even some of the families. No disgruntled customers yet...

Response by SGT Glen Wright made Dec 27 at 2019 4:08 PM

2019-12-27T16:08:09-05:00

My recruiter was pretty honest and straight forward. She told me everything I expected from the Army, but I still try to decide if she did it because it was her character or because she knew my aunt was a CSM. I’ve heard some horrible recruiting stories so definitely have good things to say about mine!

Response by SPC Donn Sinclair made Dec 28 at 2019 7:59 AM

2019-12-28T07:59:16-05:00

President Nixon was my recruiter in '69. We didn't talk much.

Response by SGT Clyde Lackey made Feb 18 at 2020 4:26 PM

2020-02-18T16:26:25-05:00

My recruiter was a lying bastard in 1982. I would like to thank him for my time spent

Response by SPC Donn Sinclair made Feb 19 at 2020 8:51 AM

2020-02-19T08:51:44-05:00

My recruiter was President Nixon. He offered me a government job in '69, wouldn't take no for an answer.

Response by SFC Kervin Stewart made Feb 19 at 2020 9:03 AM

2020-02-19T09:03:45-05:00

My recruiter(SGT Diaz) was pretty honest with me, plus my Dad was an active duty 1SG. My Dad actually gave me an MOS book and took me to different units to let me see what they did in those different MOS’s I thought I might like. Other than my time in USAREC, the Army was pretty good to me.

Response by SSG Mark Wear made Feb 20 at 2021 7:13 PM

2021-02-20T19:13:39-05:00

My recruiter wanted to beat me... scored high enough to do whatever I wanted-but nooooo, I had to be a lean green fighting machine. Chose USMC Infantry. OOHRAH!! Did my four years and then went Army and did 16 years CBRN and Admin.