How much of a difference does volunteering vs DA selection make regarding recruiting?

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 05:46:29 -0400

I'm nearing the end of my deployment. I already knew HRC was going to send me somewhere, but I never thought it would be Recruiter. I actually preferred Drill Sergeant, as I was going to get a DA photo done and submit my packet as soon as I got home next month. As of right now, I report to FT Knox in seven months for schooling.

Is there a major difference between volunteering for Recruiter or being slotted by DA? Most of my NCOERs list "Recruiter" as one of the three positions in the future, while three says "Drill Sergeant."

Would the difference between submitting a Recruiter packet on my own versus being slotted by DA have a major impact in the direction of my career? What should I expect out of this? How can I prepare to be successful before I go to the school? What is the typical glide path from school to assignment?

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jun 5 at 2015 6:09 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 06:09:02 -0400

If you try to be proactive by requesting a desired position you may have a better chance at getting it, but the needs of the service will generally be the deciding factor. If you were going to apply for recruiting but got selected before applying there's no difference - needs of the service. The assignment would reflect no differently in your MPRJ.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Jun 5 at 2015 12:21 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 12:21:28 -0400

None. Well from the recruiting side...I guess it could make a World of difference from the soldiers side of it?

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2015 9:37 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 21:37:27 -0400

Having served as a Recruiter long ago I can attest to the fact that getting selected vs volunteering does have one difference once you are out recruiting. At least if you didn't ask for it, you won't be kicking yourself if you don't like it. I understand that recruiting is much better than it was back in the late 90's when I did it. Good luck to you!!

Response by 1SG Timothy Trewin made Jun 5 at 2015 10:40 PM

1SG Timothy Trewin — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 22:40:56 -0400

The biggest difference is assignment preference. The way recruiting works is that if you volunteer you pick your top BNs (which can cover huge swaths of territory). If you get that BN then you can work with the BN CSM (much like in a conventional unit) to get a pinpoint assignment to a certain company or if you are lucky station. If you are DA selected then when you get to recruiting school after a couple of weeks they will have you (along with others in your class) look at what assignments are available and have you pick one. There might be a good assignment or two there and there might be none, but at that point in time you lose all options to be picky.

Going DS is a good way to go if that is what you truly want to do, but don't discount some of the benefits that come with recruiting. I did three years as a recruiter and while I hated the job with a passion, I can't deny that I gained a lot of valuable skills and perspectives from it. I definitely sets you up for success post Army as you deal with the private sector daily and get a feel for how they think and operate. It allows you to gather what they consider important and develop that for when you retire. Plus you learn to network, and techniques to sell the Army (selling the Army is tough) which can translate to yourself. You also gather the confidence to talk to anyone, listen, and actively respond to others. You also get another perspective on how the whole Army machine operates versus being someone who knows nothing about it blaming recruiters for the quality of Soldiers that now join.

I will without a doubt say that it is not for everyone (myself included), but it might be worth a look. The hours believe it or not are actually less than a DS, which I found surprising. Would I do it again? Nope, but at the same time I don't regret doing it either.