How should I approach a recruiter after having one back away due to health concerns that do not bar me from enlisting?

Cole Onyx — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 18:59:33 -0400

I'll be getting my medical release forms in less than a week. As soon as I do, I'll be on my way to the Marine Recruiting Command. According to the majority of military (Marines and others) I've asked, my cold sore situation will not bar me from enlisting. Unfortunately I scared my last recruiter away, so how am I to tell my recruiter without him/her growing cold feet and ignoring me like my last recruiter?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2018 7:03 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 19:03:15 -0400

Sounds like a lazy recruiter! Cold sores are not necessarily a bar to enlistment. The MEPS doc wants to know- how often, how severe. Get clinical notes from your personal doctor showing previous treatment. Then just give them to the recruiter when you see them. Be straight forward and have your ducks in a row. Too easy!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2018 7:09 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 19:09:23 -0400

Convince them of your commitment, meet all deadlines and provide all required documentation when requested. The last thing a recruiter wants is a recruit who wastes their time. They have a mission they have to achieve and can’t waste time on applicants who don’t enlist or take excessive time to process. It’s part of the business. Again, communicate your commitment and meet deadlines, everything else will fall in place. Good luck with securing and enlistment.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jul 11 at 2018 7:26 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 19:26:22 -0400

Always approach recruiters from the side, there's a blind spot in their peripheral vision. Much like the T Rex, their vision is based on movement.

Response by SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint made Jul 11 at 2018 7:42 PM

SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 19:42:47 -0400

Get your focus and motivation on your goal.

Response by LT Brad McInnis made Jul 11 at 2018 7:49 PM

LT Brad McInnis — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 19:49:30 -0400

1) don't lead with the fact that you went to another recruiter.
2) sell your qualities (why you want to join, what you would like to do, what specific skills/abilities you have)
3) Let them bring up any issues, then just tell them...

If it doesn't work out, there are always more recruiters. Some have a better grasp of the system than others. I had a sailor that worked for me that didn't get in until he had talked to his 5th recruiter. He was a top notch sailor and it took awhile to find a recruiter that would sign him up.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 11 at 2018 7:53 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 19:53:45 -0400

What is a cold sore situation? It is impermanent right?

Response by CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2018 10:07 PM

CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 22:07:15 -0400

Are you dead set on the Marine Corp?

Response by GySgt Charles O'Connell made Jul 12 at 2018 4:35 AM

GySgt Charles O'Connell — Thu, 12 Jul 2018 04:35:52 -0400

You want to be a Marine... Get down to the recruiting office with all your documents, and tell the recruiter you are ready to sign. It's up to the doctor at MEPS to decide whether you're medically qualified. If you are otherwise mentally, physically, and morally qualified, it's game on. Be sure, have conviction. Recruiters hate time wasters.

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 12 at 2018 11:18 AM

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Jul 2018 11:18:43 -0400

I had the same thing happen. AD army didn't want to do the waiver required for my minor heart surgery, but Army Guard recruiters didn't mind. Happy where I am now, but I could always switch to AD with a conditional release (you need to spend 9 months with your unit first). Just ask around. Talk to as many recruiters as possible, many of the same jobs are available across all of the branches. Especially the Army and Marine Corps. For example if you wanted to be an MP, every branch has MPs/security forces.