I am considering becoming a recruiter, what have your experiences been?

<p>There have been several cycles of recruiters over the past 20 years ranging from "car salesmen" of the 1980's to the leaders of today's recruiting force. First, let me quantify my position within recruiting command. I have 12 years of recruiting experience which began&nbsp;during the "toxic" era. As a new recruiter, I endured some of the crazy horror stories that you may have heard about. Those times have past, fortunately, but the mission and hard work remain.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>But I chose to stay in the recruiting command because a) I contributed to filling the ranks with quality Soldiers, b) I&nbsp;was proficient at the skills required for recruiting, and c) I have helped thousands of&nbsp;people and&nbsp;shaped many lives during my time, while improving the recruiting environment with thorough effective leadership. I believe&nbsp;I have made a difference.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Yes, I have faced the negative stigma of being a recruiter from many unknowing Soldiers, civilians&nbsp;and family members who only believed the recurring rumors of how bad recruiting is and how terrible a recruiter must be to do this type of work. And I faced each instance with proven facts of how the Army really is, the truth of what actually happens in our profession as Soldiers, and left each conversation with mutual respect for Soldiers and Recruiters.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Today, there is no tougher assignment that sets one apart from their peers than that of being a Recruiter. This is not to take away from any other MOS but a true statement of fact. Being a Recruiter means being a self starter,&nbsp;without living on a military installation with its&nbsp;patterns and support structure (px, commissary, ranges, etc), facing people who know virtually nothing of what we do (aside from playing Call of Duty) and representing the entire military to the unwelcoming public. I say entire military because most people will confuse you with every other branch, even though we clearly dress differently and our branch is written on our uniforms. </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Recruiting takes effort and determination, planning and execution, and daily focus to be successful. Anyone who had a horrible experience clearly has had a personal experience that may or may not ever happen to you. But I challenge you to question yourself. Do you like making your own work plan? Can you operate as an NCO with little or no supervision and achieve results? Can you take responsibility for your own actions while achieving the mission assigned to you? Can you live the Army Values in a civilian environment and&nbsp;uphold all that our uniform means? If you answered "YES" to these questions, then you will excel in recruiting and three years will literally fly by. After your recruiting tour, you will have clearly&nbsp;placed yourself for success&nbsp;ahead your peers. </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>In my opinion, I have found&nbsp;recruiting completely worth the effort and would take the opportunity again if given the chance to do it over. Good Luck on your decision, GO ARMY!</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

Listen it's what you make of it. If you can talk to anyone about anything and can take rejection then you will do fine. My advice I give all my troops. Make your own expirences. Cause listen to someone else expirences isn't yours. Negative people always going to hv negative thought they could b in heaven and still tell you don't come cause of there negative expirences. 

I've been in recruiting for almost 8yrs now and I can tell you that it's perhaps the most challenging, yet rewarding jobs the Army has to offer. It's definitely not for the faint of heart. Just like SFC Bethea said, you have to expect the rejection, and understand that you aren't dealing with soldiers. You have to develop (if you already don't have it) a thick skin, and introverts have a really hard time on recruiting duty (for the most part). If you choose to become a recruiter, just know that it truly IS what YOU make it. If you give it your all, you will be successful. If you come out and immediately become disgruntled, it'll be a long three years for you I assure you. Don't listen to the barracks lawyers, make your own legacy! Hope this helps you.