I just transitioned from the infantry to be a recruiter for the National Guard. I really want to succeed and make a difference

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 23 Feb 2014 00:43:14 -0500

Any feedback will be greatly appreciated.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 23 at 2014 12:48 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 23 Feb 2014 00:48:17 -0500

good luck, i have been thinking of being a recruiter.. hope you do well.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 27 at 2014 3:09 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Feb 2014 15:09:05 -0500

I spent 6 years in recruiting and the hardest part for me had to have been MEPS. You will get rejected on a dialy basis. Because you invest so much time and effort preparing someone for MEPS that you grow a bond with them. Just to see them get DQ'ed(disqualified) at MEPS for the stupidest of things.

You will hear the craziest responses of why someone does not want to be in the NG. You have to be creative, learn from the veterans (good and bad habits), always seek to improve your sales technique and dont be affraid to try new things to generate leads. Follow-up, follow through and time management are keys to be successful in recruiting.

Know your product in and out. Know what AZ has to offer. Know how the college benefits work. You will get some applicants that don't ask a whole lot of questions and just want to join. Then you will get the analytical soul that needs to understand how absolutely everything works from step a to step z. Know how to recognize which one of these you are talking to. Always be upfront. If you do not know the answer to their question, find out before they leave your office.

No matter what always remember your family. You will spend a lot of time out in the streets, chasing down recruits. Behind the windshield, driving to MEPS and applicants house. You will catch yourself recruiting everywhere you go. You and the Ms. go out for dinner, and beforey ou know it you are handing the server a business card... And hey, ABC. Always.Be.Closing. good luck

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2014 3:55 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 15:55:48 -0400

I have been a recruiter in the Texas National Guard for the last 5 yrs and Here is what I have learned:

Be prepared to struggle in the beginning. Success will not come overnight, it takes time to build what recruiters call a "funnel." Its all the applicants you are working.

Learn what you are "selling", you are in fact a salesman and your NCOICs and upper leaders are driven soley on your next enlistment.

Always remember that you are a NCO first, to many of my partners forget that they are Soldiers and do not do what is required of them (weapons qual, maintaining ht/wt, PT) this is a fast paced stressful job. It is the only career you will have in the Guard where they use quantifyable data to measure your performance. All they see are your number of enlistments.

It can be very rewarding to know that you have helped someone change their lives, but you can also put a bad taste in peoples mouths by not being truthful about what they are getting into.

And follow up as SSG Gochnour has said, the last thing you want people to think is that they are "Just a number," the more you follow up me more likely they will give you referrals to help you.

And last but not least "Make Mission, Go Fishing."

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2014 11:42 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 11:42:04 -0400

Marcos, I am with the Prop and Rotor shop at the WAATS in Marana. I did quite a bit with the recruiters when I came back from AIT. Here's my advice:
1. Know your house- the Guard is a small community and making friends and connections with every unit is paramount. I know quite a few people at both 1st and 2d BN /285th Aviation, and a good number at the WAATS. Find connections- being able to drive home how tight knit we are hits he third hierarchy of Maslow s needs: belonging. You should see potential recruits faces when a Blackhawk or Apache fires up for the first time.

2. Know your troops- besides the basics, know their strengths and weaknesses. Connect with them in a way to where they feel like they can tell you anything. Usually takes five minutes for me to get a feel for someone, I make the connection and they will spill their life s story to me ( this will come in handy to ensure there are no nasty surprises at the MEPS gut check).

3. Remember the NCO creed: because recruiting is based on a measurable goal or performance, it will probably get cutththroat. Remember: I am always a professional. Goes a long way.

4- last but not least: my former boss with the 98th TC Brigade CSM: his best advice is to remind them why they are here. If they get lazy, don't do what they are supposed to etc, give them two options: the door or the right way. Be the professional to show them right from wrong. Traditionally Guardsman perform better at basic and AIT then the Active guys. Show them what right is.

With that being said, welcome to Arizona, and if you ever need anything I will be more than happy to give you my contact information. I'll send a connection request shortly.

Response by SFC William Hunnell made Apr 4 at 2015 11:46 PM

SFC William Hunnell — Sat, 04 Apr 2015 23:46:55 -0400

Brother, I spent 6 years of my time in the ANG on recruiting duty. I was successful.

Don't expect to be successful over night.

Don't try to reinvent the wheel - recruiting is basic.

Don't mess with applicants - leave them alone! I saw one too many fools who thought they could and would get away with it... they soon found themselves unemployed and a few faced charges.

It's all about the numbers: "hero to zero" is real. What you did yesterday doesn't matter in this game. What matters is what you're doing today.

Don't be afraid to pick up a phone and use High School lists or any other list - they are your friend. The phone call you don't make is the enlistment you didn't get.

You can't be a team player if you're not pulling your weight.

Good luck!

Response by SFC Stephen King made Apr 12 at 2015 4:08 PM

SFC Stephen King — Sun, 12 Apr 2015 16:08:25 -0400

Recruiting is the future you have now been put in charge of shaping the Military. I had the distinctive pleasure of serving in Recruiting for 5 yrs before, during and after 9-11. My advice to you is be prepared no your sister services and tell your story.

Response by MSG Scott Swank made Jul 14 at 2015 11:47 AM

MSG Scott Swank — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 11:47:24 -0400

Take of your people (Recruits) and their family like the were/are your own. They are not a number except #1 priority before, during , after and always after the enlistment. Be honest, loyal and trust worthy and don't look at recruiting events with the attidude of what's in it for me. Enlistments will come if you stay the course!

Response by SFC Wayne Theilen made Jul 23 at 2015 2:16 PM

SFC Wayne Theilen — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 14:16:35 -0400

Follow up, follow up, and follow up. I work in a RSP as a contractor. As a former recruiter you have to follow up. Taking a ship loss cost the state a lot of money. Appx 52k. Keep up on paperwork, weights, tapes. Moral issues. Diplomas, 1199s. See them once a month. Email weekly. Speak the truth. Put me boots

Response by MSG Jim Richardson made Jul 26 at 2015 11:34 PM

MSG Jim Richardson — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 23:34:40 -0400

Find a special niche and be the best at it. Example: High School recruiter, college recruiter, etc.... seperate yourself from your peers in that area asap! Always be honest and be a straight shooter with the parents of the high school kids. Good luck!

Response by SFC Les Anderson made Jan 3 at 2016 4:35 PM

SFC Les Anderson — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 16:35:30 -0500

Visit the Units you people into! Take care of those you never put in and ask for leads. Use the user. You can't do this by yourself for sure...so network!

Response by MSG David Clifford made Jan 7 at 2016 5:27 PM

MSG David Clifford — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 17:27:57 -0500

Everything you learn at SMTC (Strength Maintenance Training Center a.k.a. the school house) is just the foundation. Find a successful recruiter and shadow him/her, experience is the best teacher, model yourself after someone that's good. NEVER compromise your integrity, be honest to a fault, it can make up for many other shortcomings.

Always remember the three basics:
1. You CAN't recruit behind your desk, get out to where your target market is. Schools, fairs, festivals, wherever they are, you need to be.

2. You can't talk to someone about the Guard, until you're talking to them. Learn to be a conversationalist, start a conversation about any topic, but remember that all conversations when prospecting need to end up talking Guard.

3. No one will join the Guard, UNTIL YOU ASK THEM TO. Don't forget to get the commitment. I've witnessed recruiters talk someone into joining the Guard, and then just say "Great, give me a call when you're ready." NO, NO, NO...ask them when they'd like to ASVAB, Physical, fill out an application, have a sit down appointment, whatever the next step is, get the commitment before you leave.

Response by SGM Earl Richburg made Jan 17 at 2016 7:34 PM

SGM Earl Richburg — Sun, 17 Jan 2016 19:34:28 -0500

Good luck my man. You have to stay physically fit, self motivated, and become an expert in managing your time. You will do great things for the ARNG.