Is it legal for the Army to submit my paperwork to MEPS after I told them I'm going AF? Can my recruiter help request days off from my job?

First Question: recruiters have quotas. Not sure how recruits are counted, but the recruiter may have been playing a bit fast and loose with your information in order to boost his accomplishments. I hate to say this because I believe all service members are good honest people, but stuff happens. Anyway, if the Air Force recruiter has submitted all of the correct and signed paperwork for you, it shouldn't be a problem.

Second Question: Your employer should have a written policy about supporting Service Members. It should be spelled out in the Employee Handbook including the required documentation. There are Federal Laws about this, but for now just find out what the company policy is. If you're going on active duty for several years, then I don't' see this as a big deal because you'll have a full-time good paying job with the Air Force. If you are entering a Reserve Component (AF Res or ANG), then it matters if you want to continue work for this employer after basic training and technical training. A copy of your orders to basic training should be sufficient for your employer.

1) Underhanded yes, illegal no. You filled out paperwork and spoke to the Army first but did not attend MEPS as their recruit. It means nothing and does not impact your joining the AF at all.

2) You are not in the military. Not yet. You are not covered by military protections with your employer. The best you can do is to approach you HR and explain the situation with regards to you joining the Air Force and see if they will work with you on that.

1. If you did not sign a binding contract to the Army, then you are fine and you are not obligated to do anything further with the recruiter and you can go about your business. My advice, do NOT sign anything unless you are committed to joining any branch and KNOW what it is that you are signing...Read everything / never take the recruiter's word on what a document says.

2. No, they cannot do anything about your employer because you are not a member of the Military yet. Work around your schedule, the recruiters will work with you. They get paid to work on a possible recruit's schedule...If your only off say on a Sunday, guess what? That recruiter will work Sunday.

Hope that helps and good luck!