Posted on Jan 28, 2020
Ella Diaz
11K
259
90
15
15
0
This a bit of a long backstory but I really need some advice. My husband was in the Marines and finished his four year contract last year. We have a two year old boy and I always wanted to join the military but I didn’t believe it was possible due to finally settling in for the first time with my husband and both of us attending school. I decided to join the reserves because not only would I be able to finally join and do my part as much as I could but also go to college and receive my degree. My husband and I finally met with a navy recruiter and everything seems to go smoothly, I passed the pre asvab and we initially started the paperwork for me to go to meps. Fast forward a few weeks later I finally go to meps, I passed my medical and asvab and was waiting to choose my job and swear In that day until my recruiter mentioned that there were 0 jobs available for me and saidI have two options, I can either swear in with an active duty contract and once a reserve job opens I can switch back to reserve and that would be it. Option 2 he said that I can simply wait for a reserve job opening and it shouldn’t take long because so many people back out or new jobs open up and I shouldn’t worry about that. I decided I’d wait because I did not feel comfortable swearing in active. Fast forward two weeks later he texts me saying a heads up that reserve jobs might open Friday and I said great. A few days later he sends a message telling me I should really switch the contract temporarily to active and he and his supervisors promise me I will not leave active, I proceed to say I’m not comfortable with the idea I’d much rather wait and he starts escalating with me saying he can even talk with me and my husband if that’s the case and I simply decline over the idea and then says to me “I’m not in the business of screwing people over” and “I don’t make promises I can’t keep. Just letting you know.” It surprised me because not only did he mention he hates his recruiting duty and he can’t wait to leave to do his actual job, but he also said to my husband a few weeks before that he hates promising things to people. My recruiter then said he scheduled me for meps to do the contract and I told him I wasn’t comfortable then he replied “Alright then, my supervisor will probably give you a call because I already scheduled.” I proceed to get mad of how this even occurred and how he scheduled me in within the 10 minutes or less of speaking with him. My husband advised me to not respond to any of that or else he’s only going to push more. Supervisor then calls me but I couldn’t answer due to being in class and that was that for that day. The following day the recruiter sends another text saying “did my boss give you a call?” “Also good morning” I was baffled that he still didn’t realize the problem I was placed in and still seems like he is making me speak to his supervisor to pressure me. Is there anything I can do? I still have not responded, I don’t feel comfortable even going back to the recruiting station because they are all in this pressure I’m being placed in. Is there a way to ignore it for him to realize I haven’t fallen into this pressure? Or should I try a different recruiter? I had told him previously that I’m not picky with my reserve job either so I don’t feel like I’m causing a problem, he just wants me to switch to temporary active duty and swear in active but I don’t want to do it.
Posted in these groups: 761019e9 Potential RecruitHelp HelpCollege advice Advice
Avatar feed
Responses: 39
Votes
  • Newest
  • Oldest
  • Votes
1st Lt Padre Dave Poedel
1
1
0
Have you gone to your local Navy Reserve station and spoken to a Reserve recruiter? Sounds like you spoke to an active duty recruiter and all he gets points for is active duty accessions. Try your local Navy & Marine Corps Reserve Center.
(1)
Comment
(0)
Ella Diaz
Ella Diaz
>1 y
The way this began was because I went on the navy website and contacted the representatives and they had given me the number, they knew I wanted to join reserves and I was confused because it didn’t make sense why there are some reserve stations and regular but they said it was fine for me to go see him. They said it would be ok and i agreed because they wouldn’t give me a reserve recruiting number and as I looked one up it was very far from me. I’m going to speak with a reserve recruiter even if it means I’ll drive 25 miles away
(0)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
SSG Motor Transport Operator
1
1
0
Tell the recruiter that your retired 4 star admiral named uncle William McRaven will be giving him and his supervisor a call. Tell them make sure to pick up the phone. Like everyone else said, don't sign active duty contract. Once you in, there is no turning back........
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
CPL Gary Pifer
1
1
0
Ask for a woman recruiter...
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
1LT 66 T
0
0
0
I agree with the LTC. Find yourself a new recruiter. But with that being said a contract doesn't guarantee anything. The military has ways around that. They will do with you as they see fit so you better be prepared to be activated and if it doesn't happen than fine but with our current situation there is a good chance. Just listen to your gut and you'll be fine.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SMSgt Paralegal
0
0
0
Do not believe him - It is not that easy to go from Active to Reserve - you have to have a reason and a recruiter's word is not it. If you sign a contract for x years of AD Navy - you are obligated to that until they either release you on their terms or you finish out the contract. I served in the Navy - AD and then after a 10 year break went into the Army Guard - it wasn't a good fit and I started to look for a slot in the legal field since I had my paralegal degree and I was working as a paralegal. There were not any in my state, so I started look at the Air Force Reserve or Guard - I found a slot in the Air Guard and it took 6 months for my paperwork to process for the Army to release me and the Air to pick me up.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SSG Signals Intelligence Analyst
0
0
0
Sounds like this guy's jerking you around. I'd tell him that you're no longer interested. Then don't reply to him when he keeps trying to contact you, because he probably will.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
CW2 Net Tech
0
0
0
Once you sign an active contract you are active. He probably means you cane switch to reserve after your active contract ends.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Ella Diaz
Ella Diaz
>1 y
Unfortunately no. He literally meant he would switch me before I leave to bootcamp which doesn’t seem right
(0)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
1SG Operations Sergeant
0
0
0
Go to a different station, he is try to meet his quota.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SrA Daniel Hunter
0
0
0
Call or write your Senator. Preferable one on the Armed Services Committee if one is.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small

Join nearly 2 million former and current members of the US military, just like you.

How are you connected to the military?
  • Active Duty
  • Active Reserve / National Guard
  • Pre-Commission
  • Veteran / Retired
  • Civilian Supporter