My recruiter is pushing me in a job I am not interested in when I am qualified for the one I am interested in, why?

Janet Allen — Wed, 29 May 2019 15:12:18 -0400

My recruiter is pushing me for an HR job that is my second choice vs. trying to get me in the MI job I am interested in because he said those

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2019 3:28 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 May 2019 15:28:54 -0400

Cuz your Recruiter prolly needs to push that job. If you don't want it, don't take it.

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made May 29 at 2019 3:31 PM

CW4 Craig Urban — Wed, 29 May 2019 15:31:37 -0400

Tell your recruiter to give you the job you want or you go air force or navy

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2019 3:33 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 May 2019 15:33:40 -0400

MI may not be available. Just because you qualify for something doesn’t mean it’s going to pop up as an enlistment option.

Response by SFC Dennis A. made May 29 at 2019 3:36 PM

SFC Dennis A. — Wed, 29 May 2019 15:36:47 -0400

Just like in any business they have over stocked item they need to move. In the military's case they have MOS's/Job that they need to fill so they push to fill those slots. Some thing to consider are: 1. if the job his is pushing (if it's not something you totally hate) is a shortage promotion opportunities could be better. If there is an overage in the job your wanting sometime advancement can be difficult. Choose wisely.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2019 6:03 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 May 2019 18:03:12 -0400

Only your signature on the contract matters, don't sign it if you are not happy with your job offers. Wait it out, and stick to your guns.

Response by SSG Brian G. made May 29 at 2019 6:42 PM

SSG Brian G. — Wed, 29 May 2019 18:42:14 -0400

They are likely doing that because they got a message down from recruiting command that they NEED people in that job. The more people they can get to voluntarily accept that job, means one less person they have to involuntarily assign to it later. You don't have to take it. You are coming in as a fresh recruit so as long as your ASVAB scores support it, the military job market is yours to pick and choose. They will fill those slots they need with others that are more narrow in what they can choose from or that simply do not question and push.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made May 29 at 2019 9:10 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Wed, 29 May 2019 21:10:30 -0400

If you don't want it, don't take it. As long as you are qualified and can pass a security clearance background check, you can wait until it's available.

PS. Your tags for First Army Div West and USARCENT do not remotely apply to the topic. I would take the two MOSs you are being presented with instead.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2019 9:14 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 May 2019 21:14:28 -0400

Probably because he has a class seat for the HR job and not one for the MI job. Being qualified for a job doesn't mean a thing if all the classes are full. When the classes are full, the next ones might not ship out for months. You might have to wait 6 months until a class seat appears and wait another 6 months to year to ship to it.
Recruiters don't receive credit until you ship out. The longer you sit, the more likely you are to back out. 18-21 year old's are not known to have long attention spans and the recruiter needs to get you on a class that you will actually enlist for and shop out to, as opposed to one that sounds interesting, but you may eventually just change your mind in a year when your gf gets pregnant/job offers you a promotion/get cold feet/get a dui/get injured/get scared/decide to join another branch/etc.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made May 30 at 2019 5:16 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Thu, 30 May 2019 05:16:46 -0400

If you have the luxury of time wait until they offer what you want. Simple! Good luck.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2019 1:27 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 May 2019 13:27:50 -0400

sit down in front of the computer with your recruiter and have him pull up the jobs you qualify for. The jobs you qualify for are based on your scores AND availability. just because you qualify for it does not mean its available. But, he/she should sit down with you to show you. The Army is the ONLY branch that will allow you to make a job 'reservation" before you go to MEPS to enlist, so make him/her do her job. If you really want it, go get it.

Response by SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2019 8:39 PM

SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 May 2019 20:39:10 -0400

Wait for what you want. The right mos can make a huge difference in your life. Waiting a couple of months is nothing compared to 4 years of unhappiness. It’s your job to make sure you get what you want.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2019 2:03 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 May 2019 14:03:50 -0400

First, are you even qualified for an MI job?

Response by SSG Jacob Byrd made Jun 1 at 2019 11:48 PM

SSG Jacob Byrd — Sat, 01 Jun 2019 23:48:02 -0400

Former recruiter here. Unless you're desperate to get out of where you are, don't let a recruiter push you around. Some jobs are rarer than others, so as long as you're qualified, you have to personally decide how long you're willing to wait for it to become available. Also know that recruiters are usually very busy and dealing with a lot of people. So don't feel bad about checking in every few days. This is your future, take charge and decide what's worth bending to.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Jun 5 at 2019 11:42 AM

CSM Richard StCyr — Wed, 05 Jun 2019 11:42:19 -0400

They get priority fill lists and will try and get you or others to fill those and they also want folks to ship quick so they have less chances of disqualifying themselves. Don't take it if you don't want it. Make them get you the MOS you want and are qualified to get.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 16 at 2019 1:15 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 Jun 2019 01:15:40 -0400

So former recruiter been out less than a year, you need to take the DLAB screener prior to picking a 35 series job you must be DLAB qualified. If you don’t pass the screener they can’t send you to test no DLAB no MI. Things have changed since most of these people here have dealt with it. And your getting some bad advice the ASVAB isn’t the only qualification anymore with certain MOSs out there you need a specific grade in HS subjects like biology if you want a 68 series job for one example. Talk to your recruiter and ask for the DLAB screener first. If you don’t pass pick a different job. Not everyone stays in the army for 20 if you have to use the army as a stepping stone to something bigger.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 23 at 2019 10:02 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 23 Jun 2019 10:02:02 -0400

My recruiter didn’t sign me up for any job. He advised on several but it was the Career counselor at MEPS that actually told me what jobs I qualify for and signed me up.

Response by SFC George Cox made Jul 15 at 2019 11:05 AM

SFC George Cox — Mon, 15 Jul 2019 11:05:30 -0400

Recruiters have requirements to put people " in boots". If you don't want it... Walk. Or, look into delayed entry until it's available. Not all MOSs are open all the time. There are manning numbers. If the MOS is at 100% strength then you're probably not getting that one.

Response by SPC Ted Ronayne made Aug 3 at 2019 8:32 PM

SPC Ted Ronayne — Sat, 03 Aug 2019 20:32:34 -0400

I'm MI. Typically the seats go quick, a seat may open up one day and be gone the next.

If you really want to go MI, only accept MI. Talk to the recruiter about when those seats open up, and keep in touch to find out when those slots are open. Keep calling the recruiter, don't expect them to call you. They are busy and need to keep reaching out to new people.

Also, by you initiating all the contact, you will show you are motivated, and the recruiter will be more likely to invest time on your behalf. People just cutting contact with a recruiter is a constant, so you need to show that you want to be in the army.

Best of luck! Let me know if you have further questions.

Response by CPT Keith Whitter made Aug 8 at 2019 10:45 PM

CPT Keith Whitter — Thu, 08 Aug 2019 22:45:51 -0400

In my experience the military can be an amazing and wonderful thing, but it can also be painful and wear you out. Doing something you really enjoy will help. Before you make your final decision find out everything you can about all of the postings you are interested in. The recruiter has specific jobs he needs to fill to do his job. He/She needs to see you as an individual (a rare thing in military service) and work for you not for their quota. If you are looking at the Army check out the Navy, Marine Corp, Coast Guard and Air Force also. Every branch of the military has great things they can help you with. And, every branch can make life unpleasant if you get stuck somewhere you are not suited for.

Response by SPC Angela Burnham made Aug 9 at 2019 8:25 AM

SPC Angela Burnham — Fri, 09 Aug 2019 08:25:28 -0400

Do NOT let them push you into a MOS you don't want Janet Allen. This is a job you're going to have to do for a minimum of three years, probably much longer if you re-enlist. Don't choose a job because of the sign on bonus, don't "settle" for one either because your ASVAB was too low the first time you took it. Do your own independent research and find a job you WANT to do, and don't stop until you get it. Don't forget that this is like a high pressure car sale, you are allowed to say no, and nobody else can fight for your interests but yourself.

Response by SSgt 1 2 made Aug 9 at 2019 1:42 PM

SSgt 1 2 — Fri, 09 Aug 2019 13:42:52 -0400

The field you are interested in may be full or has to many people in it. The field he is pushing is in need of people. Also with that field low in number, There is an above ll make rank faster.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 9 at 2019 4:32 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 09 Aug 2019 16:32:37 -0400

Wait for the job you want.
You'll likely do well on the ASVAB if you have to take it again, barring a traumatic brain injury, so dont worry about that.

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Aug 9 at 2019 10:44 PM

SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM — Fri, 09 Aug 2019 22:44:56 -0400

Because he has an accessions mission for HR vs. MI - to best get you in boots! Always, the needs of the service comes first. The mission always comes first!

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2019 2:48 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 10 Aug 2019 14:48:02 -0400

Don't let him push you. There are very few times in the military that you actually hold almost all of the cards, and this is one of them. The moment you sign on the line, you got what you got. In the navy, we say "choose your rate, choose your fate." That's how lasting this decision is.

You aren't "less of a proud American" by holding out for a job that makes the military a career you might actually stick with.

Response by PO3 Terri Marini made Aug 15 at 2019 1:00 AM

PO3 Terri Marini — Thu, 15 Aug 2019 01:00:51 -0400

Recruiters will do anything to get their way and they usually have to get 2 or more people a month to go in the service. They will push and push but dont do it. I waited for over a year for an opening for the billet that I wanted. I was glad when I went in that I didnt go in undesignated or I would have been painting the side of the ships and the floors... literally. Always wait, it is worth not getting the shit jobs