Thinking of dropping my volunteer recruiter packet. How do recruiters feel about their jobs (likes/dislikes)?

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Jan 2019 13:41:47 -0500

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2019 2:04 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Jan 2019 14:04:25 -0500

Consider Drill Sergeant duty.
You risk NCOERs reflecting recruiting challenges, rather than your commitment and performance.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Jan 8 at 2019 5:41 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Tue, 08 Jan 2019 17:41:44 -0500

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member Speaking of recruiters; how many successful recruiters have been able to utilize their recruiting skills to be successful salesmen on the outside?

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2019 7:26 PM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Jan 2019 19:26:56 -0500

As a recruiter I can say the individual makes their recruiting experience either good or bad not the other way around. Yea sometimes you get a questionable leader, but that's the army.

Response by SFC Joseph McCausland made Jan 9 at 2019 4:36 PM

SFC Joseph McCausland — Wed, 09 Jan 2019 16:36:41 -0500

SSG McCarthy, no disrespect but someone else's likes or dislikes of their job should have no bearing on whether or not you submit your packet.
First off........ everyone's experience is "subjective" at best. If they really miss working in their job that they were trained in and really miss the "Real Army", then chances are the dislikes will far out number the likes.
A better question would be..... How hard is it to achieve their monthly recruiting goals and what are the consequences if they don't make them...both personally and career wise.
Some things to consider.. for the first time since 2005, The United States Army Recruiting Command (USAREC) failed to reach the overall yearly recruiting mission and fell short by 6,500 recruits.
I believe there are many things that factor in the least being our strong economy and very low unemployment numbers.
The statistics that were put out by USAREC are that out of every 100 age eligible prospects, 70 will not be qualified to join the Army and out of the remaining 30, only 1 out of 8 will have any interest in hearing about the benefits the Army has to offer. That leaves 3 plus applicants, that have to test high enough to qualify, clear their criminal background checks, medical exams and agree to enlist.
One suggestion I would make is to visit several local recruiting stations (if you are CONUS) and talk to each one's Station's Commander, then I believe you will get a more clear picture of what present day recruiting is all about.

Best of Luck

Response by SCPO Jason McLaughlin made Jan 10 at 2019 6:42 AM

SCPO Jason McLaughlin — Thu, 10 Jan 2019 06:42:08 -0500

I'll preface this by saying, I have never been a recruiter myself. That said, I have known many recruiters in my career. The common thread seems to be that at some time in your recruiting career, you will be faced with a challenge to your integrity and values. Some were willing to compromise theirs, some weren't (sometimes to the detriment of their careers). Decide before you drop your package what is more important to you.

And, only you know what kind of character you have, but understand that you are going to be dealing with a LOT of temptation. Young recruits will be enamored with what they perceive as your power, position, and authority. Those feelings often turn amorous, and if you feel that you will be too much of a challenge, you may want to avoid recruiting. Many of the recruiters that I knew were unprepared for the type of attention they received from the recruits.

Good luck with your decision.

Response by SFC Mark Bailey made Feb 26 at 2019 4:54 PM

SFC Mark Bailey — Tue, 26 Feb 2019 16:54:45 -0500

This will be the single most difficult thing you will ever do
I am a former Three Star Sapphire Gold Badge Recruiter from 1987 to 1991
I served in the West at a large Recruiting station with a 67% year to date Mission box success rate going back 15 years

That means I had a rough area with an impossible mission

We worked 7 days a week full production and in my case that meant 42 missions
Our full production meant 0630 to 2200 hours
Half days (Sunday) was 0900 to 1700 hours

My station never closed, and neither did the Navy or Marine offices next door

This will be just like a deployment except you aren't going anywhere

If you are married, make sure your spouse is on board, since they will be affected by this as well.
Of the seven other Recruiters in my office, all of us had marital issues and several were divorced

Would I do it again?
Not sure...
I remain extremely proud of the 187 people i put in boots, over 60 of them female (ask any Recruiter...that's a HUGE number)...but the fact that my children had to stay up to midnight to see me, added to the fact i rarely took leave...I'm not sure it balanced out in the end.

Some assignments are easier, but even that remains an unfair issue. If the area is easier then the award is less deserved...

In our case, the phrase was "a Tin Star with a few clusters from our area means more than Recruiting Ring from anywhere else"

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2019 8:06 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Apr 2019 20:06:25 -0400

I would drop a Drill packet instead

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Apr 18 at 2019 10:48 PM

CW4 Craig Urban — Thu, 18 Apr 2019 22:48:35 -0400

I worked for usarec at Cameron Station in 83-85 as the log chief. My job as a CW3 was to in addition of being the accountable officer/PBO advisor to the adjutant was to inspect exhibitors who were on the road 11 months a year. They generally had to be single. A personal friend of mine Dennis Monzingo a top notch Bradley mechanic was forced into recruiting by DA. They put him in Ventura California. Had a lot of guys wanting to enlist but they were all cat 4. He asked to be sent to war and they declined his request. He got out after 8 years. Worked for Lockheed and went civil service. He retired as a GS 12 step 9. Saw him last week here in Thailand south of Pattaya
We were stationed together in Luxembourg. When I was also a GS 12. Recruiting can make a career or break it.

Response by SFC Juan Wilkerson made Jun 8 at 2019 9:52 PM

SFC Juan Wilkerson — Sat, 08 Jun 2019 21:52:55 -0400

I am retired now but spent a lot of years in the Recruiting Command. That experience transitioned me into the private sector in 2001. I have not struggled at all and have done very well financially since leaving the Army. Becoming a 00R was a great decision for me and my family. My time spent was both challenging and rewarding.

Wish you well,

Juan Wilkerson

Response by SFC Jay Thompson made Jun 25 at 2019 5:34 PM

SFC Jay Thompson — Tue, 25 Jun 2019 17:34:28 -0400

It really depends on a lot of things! Some folks really love it and others flat out hate the assignment. I enjoyed my 3 years but I was in a terrible location so it was hard duty.

Response by SFC Wanda Estes made Mar 4 at 2020 12:02 AM

SFC Wanda Estes — Wed, 04 Mar 2020 00:02:46 -0500

It's a very hard demanding job. If you're single I have plenty of time it's not so bad. But if you have a family and your job is not going good you won't see them except to sleep. Unless you just have to some do it to get promoted that's why I did it to get promoted I had got my E7 in recruiting. So you got to look at everything you need to weigh out you could come out as if he 7 all recruiting positions re7 positions anyway. Good luck

Response by SFC Mark Bailey made Mar 4 at 2020 10:22 AM

SFC Mark Bailey — Wed, 04 Mar 2020 10:22:49 -0500

Volunteered Drill SGT, number 11 on 3rd ID Drill SGT selection board of 125 candidates
Redirected enroute to Recruiting (Household goods delivered to Ft Jackson)
42 Missions in USAREC, stationed in a 7-man station in PHX AZ from 1988 to 1991
"Office hours" Mon-Fri 0600-2200/ Sat 0800-1700/ Sun 1000-1400
3-star Gold Badge with 800 points towards my ring when I left
Assistant Station Commander for two years
We used the 'Station Mission' system even though we were not supposed to
That ensured that each of us got 'one bone per month' rather than risk extra duty (The RAP)
Rolled one donut on a double grad female mission (otherwise known as a suicide mission)
Put on The RAP for the next 90 days (Recruiter Assistance Program) adding 2 hours/ day 7 days a week and making every day a "full duty day" so yes, 0500-2300 7 days a week
That almost broke my marriage since I lived 45 minutes away and began sleeping in the office

I told the CSM every month, "I will never convert, I am returning to the Real Army no matter what you say or do"...and yet he called me every first of the month to try to convert me.

Some places are easy, other places are hard, and some are death traps
I can give you some good stories, a lot of bad stories, and a handful of horror stories

If you do this, it will alter your view of a lot of what you hold 'sacred', and what you consider to be 'your breaking point'....and you can take that both good and bad.... personally it was bad

By the way, just for shits sand giggles
I did everything I could to fail USAREC School in Ft Benjamin Harrisoin
In the end, the Commandant walked up to me, smiled, shook my hand and said
"The only way you could have done this bad is by memorizing everything and knowing what NOT to say... Welcome to Recruiting...!!!"

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2020 1:47 PM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Mar 2020 13:47:09 -0500

Thank you all for the comments, fortunately I was selected for SFC in the last board so it looks like this is something i won't have to do.