What are some of those things that your recruiter or officer-selection-officer got right?

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 16:41:44 -0400

What are some of those things that your recruiter or officer-selection-officer got right? Did they take extra time to mentor or prepare you for the rigors of training? Did they give you a glimpse of the future, and take measures to help get you there? Did they execute sound and responsible leadership? In my own case, my Recruiter was all of these things and more; a mentor, leader, professional, and friend who helped prepare me for the road ahead... has anyone else had a similar experience? How did it impact your career, your outlook, leadership/mentorship style, or impression of the military? Please feel free to share any informative and/or inspirational stories, articles, photos, etc. about Recruiting or Recruiters. I'm certain this will be a great conversation, so strap on your seatbelts, it's time to get this thing started; thank you for all that you do, and... see you all in the discussion threads!

Response by PO2 Rocky Kleeger made Apr 27 at 2014 4:50 PM

PO2 Rocky Kleeger — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 16:50:45 -0400

My original Marine Corps recruiter told me that boot camp would be several weeks of Hell, he was right. Also, since a judge gave me a choice of prison or the military, he presumed I would go infantry. Then, he saw my ASVAB scores and put me in something better.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 27 at 2014 5:17 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 17:17:28 -0400

I just want to say, as a former recruiter, I went out of my way to not sugar coat anything for my potential recruits. I told them the good as well as the bad. If I had to speculate, I think that's what made me so successful... Everyone knew they weren't getting a b.s. answer if they came to me. Hopefully the ones that I put in now appreciate that. I still keep in touch with a handful of people I put in the Army and they all seem to be stellar Soldiers!

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 27 at 2014 5:48 PM

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 17:48:43 -0400

In order to expand upon the topic and conversation just a bit, here are just a few other items to consider; thank you for all that you do, and... see you all in the discussion threads!

Response by MSgt Keith Hebert made Apr 27 at 2014 6:28 PM

MSgt Keith Hebert — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 18:28:56 -0400

I would say yes wholeheartedly
While I was in DEP for the USMC. I had gotten into a little bit trouble and one recruiter wiped his if me and one GYSgt Horvath took me under his wing. Mentored me and talked me into staying in and then write to me in boot camp.
I can honestly say that he saved my life. With out GYSgt Horvath I would have been able to claim the title of Marine, and learned that I can do anything.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Apr 28 at 2014 8:20 AM

SGT Ben Keen — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 08:20:06 -0400

I would have to say that my recruiter was really open and honest about everything to me. He took the time to sit down with me and got to know me so when it came time to select my MOS he did a great job in narrowing down the jobs to the ones he knew I would fit into but left the others on the table for me to look at if I so wanted to. Once I picked my MOS, he took the time to call around and found a recruiter in the area that had the same MOS who then sat down with me and went over the day-to-day stuff of the MOS. Together, they painted a clear picture of what Basic, AIT and my duty assignments were like. The only thing that they got wrong was thinking that I wouldn't be that close to the front lines. While that was true in 1999 by 2001 that statement was no longer right but isn't like they had a crystal ball. Either way, I am for ever thankful to (then) SSG B and SGT A who have gone on to become 1SG B and retire. Not ever sure what became of SGT A though.

Response by SSG Jeffrey Spencer made Apr 28 at 2014 2:46 PM

SSG Jeffrey Spencer — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 14:46:33 -0400

That my first enlistment was for 3 years. ;oP

Response by David Dietrich made Apr 28 at 2014 9:31 PM

David Dietrich — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 21:31:01 -0400

My recruiter SSgt Robert Overfield gave me a comprehensive idea about what basic training and life in the AF would be like after getting out of tech school. I had very few surprises and I can tell you that he is one of the most honest recruiters I ever met. I met him in 1982 and will never forget his name. I appreciated his honesty and guidance. Hat tip to Robert Overfield no matter where you may be.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2014 9:48 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 21:48:39 -0400

My recruiter was really open and honest with me about what Marine Corps boot camp was like. He would train with me and my older brother to get us in shape and taught us drill and ceremony. Even though it was tough he taught me not to quit. In my company alone we had several quit and one commit suicide, I don’t know if I could have made it through that experience without my recruiter.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2014 11:25 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 23:25:46 -0400

My dad was a retired Air Force during the Vietnam War. His take was obey and respect those over me. Set a good example be proud of the uniform. So I guess I had more than one recruiter.

Response by SSG Jim Handy made Apr 29 at 2014 5:49 PM

SSG Jim Handy — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 17:49:31 -0400

The only thing they promised me was $2500 for going combat arms and that my first permanent duty station would be 18 months at Ft. Benning, and they did that. My quality of life was actually much better after joining the Army. I had no complaints. When I came in it was an all volunteer Army, It was YOUR decision to join. I understand that military life isn't for everyone, but if that turns out to be you, you don't whine and complain like a little girl. YOU made a commitment and you need to man up and fulfill your obligation until your time is up. You don't bad mouth the military just because you don't like it, IT WAS YOUR CHOICE!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2014 6:16 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 18:16:19 -0400

Sir,

My recruiter was, for lack of a better term, horrible. I took myself to and from the airport. I made sure I was where I was supposed to be when I was supposed to be there. I was lied to about the types of things I would be doing and he calmed my fear of the war by stating that with my MOS I would never be deployed. He also did not give me any guidance or advice about what I was about to face.

Honestly though, this was the best thing he could have ever done for me. I am currently serving as a detailed recruiter and I go out of my way to make sure that I am nothing like my recruiter was. I am honest with my prospects and applicants. While they are in my delayed entry program I try to give them as much useful knowledge as I possibly can. I try to always be that NCO that these Future Soldiers can come to when they need advice or have questions. I do this not only for the Future Soldiers but also for their families. I also try to maintain and mentor these Soldiers long after we have sent the to basic training. I try to be everything my recruiter was not.

SSG Ryan

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2014 9:11 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 21:11:48 -0400

I held my OCS Board with a group of NG LTCs and COLs that were stationed with me in Bosnia (I am intentionally omitting dates and the state involved). They had just rotated in and didn't know me personally, which I thought was fair.

When I went to Germany to raise my right hand, my recruiter's supervisor SFC Blue (great guy), took me aside and let me know about the many racist comments that the officers had made in their "recommendations" for OCS. They said things like, "very articulate for a black person; a real credit to her race;" "being black, I would have expected a faster run time, but she is coming from the civilian world so that probably accounts for it;" "would be of great use to AFRICOM;" and my personal favorite: "remarkably likable, untrue of much of her kind." And this is just a sample of what I remember. He asked if I wanted to try to reconvene a board in Germany and get rid of these board comments. I declined. He offered to see if he could have them stricken from my record. I declined again. I told him I needed to keep them because when I pick up O6, I will have my OCS board comments read aloud. He clapped me on the back and told me he knew I was going to make it.

Response by SSG Laureano Pabon made Apr 29 at 2014 10:07 PM

SSG Laureano Pabon — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 22:07:42 -0400

Around May 1976 I was in my room looking out the window contemplating a possible future. I was attending Aviation HS that the time. My mother walled in curious and told me that I should look for something in Electronics. Later that week my friends said they were joining the Army, so I went with them.
When I first saw the Army recruiter I thought nothing. He asked me if I wanted to join, I said "Yes". I was 17 years old at the time and told my mother that an Army recruiter was coming over to have her sign some papers, she said NO!.
Well I said if she doesn't sign them I will have my sister forge the papers so I can go in. When he came, he explained in detail what was going to happen so she signed them.
My recruiter told me some words before our last meeting.
He said these words: "Expect the worse when I get in", so I don't fall short of high expectations. He tried to get me into a good MOS's but I already selected the work I wanted to do, Electronics radio repair operator. Thing is that my recruiter never lied to me, but when I made my selection, I sensed that he knew something about it and that he wanted something better. So him being an E6 Vietnam Veteran set the example for me to go by.

Response by SrA Troy Barber made May 6 at 2014 2:01 PM

SrA Troy Barber — Tue, 06 May 2014 14:01:30 -0400

My Recruiter was straight forward. his advice was simple "just remember it's like playing football, it is their ball, their field and their rules just listen play by the rules and DO NOT RAISE YOUR HAND, EVER". He then gave me 3 self addressed stamped envelopes and told me not to write him for the first 3 weeks because and I quote "You will not like me for the first 3 weeks and will cuss me with every breath then as you adjust it gets easier, Then write me and let me know how you are doing". He was right I cussed him badly for the first week but I adapted well and in the second week things got better. I would never tell anyone it is easy but if you remember what he told me it makes it a lot easier to deal with.

Response by SGT Thomas Lucken made May 6 at 2014 5:48 PM

SGT Thomas Lucken — Tue, 06 May 2014 17:48:01 -0400

My signature on my first contract! Not much else! :-)

Response by SGM Jerry Finin made May 6 at 2014 9:29 PM

SGM Jerry Finin — Tue, 06 May 2014 21:29:32 -0400

Enlisting me!

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made May 14 at 2014 8:44 PM

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 May 2014 20:44:16 -0400

http://www.military.com/daily-news/2014/05/13/military-forced-to-get-picky-in-recruiting.html?ESRC=airforce-a.nl

Military Forced to Get Picky in Recruiting

Army Sgt. 1st Class Terrence Hoard must reach potential recruits early to set them straight. They think anybody can enlist. Many see the military as a last resort in a tough job market -- but always an option, the youth assume. Truth is, the class of 2014 now leaving high school will face more d...

Response by 1SG Johnny Carter made May 15 at 2014 8:08 AM

1SG Johnny Carter — Thu, 15 May 2014 08:08:56 -0400

My recruiter did right by me. Told me the Army wasn't for everyone and that it was up to me to take advantage of an opportunity of a life time!! I think I got it right! Love this job!!

Response by SSG Mike Angelo made Jul 6 at 2014 8:12 PM

SSG Mike Angelo — Sun, 06 Jul 2014 20:12:07 -0400

I came from a military family background and it was my turn. I would say that my recruiter did his job well and got me in the door. The rest was up to me.

It was a different era and a different army.

I graduated from high school and joined the army June 76. The process of enlistment was quick and easy for me.

Response by SPC Charles Brown made Jul 6 at 2014 10:17 PM

SPC Charles Brown — Sun, 06 Jul 2014 22:17:51 -0400

Sign right here next to the X.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2014 9:43 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Jul 2014 21:43:45 -0400

I would like to thank all the army recruiters back in san angelo, tx. Especially SFC eddie romero he was always 100%, he never sugar coated anything, made time for me after hours because i was working long hours out of town at times and even working 2 jobs. He even drove me 8 hrs to meps on his off time just to work with my schedule. The recruiters even helped out my wife and kids understand what was going on, and taking them on post to show them where the deers, tricare,clinic were while i was gone to basic. They prepared me and gave me the tools to succeed. And i will forever be greatful.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2014 10:03 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Jul 2014 22:03:48 -0400

My recruiters told me to know the entire upper Chain of Command, all ranks and rates for all branches, all General orders, and the Sailor's Creed before going to boot camp. It helped me out TREMENDOUSLY

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2014 2:38 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Jul 2014 14:38:14 -0400

I greatly appreciate the recruiters from my RSS. It was truly a team effort on their part as they welcomed me to their family. They sugar coated nothing and informed me of everything from possibilities to likelihoods and stereotypes within the ranks. They prepared me physically for training but mentally for the fleet. Suggestions and leadership advice they gave me I remember to this day and have helped me along the way. To this day they keep in contact with me and share their support.

Response by MSgt James Bowers made Aug 20 at 2015 9:47 AM

MSgt James Bowers — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 09:47:03 -0400

My recruiter's best advice to me was to keep my mouth closed and do as told and I would have no problem in Basic training. I did and I had no problems!

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2015 12:56 AM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 00:56:34 -0400

Not one damn thing.

Response by TSgt Ryan Lee made Aug 25 at 2015 11:44 AM

TSgt Ryan Lee — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 11:44:09 -0400

He was right when he said to not volunteer for anything in basic training. However he didn't let me know to respond back to the instructors with "yes, sir." I got smoked my first day right after I got off the plane when they came to pick us up at the airport. When they called for "Lee," I responded with "Yo!" Not pretty outcome, haha! He did say that is a great service to be in and the ability to travel, he hit that on the head 110%, I have traveled to 29 countries and was stationed overseas for 10+ years. I never regretted my service ever, however crappy some situations got.

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Aug 26 at 2015 10:30 PM

SGT Jerrold Pesz — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 22:30:17 -0400

Since I actually enjoyed the army I have been sitting here trying to think of something good to say but I can't. Nothing that I was told turned out to be true and nothing that I was promised ever happened. However I was never sure that I was intentionally lied to. The entire process started out screwed up. I was trying to join the army for OCS and wanted to leave in June when that semester was over. Instead I got a draft notice to report in April. Had to withdraw from school & lost a bunch of money. Recruiter said that there was nothing that he could do about that but that I could re-enlist and still go to OCS. I did. I was given orders with a class date and class number for OCS. Unfortunately they were for a school that they were planning to open at Ft. Jackson. They never opened the school but they had sent a bunch of us there to attend this non-existent school. We were then told that all classes were full for Ft. Benning for the next year but when they had openings we would be sent there. In the meantime we were sent all over the place. As far as I know no one in that group ever got to Benning. A couple of years later when I was getting close to my ETS they told me that if I would re-enlist again that they could get me a class date for OCS. I don't know if anyone else went for that deal but I decided to pass. However overall I loved my time in the army and I met lots of good people, got to see lots of places and I really think that they didn't know that the school was not going to open. I think that they thought that they were telling us the truth.

Response by SSgt David Swart made Aug 27 at 2015 12:37 PM

SSgt David Swart — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 12:37:10 -0400

Yes I did get training that helped me get a good job when I got discharged! The rest he was just filling quotas and needed bodies.

Response by SMSgt Tony Barnes made Aug 27 at 2015 2:14 PM

SMSgt Tony Barnes — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 14:14:38 -0400

I was the 1st Sgt for all the recruiters in North Texas...amazing group of Airmen