Posted on Apr 27, 2014
What are some of those things that your recruiter or officer-selection-officer got right?
18.5K
71
46
6
6
0
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!
Posted in these groups: 
Recruiter
Recruiter
Edited 10 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 29
2
2
0
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!
(2)
(0)
Col (Join to see)
Great point SSG Krebsbach, there is no need to sugarcoat, most are already aware of at least some aspect of the challenges of military life, and today with widespread availability of the internet, folks are going to come into the office with some knowledge of what to expect. Good job keeping-it-real out there on the street... I'm sure it has helped many future leaders to get the foothold necessary to succeed... well done SSG!
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
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.
(2)
(0)
Col (Join to see)
PO2 Kleeger, good point, I don't know of too many marine recruiters that sell the 'Private Benjamin-version' of military life. In my experience (Marine NCO, Officer, and HQ MCRC) most are pretty up-front on the realities of life in the Marine Corps, my recruiter certainly was candid about what to expect, and how to prepare. I went through the Enlisted Commissioning Program (ECP) in the Marines so I didn't work with an Officer Selection Officer (OSO), but have met and worked closely with a number of them over the years; IMHO the sentiment is largely the same, prepare folks for the mental and physical rigors ahead, for success of the corps, unit, and for your marines. Also, it looks like your ASVAB score may have contributed or led to a career path or transition to the Navy, was this the case (or did I mis-read the situation)? Thank you for your service and thanks for sharing!
(0)
(0)
PO2 Rocky Kleeger
Prior enlisted to officer? Those are the absolute best officers to work for - with one exception, for me - my favorite pilot to work with was a Marine Captain that was prior enlisted. He was the favorite of all of us on the Flight Line. He was the bouncer for the officers when I would throw line parties. I couldn't beat the snot out of the disorderly drunk officer, even in my own home, but HE sure could...Semper Fi!!!
(1)
(0)
PO2 Rocky Kleeger
And, no, you didn't misread the situation. In 1990, I was told that Marine Airwing was full and I would have had to reenlist as infantry. I knew I didn't have the convictions to be RECON. I got out and enlisted in the Navy Reserves. Afterwards, I went to Navy Active Duty
(1)
(0)
Suspended Profile
Maj Burns,
He said it would be a deeply moving, personally, and professionally meaningful experience.
Vietnam was all that and much more!!!
Warmet Regards, Sandy
He said it would be a deeply moving, personally, and professionally meaningful experience.
Vietnam was all that and much more!!!
Warmet Regards, Sandy
1
1
0
I was the 1st Sgt for all the recruiters in North Texas...amazing group of Airmen
(1)
(0)
Suspended Profile
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.
1
1
0
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.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
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.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
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!
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
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.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
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.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google