What memorable thing did your Recruiter say to you?

SGT Richard H. — Tue, 23 Sep 2014 13:13:55 -0400

Most of us can probably remember something inspiring or just plain ridiculous that our recruiter said to us. What was yours?

Mine was when I had been talking to both the Army and the Marine Corps. The Army was offering enlistment bonuses, so I asked the Marine Corps Recruiter whether the Marine Corps offered a bonus.

His reply: "Yes. You get to be a Marine."

I signed that day.

Response by SSG Laureano Pabon made Sep 23 at 2014 1:17 PM

SSG Laureano Pabon — Tue, 23 Sep 2014 13:17:28 -0400

Mines was the day I was going to basic, He said : "Expect the worse", "Don't hang around with people who's hair is longer then yours".

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 23 at 2014 1:50 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Sep 2014 13:50:45 -0400

My recruiter told me that the National Guard doesn't deploy.....

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Sep 23 at 2014 1:54 PM

MSG Wade Huffman — Tue, 23 Sep 2014 13:54:14 -0400

OK.. here is one of my favorite stories to tell....especially when asked WHY I joined the Army.
It was 1983, the economy was pretty bad, and I was a college student quickly running out of money. I had been talking to an Air Force recruiter in great detail for several days, and on my last visit I was almost certain that I would join the Air Force. On the way out, I decided to stop in the Army recruiters office - just to see what they had to say. During the conversation I told him I was currently in college and he asked how many hours I had, I told him and he said I could come in as an E-3. I asked what that meant and he showed me the pay chart. WELL.. that makes a difference!
I began wondering if the Air Force had overlooked this bit of information and went back to the Air Force Recruiter I had been working with and told him that the Army would let me join as an E-3 because of my college credit. His answer... he looked me straight in the eyes and said, quote, "Then go join the F-ing Army!" And I did.
So, in short, the reason I joined the Army was because the Air Force Recruiter told me to!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 23 at 2014 2:00 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Sep 2014 14:00:30 -0400

My recruiter came to me,

said Say what ya wanna be!

Response by SPC Christopher Smith made Sep 23 at 2014 2:27 PM

SPC Christopher Smith — Tue, 23 Sep 2014 14:27:47 -0400

"OSC has a year and a half waiting list, you would be better to enter as a Specialist and turn in the paperwork to go when you get to your first unit."

Yeah, that seems to have worked really well, oh, and at BCT the O9S informed me he waited three months to go to BCT, to my six months.

Thank you recruiter for your selfish service, I'm happy he is no longer in the Army.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 23 at 2014 2:34 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Sep 2014 14:34:26 -0400

I enlisted in the Corps with two other buddies. On the way to the airport to leave to boot camp. The recruiter told my wife and I that one of my buddies wouldn't make it through boot camp. Within three weeks one of my buddies (the one he said) was discharged for medical reasons. The mistake my buddy made was signing to release the Corps of any responsibility. All so he could discharge and walk away, rather then they taking care of the problem and being recycled to a different platoon.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Sep 23 at 2014 2:53 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Tue, 23 Sep 2014 14:53:27 -0400

"One weekend a month and two weeks a year"

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Sep 23 at 2014 4:09 PM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Tue, 23 Sep 2014 16:09:38 -0400

Ironically, my recruiter never lied or even stretched the true. His statement was pretty simple.

I can only promise you what is in your contract. If it isn't on paper, it doesn't exist. If you flunk out of Tech School, it becomes needs of the AF or out the door.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 23 at 2014 4:21 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Sep 2014 16:21:50 -0400

"No means Go"

Response by SPC Brian Aranda made Sep 23 at 2014 4:28 PM

SPC Brian Aranda — Tue, 23 Sep 2014 16:28:52 -0400

I originally wanted to join the Navy and be a pilot, the recruiter told me I needed to have perfect vision in order to fly fighter jets and tried to get me into the nuke program instead. I went to talk to the army recruiter and was told that I could choose anything I wanted ( I was one of those high ASVAB scorers). When I got to MEPS I started talking to the other potentials there and eventually signed up as Airborne Infantry.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 23 at 2014 4:35 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Sep 2014 16:35:31 -0400

I didn' give mine the opportunity to feed me any tales or lies. After the 2AM discussion I had with our one-man Police Force, Cheif of Police (Mr. Sonny) and he read me the riot act of what was about to happen to me if I didn't do something quick....for once he wasn't kidding and for once I was listening. The Army Recruiter was the only one in his office that morning at 10AM. At 2PM that afternoon I was on the bus to Raleigh, NC MEPS. Tested, physical, raised my hand, and was stepped of the train in Columbia SC, met by four Ft. Jackson Drill Sergeants, kicked our asses onto the bus and I was in Basic Training in less than 24 hrs. 20 December 1973. 11th ACR and Fulda Germany here I come...loved it from day 1 and stayed almost 23 years.

Side Story about Mr.Sonny. 12 yrs later, I was stationed at Ft. Bragg, a SFC Platoon Sergeant and drove down home visiting one weekend. Home was 75 miles from Bragg. I stopped in the "ole Country Store that Saturday morning, and there sat the now retired One Man Police Force- Chief Mr. Sonny, by then in his 70s. I was in BDUS (a fun jump that morning), and he said, "Boy, I see that talk we had did you some good didn't it?" I said, "Mr. Sonny I'm a Sergeant First Class in the US Army, will ever be a man to you?" He laughed, "Boy as much hell as you used to raise, I'm surprised you lived this long, but you'll aways be the boy I remember!" I said, Yes Sir as I shook his hand to leave....after I paid for his pepsi and pack of crackers.

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 23 at 2014 5:19 PM

SrA Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Sep 2014 17:19:45 -0400

SGT Richard H. oooo rah, Semper Fi!!

Response by PO1 Tracy Dreyer made Sep 23 at 2014 5:31 PM

PO1 Tracy Dreyer — Tue, 23 Sep 2014 17:31:14 -0400

I'm a Airdale, I don't know a damn thing about Seabees!

Response by PO3 Shaun Taylor made Sep 23 at 2014 5:55 PM

PO3 Shaun Taylor — Tue, 23 Sep 2014 17:55:26 -0400

My Army recruiter told me that joining would be an experience you'll never forget.

My Navy recruiter told me my life would never be the same.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 23 at 2014 7:55 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Tue, 23 Sep 2014 19:55:13 -0400

"Trust Me"

Response by MSgt Keith Hebert made Sep 23 at 2014 9:12 PM

MSgt Keith Hebert — Tue, 23 Sep 2014 21:12:26 -0400

my marine recruiter just said "so you think you want to be a marine" and that was about all it took

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 23 at 2014 10:08 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Sep 2014 22:08:00 -0400

The first time I walked into my recruiters office he looked up from behind his desk and pointed at a cooler on the couch and asked me to grab him a beer and to get one for myself and lets talk. I was sold.

Response by Cpl Rodney Patterson made Sep 24 at 2014 2:38 AM

Cpl Rodney Patterson — Wed, 24 Sep 2014 02:38:51 -0400

Once you earn the title Marine, it's yours forever and no one can ever take it away.

Response by PO1 Ken Johnson made Sep 24 at 2014 7:21 AM

PO1 Ken Johnson — Wed, 24 Sep 2014 07:21:44 -0400

There are two policys in the Navy that you will find every where you go, be it four years or 30 year you stay in MY Navy....

CYA - and we all know what that one is, "if it ain't in writing it don't exist"

NAVY - Never Again Volunteer Yourself

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 24 at 2014 8:49 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Sep 2014 08:49:26 -0400

He told me I was going to get so many girls after basic training....

Response by 2LT Paul Denhup made Sep 24 at 2014 12:49 PM

2LT Paul Denhup — Wed, 24 Sep 2014 12:49:09 -0400

"Years from now you'll remember when you first joined and wish you could do it all over again." I find immense truth in that 23 years later.

Response by CSM Vince Gunter Sr. made Sep 24 at 2014 7:27 PM

CSM Vince Gunter Sr. — Wed, 24 Sep 2014 19:27:26 -0400

It was the summer of 1982 and I was working for my mother as a groundskeeper for an apartment complex she managed in DC . One day I decided I could not work for my mother and needed to get out on my own and try something new. I went down to the recruiting office and ran into a SSG Smith. He asked me what I wanted to do in the Army and I told him I wanted to be a MP. He told me that MP wasn't available but Infantry needed people. I asked him what was infantry and he replied, " It's like the Boys Scouts". After I went to basic training I was wondering why I join the Infantry but 32 years later I was glad I stuck with it and retired feeling fulfilled.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 24 at 2014 11:39 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Sep 2014 23:39:29 -0400

What is with the AF recruitment offices and being closed? My Dad, in 1981, originally went to sign on with the AF, but the office was closed. Went next door and joined the Army because those Joes were kicked back with the door wide open.
Had the Army guys not been there, I guess his baby girl would be a Marine right now! Life is so interesting in hindsight. Wouldn't trade it, though!

Response by LCpl Norberto G Bernabe Jr made Sep 25 at 2014 11:52 AM

LCpl Norberto G Bernabe Jr — Thu, 25 Sep 2014 11:52:03 -0400

Gunny Z called and asked me every Tuesday at 1900 for two straight years, "Do you wanna be a Marine?" I told him I'd let him know the week after. After 2 years, I finally told him "Yeah, I want to be a Marine. Come pick me up."

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 25 at 2014 12:43 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Sep 2014 12:43:13 -0400

All I know is that they were all lies!

I remember him telling me that if you wanted career progression to join the Army. So, I bought it and did.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 25 at 2014 12:54 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Sep 2014 12:54:48 -0400

Nope. Can't even remember what he looked like, much less anything he said. But I do seem to recall a buttload of alcohol being imbibed over a 3 day / 4 nite period. Can anyone say "shanghaied?".....LOL

Response by SSgt Gregory Guina made Sep 25 at 2014 12:56 PM

SSgt Gregory Guina — Thu, 25 Sep 2014 12:56:16 -0400

ME: Why should I join the Marine Corps
Recruiter: Why should I let you join the Marine Corps

DAMN HIM more than 20 years later

Response by SGT Mitch McKinley made Sep 25 at 2014 1:00 PM

SGT Mitch McKinley — Thu, 25 Sep 2014 13:00:37 -0400

SSG Bart W Wingo.

He told me AIT was just like college. And he was right, if you consider that college and AIT both have classes, building and instructors.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 25 at 2014 8:03 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Sep 2014 20:03:17 -0400

Don't salute the plane!

Response by SSG Joe Cheney made Sep 25 at 2014 9:13 PM

SSG Joe Cheney — Thu, 25 Sep 2014 21:13:29 -0400

THE ARMY RECRUITER HAD SIGNED ME UP TO BE A PHYSICIAN'S ASSISTANT,.......BUT I BEGGED TO GET INTO THE INFANTRY...... I HAD ALREADY DITCHED THE AIR FORCE TO GO ARMY I WANTED TO BE AN AIRBORNE RANGER SOOOOOO BAD ! RECRUITER SAID "I DON'T RECOMEND DOING THIS HARD STUFF MAN" BUT I GOT MY WAY ANYHOW !!

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 25 at 2014 9:30 PM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Sep 2014 21:30:46 -0400

When I was a senior in High School I went to college fair. There were ROTC recruiters for all 3 services. The Army ROTC recruiter was also the New Mexico Military Institute Recruiter. They have a program where you could get a commission in the reserves with just an associates degree, with the caveat that you had to be in the reserves and finish a bachelors within 2 years. Then after completion of the bachelors you could apply to go on active duty. This sounded awesome being a 2nd Lt in two years. I ended up getting a scholarship to attend NMMI. At the last minute I opted not to contract in the ROTC but try a year as a non contract cadet in the MS-1 ranks. Turns out that was best decision of my life. In one year in the ROTC I found that I had no business leading troops in a ground combat environment. Not trying to offend you Army folks, but the ground warfare is just not my thing as a an introverted personality.

I ended up leaving NMMI after the first year to go to a normal college. I did not join an ROTC unit for quite a while. I wanted to fly but in the 90's there were that many pilot slots being given out so I was not sure what I wanted to do if I was going to go in the military. Later on I reconsidered the Air Force to be an Engineer. I went to job fair at my university and ROTC recruiters were there again. This time that the Air Force and Navy both pilot flood gate wide open. I was going to do the Navy at first but they wanted my EE degree sooner than my plan. The AF had a one year extension plan for engineers. So I went in the Air Force and became a pilot, granted half of it was in Drones. Now I am a non-flying reservist because my drone time does not count.

Response by SGT Charles Prewett made Sep 25 at 2014 10:10 PM

SGT Charles Prewett — Thu, 25 Sep 2014 22:10:12 -0400

They'll be plenty of guys your age at basic! ( NG age 30 - I was the oldest on the whole base) Ft Sill OK 1988

Response by CW3 Terry Tex made Sep 26 at 2014 8:55 AM

CW3 Terry Tex — Fri, 26 Sep 2014 08:55:09 -0400

When I went in.....I looked at the recruiter and said, "The question is not what I can do for the Army, the question is, what the Army can do for me? I am sure he thought I was an arrogant S**t! He had me take a pre-test to see if I could get in. I scored on the high side. So I went in with no collage as an E-1 and twenty two years later I retired as a CW3 Chief Warrant Officer with a collage degree. Had a great time and yes I would do it all again.

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Sep 26 at 2014 8:56 AM

CW5 Sam R. Baker — Fri, 26 Sep 2014 08:56:06 -0400

If you get two guys to enlist you will go to basic as a Private First Class! I did get two, it didn't happen!

Response by PO2 Rocky Kleeger made Sep 26 at 2014 9:57 AM

PO2 Rocky Kleeger — Fri, 26 Sep 2014 09:57:52 -0400

Boot camp is gonna suck