Recruiter
Recruiter
Recruiter
Responses: 10
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So I had a very unique experience, I was detailed from 1999-2002, was then involuntarily converted to 79R, earned a commission and then returned as a Company Commander. Which did I enjoy the most? Command was the most fulfilling. Being a detailed recruiter was 2nd best because I was able to shape young minds, but being a Cadre 79R was unbearable. Back in 2002-2009 the pressure was incredible and the work hours unsustainable. But overall Recruiting developed my EQ and communication skills.
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My time was spent in KC Bn in Joplin Company 92-94.
One word... Awful!
No desire of the leadership to train... no desire to see me or other recruiters succeed... no desire to reevaluate RZAs when required... limited desire to hold recruiters that were doing actions contrary to "good discipline" accountable.
I can honestly say (for my perception) that leadership didn't appear to care for the recruiters at all.
An interesting story happened in 93.
We were in Springfield, MO (Battlefield Station) for "low producer training" and the 1SG was on a role about how we failed (while we were in a "quasi" formation in the station. He then looks at me (I was at that time an Infantryman.. and one of the only two in the company) and says, "SSG Wesson if I tell you to take a hill and you fail to take the hill you failed your mission right?"
He thought that I'd agree..... wrong!
In a very even tone I replied.
"No 1SG. I didn't fail. My leadership failed because they gave me and my element a mission that didn't succeed... no matter how hard element fought."
He was stunned.
I then added, "Also 1SG, depending on the action... and what was required by the element... there might even be some awards for the soldiers for acts of valor and for those that got wounded in the action."'
I stopped.
What was left in the air that everyone was thinking was... "we get nothing here... at all! not even recognition for trying"
Needless to say, he was pissed.... but could do nothing as he asked a question.
He tried to write me up on a 4856 for insubordination... which I sent to the commander and IG... and was retracted.
A month later the entire Pittsburg, KS Station was relieved and he sent me there to take over... his words to me were actually very decent, "Wes... you're not a great recruiter... but your honest. That's what we need over here right now. Just be yourself and plant those seeds"
I did and when my time was up... went back to the the Army.
One word... Awful!
No desire of the leadership to train... no desire to see me or other recruiters succeed... no desire to reevaluate RZAs when required... limited desire to hold recruiters that were doing actions contrary to "good discipline" accountable.
I can honestly say (for my perception) that leadership didn't appear to care for the recruiters at all.
An interesting story happened in 93.
We were in Springfield, MO (Battlefield Station) for "low producer training" and the 1SG was on a role about how we failed (while we were in a "quasi" formation in the station. He then looks at me (I was at that time an Infantryman.. and one of the only two in the company) and says, "SSG Wesson if I tell you to take a hill and you fail to take the hill you failed your mission right?"
He thought that I'd agree..... wrong!
In a very even tone I replied.
"No 1SG. I didn't fail. My leadership failed because they gave me and my element a mission that didn't succeed... no matter how hard element fought."
He was stunned.
I then added, "Also 1SG, depending on the action... and what was required by the element... there might even be some awards for the soldiers for acts of valor and for those that got wounded in the action."'
I stopped.
What was left in the air that everyone was thinking was... "we get nothing here... at all! not even recognition for trying"
Needless to say, he was pissed.... but could do nothing as he asked a question.
He tried to write me up on a 4856 for insubordination... which I sent to the commander and IG... and was retracted.
A month later the entire Pittsburg, KS Station was relieved and he sent me there to take over... his words to me were actually very decent, "Wes... you're not a great recruiter... but your honest. That's what we need over here right now. Just be yourself and plant those seeds"
I did and when my time was up... went back to the the Army.
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I was recruiting in Hialeah, Florida from 2005 to 2008. I learned what back stabbing really mean while over there. I went from zero to hero and back several times. I learned what toxic leadership really is. I did good, earned the gold badge with three sapphires, but my biggest achievement is that I was able to help out some people. I missed it a few times and even thought about going back, now I am glad I didn't.
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1SG Cameron M. Wesson
You make a great point. I did learn a lot for the negative leadership experiences that I was subjected too... and that I would not inflict those on others.
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SFC William Swartz Jr
Good old Miami BN....I was in Ft. Lauderdale Company, Hollywood RS, '95-'98, and it was the exact same then, leadership was toxic, did not care at all about the individual recruiters within their command from the RS thru the BN...Things were so bad the first year I was put there, that the day after our FY '96 ATC where we celebrated being the top BN for the year, the next day most of the leadership of the company covering Miami and two of it's RSs were relieved as it turned out they had been operating a transcript mill with the Miami Job Corps.....longest, worst three years of my 26 year career and my life....
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MSG (Join to see)
SFC William Swartz Jr - That's crazy, the South Miami recruiting company was doing a similar transcript mill while I was there. I couldn't agree more with you, those years were terrible, with terrible leadership. Only a couple of NCOs did the right thing.
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