Posted on Jan 28, 2020
Ella Diaz
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This a bit of a long backstory but I really need some advice. My husband was in the Marines and finished his four year contract last year. We have a two year old boy and I always wanted to join the military but I didn’t believe it was possible due to finally settling in for the first time with my husband and both of us attending school. I decided to join the reserves because not only would I be able to finally join and do my part as much as I could but also go to college and receive my degree. My husband and I finally met with a navy recruiter and everything seems to go smoothly, I passed the pre asvab and we initially started the paperwork for me to go to meps. Fast forward a few weeks later I finally go to meps, I passed my medical and asvab and was waiting to choose my job and swear In that day until my recruiter mentioned that there were 0 jobs available for me and saidI have two options, I can either swear in with an active duty contract and once a reserve job opens I can switch back to reserve and that would be it. Option 2 he said that I can simply wait for a reserve job opening and it shouldn’t take long because so many people back out or new jobs open up and I shouldn’t worry about that. I decided I’d wait because I did not feel comfortable swearing in active. Fast forward two weeks later he texts me saying a heads up that reserve jobs might open Friday and I said great. A few days later he sends a message telling me I should really switch the contract temporarily to active and he and his supervisors promise me I will not leave active, I proceed to say I’m not comfortable with the idea I’d much rather wait and he starts escalating with me saying he can even talk with me and my husband if that’s the case and I simply decline over the idea and then says to me “I’m not in the business of screwing people over” and “I don’t make promises I can’t keep. Just letting you know.” It surprised me because not only did he mention he hates his recruiting duty and he can’t wait to leave to do his actual job, but he also said to my husband a few weeks before that he hates promising things to people. My recruiter then said he scheduled me for meps to do the contract and I told him I wasn’t comfortable then he replied “Alright then, my supervisor will probably give you a call because I already scheduled.” I proceed to get mad of how this even occurred and how he scheduled me in within the 10 minutes or less of speaking with him. My husband advised me to not respond to any of that or else he’s only going to push more. Supervisor then calls me but I couldn’t answer due to being in class and that was that for that day. The following day the recruiter sends another text saying “did my boss give you a call?” “Also good morning” I was baffled that he still didn’t realize the problem I was placed in and still seems like he is making me speak to his supervisor to pressure me. Is there anything I can do? I still have not responded, I don’t feel comfortable even going back to the recruiting station because they are all in this pressure I’m being placed in. Is there a way to ignore it for him to realize I haven’t fallen into this pressure? Or should I try a different recruiter? I had told him previously that I’m not picky with my reserve job either so I don’t feel like I’m causing a problem, he just wants me to switch to temporary active duty and swear in active but I don’t want to do it.
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Responses: 40
Maj John Bell
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If you don't want to go active, DO NOT sign an agreement that says you will. Do not EVER sign ANY agreement with ANYONE unless you are happy with having to fulfill your obligations as spelled out in that agreement. If they make a verbal promise, they won't object to putting it in writing if they intend to keep that promise.
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Ella Diaz
Ella Diaz
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He even mentioned he’s done it “many times before” but even if he’s done it hundreds of times, he won’t even be here. He said he’s leaving in August to do his actual job and leaving recruiting duty, even if he kept his promise, it doesn’t mean the next recruiter will take their time to switch me back if I’m already in the dep program. I feel like it’s my fault even though it isn’t, I want to go to school, I have obligations at home and especially a two year old. I can’t risk any of that. If you were in my situation would you seek another recruiter or stay with that one? A friend who is already in said other navy recruiters would have it easier to take me in because I passed meps and haven’t signed a contract yet.
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SFC Christopher Taggart
SFC Christopher Taggart
4 y
Think of a recruiter as a used-car salesman...need I say more? There is no warranty on an "as-is" sale.
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SMSgt Cary Baker
SMSgt Cary Baker
4 y
Ella Diaz - Hi Ella, several of my past airman have served as recruiters - you are a number to them and they are evaluated/graded heavily on meeting a quota. Just like Major Bell said - don't sign anything unless it's put in writing. Joining the military isn't a little thing - you are raising your right hand and swearing that you will defend the constitution of the US and the officers appointed over you - and do this with your life! Ensure you are getting what you want.

Military is a good life - I served for 28 years and don't regret a minute of it.
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PO3 Phyllis Maynard
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Ella Diaz CAUTION: I have never in my life heard of such an option. Active Duty is active duty. One has to fulfill the contract tour if duty, first. Then one can go into the active or inactive reserves. That is a standard option. But if you sign a contract to go active duty for a certain number of years, you will have to fulfill the contract the way it is written. Recruiters have quotas to meet. If I were you I would call the Department of the Navy and ask questions. [login to see] and Google Department of the Navy. This recruiter is bad news. Tell them what he said. There may be such a program, but that is sketchy.
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Ella Diaz
Ella Diaz
4 y
He apparently mentioned it’s called a “roll out” but I never have heard any of that before. Also he’s dealt with more active than reserve, I would have gone to a reserve station but there wasn’t any near my area and they insisted it would be pointless to look for one if they can do it here. What is more sketchy to me is that he is leaving soon so if the next recruiter who takes his place comes in, he would care less what that recruiter promised me. I’ll see if I can call but even if they told me there was such a thing, I’m still not comfortable with it and I know if I ever go back to the station I will basically be harassed into doing it because the rest of them also were in on this pressure. At this point I feel like I should switch my recruiter..
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PO3 Phyllis Maynard
PO3 Phyllis Maynard
4 y
Ella Diaz smart move switch recruiters. However, if you are dealing in the same area, probably they all are in on the tactic. I think calling is better because, hopefully, you will get someone who had no investment in meeting a quota. I've been there; done that. If he is lying, you are stuck, my dear. Think...they are currently deploying personnel to this Iran crises. Make the call. If you are not satisfied. Do nothing. Take a break, then revisit.
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1st Lt Padre Dave Poedel
1st Lt Padre Dave Poedel
4 y
Ella: see my post above.....you are talking to the wrong kind of recruiter.....
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CSM Charles Hayden
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I have a slightly used bridge in Brooklyn, you can have it for cheap! Interested?
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SFC Christopher Taggart
SFC Christopher Taggart
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Will you take payments and does it come with a moat?
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CSM Charles Hayden
CSM Charles Hayden
4 y
SFC Christopher Taggart Greenbacks only!
No MPC!
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