Getting rid of recruiting as a special duty assignment?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 13 Apr 2014 14:33:23 -0400

I fielded this question in my recruiting center and was surprised by some of the responses. Should recruiting be a application only MOS?

Detailed recruiters are on assignment for 3 years. They typically aren't really in their element for at least a year and turnover can be detrimental to a center. Should the Army add 79R to the SMAPP program (promo to E-5) and establish a more experienced, consistent recruiting force?

Response by SSG Ed Mikus made Apr 13 at 2014 3:08 PM

SSG Ed Mikus — Sun, 13 Apr 2014 15:08:42 -0400

That's a great question, i can see a lot of positives and negatives to that. Maybe have more permanent recruiters and less detail recruiters could better the balance.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 13 at 2014 10:57 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 13 Apr 2014 22:57:54 -0400

I can see both sides to your question. I've been in USAREC since 2005 and I've seen a little bit of everything. I'll say that for now, mainly due to no evidence to support the argument (lol), I'd say that the current system with detailed recruiters makes sense. Some Soldiers need a special duty assignment on their resume to strengthen their career, and others prefer it. Some MOSs are monotonous and Soldiers need a break from their daily job without having to reclass, and recruiting duty can provide that. Some Soldiers who deploy a lot would really enjoy a 3-year recruiting duty if they could be assigned in, or close to, their hometown with family and friends. But they'd like to get back to their regular MOS, so they wouldn't want to be permanent. Also, from the recruiting side, our job is very strenuous day in and day out. A lot of Soldiers love recruiting duty but wouldn't want to do it for 15+ years. I enlisted in 2002 and came in to recruiting in 2005 and converted to 79R, so I'll ultimately spend at least 17 years in USAREC, but I love it and I chose that. Anyways, it's a very good question and I think that in order for everyone to benefit there needs to be a hard look at how assignments are handed out and, the truth hurts, but the problems with leadership within USAREC should be addressed so Soldiers who come on recruiting aren't left feeling like their careers took a hit.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 14 at 2014 12:17 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 00:17:01 -0400

My dad was a recruiter and I am appalled by some of the hyperbole coming out of the DOD but hey what else would anyone expect these days?

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 14 at 2014 1:06 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 01:06:01 -0400

Did three and a half years myself. There are are pros and cons: out of my entire class, there were a very few that actually volunteered to recruit. For the rest of us, it was just a job. But you can see how being "forced" to do this could embitter somebody's attitued towards the Army; so at the same time they're putting people in, they are just biding their own time to get out. But for some of us, myself included, being taken out of our element can be a good thing. I hated recruiting at first but learned a lot and am proud of what I did. Like anything else in life, you can't really knock it until you've tried it. Having the personnel that actually want to be there can definitely make for a better recruiting force. One blaring downside to this would be (as we've no doubt seen) those that rush to USAREC and avoid ever having to deploy...

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2014 12:46 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 12:46:20 -0400

SGT Voigt,

The likelihood of getting rid of detail recruiting as a Special Duty Assignment is very small. USAREC does understand volunteers for the SDA typically are more motivated to do well and would rather have more volunteers than DA selects. Because of this, USAREC started the Division Outreach (DOR) Program back in FY11 with the first DOR NCO being placed at 1st CAV DIV. The program has spread to several other Divisions and Corps since then. I myself am one of these NCOs at III Corps in Fort Hood, TX. Some of our top priorities is to inform Soldiers and Leaders of the career opportunities as volunteer detailed recruiters and for successful prior recruiters to convert to PMOS 79R.
The issue with incorporating 79R into the SMAPP is the requirement to have successfully completed at least 15 months of a detailed assignment, which in itself establishes the experience force you mentioned. You have to already have SQI 4 as a prerequisite and shown the ability to be successful as a recruiter with good leadership traits. A 79R usually goes right into a leadership role as an Assistant Center Commander or Center Commander. These positions require a firm understanding of Recruiting Operations and Functions. Besides the training at the Army Recruiter Course these skills can only be honed through experience. So, adding 79R to the SMAPP would actually backfire and create a less experienced Career Recruiter Force.
In regards to the detailed recruiters being out of their element and the potential turnover concerns, this is something that should be addressed through the leadership and training pieces. Too many times, Leaders have focused on production vs training. This is why the Command implemented mandatory training points that are supposed to occur. I think as we get more Volunteers for recruiting assignment and are able to spread more insightful/positive feedback into the Conventional Force, we will see a better turnaround. Typically, those NCOs that enjoy the challenges of recruiting and are able, they convert. Most Operational Army installations don't see 79Rs with the exception being SORB Team members. So, they don't usually hear or see the positive potential. They usually hear from those NCOs that didn't enjoy their tour and therefor a lot of misinformation or bad experiences are put out swaying decisions.
There's also current discussions of combining MOS 79R and 79S, which may or may not happen but is seriously being considered by the Army. However, this has happened before back in the 80's and due to issues that occured with promotion competiveness, assignments and effiency; the combined MOS 00R Recruiting/Retention NCO was demerged in the 90's.

SFC Pierce, III Corps Outreach NCO

Response by MSG Justin Kuchar made Feb 9 at 2022 9:13 PM

MSG Justin Kuchar — Wed, 09 Feb 2022 21:13:44 -0500

Nope. Recruiting duty should only be E6band above. Saw too many problems with Corporal Recruiting Program during the surge. Too much responsibility for E5.