Which one do you think would be more rewarding?

2014-01-12T20:56:12-05:00

I am in a dilemma. I have 10 months left until I hit DEROS and PCS. I emailed my branch manager and she told me that I'm going to be going to the schoolhouse at Ft. Sill to be an instructor but I'm not locked in for that yet. Also, as everyone knows, the Army is really short on recruiters and I've been debating on submitting a recruiting packet as I think I would enjoy doing that just as much as I would enjoy being an instructor. My question is, which one do you think would be more rewarding? Which one would do you think would have a larger impact on my career? Which one would you rather do?

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Jan 12 at 2014 9:04 PM

2014-01-12T21:04:50-05:00

Search for a discussion on here earlier we had about promotion rates between recruiters, drills, and instructors. Probably some helpful information for you there.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 12 at 2014 10:04 PM

2014-01-12T22:04:41-05:00

I just had this discussion with my CSM and his advice was recruiter, Drill SGT, or being an OC at JRTC/NTC over being an instructor. It shows you can work outside your MOS and set you up for your next promotion. That being said, he also recommended to look at your career tracker and find out what positions you need in order to progress in your MOS. If you have already been rated on those positions, look at one of the options previously stated. I would prefer Recruiter out of those three options!

Response by Cpl Jim Nisley made Jan 13 at 2014 9:00 AM

2014-01-13T09:00:43-05:00

Zach - both have positive gains and eventually both can be utilized in the civilian sector, post-retirement. A Recruiter is fundamentally "sales & service", which is an integral component of all industries.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2014 9:26 AM

2014-01-13T09:26:10-05:00

I think both are beneficial. Recruiting will develop your
interpersonal skills as well as teach you more about the Army and it's
programs. But if you go to a bad location you could get a marginal NCOER
regardless of how hard you work. Production is power and some areas just don't
have the propensity, this is why recruiting is looked at as a risk/reward job. I'm not saying don't take risks, I am saying caculate that risk. I have seen some weak recruiters be viewed as "Super Stars" because of where they were stationed, and other recruiters who were awesome leaders get treated poorly because they were in a weak market.

Being an instructor (don't know if you will be teaching
AIT, PLDC, ALC?) puts you in front of your fellow NCOs and has far reaching impacts
within your MOS. You will also get face time with CSMs in your field which
could pay dividends in future promotions.

The question you have to ask yourself is do you enjoy
training and teaching Soldiers? Or do you want to be the face of the Army to the
civilian populace and be a worker? (because no one will be working for you in
recruiting, it's just you) Speak to your spouse (if you are married) as well
and see what she thinks would be best for the family as well.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2014 7:26 PM

2014-01-13T19:26:56-05:00

I have done both in my career and the one I enjoyed the most was recruiter hands down. As a recruiter you deal with not only civilians but you work as a team with NCO's from different MOS' which will help you become a much more well rounded NCO / Leader. Instructor has it's perks as well and either one would serve it's purpose in a career.
Bad part of recruiting is the pt aspect! It is difficult at best to fit a workout into the duty day as a recruiter. And you will have to be willing to give up your free time to make mission. I don't think anyone that has been a recruiter (not in the south) will disagree with this you have to eat sleep and crap recruiting to be above average. And production is power out there.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2014 7:52 PM

2014-01-13T19:52:56-05:00

<p>SSG Mithchell,</p><p> </p><p>My advice would be to go with what you feel is right for you.  Nobody in the Army can really tell you that Recruiter or Intructor is really going to help you with career advancement.  Our promotion system is subjective and we do not know what board members favor when our records are in front of them.  I am a 13D and have always been told that I needed Drill Sergeant or Recruiting to get promoted and I got promoted without either one.  If you ultimately want a break from the regular army lifestyle and want to inspire young people to join our ranks then go recruiting.  If you want to mold minds in the schools then go instructor.  It is your career do your best to choose the path you want.</p>

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2014 8:28 PM

2014-01-13T20:28:07-05:00

Here's my take: What do you enjoy more? Training Soldiers or a new challenge in acquisitions. They are worth about the same as far as career progression goes in DA PAM 600-25.

Be advised, DA just put out a new Army Directive regarding the instructor badging and certification process; so you'll get to wear a shiny chest-crest either way.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2014 9:47 PM

2014-01-13T21:47:39-05:00

SSG Z. Mitchell,

I recommend framing out, on paper, your decision based on the following five:

1. look at the Army's CURRENT strategic objectives...the focus on Leader Training and Education as we move to an Army of preparedness. As an Instructor at an NCOES, to include technical MOS centric (FA for you), what does this mean for NCOs whom are nominated, selected and are successful in that position?

2. what position will make you feel fulfilled in accomplishing your duty?

3. what position's battle rhythm is best in line with your goals, both professional and personal, and in line with your Family's (if applicable) two to five year plan?

4. do you want to teach (and therefore influence) the leaders of tomorrow to replace you one day, or do you want to have input (not total control of) the Soldiers that will fill our ranks?

5. last, who gives a crap about a badge....do what makes you feel gratification.

Keep in mind, that with Recruiting you'll be subject to certain criteria to support objectives for filling numbers (making quota) and will likely not get your assignment location of choice, albeit probably region....maybe.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2014 10:21 PM

2014-01-13T22:21:23-05:00

SSG Mitchell,<div>I am currently an AIT Instructor for 14Hs on Fort Sill and to be honest it is by far the most rewarding position I have had so far in my career. There is no where that you will have a larger impact on so many soldiers. I wake up each day loving my life and my job. The first few weeks were stressful (preparing for your certification school along with all the classes required by TRADOC). But teaching your first class is amazing. As an instructor you not only teach the new soldiers (and MOS transitions) you also improve the curriculum utilizing your knowledge from your previous positions. It is a way in which you can really give back to your MOS, and have a hand in creating the soldiers of tomorrow.</div>

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 14 at 2014 9:05 AM

2014-01-14T09:05:51-05:00

I may not be fully qualified to speak on the subject given I'm not an NCO (yet), but I can say that my instructors in AIT had far more of an impact on me than my recruiter did, and it's not just because I spent more time with them. They were the first NCO's I actually got to know after joining and understanding how the rank structure works in the Army. I know personally I would rather spend more time with a soldier and partake in the development of his/her career, over just being the catalyst that gets them to sign up and get in the door.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 14 at 2014 9:58 AM

2014-01-14T09:58:05-05:00

Do you have the option to be a Drill Sergeant?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2014 4:26 AM

2014-01-15T04:26:35-05:00

I am just ending my 3 year duty as a recruiter. I had the misfortune to be in a very , very hard market to recruit, Oakland, CA. I had the challange of dealing with people who weren't able to pass an ASVAB practice test, to dealing with criminals who thought could just walk in the office an be in the Army, to dealing with parents who knew what their kids wanted.

Recruiting is great if you are the type of person who doesn't mind working a 9 to 7 job, having to deal with not just what's going with your area, but with what goes on with DoD in Washington DC since it will affect what people ask you. It is a great job to grow your network outside the military, if you are close to leaving.

But like everyone else is saying, look at your MOS, and your career and make the decision that's best for you.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2014 12:02 PM

2014-01-15T12:02:54-05:00

I am in the same boat as you, Battle. I am currently in ALC and could see myself doing very well as an instructor at the NCOA or AIT. Recruiter duty would have a completely different set of pros and cons, as well as an initial adjustment to living "away from Big Army". As for the career aspect, both are special assignments and would be looked on favorably for promotion. It has been the trend in the past for people to avoid the schoolhouse because of short staffing of the NCOs. This problem has seemed to be alleviated. (now there are multiple instructors per class in AIT) I think it just comes down to what you want to do, teach Soldiers or groom civilians. I'm leaning more towards instructor.

Response by CSM Mike Maynard made Jan 16 at 2014 9:19 AM

2014-01-16T09:19:45-05:00

SSG Mitchell - as most have stated, either job will provide you with additional skills that you currently don't have and both would be looked at favorably for continued progression.<div><br></div><div>Either can and will be rewarding, it's up to you - you'll get what you want out of either one and you will be successful at either one.</div><div><br></div><div>The one question I would ask my branch manager is how many allocations are there for Recruiter in your MOS and how many for Instructor - I would go with the one that has the least amount of allocations as that would make you more "unique".</div><div><br></div>

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2014 11:13 PM

2014-01-16T23:13:36-05:00

SSG Mitchell, I spent 2.5 years on Fort Lee as a Reception PSG. While I was assigned as an Instructor/Writer for my schoolhouse (QM), I spent my time in-processing/interacting with nearly 20K Soldiers in that time-frame. It was very frustrating at times but it was also very rewarding to speak to and influence so many young/new Soldiers. As a supply sergeant, I have rarely been able to directly lead a larger group of Soldiers (usually just 1-2 personnel in a supply room or S4), so leading, marching, and guiding so many Soldiers was very rewarding and illuminating for me.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2014 1:17 AM

2014-01-17T01:17:21-05:00

SSG Mitchell,

I would recommend the instructor route. You are correct in your thinking that both options are great choices, but i think being an instructor will have more of a direct impact on future Soldiers. Not trying to take credit from any Drill SGTs etc, but the teaching and molding of Soldiers in their MOS field is a great feeling. For the professional career side, i am sure that you would be one of the few selected for this assignment. Compared to the recruiting route where the number of recruiters are drastically higher in number. Again, i dont think you can go wrong with either choice, but with me being an instructor, the choice is easy for me to recommend.

Response by SFC Jeremy Boyd made Feb 15 at 2014 9:27 PM

2014-02-15T21:27:05-05:00

SSG Mitchell, I have the luxury of having done both in my career, and truthfully have enjoyed each one equally. However, my opinion from a career progression and overall beneficial standpoint is Recruiter. Both enable you to have time with your family, but Recruiting adds an additional financial incentive with SDAP of $300 per month in addition to your base pay, BAH and BAS. Also, when it comes to certain colleges in the SOCAD network you can get far more evaluated credits toward your degree plan from the Army Recruiter Course. These mainly translate to business degrees and the like. Both will look good on your record for promotion, as both are considered developmental duties, but only one offers more money and the potential to convert into it permanently if you excel at it and request it, and that is Recruiting.

Response by SSgt George Brown made Feb 15 at 2014 9:33 PM

2014-02-15T21:33:33-05:00

I think that you would probably enjoy the instructor duty. You will not be placed in a position of having people lie about their past, and you wont have to meet recruiting quota's. Recruiting is a Sales position, basically. I LOVE Sales, but, I am not sure if I would love it if some of those I am selling to say they are going to do something and do not.
OTOH instruction is a great opportunity. It can also lead to a future in teaching after you retire. I will tell you this, the one person that impacted my life in all of my years in school was a retired Col who cared.

But either way, the fact that you are asking is a big deal.
One final thing, don't worry about what will be better for your career. Which ever you choose, make it your goal to help those whom you are either recruiting or instructing, to be the best that they can be, and your career will take care of itself.