Originally posted by forsaken27893: First off I am a 79R. I was selected on that fast track thing back in 04. I didn't want to do this job. I let that fact be known to my chain of command and throughout the station commanders course. You are going to work long hours. I don't care if you are putting in your people or not. Example-You are not making mission, you are going to you suck training. If you are making mission you will be working long hours, riding to meps, the test sites doing interviews with kids, parents, all their influencers etc. There is no inbetween on this job. The leadership out here has not changed at all. You guys are out here putting in people during a time of war. When you don't put no one in the leadership out here gets all in a tizzy. You must not be making enough phone calls, or have enough people in your funnel or whatever. Everyone just sits there and ignores the 800lb gorilla in the room. NO ONE wants to admit that this extended war is hurting recruiting efforts. This job is thankless. The leadership out here sends out all these little feel good emails about how they appreciate the hours we put in and all that mess. In my opinion they really don't. Show me some appreciation come down to the station and log in some phone calls and tell my recruiters that they can go home and enjoy some time. Quit telling me that my station is my station run it the way I like. But when the leaders above me come down they don't like what they see and I get the third degree. If my station is making mission and I am sending people home at 1700 then who cares. But apparently there is some unwritten rule in USAREC that says everyone has to work until 2200 hours. Then they have to come to work on Saturday. I felt that when I was letting my people off I got alot more quality work. When it was found out I was shafted. My best advice to anyone out there thinking about this job. Don't do it stay where you are. I would rather be in Iraq anyday of the week than do this crap another day.
Originally posted by forsaken27893: First off I am a 79R. I was selected on that fast track thing back in 04. I didn't want to do this job. I let that fact be known to my chain of command and throughout the station commanders course. You are going to work long hours. I don't care if you are putting in your people or not. Example-You are not making mission, you are going to you suck training. If you are making mission you will be working long hours, riding to meps, the test sites doing interviews with kids, parents, all their influencers etc. There is no inbetween on this job. The leadership out here has not changed at all. You guys are out here putting in people during a time of war. When you don't put no one in the leadership out here gets all in a tizzy. You must not be making enough phone calls, or have enough people in your funnel or whatever. Everyone just sits there and ignores the 800lb gorilla in the room. NO ONE wants to admit that this extended war is hurting recruiting efforts. This job is thankless. The leadership out here sends out all these little feel good emails about how they appreciate the hours we put in and all that mess. In my opinion they really don't. Show me some appreciation come down to the station and log in some phone calls and tell my recruiters that they can go home and enjoy some time. Quit telling me that my station is my station run it the way I like. But when the leaders above me come down they don't like what they see and I get the third degree. If my station is making mission and I am sending people home at 1700 then who cares. But apparently there is some unwritten rule in USAREC that says everyone has to work until 2200 hours. Then they have to come to work on Saturday. I felt that when I was letting my people off I got alot more quality work. When it was found out I was shafted. My best advice to anyone out there thinking about this job. Don't do it stay where you are. I would rather be in Iraq anyday of the week than do this crap another day.
Amen. Tell it to the people. It's so bad where I'm at that the chaplain sends out e-mails...I've seen recruiters admit themselves to mental health because of recruiting. This is not what you want.
I was on Recruiting from 2002-2005 in San Francisco. Since this post says VOLUNTEER, I feel that I can present an honest potrayal and give my opinion. If you are DA select, suck it up!! Anyway, let's be honest. Being a recruiter is not really being a conventional NCO. You are a leader, but you lead more by example and influence.... to people who are not even officialy in the Army yet. To be honest it is kinda going above being an NCO, which is honorable but extremely difficult if you do not constantly keep up with your DEPs. Also, a normal NCO will not put up with disrespect, but what are you gonna do when someone cusses at you because you called their house, went to their college, or just generally snubs their nose at you? Can you walk up to a complete stranger day after day knowing that a good 90% or higher do not want to hear what you are saying? What if you gave it your everything and could not put the numbers in..can you take the blame? Those are some things to think about. I am not really trying to discourage, I was a succsesful DA selected recruiter in a very anti-establishment community, but it came at a cost. I was a recruiter basically all the time. When I got off work and went to the grocery store - trying to recruit, putting gas in my pov or gov - recruiting at gas station, in other words, I would not be able to put people in if I was not living and breathing recruiting and that is the mentatlity you have to have. Here is my summary: Pros: It improved my leadership ability I learned a lot about city government and councils I became an expert at sales I made some good friends in the community Cons: I dressed the part, but knew I would not: qualify with a weapon, run a section, be a leader who had real authority, and constatntly had to deal with rejection from most of the community. Thank God I did not have a family, but imagine having one People (potential recruits) disappointing you and you can do nothing about it except try and sell them again
I do not want you to think I am complaining. If you ask the most dedicated recruiter he/she will tell you that these (cons) are issues you have to face, how you face these issues will determine if you are succesful. People have different ways to face them. I was a pretty good actor, but really believed in what I was selling, which leads me to the most important question that you REALLY need to ask yourself... Do I really believe in what I am selling? or Would I encourage my child to join if he/she was of age? If you do not believe in what you are selling it wil come out. I would honestly answer yes to both questions, and believe that is what helped me.
To continue from my prevous post, I relayed to you my experience and basically if you ask most other recruiters they will tell you pretty much the same. It did allow me to get an automatic promotion to E-6 when I earned my ring. With that being said, I can say with all honesty that one of the happiest days of my life was when I left USAREC. I will be honest, overall I hated it, but never said anything and tried to think positive while I was on it. Yes, recruiting is what you make it, and maybe your experience will be different, but the fact is, those cons I went over are going to be there and you will see them no matter what.
Well I don't know how recruiting was in '05 because I was in Iraq. What I do know is that in 2008 there is a crunch to put people in the Army. And the leaders will treat you how they want to. You've heard about the recruiter suicides in Houston. I think NCO's "suck it up" so much that it drives them to a point. All that bad treatment is not necessary. NCO's are professional, driven individuals that attack any task given. So if you hear an NCO complain then don't be quick to judge and tell him to "suck..." Something is wrong.
Yeah, I see things have not changed and honestly I do not think they will. I really did not follow what they told me. We had a verbal policy from our 1SG that stated he would not check our planning guide if we put people in. Mine was always screwed up. At the offset of the war I used common sense and knew that p1 was not going to work and I had to do more P3. Well, at the time they kept saying more time on the phone was the way to go. Anyway, as the war progressed they broke down and said more p3, which I had been doing anyway. I was lucky I had a station cdr that let me run with it, most do not have it like that. It still was a horrible experience,given I was where all the hippies and radicals make their headquarters. The city council of San Francisco even put out a proclomation to resist military recruitment. Do they still get mad when they ask you if you want to be there and you say no? That really sticks out in my mind the most. Its like they want you to be happy and feel priveleged you are in USAREC and you are a horrible person if you want to be anywhere else!!! At least let me have my own opinion!! I have been through a lot of things downrange, but I knew people had my back and that means something, I did not feel that way on recruiting. I am just glad it is over and I do not have to deal with it anymore. I do not even wear my ring.
I'm actually thinking about doing recruiting because I only have about 4 more years once I get back from Iraq in the military before I hit 10 years and get out, I actually believe the military is a great option for a lot of people like myself that need to find what they want to do and use the military as a stepping stone to get there. Part of the reasons I want to do it is to try and get myself the place I want. Either back in San Antonio or my hometown seeing as how I already have a house and a lot of family there I could really be making some money with the BAH etc even though spending it might not be the most likely. I'm currently single although there is someone I would like to try to be with, part of the San Antonio assignment besides really like the area.
When you get to select your assignment how close to where do you want to go do you actually get to select? If I want to go to the recruiting station in say Sandusky, Ohio how likely is it that I could get that exact assignment?
I personally cannot wait until this command gets rid of all the old heads in this business. They IMHO have no clue what the hell is going on. Right now I have a 1SG who is clearly drunk when he calls me at night for his closeout. I am like WTF? He is sitting at home drinking while me and my soldiers are at the station. I don't understand, he is preaching loyalty, but fuck loyalty only goes so far. What is going on here is not professional on any level. Again don't do this job the senior leaders out here are 250 yards left of normal. Yes all they care about is the numbers. They don't give a shit about these soldiers. There are to many armchair leaders out here. And to answer your question about getting where you want to go. You have a better chance of seeing a kiwi bird alive.
Originally posted by Army25B: I'm actually thinking about doing recruiting because I only have about 4 more years once I get back from Iraq in the military before I hit 10 years and get out, I actually believe the military is a great option for a lot of people like myself that need to find what they want to do and use the military as a stepping stone to get there. Part of the reasons I want to do it is to try and get myself the place I want. Either back in San Antonio or my hometown seeing as how I already have a house and a lot of family there I could really be making some money with the BAH etc even though spending it might not be the most likely. I'm currently single although there is someone I would like to try to be with, part of the San Antonio assignment besides really like the area.
When you get to select your assignment how close to where do you want to go do you actually get to select? If I want to go to the recruiting station in say Sandusky, Ohio how likely is it that I could get that exact assignment?
You cant volunteer for station, only BN so if you wanted the San Antonio BN b/c you want to go to San Antonio you might end up away from there anyway.
Lead by Example!!!
Posts: 1234 | Location: Somewhere in the US | Registered: 13 September 2007
Just take my advice and don't do it. It is probably the best advice you can take in your career. I am a 79R and this job is the most thankless job in the world. I do what I can to stand up to for my soldiers but it is an endless battle. I have a 1SG who just wants to play big station commander, I don't understand it. This guy is killing me. His leadership style is really starting to get under my skin.
I just PCS'd from recruiting in Houston about a month ago. And I was assigned there while these suicides occured. And I must say the level of stress in the BN did drop from when I first got there in 2005. But the BN as a whole is stressful. I feel bad b/c the BC and CSM caught alot of flack when it was really 1SG and Station CDR. It is extremely cutthroat and all about numbers.
You must understand that your career, your family, you as a person means NOTHING to them. If you are not talking about putting someone in the Army it is put on the back burner that doesnt even exist. 1SG and Station Commanders just dont care. I did have one 1SG that honestly cared about soldiers and looked out for us. But also grew tired of USAREC and I believe is in the process of going back to the REAL Army.
Recruiting is a job that you have to mentally prepare yourself for. It's nothing like you have ever done in the Army. I'm a SSG but rank means nothing out there. It's 79R's and recruiters...thats it. Now I was successful, got my ring and all that but I would trade it all in to get three years of misery back. Three years of constant rejection by teenage punks, career threats from my spineless Station Commander that has never led ANYTHING. Leaders in USAREC should be detailed....just like the recruiters. Plain and simple. The problem with USAREC is you have a CPL recruiter with 3 years in the army and no leadership skills at all. They like recruiting and convert. Guess what! He is your next station commander and is in charge of seasoned NCOs. And the cycle just repeats itself. SO that is why the "leaders" in USAREC are the way they are.
With that said your recruiting tour can either make you or break you. It will either help your leaderships skills or make you a dirtbag. Its your choice to make. I know it sounds corny but Dont compromise your Army Values for the sake of the "mission". Because the snakes in the grass (79Rs) will smile in your face and use it against you when you dont make mission.
Posts: 23 | Location: Fort Hood | Registered: 14 July 2008
I'm actually thinking about doing recruiting because I only have about 4 more years once I get back from Iraq in the military before I hit 10 years and get out, I actually believe the military is a great option for a lot of people like myself that need to find what they want to do and use the military as a stepping stone to get there. Part of the reasons I want to do it is to try and get myself the place I want. Either back in San Antonio or my hometown seeing as how I already have a house and a lot of family there I could really be making some money with the BAH etc even though spending it might not be the most likely. I'm currently single although there is someone I would like to try to be with, part of the San Antonio assignment besides really like the area.
When you get to select your assignment how close to where do you want to go do you actually get to select? If I want to go to the recruiting station in say Sandusky, Ohio how likely is it that I could get that exact assignment?
The only thing about volunteering is if you do get that BATTALION(San Antonio), it stretches all the way down to Mcallen, which is pretty much the border and up to Austin. I am currently a detailed recruiter and my personal opinion on the whole situation is location, location, location. I have a station commander and a 1SG who are mission driven but at the same time are very compassionate about taking care of their people. I never have issues as far as taking care of my family. If I ever need time off for that kind of stuff my SC doesnt hesitate. Apparently USAREC says that recrutiers will be off by 2000.....which doesnt really happen. My 1SG and company commander said that if you are not actively working an applicant you will be HOME by 1900. If your station is year to date phase line(putting in the required number of people) recruiters can get off by 1800. So like I said, its all about location.
I'm actually thinking about doing recruiting because I only have about 4 more years once I get back from Iraq in the military before I hit 10 years and get out, I actually believe the military is a great option for a lot of people like myself that need to find what they want to do and use the military as a stepping stone to get there. Part of the reasons I want to do it is to try and get myself the place I want. Either back in San Antonio or my hometown seeing as how I already have a house and a lot of family there I could really be making some money with the BAH etc even though spending it might not be the most likely. I'm currently single although there is someone I would like to try to be with, part of the San Antonio assignment besides really like the area.
When you get to select your assignment how close to where do you want to go do you actually get to select? If I want to go to the recruiting station in say Sandusky, Ohio how likely is it that I could get that exact assignment?
The only thing about volunteering is if you do get that BATTALION(San Antonio), it stretches all the way down to Mcallen, which is pretty much the border and up to Austin. I am currently a detailed recruiter and my personal opinion on the whole situation is location, location, location. I have a station commander and a 1SG who are mission driven but at the same time are very compassionate about taking care of their people. I never have issues as far as taking care of my family. If I ever need time off for that kind of stuff my SC doesnt hesitate. Apparently USAREC says that recrutiers will be off by 2000.....which doesnt really happen. My 1SG and company commander said that if you are not actively working an applicant you will be HOME by 1900. If your station is year to date phase line(putting in the required number of people) recruiters can get off by 1800. So like I said, its all about location.
Damn SGT Recruiter, sounds like you got a very good spot where you are at, apparently the station I am going to is making numbers so I'll have to see when I report...
Lead by Example!!!
Posts: 1234 | Location: Somewhere in the US | Registered: 13 September 2007
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