I wanted to dislike the Army recruiter.

[Robb]

The 17 year-old got cold-called by an Army recruiter last week. Apparently he got her name through No Child Left Behind.

Anyhow, she met with him and (proud to say)she was very polite. Afterwards she said she was glad she talked with him, but that it wasn't for her.

But I have to say, he was good. I stood back and let him do his whole spiel, which was respectful, to the point, talked about college money and a new 15-month enlistment I had never heard of... and then left. I mean, he could've gone hard-core patriotic at her -- after all, when he arrived, I was in the driveway underneath my motorcycle with a freakin' wrench. :)

No hard-sell, nothing I could have any problem with. Just the facts, a lot of "I won't kid you, some days I woke up and hated the Army," and a lot of the things that he liked about it.

Point: not all recruiters are slime. I could tell the Army had been the best decision he'd ever made.

To him, and all the military here, I say this: It's not for me, but I'm damn glad someone's doing it. :toast:

[The_Casual_Observer]

1. They have that pitch down cold.

Can you imagine the amount of training they are given to do a performance like that? Pure genius I would say. You were treated to a rehearsed play worthy of the Broadway stage, serious tax money at work.

[wli]

2. when they were trying to recruit me it seemed less professional

This was 10 years ago or so. It was a lot more marketing, a lot less apparent integrity.

This guy sounds like a recruiter with class, and one I can respect a lot more.

[ThoughtCriminal]

3. We need the Army. Absolutely we should be proud...

to have a volunteer Army.

But how we use that Army is matter of great responsibility. Using soldiers as cannon fodder for neo-com objectives is the greatest disrespect imaginable.

There is also a great responsibility to let these kids know what they are really getting into.

[tabasco]

16. Bush has breached his trust with the military.

A traditionl trust between the President and the armed forces to use military acton only when diplomacy fails and as a last resort. Bush obviously was not constrained by these considerations.

The recruiter that got me in in 1980 was straight up with me but there was no war.

Bush and Rumsfeld have created a climate in the military where "anything goes" to get the job done. This has hurt discipline and morale in our military and has disgraced our Nation. :mad:

[Horse with no Name]

4. How long can than 15-month enlistment stop-loss to?

5 years? 10? 15?:shrug:

[soup]

12. 15 month enlistment = 8 years.

The 15-month-plus Army enlistment option:

How it works

Applicants enlisting for this program will incur an eight-year military service obligation. The obligation will consist of: 15 months of active duty after completion of basic and advanced individual training and 24 months of satisfactory participation as an active drilling member in the Army Reserve or National Guard. Soldiers have the option of serving the remainder of their eight-year obligation in one of three ways, as:

• an active drilling member of the Army Reserve or National Guard;

• a member of the inactive Individual Ready Reserve, known as the IRR

• a member of a National Service Program designated by the secretary of Defense (such as AmeriCorps or the Peace Corps).

Soldiers in the program also have the option of re-enlisting to remain on active duty, USAREC officials said.

Recruits who enlist for the 15-month-plus training option will be eligible to select one of the following enlistment incentives:

Incentives available

• a cash enlistment bonus of $5,000 payable upon completion of the initial active-duty obligation;

• Student Loan Repayment of up to $18,000;

• a monthly education allowance for up to 12 months (currently $816 per month); or

• a monthly education allowance for up to 36 months (currently $408 per month).

More about Army enlistment opportunities is available at goarmy.com.

MOSs in program

The 15-month-plus enlistment option is available for the following military occupational specialties:

o 11X Infantry
o 13B Cannon Crewmember
o 13D Field Artillery Automated Tactical Data Systems Specialist
o 13F Fire Support Specialist
o 13M Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) Crewmember
o 13P MLRS Automated Tactical Data Systems Specialist
o 13S Field Artillery Surveyor
o 13W Field Artillery Meteorological Crewmember
o 15Q Air Traffic Controller
o 15R AH-64 Attack Helicopter Repairer
o 15T UH-60 Helicopter Repairer
o 15U CH-47 Helicopter Repairer
o 19D Cavalry Scout
o 19K Armor Crewman
o 21B Combat Engineer
o 21C Bridge Crewmember
o 21E Heavy Construction Equipment Operator
o 21F Crane Operator
o 21J General Construction Equipment Operator
o 21K Plumber
o 21L Lithographer
o 21M Firefighter
o 21R Interior Electrician
o 21S Topographic Surveyor
o 21T Technical Engineer
o 21U Topographic Analyst
o 21V Construction and Asphalt Equipment Operator
o 21W Carpentry and Masonry Specialist
o 25L Cable Systems Installer-Maintainer
o 31B Military Police
o 31E Internment and Resettlement Specialist
o 42A Personnel Administration Specialist
o 42L Administrative Specialist
o 44C Financial Management Technician
o 45B Small Arms/Artillery Repairer
o 52C Utilities Equipment Repairer-Heating and AC
o 52D Power Generation Equipment Repairer
o 56M Chaplain Assistant
o 63B Light Wheel Vehicle Mechanic
o 74D Chemical Operations Specialist
o 88H Cargo Specialist
o 88M Motor Transport Operator
o 88N Transportation Management Coordinator
o 89B Ammunition Specialist
o 91E Dental Specialist
o 91G Patient Administration Specialist
o 91Q Pharmacy Specialist
o 91R Veterinary Food Inspection Specialist
o 91S Preventive Medicine Specialist
o 91T Animal Care Specialist
o 91W Health Care Specialist
o 92A Automated Logistical Specialist
o 92F Petroleum Supply Specialist
o 92G Food Service Operations
o 92M Mortuary Affairs Specialist
o 92S Laundry and Textile Specialist
o 92W Water Treatment Specialist
o 92Y Unit Supply Specialist
o 96R Ground Surveillance Systems Operator
http://www4.army.mil/soldiers/view_story.php?story_id_key=7327

[Orsino]

15. And as far beyond 8 years as the trumped-up "crisis" is said to last.

The fifteen-month enlistment is completely bogus.

[soup]

18. Probably why it is called

The 15-month-plus Army enlistment option, rather than The 15-month-period Army enlistment option.

sorry for any typos, rocking my granddaughter-

[fleabert]

5. I feel the same way. I know several recruiters, and most of them

are not really happy about doing it. One in particular is gay (closeted of course) and is counting the minutes until he's out. He does it honestly without regard to getting his 'numbers', he does this so he doesn't have to go back to Iraq.

[jonnyblitz]

21. being closeted in the military is stressful.

I did it for 10 years in the navy and there were some close calls. people talk, people turn themselves in and name names of others with the promise of getting off easier.

[BlueIris]

23. I'm sorry. That's sounds terrible.

Well, at least you don't have to deal with that kind of pressure anymore.

[ismnotwasm]

6. He will call back

They usually do these follow up calls. I know there are not all slime, but they don't give up quick either. (4 grown kids 19-27, oldest is Army so I have a little experience)

[smurfygirl]

7. I had a buddy that was a recruiter

for a while when the Iraq war was about 6 months in. He wouldn't (refused) to recruit anyone. He would tell them point blank not to join. Needless to say he was discharged and then started working as a private contractor in Afghanistan.

[FlemingsGhost]

8. "A kinder, gentler killing machine."

Enablers of crimes against humanity.

Go team!

[BlueIris]

9. You ever get the feeling...

some of them aren't working so hard at the moment, for so many reasons? Yours is one of several stories I've heard lately from parents with kids who wanted to at least hear someone out, and expected to hear that their kids were extremely pressured, harrassed, manipulated, whatever--then had the kids come home and say, "well, here's what went down and it wasn't extreme or intense or shady at all." Not knocking the military, or its recruiters, just asking.

[Dem Agog]

10. The best salesmen are LIKEABLE

and need little else.

I don't think our enlisted soldiers are bad, and neither are our recruiters. They're doing what they have to do. Not like it's a job you can "quit"... at least not without sneaking over the border.

As for no hard sell (edited to add this) my father is a fine salesmen. One of the best. He could sell water to a drowning man. But he applies a rule that most mediocre or bad salesmen don't apply: My dad isn't interested in selling you something if you don't want it. If you don't, that's fine, he explains why you might want it, leaves his card and moves on when he's dealing with big clients. He figures his time is better spent with someone who does show an interest. So that's another sign that your recruiter was a skilled salesman.

[Robb]

11. Good add on the edit there.

Interesting stuff. I hadn't thought about that.

[tabasco]

13. AFAIK, most of the NCOs in recruiting do not volunteer for that.

Many of the high-rated NCOs in other specialties are ordered into recruiting duty. I suppose that is because not many will volunteer for it. Long hours, unreal goals, hostile public - it stinks.

Many of the officers are not given a choice, either.

There are many outstanding people in the military. People like Wes Clark and a young Charlie Rangel (Army vet).

:toast:

[ComerPerro]

14. Normally the military would be a great option

but not with this psychotic, warmongering, alcoholic asshole bastard in charge.

[Stephanie]

17. There's an interesting article in Vanity Fair about the pressure on them

They are cracking under the pressure to meet quotas. It's a job that, if you're successful at it, puts you on the fast track to promotion. Recruiters are working 12 to 18 hour days. In the article, Marine recruiters who miss quota were required to drive six hours to their base (this was TX) for punishment, which in that instance was a session of being chewed out followed by a forced five mile run, and then the six hour drive home. In the article one recruiter was killed in a car crash because of this - asleep at the wheel.

[KG]

19. wow. anybody here wanna be a 'Internment and Resettlement Specialist'?

[Mr_Spock]

20. Is that an appropriate commentary?

What do you mean by that?

[KG]

22. oops, meant to be a reply to post #12.