Army Recruiting

[ICor1311]

Well, I've been serving this great nation in the United States Army for over 12 years now. My current assignment is a detailed recruiter. Anyone who knows anything about recruiting knows this is a mentally demanding job for both the recruiter and for the family. But I can't complain. The Lord has been good.

I was out in the community a few weeks ago and somehow was pulled into a conversation with a couple gentlemen. One looked as he was in his mid-twenties, the other gentlemen was obviously much older. Their conversation started out politely and thanking me for my service. I kindly thanked them for their remarks, thought the conversation was ended, and turned to walk away. Then the disparaging remarks about world affairs, how recruiters are liars, no need for a military force, etc. At first, my thoughts were to be the Christian Nice Guy and walk away. However, I couldn't do that. I thought to myself, did Jesus always show acts of kindness through submission? No, he didn't. I kept my remarks clean, as always, but I didn't spare the rod, so to speak. In fact, I invited them to lunch to sit and talk about the facts. Of course they declined.

 

[[serious]]

Unfortunately, there are all too many unscrupulous recruiters out there. Also, world affairs is a topic of controversy not just in the nation but among soldiers. The recognition of this is exactly why those in a position of authority should never express any political standpoints in front of their subordinates. It can very easily lead to problems in the unit.

Just my two cents

 

[ICor1311]

I totally agree and wouldn't argue that comment about unscrupulous recruiters in the field. I have seen the same video footage that has been aired time and again that is available to the GAP (Great American Public). However, I've never had any personal dealings or experience with dishonest recruiters. My recruiter so many years ago was brutally honest with me. I promised that I would be the same way throughout life, let alone recruiting.

You're right. World affairs is a topic that many discuss. I'm not so new to the world that this is surprising. However, talk is cheap. I'll sit down with anyone and listen to their opinions, as long as I'm given the same respect. I love a good discussion.

At times, it's very difficult to stand idly by and listen to disparaging remarks. However, what I'm doing is obviously bigger than myself. I truly believe God is working His will through me. If I didn't believe that, I still wouldn't be doing what I'm doing. Always lead by example.

 

[QuiltAngel]

ICor1311
Thank you for what you do. My son's recruiter was fabulous. Did not lie and worked for him to get what he needed. Being a recruiter is a thankless job as well as misunderstood in my opinion.

Personally, I am thankful you stopped and chatted with these men and invited them to learn more. You tried, now you have to put it in God's hands that He will change hearts.

 

[ICor1311]

ICor1311
Thank you for what you do. My son's recruiter was fabulous. Did not lie and worked for him to get what he needed. Being a recruiter is a thankless job as well as misunderstood in my opinion.

Personally, I am thankful you stopped and chatted with these men and invited them to learn more. You tried, now you have to put it in God's hands that He will change hearts.

Quiet Angel, I'm glad to hear your son's recruiter was upfront and honest. You're right, recruiting is a thankless job. Sometimes, I wish people could spend about a week in our shoes and see first hand what we go through. I'm not complaining, so if anyone reads this please do not assume that I'm complaining. I love the challenges that I face daily. Though the job is very stressful, I wouldn't be who I am if I couldn't handle the stressful situations.

Good luck to your son in his future endeavors. Thank you for your support.

God Bless.

 

[Gwenyfur]

my daughter's recruiter...knowing I was a DI tried to candy coat what I told her to expect (which...in reality...I didn't warn her of much )

her first letter home was hilarious! Talk about recruit pain ...

But...he was still pretty awesome...adn still calls me Mom

 

[ICor1311]

my daughter's recruiter...knowing I was a DI tried to candy coat what I told her to expect (which...in reality...I didn't warn her of much )

her first letter home was hilarious! Talk about recruit pain ...

But...he was still pretty awesome...adn still calls me Mom

LOL! That's funny because I have a couple parents like that. One kid that joined a couple years ago, his mom still calls me from time to time and keeps updated about him and the rest of the family. I still receive letters and emails from a lot of the Soldiers that enlisted through me also. It's almost like these Soldiers are my kids and they're writing home...if that makes sense...

 

[Gwenyfur]

Makes perfect sense...I often had Marines stay in touch...
I was the "mom" that turned 'em into Marines...

Still have a couple that stay in touch all these years later...

It's amazing to watch them change, mature and become outstanding young men and women...their accomplishments and triumphs...(and yeah...even some failures) but all in all it's a great way to spend your time

 

[ICor1311]

Oh yea, absolutely. It's great. Just hearing their stories now. It seems like yesterday I had met them for the first time, all wide-eyed and fearing the unknown. Just to see how they prospered is absolutely amazing.

It's nice to know that my sisters and brothers from another mother were in good hands..

 

[rppearso]

Well, I've been serving this great nation in the United States Army for over 12 years now. My current assignment is a detailed recruiter. Anyone who knows anything about recruiting knows this is a mentally demanding job for both the recruiter and for the family. But I can't complain. The Lord has been good.

I was out in the community a few weeks ago and somehow was pulled into a conversation with a couple gentlemen. One looked as he was in his mid-twenties, the other gentlemen was obviously much older. Their conversation started out politely and thanking me for my service. I kindly thanked them for their remarks, thought the conversation was ended, and turned to walk away. Then the disparaging remarks about world affairs, how recruiters are liars, no need for a military force, etc. At first, my thoughts were to be the Christian Nice Guy and walk away. However, I couldn't do that. I thought to myself, did Jesus always show acts of kindness through submission? No, he didn't. I kept my remarks clean, as always, but I didn't spare the rod, so to speak. In fact, I invited them to lunch to sit and talk about the facts. Of course they declined.

Its unfortunate they did not want to sit down with you for lunch and talk, I would have sat with you and talked, I am ex national gaurd and my opinions are very much out of line with traditional military lines of thinking which is why im ex. You also have to be careful when you say disparaging remarks (if they are just spewing out a bunch of swear words I would agree with you but just because you disagree does not mean its disparaging alot of recruiters do decive, you sound like a good guy but alot are not), just because someone disagrees with you does not mean there opinions are not in line with christian belief just not in line with military beliefs. People form there opinions based on the majority not the one offs.

 

[ICor1311]

Its unfortunate they did not want to sit down with you for lunch and talk, I would have sat with you and talked, I am ex national gaurd and my opinions are very much out of line with traditional military lines of thinking which is why im ex. You also have to be careful when you say disparaging remarks (if they are just spewing out a bunch of swear words I would agree with you but just because you disagree does not mean its disparaging alot of recruiters do decive, you sound like a good guy but alot are not), just because someone disagrees with you does not mean there opinions are not in line with christian belief just not in line with military beliefs. People form there opinions based on the majority not the one offs.

I honestly couldn't agree more. It takes a lot more than the usual comments I hear everyday to get to me. I couldn't tell you the amount of times I've been hung up on, told to never call back, to never talk to another parent's son or daughter, ignored, and the list goes on and on. That stuff doesn't bother me. I know it comes with the job. I expect that to happen at least once a day.
I don't mind that a person has a different opinion than what I have. That's understandable. That's the beauty of it all. I like to come together with another person and discuss different topics, military related or not.

Disparaging comments that were said were words of slander, curse words, and words that were very demeaning. It would have been one thing if I would have sparked a conversation with them, but I didn't. I was actually out in the community shopping for my kids birthdays. I encourage a man or woman, parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, cousin, friend, aquaintance, husband, wife, son or daughter to be open and honest with me. But there's also characteristics called respect and tact. I've never disrespected anyone while out and about. I've never carried myself in a way that others would find my actions are demeaning or embarassing.

What solicited their words, I have absolutely no idea. Like I said, they declined my invitation for a free lunch.

 

[rppearso]

I honestly couldn't agree more. It takes a lot more than the usual comments I hear everyday to get to me. I couldn't tell you the amount of times I've been hung up on, told to never call back, to never talk to another parent's son or daughter, ignored, and the list goes on and on. That stuff doesn't bother me. I know it comes with the job. I expect that to happen at least once a day.
I don't mind that a person has a different opinion than what I have. That's understandable. That's the beauty of it all. I like to come together with another person and discuss different topics, military related or not.

Disparaging comments that were said were words of slander, curse words, and words that were very demeaning. It would have been one thing if I would have sparked a conversation with them, but I didn't. I was actually out in the community shopping for my kids birthdays. I encourage a man or woman, parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, cousin, friend, aquaintance, husband, wife, son or daughter to be open and honest with me. But there's also characteristics called respect and tact. I've never disrespected anyone while out and about. I've never carried myself in a way that others would find my actions are demeaning or embarassing.

What solicited their words, I have absolutely no idea. Like I said, they declined my invitation for a free lunch.

I also enjoy a good debate as well, but most do not appreciate my opinions regarding the military, I dont need to swear but I also will say things people dont like kinda like when Jesus threw the tables when the temple was extorting people, so dont misinturpert slander for people calling out the militarys dirty laundry that no one wants to talk about that was the reason I was temp banned from this forum. You may not be disrespectful yourself but I hope you inform the potential recruit of the treatment instore for them once they join. I had no idea of the extent of the mental abuse which is why im ex. Anyways it would be nice to debate with you in a PM to avoid further bans.

 

[Gwenyfur]

you can debate this type of topic in current events, politics, or christian philosophy and ethics

 

[rppearso]

you can debate this type of topic in current events, politics, or christian philosophy and ethics

Actually you can not, I tried to post in other forums and was heavily scrutinized and the treads were shut down so its easier to debate in PM's, some people dont like to hear the truth so they close threads and ban people. Thats life.

 

[rppearso]

my daughter's recruiter...knowing I was a DI tried to candy coat what I told her to expect (which...in reality...I didn't warn her of much )

her first letter home was hilarious! Talk about recruit pain ...

But...he was still pretty awesome...adn still calls me Mom

Wow thats really sad, if I were her I probably would have politly minimized my contact with you after I got out. If she was sending letters home that a DI thought were hilarious it does not sound like she was fully informed, maybe im wrong but only you know that. Is it worth loosing your relationship with your daughter just to continue the military family tradition. The military is not a joke and neither is the training. It is bothersome that it is discussed so lightly on here, people can come out of training with mental problems and severe injurys. I dont know how things are if she is out of training now and if things are good with you and your daughter.

 

[Gwenyfur]

My daughter is now a Cpl in the Marine Corps, and yes...we have quite a few laughs...

how churlish of you to assume or even think otherwise...and yet another example of how you just don't seem to "get it" based on your own failing to cut the mustard!

 

[I'ddie4him2]

Wow thats really sad, if I were her I probably would have politly minimized my contact with you after I got out. If she was sending letters home that a DI thought were hilarious it does not sound like she was fully informed, maybe im wrong but only you know that. Is it worth loosing your relationship with your daughter just to continue the military family tradition. The military is not a joke and neither is the training. It is bothersome that it is discussed so lightly on here, people can come out of training with mental problems and severe injurys. I dont know how things are if she is out of training now and if things are good with you and your daughter.

I happen to have gone thru 2 branches of the military. The Army and the Marines.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time in both and had absolutely NO problems physically and mentally accepting the challenges set before me.
While in the Army I consistently met the maximum required for my PT tests, Was 2nd to no one, and did much the same in the Marines.
I broke my back in an unexpected accident and seperated earlier than I wanted to.

It is very bothersome to come in here and see posts like these consistently bad mouthing the Military due to having a poor experience. The blameshifting is beyond comprehension.

 

[QuiltAngel]

rppearso
You are right, the military is not a joke nor is it's training, but it is possible to laugh and joke about oneself and things you do or don't do as well as have fun with those you are with. Also, it is possible to like the military, many do.

It is also presumptuous to be critical of another's mother/daughter relationship.

Not everyone is cut out to be in the military and that is fine. You apparently were one of those people. That does not mean that others will also have problems.

Here I thought this was a safe place for members of the military to chat as well as those of us with loved ones in the military. I seem to have been wrong.

 

[ICor1311]

rppearso
You are right, the military is not a joke nor is it's training, but it is possible to laugh and joke about oneself and things you do or don't do as well as have fun with those you are with. Also, it is possible to like the military, many do.

It is also presumptuous to be critical of another's mother/daughter relationship.

Not everyone is cut out to be in the military and that is fine. You apparently were one of those people. That does not mean that others will also have problems.

Here I thought this was a safe place for members of the military to chat as well as those of us with loved ones in the military. I seem to have been wrong.

Every now and then, there's always one person who has a tendency to give the wrong impression. I don't want you to think that you can't come to this forum and feel that it's not a safe place for members of the military or the family/friends of loved ones to come here and chat.

I do apologize for rppearso's brash comments. The ignorancy of one person shouldn't be assumed for everyone else in here. I do apologize once again.

 

[ICor1311]

I also enjoy a good debate as well, but most do not appreciate my opinions regarding the military, I dont need to swear but I also will say things people dont like kinda like when Jesus threw the tables when the temple was extorting people, so dont misinturpert slander for people calling out the militarys dirty laundry that no one wants to talk about that was the reason I was temp banned from this forum. You may not be disrespectful yourself but I hope you inform the potential recruit of the treatment instore for them once they join. I had no idea of the extent of the mental abuse which is why im ex. Anyways it would be nice to debate with you in a PM to avoid further bans.

A good debate is great. I'm all for it. However, once again, little things such as respect and tact must be enforced and regarded during conversations. Otherwise, the points you're trying to get across are useless. Having said that, there's obviously a reason why you were banned from this forum. How you got back onto the forum, I'll never know. Maybe someone should look into that.

I do appreciate your service. However, I don't understand what mental abuse you're referring to. I've received no mental abuse. My soldiers throughout my 12, almost 13 year tenure have received no mental abuse. I can only speculate as to what mental abuse you are referring to. If you received mental abuse in BT, there's a reason why the DI's were on you like white on rice on a paper place with a glass of milk in a snow storm. Were you the weak link in your BT unit?

AIT is a breeze. If you received any type of mental abuse there, you were doing something you shouldn't have been doing.

Once you got to your unit, I have no idea. I do know it couldn't have been much. You worked 1 weekend a month and 2 weeks a year. You did your drills and went home until the following month when you had drills again. Maybe you deployed with your unit. Other than that possibility, the only active duty time you have is BT and AIT. I'm sorry to hear that weekend military life was too rough for you. Some are cut out to serve, others just complain.

Also, for those that have served and are still serving in the Reserves or National Guard, I commend you for your service. Everyone has a reason to enlist into a particular branch whether it be full time or part time. One or the other, you've served or are still serving and I say Thank You.