Tips For Visiting Your Recruiter
These tips for visiting your military recruiter will give you talking points and goals as you get ready to join the military. By having no fear, taking a friend or family member with you, knowing the ASVAB, understanding where you want to be stationed, asking about special pays and by knowing your contract goals, start date and commitment length — and then getting it all in writing — youll be able to get the most of out of this recruiter meeting.
1. Have no fear. Remember you are under no obligation when speaking to a recruiter. You may be asked to sign paperwork before taking the ASVAB and possibly at other steps in the process. This is standard procedure so don’t be alarmed. The enlistment process is involved and takes time you have the ability to change your mind at any time before you sign the final enlistment contract.
2. Go with someone. You may feel more at ease if you take a friend, parent or someone else you trust.
3. Know the ASVAB. You may get the job you want, but to do so, you must score well on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test. But the ASVAB alone doesn’t guarantee you’ll get the job you want. Military job selection also is based on other specified criteria, such as physical fitness, eyesight, security requirements and education level.
4. Be stationed where you want. Some services have programs where they can guarantee your first duty station. Be sure to ask, but remember that after your first unit, you could serve anywhere.
Talk To Family And Friends
Once you have determined the job or jobs that you are interested in, talk to your family and friends about it. Tell them what youve found out and get their opinions. Its true that you dont need their consent to join, but it sure does help when you have someone to write/call back home. You never know when your family and friends will have some helpful insight in making your decision. Make sure that your loved ones realize what youre getting into and that their expectations are realistic. Explain to them the process that youll have to go through to join, the amount of time youll have to spend in training, how often youll get to come back home, and the possibility that youll be deployed. The last thing you want is to deal with family issues during training because Mom and Dad dont realize that you just cant come home to visit or even call them on a regular basis.
Who Are Army Recruiters And How Do They Help You
Recruiters are tasked with not only finding men and women who are interested in the Army, but also helping them gauge whether military service is best for them. Recruiters also guide potential candidates through the enlistment process, making sure they have everything they need up until the moment a Soldier embarks on Basic Combat Training.
Don’t Miss: Does The Military Accept Autistic
Medal Entitlements And Applications
The Army Ceremonial Cell can assist with enquiries relating to the Infantry Combat Badge, Army Combat Badge, Army Remembrance Pin and the Soldiers Medallion for Exemplary Service.
To contact the Army Ceremonial Cell email or visit Honours and Awards for more information.
For information and applications for all other medals, please visit the Defence Honours and Awards website.
Comparing The Advantages & Disadvantages Of Military Life
While there are a ton of advantages to joining the Army, the reality is military service isnt for everyone.
It requires significant time away from family, long working hours, taking orders from higher-ranking individuals all of the time, and a very disciplined lifestyle.
If you do decide to enlist you will want to make sure that you get everything that was discussed with a recruiter in writing.
Never just trust that what a recruiter tells you will happen without making sure it is also included in writing.
Therefore, you should make sure that you get important guarantees like the MOS you want to pursue, potential bonuses, GI bill, etc down in writing before officially enlisting.
We have an excellent Army pros and cons article to help with your decision.
You can also reference individual Military Occupational Specialties, including the advantages and disadvantages of the MOS, by searching for one under the search icon.
Related ArticleUS Army Grooming Standards
Also Check: Sears Military Discount Appliances
Where To Locate Military Recruiters
U.S. Army Photo by Alun Thomas, USAREC Public Affairs
Recruiting professionals usually work in offices, but often theyll make appearances at job fairs and high schools, too. If you have an interest in joining the military, talk to them as soon as you get the opportunity.
Each recruiter has their own perspective and way of presenting information, which is why its a good idea to talk to as many different ones as possible before making your final decision.
Next time youre out and about in your area, look for a recruiting office. Theres usually one in every county. Each branch also has a recruiting office location listing online that you can narrow down by zip code.
You can find a recruiting office location for each of the branches at the links or by calling the phone numbers listed below:
Final Tips On Speaking With A Military Recruiter
As you get ready to go see a military recruiter, be prepared to intake a lot of new information. This isnt a decision youll want to make lightly, so spending time prepping and gather your thoughts before you go is a good idea. The more prepared you are going in, the more confident youll feel during the process.
Tips to keep in mind:
- Be honest Share your career goals, five-year plans, and interests with the recruiter. This will help guide the conversation toward the best career options for you.
- Talk about your health If you have a serious health condition, dont try hiding it. Ask your recruiter about disqualifying conditions. Dont risk your health or life by trying to sneak it past your recruiter or military doctors.
- Follow-up If youre serious about joining the military, follow-up on your recruiting process. Get the right medical paperwork, fill out all the forms on time, and take your ASVAB as soon as you can. It will get your military career started much faster.
Keep in mind that the recruiters goal is to sell you on the military life. A good recruiter will answer all your questions and give you information on both active duty options and reserve details, too.
You want to make sure its a good fit for you, so think it over for a few days if youre still unsure. Theres no need to rush a decision that will impact the next several years of your life!
What questions do you have about the military recruiting process? Let us know in the comments below!
Don’t Miss: Does Petco Give Military Discount
Contact An Army Recruiter
Contact an Army recruiter. Recruiters seek out qualified candidates and meet with those interested in joining the Army to help them through the enlistment process. While recruiters talk about Army opportunities in positive but realistic terms, their job is to answer questions potential enlistees might have, according to goarmy.com.
Meet With A Recruiter
Youll meet your point of contact for the branch youre interested in. At this point, youll learn about the eligibility requirements and if you can join based on a preliminary screening. Depending on the size of the recruiting office, this person will be the one you speak with each and every time you make an inquiry.
Read Also: Cox Veteran Discount
How To Decide Whether To Let Your Child Talk To A Recruiter
Lets face it, the real concern many parents have with this issue has nothing to do with a simple conversation between a high school age child and an Army recruiter, Marine Corps recruiter, Air Force, Coast Guard, etc. What many parents are worried about can be described as undue influence.
A recruiters job is to sell people on the military lifestyle. This requires giving some version of a sales pitch that sometimes glosses over the hardships of military life in favor of the benefits of having a career in uniform. How can you give your teenage daughter a realistic view of military service and avoid skipping over the harder-to-sell aspects of it?
Unauthorised Websites And Products Using Australian Army Branding
Scammers can use elements of Army’s brand to imply that websites or products are endorsed by the Australian Army. The Australian Army does not produce or provide products for sale directly to the public. There are a small number of organisations with permission to use the Army’s brand on commercial products for charitable purposes.
Please notify the Army Brand Manager if you believe you have visited an unauthorised Army website or wish to report the sale of items that you believe are unauthorised, via email . Please include the website address and screenshots.
Recommended Reading: Can An Autistic Person Join The Military
Ask The Right Questions
When you talk alone with a recruiter, and when you sit in with your child, be sure to ask some very important questions:
Addressing A Us Army Recruiter
Typically, U.S. Army recruiters will hold the rank of sergeant, staff sergeant or sergeant first class. When addressing a sergeant, staff sergeant or sergeant first class in an email, use Sergeant . If unsure, call the office and ask directly.
When writing an email, keep in mind these five points from Military.com: intention, conciseness, the recipient, the call-to-action and the details. What information is necessary to achieve your intention? Keeping your email concise is essential to ensure that no information gets lost, and be sure to only share what is necessary. There is no need to reiterate. Remember, no one wants to read a lengthy email.
Consider the recipient if you do not have an already established rapport, it is best to keep introductions formal because this email will be their first impression of you. Next, be sure to state the call-of-action clearly. What are you asking from the other party? Lastly, pay attention to the details: use a professional email address, sign with your full name and make sure the email is organized and free of spelling errors.
You May Like: Sears Military Discount On Appliances
Always Make Sure You Add Some Customization To The Email
Never cut & paste a generic email that youre sending to every company. Thats not going to impress the hiring manager or get you a job offer.
Youll be much better off if you mention their specific job title, company name, or both. And talk about why you though to apply for the job and why its worth their time to talk to you! .
Youll also notice that the job applicant email above contains your LinkedIn profile.
If you dont have any information on your LinkedIn profile yet, Id highly suggest filling it out! Hiring managers often look you up even if you dont provide it.
Choose a clear subject line, too, like Senior Support Technician Application. This will boost the chances that your email gets opened.
Find My Local Military Recruiter Near Me
Just enter your zip code or city below and get the address and phone numbers and find your local military recruiter. Find your nearest Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marine or National Guard recruiter here. Locate your military recruiters nearest you right here. You may want to talk with each military branch and compare all the military jobs that are currently available and best for you! Be informed! We are not the government and not associated with the military in any way, this is strictly a service to USMilitary.com readers from USMilitary.com. We, at USMilitary.com, hope you find this tool useful. Thank you.
Don’t Miss: Veterans Discount At Sears
Questions To Ask Your Recruiter
It’s a good idea to prepare a list of questions to ask, in advance. Be as specific as possible. While most recruiters will not lie to you, remember that the recruiter lives or dies by the number of people he/she can recruit. He or she may not volunteer information which may chase away a potential quota-maker.
It’s up to you to ask pointed, specific, no-nonsense questions, and expect direct answers. Be very suspicious of any unclear, or vague answers. Always press for specifics. If in doubt, ask the recruiter to put the information in writing, and sign it, or to show you in the regulations, guides, or pamphlets that what he/she is saying is true.
If you’re joining the active duty Air Force or the active duty Navy, in most cases, you don’t want to ask too many questions about specific military jobs. Job selections for these branches are performed during your processing at the Military Entrance Processing Station , and the recruiters have nothing to do with it.
Rather, focus your questions on the general advantages of that particular service , medical care, barracks/dormitory/housing conditions, education benefits, etc.as). If you’re joining the active duty Army, active duty Marine Corps, Army or Air National Guard, or the Reserve forces , the recruiter will have more input about job opportunities .
What The Recruiter Might Or Might Not Tell You
There are laws that govern under what circumstances recruiters can talk to your child including how and when they have access to high school property. You should become familiar with the rules as defined by the high school plus any applicable state laws that may govern such contacts and when they may occur.
Furthermore, new recruits often ship out to boot camp without fully understanding what their options are if they feel they have made a mistake and dont wish to continue the training. A new recruit is sworn in at the Military Entrance Processing Station before being sent out to Basic Training. For many, this creates an assumption that they have committed fully and can never back out.
The reality is that until you have graduated from Basic Training and head off to Technical School, all new recruits have the option to terminate their training and be sent home. Those who wish to do so will find that the process is NOT easy, and the training instructors at Boot Camp often have to help those who simply find the process very difficult to understand that they dont REALLY want to leave, they are just struggling with a new set of requirements and discipline.
And in many cases this is absolutely true. Youll get many stories from boot camp graduates about almost wanting to give up but persevering in spite of the difficulty. But not all recruits fit into this categorysome really have made a mistake and need to know how to exit basic training.
| Related Articles |
Read Also: Rural King Veterans Discount
Using Army And Other Service Emblems
All Australian Army emblems are protected by legislation. For information on using Army emblems, visit Protecting Australian Army Emblems.
For information on using the Australian Defence Force, Royal Australian Navy or Royal Australian Air Force emblems, please contact the Service Brand Manager via email:
- Australian Defence Force Brand Manager:
- Royal Australian Navy Brand Manager:
- Royal Australian Air Force:
Purpose Vision Mission Of Army Recruiting Command
Purpose: Recruit the strength of our Army
Vision: A team of proud professionals where all members understand the importance of sustaining The All-Volunteer Army for our Nation and are empowered and committed to doing their part to accomplish the recruiting mission.Mission: Recruit America’s best volunteers to enable the Army to win in a complex world.
Read Also: Can You Join Military With Autism
What Is A Us Army Recruiter
In the U.S. Army, a Recruiter NCO is part of the Adjutant General’s Corps. His or her duties are described as “Recruits qualified personnel for entry into the Army in accordance with applicable regulations, supervises recruiting and recruiting support activities.”
Recruiters may be skill level 3, 4, or 5. People working at skill level 3 are “on the ground,” working directly with young people who are interested in an Army career. At higher levels, Army recruiters are developing recruitment plans, managing programs, and making presentations.
- At skill level 3, recruiters work directly with potential soldiers. They conduct interviews, counsel potential recruits, and determine whether potential recruits are qualified for the U.S. Army.
- At skill level 4, recruiters are one step away from working directly with recruits, though they may do so from time to time. Instead, they work directly with skill level 3 recruiters, providing training and analyzing results.
- At skill level 5, recruiters develop training programs and outreach programs. They also analyze statistics, manage publications, and prepare enlistment reports. They may also evaluate and report on the work of recruiters in the field.
Sample Email Template :
Hi Jill,
Thanks for getting in touch! The opportunity sounds interesting. Can we connect on the phone for a few minutes to discuss it in more detail? I usually dont send my resume out without knowing a bit more about the opportunity first.
Im happy to send you my resume right after we talk if it seems like a good potential fit .
The best number to reach me: 555-555-5555
Best regards,
Recommended Reading: Navy Federal Homebuyers Choice Requirements