When you sit down with a Recruiter, he or she will make it easy to find out if the Army is right for you. Whether it’s Active Duty or Army Reserve, or a certain length of service you’re interested in – together with your Recruiter, you’ll find the best way to serve, and choose the job that complements your abilities and future goals.
Why Contact A Recruiter?
Only by working with a Recruiter can you tailor an Army experience to meet your goals, wants and needs. Want to take advantage of money for your education? Need certain job skills? Your Recruiter can give you the specifics on all the Army benefits to help you make the most out of your Army career.
What’s It Like Talking to A Recruiter?
Recruiters are some of the most experienced Soldiers in the Army — that’s what makes them qualified to tell you about what the Army has to offer. Some have served overseas, some have seen combat, so you should feel free to ask them about how the Army has helped them meet their goals. Better yet, ask them how the Army can help you reach yours.
TALKING TO A RECRUITER
The job of recruiters is to find qualified candidates for their respective services and provide them with information about – and reasons for – joining the Army. Expect recruiters to talk about opportunities in the Army in positive but realistic terms, but don’t be surprised if a recruiter wants to talk to both you and your parents together. You should discuss such goals with them, before they meet with a recruiter. That way everyone is on the same page. Also, developing specific questions prior to the meeting is an excellent and recommended way to prepare. It’s a recruiter’s job to answer any and all questions. If you ask a question the recruiter can’t answer personally, he or she will get back to you with the answer. Prepare a written list of questions before your visit. Below are some questions to get you started.
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR RECRUITER
General Questions:
*Please explain the recruiting process – start to finish.
*Potential recruits: Why should I join the Army?
*Do you have any special incentives to join?
*What’s the Future Soldier program?
*Which option is best for me: Army active duty, Army Reserve or ROTC?
Basic Combat Training:
*What really goes on in Basic Combat Training?
*What’s the balance between classroom and physical training?
*What kind of condition do you have to be in at the start?
*What are the physical standards candidates have to meet?
*What are training and drill sergeants like today?
*What percent of people who start actually graduate?
*Can two friends go through basic at the same time?
*Women: Do women receive “military haircuts” too?
The First Term:
*How long does the first term last? Do you have programs of different lengths?
*Can an entrant choose the military job he/she wants? How is the job assignment made?
*Can you describe a couple of jobs? I want to understand what people actually do in the Army.
*Can a trainee choose to serve overseas?
*How much does a new recruit get paid, and what are the benefits?
*How often are service people promoted?
Education:
*What kind of training comes after basic?
*How good are your military job-training schools?
*What are all the ways a service member can earn college credits during enlistment?
*What are your tuition support programs? How does an entrant qualify for them?