Army Recruiter Duty...what's it like?

Question

What's Army recruiter duty now, in 2012? Everyone says it's stressful but wondering if it has changed any with the troop drawdown. Answers from current recruiters are greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

I don't know what it's like now, but since the dynamics are pretty much the same, I would expect that it is still stressful. If you are gregarious and enjoy people, understand teens, etc., then go for it.



But know that you will receive a mission every month, and you will be required to meet not only numbers, but types of individuals. An example would be to recruit a male high school senior who can test in the category I-IIIA range (AFQT 50 or above on the ASVAB).



Recruiting duty can be very rewarding and if you are successful, career-enhancing. I did four years in it, and though successful, I hated every day. My daughter asked her Mom why Daddy didn't live with them anymore. That was because I left before she woke up and came home after she went to bed.



Also, no matter how successful you were last month, if you don't have your mission looking to be made by mid-month, they start hounding you. And then if you say something like, "But last month I overproduced!" they will reply, "That is ancient frickin' history, Sergeant!"



So it is a Catch-22 situation. Your career can be hugely enhanced by recruiting duty, or it can be killed.



Best wishes!

Answer 2

The term "drawdown" is a little deceptive. Yes, the Army is downsizing but the rate at which it will happen is gradual. I've read reports saying 5 years, 10 years, or more. During this time the Army will still have recruiting targets and it will still be recruiting new blood to replace people who die, are discharged, or ETS.



Now as for what a recruiter's job is like, my impression is that it is very much like working in retail, because in a way, that's what they do. They sell you the dream. They have their Key Performance Indicators (at the recruiting station I went to, each recruiter had to get at least 3 appointments per week - that is, people walking through the door to talk to them about joining the Army), put up with their fair share of stupid customers, and there are good days and bad days.



When I hung around the office for a bit and went on my multiple trips to MEPS, I found out just how much of America's youth are overweight, academically challenged, have a criminal record that prevents them from enlisting, or generally have a problem taking orders that will hurt them later on, even in areas where I would've thought people are quite well off. I can only imagine that it must be hell for a recruiter to have to deal with so many frustrating people, even if they have the best of intentions and want to turn their lives around. My guess is that when the rare recruit comes along with the right combination of aptitude, a clean record, and a good attitude they will want to do their best to see that individual succeed. At least I would.

Answer 3

I am a future soldier so i can tell you, i spend a lot of time with them.

1.Alot of paperwork

2.Alot of driving people around to meps(my recruiters drive to memphis and its like an hour away so that drive gets boring quick!

3. Doing paperwork on people then thet dont join then they come back wanting to join.

4. They work from like 7 to 5 but iv seen them there all the way to 10 pm