Went to see a Recruiter Today

[DoTheRobot]

I took the first step and went to see a recuiter today.My mom insisted that she come the first time, she wanted some info and wanted to see what options I have.I knew alot of what we talked about from what I have read on this site but I got to hear about all the college stuff too.I took the practice asvab and scored somewhere in the high 70's and he said I shouldnt have a problem in this area.I'm going back tommorow to give him all my information so he can set me up for MEPS.I have to list some references and addresses and all that stuff for atleast 7 years back.I havent known to many reliable people for 7 years but I'll work it out.My recruiter also said that no one has had a problem getting what they want and that the 11x/ABN/Option 40 shouldnt be a problem.I was happy to hear of all this and to know that I shouldnt have a problem with the ASVAB either.I'm going to study anyways and I'll update this thread after MEPS when I'm a DEP.

I would like to thank all the Rangers, soldiers, and DEPs who have created a wealth of information on this site.Everytime I had a question I would go to the next page of a section and it would be answered somewhere.

[DoTheRobot]

I went back to my recruiter today and filled out some paperwork and found out that my technical school hours may help me out.I'm going back tommorow to get everything squared away and I'm set to go to MEPs on Sunday.It's a little earlier than I expected but I'm happy to get things set straight a hopefully be a DEP by Monday.

[wellfed]

Thread lightly young Grasshopper, Your recruiter is sending you on Sunday for Monday morning processing. Don't take what you don't want..The counselor is the one who decides what to offer, not the recruiter. The recruiter puts you in the Army, the Counselor puts you in the job. The sequence is fairly brief..ASVAB.. 1st, then your physical..once you've cleared both (which should take you to about 11:30-12:30 maybe longer) then you get to sit down with a counselor. He will will push what the Army needs, not what you want. If he doesn't offer you what you want then be patient, you might have to come back (your recruiter will not be happy) but if you pick something you didn't want your the one that's not going to be happy. Let us know of your progress. They will give you what you want if you stand firm and wait. try mentioning another service and see how fast they work. Hope this helps. What part of Florida?

[DoTheRobot]

Thank you for the insight Ranger wellfed.My recruiter did not gaurantee me anything and I understand it's not his job.He mentioned that none of the recruits he's sent up there have been turned down for a job because its unavailable.He also showed me a contract from a DEP he had that was 11x/ABN/Option 40 to let me see what I need.I won't sign anything or swear in until I get what I want.

I live in Pensacola and have been here for the last 4 months, before that I lived in Tallahassee for about 10 years.Pensacola is a Navy town .Are you any where near here?

[Bugsy]

...My recruiter did not gaurantee me anything...... He also showed me a contract from a DEP he had that was 11x/ABN/Option 40 to let me see what I need....I won't sign anything....... or swear in until I get what I want.

WRONG!!!!! DON'T SIGN JACK SHIT UNTIL YOU GET "WHAT YOU WANT" PERIOD!!! DON'T WORRY (OR CARE FOR THAT MATTER), IF YOUR RECRUITER GETS PISSED, THE COUNSLOR GETS PISSED OR ANYBODY ELSE.....

GO IN THERE AND MAKE IT VERY CLEAR, THAT UNLESS YOU GET "WHAT YOU WANT" YOU'RE NOT SIGNING ANY CONTRACT NO MATTER HOW LONG IT TAKES!!!

they'll do their very fuckin best to bullshit you to get you to sign......

JUST REMEMBER WHAT WE TOLD YOU!!!

NOW DROP AND KNOCK OUT 50!!!

[DoTheRobot]

Thank you for the advice Ranger Bugsy.I'll make sure to get what I want or go home till its available.I just knocked out 50.

[DoTheRobot]

:? Alright, heres the deal.I went back to the recruiter today to finish up the paperwork and talk to the First Sergeant who is apparently in charge of all of Florida for recruiting but dont quote me on that.I talked to him on the phone and he basically asked what I would do if I couldnt get 11x/ABN/Option 40 and I told him I would wait till its available.Thats the short of it and he got pissed and said, "Then you are not going to MEPs on Monday" and asked to speak to the Sergeant who runs the recruiting station.When they got off the phone he explained to me that I could voluteer for Airborne and Ranger training after OSUT and that to go to MEPs they wanted to know that I would take just Infantry if it is all that is available.I then talked to the First Sergeant again and told him what he wanted to hear even though I was really pissed about it.I then talked to the Sergeant at the recruiting station again and he said that some slots may become available and not to worry about it.The thing is that the First Sergeant said he called MEPs and that there were no slots available for ranger or airborne.

When I agreed to go to MEPs after being told what I wanted was not available am I going to have a problem joining in the future if I don't agree to join up now?If the First Sergeant is in charge of recruiting in Florida and he gets pissed about this will he have say as to whether I can come back when my desired MOS is available?

Last thing, I have a GED and apparently my technical school hours dont count so I dont even think I'm ellegible for Option 40.I would like a gaurantee for Airbone atleast but I'll have to search around and see if its possible to get Option 40 as a GED kid(in florida when you get a GED you are given a high school diploma that says "High School Diploma" so I was hoping for it to be counted as a high school diploma but oh well).

Basically I'm just worried that if I say I wont join untill I get what I want after telling the First Sergeant I would, would this disqualify me in some way of joining in the future.

I'm probably gonna get smoked for this so I'll go ahead and stretch .

[Joseph PrettyDeepWater]

:? Alright, heres the deal.I went back to the recruiter today to finish up the paperwork and talk to the First Sergeant who is apparently in charge of all of Florida for recruiting but dont quote me on that.I talked to him on the phone and he basically asked what I would do if I couldnt get 11x/ABN/Option 40 and I told him I would wait till its available.Thats the short of it and he got pissed and said, "Then you are not going to MEPs on Monday" and asked to speak to the Sergeant who runs the recruiting station.When they got off the phone he explained to me that I could voluteer for Airborne and Ranger training after OSUT and that to go to MEPs they wanted to know that I would take just Infantry if it is all that is available.I then talked to the First Sergeant again and told him what he wanted to hear even though I was really pissed about it.I then talked to the Sergeant at the recruiting station again and he said that some slots may become available and not to worry about it.The thing is that the First Sergeant said he called MEPs and that there were no slots available for ranger or airborne.

When I agreed to go to MEPs after being told what I wanted was not available am I going to have a problem joining in the future if I don't agree to join up now?If the First Sergeant is in charge of recruiting in Florida and he gets pissed about this will he have say as to whether I can come back when my desired MOS is available?

Last thing, I have a GED and apparently my technical school hours dont count so I dont even think I'm ellegible for Option 40.I would like a gaurantee for Airbone atleast but I'll have to search around and see if its possible to get Option 40 as a GED kid(in florida when you get a GED you are given a high school diploma that says "High School Diploma" so I was hoping for it to be counted as a high school diploma but oh well).

Basically I'm just worried that if I say I wont join untill I get what I want after telling the First Sergeant I would, would this disqualify me in some way of joining in the future.

I'm probably gonna get smoked for this so I'll go ahead and stretch .

I was in nearly the exact same situation you were.
I had graduated from Homeschool and was considered Tier 2.
I took the AIMS test and passed making it possible for me to get an Opt 40.
I also had an hour long conversation with my SFC who told me that I should take what the Army gives me and hope for a RIP slot once in OSUT.
He also asked me what I would do if a Opt 40 was not availible, and I told him I would not sign.
In the end I got my opt 40 but I went down to MEPS at least 8 times before it was availible, even though my recruiter/SFC were pissed as hell at me.
Just make sure and show them how much you want that Opt 40.


~Joseph

[DoTheRobot]

The guy in charge at the recruiting station here said talking to the First Sergeant is a new thing and mentioned that it is a bad idea, it has only been going on a week or so.

I have been searching around and I was unaware that passing the AIM would make me elegible for Option 40.I hope the counselor can get me what I want or else I'm gonna have some issues at the recruiting office.

I was just making sure that I could still join if I turn down the oppurtunity this time after telling the Firsy Sergeant I would join even if what I want is not available.

Thanks Joseph, thats a big relief and although I feel I flat out lied to the guy hes not me and its not his future.

[hit_it]

have been searching around and I was unaware that passing the AIM would make me elegible for Option 40.

It won't.

Do you have a GED or something? Job Corps? Trade school? 15 college credits?

[Joseph PrettyDeepWater]

DoTheRobot,

Considering I didnt have a GED, but a homeschool diploma it made me eligible for an Opt 40 after passing the AIMS test.

Sorry if I came across wrong.


~Joseph

[DoTheRobot]

SFC Hit_it, I have about 1300 technical school hours and although the recruiter said they dont count he said they may tell me differently at MEPs.I know this may not qualify me still but I still want atleast Airborne.If you can tell me whether or not I qualify for Option 40 that would be cool.If you need some info I can post it on here or PM you more personal stuff if youd like.Also, how often is Airborne NOT available because I dont want to get bsed there.

Joseph, you didnt come across wrong.I was home schooled and here in Florida as far as I know when you are home schooled you have to get your GED.I may be wrong on that but that is what I was told to do.

Thanks SFC Hit_it and Joseph for the help.

[hit_it]

Technical School. Did you complete the course? Is the credit awarded in CLOCK hours?

If so, you may be eligible for an Option 40.

I listed the education requirements in this forum.

You obviously did not read them.

[DoTheRobot]

With all do respect SFC Hit_it I have read that sticky and re read it a moment ago.I believe my course is considered an occupational course and not a vocational or trade course.From what I understand, they can tell me more at MEPs as to whether it counts for anything.I did not complete the course because I was offered a job during my required internship and learned more in a week than I had in that class.

I dont know how the course is evaluated but it meets the curriculum framework for the Florida Department of Education and is listed with the hours awarded for each occupational completion points on their website.

http://www.firn.edu/doe/dwdframe/home0079.htm
It is listed down at the bottom in the "Community College Curriculum Frameworks and Student Performance Standards" section under Industrial education.I was hoping that since it is part of a Community College Curriculum that it may count.

Thank you SFC Hit_it for your help, I'm sorry if it seemed I havent read anything but I just dont know what the course is considered and therefore dont know whether it applies.