intro and question

[MarcRaiderfan]

I am a med retired rigger. I was enlisted from 94-97. I was an e-4 when and was starting the selction process when a cherry on a night jumpa t bragg ran into me then stold my air and ended my army career. I know not much of an enlistment, but was injured on that jump and was offered a desk job or an med discharge. I took the later. Now I am a stock Broker do not work for a living anymore. lol
Anyway my son is going to meps tomorrow and to no surprise of mine everything has changed at the last minute. He is being told by his recruiter now that he can not get an option 40 that he was promised. He will be taking th asvab at meps and scored an 88 on the pre-test. The recruiter is telling him he can get the ranger optin while he is at meps. Is this possible? My son will be 18 in two weeks and just graduated from HS. He is very intelegent, took mostly college prep courses played football and is in decent shape, and highly motivated t become a Ranger. He wants the 11X/Abn/Option 40 contract. Any last minute advise for him before he goes to meps would be greatly appreciated.

[Slowpoke]

Welcome pop.

Tell him to go to MEPS and stick to his guns. Just keep telling them (politely but firmly) that anything other than an 11X Opt40 is a no-go. He doesn't need to sign anything he doesn't want. They may play a waiting game with him because most kids are so psyched up that they'll take anything just to get it done right then. He should be prepared to wait them out.

[Spartan]

Welcome to the board.

Yes, it's a stupid game with the recruiters. He should know that he's the one holding the cards, not the recruiters. If they can't give him an option 40 contract, he should be prepared to walk out on them and tell them that "When you can offer me an OPT 40 contract, please give me a call". BUT - then when he gets home, he needs to keep calling his recruiter, at least twice a week or so and asking if they've released any new OPT40 contracts so he can get one.

If you read enough of the posts on this board, you'll discover that is exactly what those who have OPT40's on here have done to get theirs.

Best of luck to you and your son. Have him sign up on this board also.

[MarcRaiderfan]

Thanks for the advice. I have been telling him just that, he is pretty excited to go and I am worried that he might give in and except something less. I will share you advice with him. I have a Ranger buddy that was in Ft. Louis and is now a reservist that said the same thing. He said don't let down until he gets the option in his contract.
The recruiter told him just to take the 11x and he will get the option after he gets to his unit. I know that is not too likely.

[Spartan]

The recruiter told him just to take the 11x and he will get the option after he gets to his unit.

It doesn't work that way. He's got to get it on the contract, otherwise he could have to serve out his entire first enlistment before he gets the chance to go.

[MarcRaiderfan]

Hey thanks for the avatar. My son just read this over my shoulder and he is going to register on the site. It is good for him to hear advice from someone other than Dad. What do I know?

Thanks again for the fast responses!

[K.Ingraham]

"Not much of an enlistment"?? Trooper, there's nothing wrong or lesser about being a rigger in our Airborne!

The first hurdle for your son is getting an Opt40.
This is where he begins to show that he has the guts, actual desire and drive to see it all the way through to a tough goal.
As you know all too well, part of being in the Army is learning to wait. 1-2 weeks inprocessing when he arrives anywhere. Doing shit details while he's on hold waiting for the next class at jump school to begin. You know the drill SportsFan. If he can't wait a few days or a week or two, especially after all the positive examples that abound on this site alone, then he'd just be wasting the Opt 40 anyway.

That your son is willing to give this a try after what happened to you speaks great things about him. Let us know if he follows through.
Unless, of course, he decides that truck driving at Ft Hood and the great post-service career opportunities that brings is what he wants, then it's best just to slink along and never look back.
You only die once, failure lives forever.

[Slowpoke]

Thanks for the advice. I have been telling him just that, he is pretty excited to go and I am worried that he might give in and except something less. I will share you advice with him. I have a Ranger buddy that was in Ft. Louis and is now a reservist that said the same thing. He said don't let down until he gets the option in his contract.
The recruiter told him just to take the 11x and he will get the option after he gets to his unit. I know that is not too likely.

It's not just unlikely, it's absolute bullshit. He should get everything he wants in writing!

[MarcRaiderfan]

Thanks Slowpoke..That's what I figured, I haven't met a recruiter that wasn't full of shit yet.

I hear ya K.Ingraham, he is motivated and doesn't want to be a truck driver. lol If he wasn't up to the challenge, I would let him know. I am sure he is physically able and mentally strong. It will definatley be more of a challenge than he knows or can prepare for.
I have the utmost respect for all that you guys have done to get where you are and for all that you do to protect the way of life that most whiny ass civilians take for granted.

[Ranger Ron]

Welcome to ArmyRanger.com! Hope your son sticks to his guns on the opt 40.

[Looon]

Welcome

[Ranger Bill]

Welcome. If your son wants it, and follows the advice, he'll get it.

[MarcRaiderfan]

I had told the recruiter yestersday that if the option wasn't there that I would not release him ( because he is 17 for two more weeks). Sha Zam, this morning the recruiter called and got the 11x/abn/option40 on his papers. He went to meps today and is supposed to ship on the 29th of this month.

Thanks for the feedback I appreciate it and I will keep you keep you updated on his progress. I encouraged him to register on here to get some advice from those of you that have walked the walk.


Thanks again,

Marc

[Ranger Ron]

That's good news! Thanks for your support and encouragement to your son. I am sure he will make you proud.

[Earthpig]

Did the police ever recover your stolen air? Sorry, bad joke....it was the Jose Cuervo...

Welcome to the site. Recruiters are just used car salesmen with a different mission. Tell Junior to stick to his guns. After all, it's his life, not theirs.

RLTW
EP