my son has been suckered by a recruiter

[whd507]

My son Matt has been trying to get in the army, while he's still in school. he wants to do basic during summer, then finish his senior year, and go active duty. I'm ok with that. what I'm getting increasingly alarms about, is ths recruiter isnt really forthcoming about details. he took him to take his ASVAB test, an he scored pretty low, but passing. I want him to re-take the test and score higher. the recruiter is resisting, and is taking Matt to his indiuction physical tomorrow. I shoudl have done more research earlier, but I'm finding most people in this program arent getting what they want, and that its to teh recruiters advantage to have a good number of "beta" inlistments (31-49) to fill less desirable positions. he has a year and a half before he graduates, so I dont see the rush. yes things may change in a month, but the deception from the recruiter and his boss, outweighs the possibility his slot will fill up in 30 days.

I dont know what to do, I cant even talk to Matt anymore, only the recruiter has any sway.

[FordNut]

Not much you can do. He's a big boy, he has to learn his own lessons. Military is a good move, especially just out of school. If he can stomach it he could retire and then have another career afterward while collecting a pension. If he can only put up with one term, he can get out and learn a trade on the GI bill.

[SC Cheesehead]

I dont know what to do, I cant even talk to Matt anymore, only the recruiter has any sway.

Unfortunately it's what's known as "growing up."

E-Dubb was the same way; from about 18 to 22 he figured I was the dumbest man on earth, but by the time he got to 25, I guess I smartened up a bit.

[O's Fan Rich]

Can he switch Branches?
There is competition among them for recruits, at least there use to be.

[SC Cheesehead]

Can he switch Branches?
There is competition among them for recruits, at least there use to be.

Rich,

Good point. Maybe Navy or Air Force vs. the ground pounders.

[Bluerauder]

I think that I would go see the Recruiting Area Commander (now Company Commander) and ask for a sit down explanation as a “concerned parent”. The recruiter can set this up for you and can do it at the area office or at your home. Just ask for an explanation of your options. The area commander (usually a Captain) will be able to give you the straight scoop. I was an area commander on Long Island, NY (Suffolk County) and I spoke to many parents over my 2-years in recruiting.

Here are some things that you should know:

1. Retests on the ASVAB rarely produce more than a marginal improvement over the initial score. There is some risk that the score will actually be lower on a retest. If Matt scored a 48 or 49, he might be able to move up a category. If he scored a 40, it is unlikely that his score will improve by 10 points.

2. Here are the ASVAB Categories: The overall score indicates where the applicants stands as a percentage of all test takers. Matt scored in the bottom 50% of everyone who has taken the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test. The test is geared to measure “aptitude” not intelligence. There is a difference.

Cat I – 93-100
Cat II – 65-92
Cat IIIA – 50-64
Cat IIIB – 31-49
Cat IVA – 21-30
Cat IVB – 16-20
Cat IVC – 10-15
Cat V – 0-9

3. There is no inherent advantage to anyone to push Cat IIIB enlistments (what you called “beta” enlistment). Emphasis on quantity over quality ended back in 1978. It has been well documented over the years that Cat I-IIIA High School Graduates tend to stick longer and do better in the military. Cat IVs tend to have problems with discipline or adaptability and have generally been barred from enlistment over the years. Cat IIIB’s could go either way – depending on their attitude.

4. Qualification for a specific job in the military is not based on the overall ASVAB score alone; but is also focused on one of the nine (9) sub-test areas within the ASVAB.

GS – General Science
AR – Arithmetic Reasoning
WK – Word Knowledge
PC – Paragraph Comprehension
AS – Automotive & Shop
MK – Math Knowledge
MC – Mechanical Comprehension
EI – Electrical Information
AO – Assembling Objects

5. The individuals Physical Profile (PULHES) from the physical examination also figures into the process. The areas evaluated are: P=Pulmonary, U=Upper Body, L=Lower Body, H=Hearing, E=Eyes, and S=Psychiatric/Psychological. Yeah, I know but P was already used one. ;). Top score is 1 in each area. Top profile is 1-1-1-1-1-1. This is known as a "picket fence" profile. Many jobs in the Army require a picket fence.

6. The recruiter can tell the applicant what he MAY or MAY NOT qualify for in terms of specific jobs; but has NO role in the actual job assignment process. This is done by an entirely different person, a Guidance Counselor, at the processing station who is not even in the recruiting chain of command. Until Matt sticks his hand in the air and swears the oath of enlistment, he doesn’t have to agree to any job assignment.

7. Many recruits have unrealistic expectations as to what jobs they can qualify for. Everyone wants to be a helicopter pilot or mechanic, dental hygienist or brain surgeon or some cushy job with lots of technical training on missiles, computers, or electronics. Point of fact is that the sheer number of those jobs is very limited – probably less than 5% of the Army. Most of the jobs in the US Army are in Infantry, Armor and Artillery. That is where the most jobs are – that is no big secret. Since you are in Missouri, Matt may want to consider Engineer, Military Police or Chemical or even Motor Transport. All of these last four are trained near you at Fort Leonard Wood, MO about 30 miles from Rolla, MO.

As I said at the beginning of this note --- ask to talk to the Area Commander/Company Commander who is the top man for recruiters in that area. Hopefully, he can put your mind at ease. No recruiter wants to send anyone “down range” who is not happy. Deception (your word) can only backfire on the recruiter if allegations of recruiting malpractice arise. No recruiter will put his career "on the line" for the sake of one enlistment.

Bottomline to all of this is that it will all depend on Matt. Regardless of the specific job he picks, he alone will make or break his career. The US Army is a great place to start. He will be better for it. As he displays more responsibility and aptitude, he can move up and move on to different things within his career field. If things don't "click", he can walk away at the end of his enlistment with a set of skills that are in demand everywhere.

Best of Luck to Matt. Hope you get all of this sorted out and that things work out for both of you.

Sorry for rambling on.

[knine]

Bring him to KY and let Phyllis have a stab at him. Maybe a second, outside opinion may help. He really liked her in St. Louis.

[whd507]

the recruiter wont give us the line scores, then will call matt on his phone and tell him not to worry about it. his score was a 49, fist time was a 30. but he didnt study, and the recruiter didn't take him to all the promised study lessons, instead just hung out.

I don't have a problem with him signing up, but he is still a junior in high school and has no license, and has to live here a while yet. we are not going to be able to provide him consistent transportation to a duty station several hundred miles away(reserves while still in school), so this is a decision that fall on us as well as on him.

as I understand it, he has to finish basics, his AIT training and be assigned a duty station to get his bonus, the recruiter avoids the question whether he can do all three over summer break. so he avoids most questions about the bonus. Matt will need and is counting on that first payment to get his car/license/insurance to get to his duty station each month.

[whd507]

thanks for rambling on. Matt wants to be a MP partly to train close to home, but needs to qualify ST-95 not having access to his line scores, I dont even want him to go without knowing. He wants infantry in the future when he goes active, so the low score may not hurt him there, but not having consistent truthful answers to questions is really bothering me.

I am hardwired to respect members of the United States military, and dont want to have this suspicious attitude towards the recruiter

and the attitude change has been sudden connected to this latest test.

[whd507]

I called an out of the area recruiter, and he was horrified with this chain of events, but now that my son is alienated from me, and wanting to make his recruiter happy, I no longer have input.

this is really getting ugly, its not what I had envisioned. its hard to be proud of my son, when my gut feeling is he's getting screwed. (its not hard to be proud of my son, but I'm still not liking the turn of events)

he leaves for MEPS on Sunday, and I DONT trust his recruiter to do right by him. I dont know how else I'm supposed to feel

[knine]

Everybody has a boss. Get....demand the name of this recruiter's boss and talk to him. Maybe taking it apart at that end is the best route, if the guy gets in trouble for doing something he shouldn't, like not helping Matt study or falsifying scores, then it's not your fault and you have intervention. Worth a try?

[finster101]

How old is your son? He sounds really young to be able to join right now. Do you have to sign for him? At 16 or 17 a lot can happen in a year. The Army is still going to be there. This is a really big decision to make that young. I signed up just before the end of my senior year. I knew what my options were and that helped in my decision. And your right, I can't believe how stupid my Dad was when I was 18. He must have gone to college the entire four years that I was in service.

[whd507]

I spoke with his boss, and got pretty much the same thing word for word. teh only difference is the recruiter told him he couldn't re-take because he passed, and his boss conceded that he could, but all the good jobs would be gone, and Obama is cutting the budget so he better hurry etc. I wasnt impressed.

Matt is 18, but two grades behind. stuff that happened before we got him,(13) and had no control over.

[Vortex]

Im no family matters expert but since its posted, Ill chime in: If he's 18 he's old enough to just go ahead and go on active duty. If he is two grades behind and 18 years old now and the Army willl take him, he should go ahead and go, he can complete his GED on active duty. You may want to advise him not to worry about training because he thinks it will be close to home, he should mentally prepare himself for just going where they send him. I have to say when I went on active duty when I was 17 I was a pretty immature punk who had never spent more than one night away from home, as it turned out the service was one of the best things that ever happened to me. At his age, hes ready to go, if he can get in now, Id encourage him to do it.

[fastblackmerc]

He's 18 correct?

That's old enough to make his own decisions.

If it's the right or wrong decision then he'll learn from it and be a better person for it.

Stop holding his hand.

[Bluerauder]

I spoke with his boss, and got pretty much the same thing word for word. teh only difference is the recruiter told him he couldn't re-take because he passed, and his boss conceded that he could, but all the good jobs would be gone, and Obama is cutting the budget so he better hurry etc. I wasnt impressed.

Matt is 18, but two grades behind. stuff that happened before we got him,(13) and had no control over.

Not to be too harsh here, but I think that you also need to be realistic about expectations. He was Cat IVA and has moved up to Cat IIIB. He has already had a retest. You didn't mention that in your initial post. Matt is also 2 years behind in school at age 18. His options are limited. Matt and his recruiter may have already come to that conclusion. Retakes on the ASVAB are also limited. Personally, I wouldn't give him better than a 50-50 chance of making it through Basic Training and AIT. He will have to work on it and apply himself everyday. I suspect that he will not qualify for Military Police.

As to the "less desirable jobs" .... that perspective is in the eye of the beholder. I have a tremendous amount of respect for the grunts, tankers and cannon cockers. I use those terms affectionately 'cause they are the ones who are always at the tip of the spear and always get the job done day after day.

I hope Matt does well.

[TAKEDOWN]

Joining the military in my opinion is an outstanding move, but I do agree with on the ASVAP test. A higher score lands you a better job in the military, but there's nothing wrong gruntin' it out with the mighty infantry!

[finster101]

Joining the military in my opinion is an outstanding move, but I do agree with on the ASVAP test. A higher score lands you a better job in the military, but there's nothing wrong gruntin' it out with the mighty infantry!



+1

According to Bluerauder's chart I was a Cat I, but in 1979 they needed Armor Crewmen really bad. I got a nice bonus and a kicker on my eductional benefits by doing so. You know what? I loved it. Went from M-60 A1s to A3s The M1 was just starting to comr into service as I left. Point is it is not always a bad thing. I assure you there are a lot of guys that would not be anything but a tanker or scout. Not meaning to sound bad, but your son may already have limited choices. He is 18, once he makes his decision you can not stop him, you may as well support him. Best of luck to both of you.

[Blk Mamba]

I would have been a Cat I also, went to aircraft electronics school, and several other electronics schools, I hated it, so boring, volunteered for combat service, finished my tour there.

[Starman]

He is 18 and sounds like he is ignoring you. Time for him to man up. See how he reacts when you tell him that the Mom and Dad taxi service has closed. Tell him dig into that wallet for bus fare or get a ride from friends. He may get p/o, but he will understand later. Sometimes tough love is the best love.

All you can do is hope for the best and be there when he stumbles. I lucked out back in the 70's my recruiter was straight up with me. I also had researched my butt off and knew what I wanted. I only did 4 years and regret not doing at least 20. I loved the Military life and got out for lesser reasons than I thought at the time.

Bets of luck, just let him know that without a doubt you love him and will be there for him.

I was a CatI and could have had any job I wanted. I became an Air Force Cop and am in that career field as a civilian.

[whd507]

I don't have a problem with him serving (even if he cleans toilets for 6 years) It was my idea. My beef is his recruiter is, and has lied to him. He finally admitted to him today (when pressed on it) that he wont see the first installment of his bonus for two years. Three days ago he flat out told him in front of us, that he could use the bonus money to buy a car to get to his duty post. Well he cant. We will have to drive him. We can work that out, but a little honesty while sitting in my living room would be nice. The army takes very few people with GEDs and apparently dosent do the school after you are in anymore anyway. Frankly if he were talked into that crap, he wouldnt be talking to this guy. I dont hire people with GEDs unless they have a damn good story. I havent heard one good enough yet. (not that it isnt possible, I just havent heard it)

The reason Matt is two years behind is his birth-mare didnt put him in school until a social worker forced her too. He was five grades below his peers 4 years ago, and now holds a B+ average in school. His first ASVAB was with no advance tutoring or even an hours notice. Straight up cold no idea what was on it.
(thats another thing I'm not really happy about the recruiter.)
Then skipping half the tutoring classes in the following month to just hang out and talk instead.
Matt has friends, he dosnt need a recruiter to be his best friend, the recruiter needs to do his job, and help my son get ready to enter the Army,
not screw around to get his numbers up or whatever.
The school district dosent even trust this guy, why should I?

I'm not holding his hand, I want him to succeed in this, but I think I know the wild street kid I inherited five years ago better than this guy.

We are being told by this guy that his ST score was 110. GS,MK,MC AND PC all over 105. I'm thinking Matt needs that in writing before he gets in the guy's car tomorrow.
I still think he would have done better if he was given some actual help before the test.

Knine knows the kid a little, he's a good kid, and never had a break before the past few years. Somebody has to look out for him, I was hoping the recruiter was going to be of assistance, not working against matt.

[whd507]

I know I sound disgruntled, and I am.

But on Monday He will swear an oath, and be a United States solider.
I wish I could be there to see it. I'll never be prouder.


If he were free and clear and ready to go, I'd smile and tell him this is what he signed up for and chalk it up as a learning experience. But he has a year and a half of school yet to complete, and has to live here with us. We live in a rural area, and he dosent drive because of the insurance cost. So it affects the rest of the family negatively.

[finster101]

You don't sound disgruntled, you sound like a very concerned parent.

[whd507]

well now that my hackles are up, I find that he has to show up for monthly drills before BCT, (150 miles away) or will face disciplinary action, plus will be billed for insurance he wont be using. The recruiter also greatly exaggerated the pay for these weekend drills. He wont provide the mentioned line scores in writing either.He was promised he would transfer to active duty Army after graduation, but I find on the Army site that the required form DD3682 to transfer to active is only approved 30% of the time. He was supposed to be signing up for the active duty split option program, but somehow this reserve-to-active thing was substituted this past week.

[CBT]

Recruiters have quotas to meet. Some will do and say anything to meet goal. If they don't consistantly meet goal, thier transfer evaluations when they are done recruiting will hinder thier advancement to the next paygrade. That's about the nicest thing I can say about 99% of recruiters. Mine was the 1% who laid it all out in black and white, never lied about anything. I think I was one of 2 guys in bootcamp who didn't threaten to kill thier recruiter if they ever ran into them.

[grzellmer]

Can only wish you luck some luck on this. Don't close the door though. As others have mentioned, they come around a bit when they reach 25.


My son Matt has been trying to get in the army, while he's still in school. he wants to do basic during summer, then finish his senior year, and go active duty. I'm ok with that. what I'm getting increasingly alarms about, is ths recruiter isnt really forthcoming about details. he took him to take his ASVAB test, an he scored pretty low, but passing. I want him to re-take the test and score higher. the recruiter is resisting, and is taking Matt to his indiuction physical tomorrow. I shoudl have done more research earlier, but I'm finding most people in this program arent getting what they want, and that its to teh recruiters advantage to have a good number of "beta" inlistments (31-49) to fill less desirable positions. he has a year and a half before he graduates, so I dont see the rush. yes things may change in a month, but the deception from the recruiter and his boss, outweighs the possibility his slot will fill up in 30 days.

I dont know what to do, I cant even talk to Matt anymore, only the recruiter has any sway.

[whd507]

well, Matt is seeing the crap he was promised is just that, Crap.
He texted the guy to see if he could get the line scores in writing before he leaves, and was told he will never have a hard copy of his line scores.

when he asked about having to go to weekend drills before basic, he was told he had to take care of other recruits and he would get back to him later.
(how much later? he leaves in a few hours?)

[CBT]

well, Matt is seeing the crap he was promised is just that, Crap.
He texted the guy to see if he could get the line scores in writing before he leaves, and was told he will never have a hard copy of his line scores.

when he asked about having to go to weekend drills before basic, he was told he had to take care of other recruits and he would get back to him later.
(how much later? he leaves in a few hours?)

He should walk away.

[Bluerauder]

If Matt was recruited out of the Battlefield or Seminole recruiting stations in Springfield, the company commander is located in Joplin, MO. Here is the address and phone number ... speak to the Captain in Charge and see if you can get this sorted out.

Joplin Recruiting Company
Federal Building, Room 107, 302 Joplin Street
Joplin, Mo., 64801-0106
(417) 782-2806; Fax (417) 627-0293

Here is a link to the Battalion HQ in Kansas City

>>>> http://www.usarec.army.mil/5thbde/4gbn/Directory/directory.htm

And to all of the companies and recruiting stations assigned to it ...

>>>> http://www.usarec.army.mil/5thbde/4gbn/Directory/CLTs/index_clt.htm

I disagree with CBT's assessment of recruiters. Yes, there are bad apples; but they are in the 1-2%. I have run malpractice investigations on some and booted them out of recruiting and in some cases out of the Army altogether.

If this guy is lying and being deceptive .... go to the next higher level outside the recruiting station. I have given you all the numbers that you need to go higher if you wish to do so. Hope you haven't waited to long to get energized on this.

[Big House]

If you want me to talk to him and give him real world vs recruiter spin, I will be happy to. I'd rather he make an informed decision rather than go of what the recruiter tells him.

[whd507]

Thanks a bunch, I wasn't able to able to find out any chain of command info past the guys commander. Its late Sunday night, so I am likely out of luck. I would have started earlier if I had suspected anything was up, but I only talked to the recruiter once, and the trip to MEPS was out of the blue as I thought it was a practice test.
However at this late hour, the sudden brushoff from the recruiter, has snapped Matt out of his mood of late. he has a list for the guy tomorrow, I don't know how that will go or not,since I wont be around (it will be on the ride to MEPS) but I don't know enough about the process at MEPS to know what info he will get when he's signing up, or what the councilors do.
He's pissed now, because hes afraid of changing MOS at this late date, and losing the sign up bonus, and he really has no clue what is offered in units closer to home. He was hoping to go to BCT at Ft.Leonard Wood, and AIT, but if he changes MO he may be going elsewhere. (I'm not sure why hes stoked about FLW?)

[Bluerauder]

(I'm not sure why hes stoked about FLW?) training is training I assume.
I assume that you are located near Springfield, MO. Fort Leonard Wood is less than 1.5 hours away. Folks based at FLW make the run to go to the mall at Springfield all the time. If there is a girl/woman anywhere in the picture, being close to home will factor heavily into his decision about location. Just a guess.

[whd507]

That would be my guess. Thank you for the info and advice.
I feel like a crappy dad for not seeing this far enough in advance. I just didn't suspect anything was amiss, I thought it was just general everyday stuff. usually I plan better, and am more informed. I'm now a member on goarmyparents.com, and will here forth have some applicable knowledge when needed.

[knine]

WTF? You feel like a crappy dad? You literally saved that kid from a life of hell. Never forget that. You have my utmost respect Sir.

[whd507]

can contracted dates be set in the contract for BCT and AIT at MEPS? I read about a few who were never assigned their original AIT because there was never a slot available. So they placed them in an AIT for another MOS, so they would never never qualifiy for the bonus per the contract.

can he see his line scores?

how does he find out about drill schedules? his recruiter is not a reserve recruiter, I read about snafus due to that.

can he sign a new contract at MEPS? or is he attached to the stuff he has already signed here? if so, I assume they dont have much time to spend per recruit to explain the contract.

isnt it usually less jumbled than this (never mind I figured that one out myself)

[Vortex]

How is it hes 18 and still has a year and a half of school? He'd be better off on active duty right now than being a 19 y/o senior in high school trying to make drills.

[whd507]

cant enlist without a diploma. they don't want very many GEDs, and frankly if he went that route he'd be homeless.

[Bluerauder]

can contracted dates be set in the contract for BCT and AIT at MEPS? I read about a few who were never assigned their original AIT because there was never a slot available. So they placed them in an AIT for another MOS, so they would never never qualifiy for the bonus per the contract.

can he see his line scores?

how does he find out about drill schedules? his recruiter is not a reserve recruiter, I read about snafus due to that.

can he sign a new contract at MEPS? or is he attached to the stuff he has already signed here? if so, I assume they dont have much time to spend per recruit to explain the contract.

isnt it usually less jumbled than this (never mind I figured that one out myself)
You REALLY need to talk to the area/company commander. I know that you are concerned and have this feeling of deception; but I really think that you are worrying far too much about "what might happen". Most of that worry is unfounded IMHO.

Job/MOS selection is done through a computer system that used to be called "REQUEST". It is based on actual and projected vacancies. I have heard of recruits being reclassified into other MOS because of their performance in basic training (i.e. they blew their part of the contract). If not, there is always "breach of contract" if the Army doesn't live up to its part of the contract.

Specific drill schedules will be determined by the unit to which he is assigned. He won't know that until he gets military orders assigning him to a specific unit. There used to be an Engineer Group and many subordinate engineer units in the Springfield, MO area. If Matt can qualify as a 12B Combat Engineer, I suspect that he will take BCT/AIT at FLW and be assigned right in the Springfield, MO area.

My understanding is that the contract is fully negotiable up until he puts his hand in the air and swears the oath.

Please talk to the area commander as I have suggested. Get a copy of the contract and read it.

[teamrope]

My son Matt has been trying to get in the army, while he's still in school. he wants to do basic during summer, then finish his senior year, and go active duty. I'm ok with that. what I'm getting increasingly alarms about, is ths recruiter isnt really forthcoming about details. he took him to take his ASVAB test, an he scored pretty low, but passing. I want him to re-take the test and score higher. the recruiter is resisting, and is taking Matt to his indiuction physical tomorrow. I shoudl have done more research earlier, but I'm finding most people in this program arent getting what they want, and that its to teh recruiters advantage to have a good number of "beta" inlistments (31-49) to fill less desirable positions. he has a year and a half before he graduates, so I dont see the rush. yes things may change in a month, but the deception from the recruiter and his boss, outweighs the possibility his slot will fill up in 30 days.

I dont know what to do, I cant even talk to Matt anymore, only the recruiter has any sway.

Speaking as a former Army Reserve recruiter, the only services that take split option recruits are the Army Reserve and Army National Guard. (Split option is the program that allows recruits to complete basic training during the summer between their Jr and Sr year of high school.)

If he wants to enlist full time after high school he would be better off waiting until he has started his Sr year.

[teamrope]

Not to be too harsh here, but I think that you also need to be realistic about expectations. He was Cat IVA and has moved up to Cat IIIB. He has already had a retest. You didn't mention that in your initial post. Matt is also 2 years behind in school at age 18. His options are limited. Matt and his recruiter may have already come to that conclusion. Retakes on the ASVAB are also limited. Personally, I wouldn't give him better than a 50-50 chance of making it through Basic Training and AIT. He will have to work on it and apply himself everyday. I suspect that he will not qualify for Military Police.

As to the "less desirable jobs" .... that perspective is in the eye of the beholder. I have a tremendous amount of respect for the grunts, tankers and cannon cockers. I use those terms affectionately 'cause they are the ones who are always at the tip of the spear and always get the job done day after day.

I hope Matt does well.

I have to agree with Charlie here for the reasons in bold. The Army Reserve would probably be a good stepping stone to start from.
(Maybe I should have read a little further before my 1st post....)

[whd507]

I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

I don't know exactly what happened, but the recruiter set aside a few extra minutes before they left, and was prepared to answer all my questions, and He did. Yes he admitted that he sounded deceptive, he lumped college benefits into the pay category,
($1000/mo pay in the reserves) and told Matt you get the "bonus" when you sign up, but you get the "money" later. (I wish he had worded it that way earlier)
He the commanding officer at the unit assured him he does not penalize recruits for not attending drills before BCT, and that he could waive the insurance deducted off his check during that time. Also that getting a ride could be arranged in most cases. He told me Matt has to go with the reserves, because he is a junior, even though he is 18.

Bad news, Matt wants to be a MP, but it requires a drivers licence. This could have been done in the past month if we had known. We'll see.

The recruiter is aware that the school distrusts him, and the bad reputation some recruiters have. Matt is his first recruit from his school, and is aware it needs to go smoothly for Matt, if he wants any more from that school. He is new at recruiting, and admitted he didn't communicate with us enough, relying on Matt to do it.

Bottom line I feel better now, Matt is off to MEPS, I feel bad that I couldnt share his excitement with him like I would have wanted, it wasnt how I had expected it to go, I made a fool of myself, and missed my first day of work in 30 years.

Tomorrow afternoon if all goes well, Matt will swear an oath before God, and I will become the proudest dad on earth. I will be the father of a United States soldier.

I havent had an hour's sleep since wednesday, so I'll go take a nap now...

[teamrope]

I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

I don't know exactly what happened, but the recruiter set aside a few extra minutes before they left, and was prepared to answer all my questions, and He did. Yes he admitted that he sounded deceptive, he lumped college benefits into the pay category,
($1000/mo pay in the reserves) and told Matt you get the "bonus" when you sign up, but you get the "money" later. (I wish he had worded it that way earlier)
He the commanding officer at the unit assured him he does not penalize recruits for not attending drills before BCT, and that he could waive the insurance deducted off his check during that time. Also that getting a ride could be arranged in most cases. He told me Matt has to go with the reserves, because he is a junior, even though he is 18.

Bad news, Matt wants to be a MP, but it requires a drivers licence. This could have been done in the past month if we had known. We'll see.

The recruiter is aware that the school distrusts him, and the bad reputation some recruiters have. Matt is his first recruit from his school, and is aware it needs to go smoothly for Matt, if he wants any more from that school. He is new at recruiting, and admitted he didn't communicate with us enough, relying on Matt to do it.

Bottom line I feel better now, Matt is off to MEPS, I feel bad that I couldnt share his excitement with him like I would have wanted, it wasnt how I had expected it to go, I made a fool of myself, and missed my first day of work in 30 years.

Tomorrow afternoon if all goes well, Matt will swear an oath before God, and I will become the proudest dad on earth. I will be the father of a United States soldier.

I havent had an hour's sleep since wednesday, so I'll go take a nap now...

I'm glad to hear this is working out. The recruiter is 100% correct that Matt would have to be in his Sr year and on track to graduate in order to join the full time Army. The Recruiter could have done a better job of communication, but then he's learning. :)

[Ms. Denmark]

Glad you can breathe easier and all the best to Matt. You both should be proud.:)

[Bluerauder]

I'm glad to hear this is working out.
+1 ^^^^. Best of luck to Matt and hope that all of this works out to his advantage.

Glad that you were able to sort this through with his recruiter and the station commander.

[whd507]

Bluerauder, I so freaking owe you a beer.:beer:

[SC Cheesehead]

Glad you can breathe easier and all the best to Matt. You both should be proud.:)

^^^^ big +1 on that. ^^^^

BTW, keep us posted on Matt's progress.