Information needed for a mom!

[Cheryl]

My son and I went to see a Navy Recruiter on Saturday, is it important to see more than one recruiter? I have heard where it is better, this way they can get a better "deal"? I'm confused and want to do what's right for my son.

Thanks!!
PS. I love this site.
Cheryl

[Vikki]

Lynn

Thank the Lord for recruiters like your son! I know we have a very good relationship with ours - still -and our son has been gone for 20 months. Bless you and your son! I always find that a positive attitude helps in EVERY situation in life. I'm sorry there are posts like that - I am sure it hurts - bugs me too! Thank you and your son for his service. Cheers ~ Vikki

[Karen]

The only case where I would think you would need another recruiter would be if your son was uncomfortable with the first choice. other wise the recruiter has all the info and she be left to do the job. If you have a problem "ask" My sons recruiter was great, he answered more of my questions than my sons and was threr for every step. If the recruiter is good he/she will not mind the questions, no matter how many times you ask
Good Luck

[Vikki]

Cheryl,
Establish a relationship with your recruiter. Write down questions to take with you. Investigate a ton. This site is a great place. Tell your son not to sign anything until he is completely comfortable and try to be there with him to help with that. When they have his test scores he will be able to see what jobs he qualifies for and you can both research those. Then you can visit with the recruiter with even more questions! It is quite a process and takes some time. Be positive and be patient and if something does not feel right, step back, take a deep breath and get on this site. They have a good "ask a recruiter" forum or group and you can ask a lot of questions there. Good luck and congrats on the first steps! ~ Vikki

[Vikki]

Cheryl - I would also add - do not listen to the total negativity of some people. Do your own research, ask questions and be positive about the experience. Again - do not sign until you fully understand what you are signing. But don't carry other peoples baggage with you! Best Wishes! Vikki

[Cheryl]

Thank you Vikki!
Most of the comments have been great and very helpful, I was a little shaken up by one of the comments. You and everyone else have eased my mind. My son is took the test at school and tested well, so now we have to schedule the test with the recruiter. This site is wonderful, it's nice to know that I have someplace to go when my son joins.
God bless and again thank you all!
Cheryl

[Kelly-John's Mom]

Vikki-I, like Cheryl was also shaken up by that one comment. My son is scheduled for his ASVAB this Thursday & Friday. His recruiter is taking him to a hotel in Troy for the testing. Does he have to pick his job that day?? Or does he get time to decide? Do they give him a list of jobs? I am such a newby. I have a list of questions a page long already for his recruiter!! Thank God for N4M's

[Vikki]

Hey Kelly - Congrats on your son taking the first step. Sorry I did not get on before the ASVAB testing. They do not have to pick their job then. But they are all outlined for them. My son did happen to go ahead and pick and he picked (Thank the LORD) the occupation that he loves. He is so happy!

As long as you ask questions and go with your list you and your son will do well. The recruiters will help you, especially if you are persistent and positive.

Keep that positive attitude. No matter what happens keeping a positive mind set will help you and your son so much. BC and school are tough, very tough, but with a positive attitude and determination you will all make it through. Let me know what he picked if he did already! I will send you a friend request.
CHEERS ~ Vikki

[Elena]

I know that you do not get information that will benefit to you. they will learn to themselves when is to late to back up

[Elena]

the thing is you do not know what question to ask. I felt when we asked if was not true after all

[Quadralene]

Hello Cheryl, I would recommend that you sit in, take notes and prepare questions. Your son's job will be based upon the classification that he's assigned with after he has been scored. In order to score high I recommend that you purchase the ASVAB book and have your son practice. Alot of recruiters have a quota to fill for that particular month so they will do what ever it takes to meet the quota. Not saying that they are bad because they have a job to do as well. Understand that the navy isn't about wheeling or dealing. Research, research, research.

[Drew S Kosel]

Recruiters are simply there to facilitate and process the paper work for an enlistment. The recruiter may or may not know all the wonderful benefits and options that are available or even care. You have to remember that most of the recruiters are coming from their normal duties and it depends on the quality of the recruiter as to whether or not they are going to take the time to inform you and your child of all the options. Some take great care and others not so great care.
You can get a better “deal” if you know all the facts.
It’s extremely important to know all the options. Just like in anything. The more you know the more you will benefit from it. It will be very important to see more than one recruiter if the recruiter you are working with does not have the answers to the questions you are asking. My advice is to find out everything you possibly you can about the Navy and your child’s career choice(s). Ask the recruiter questions; look on the internet, network with other Navy folks. Make it a priority and then go to the recruiter. If the recruiter knows what you are talking about it will be easier for him to provide you with more information, because now you understand a little bit more about the process.
If your child does happen to get into a career field that he/she does not particularly like or not satisfied with, and doesn't get a sweet deal, I believe they can change their career path after their first enlistment contract.
I hope I provided you with a little bit of information that you can use.

[Anti M]

I must disagree, Drew. while technically some sailors have the option to change rates, they usually cannot if they have been through one of the intense schools such as nuke. The more schooling you receive the first enlistment, the less likely it is that you will be allowed to do something else. It tends to flow uphill, not down. My first husband wanted to be a Navy musician, but there weren't any openings. He decided to enlist for electronics technician in the meantime, and no matter how he tried, he could not cross over to any other rate. So yes, they MAY be able to change career paths, but there's NO guarantee of that. Also depends on manning levels. In other words, don't plan on switching rates unless the one you want is seriously undermanned and the one you are in is seriously overmanned.