Recruiter Experience

[ABH Mom (Tiffani)]

I have a question.  What has been your experience with your son/daughters recruiter?  Our experience has not been that positive.  My son was told he had to be at MEP's (I think that's what it is) every Thursday for training, so he has to leave work early and when he gets there, they either are closed or they don't do anything, he gets a better work out going to the gym.  His recruiter will call him an hour before he needs him to be somewhere so again my son has to leave work early and go there and then find out he really didn't need him.  He has lost some of my sons paperwork and my son has had to get it all to him again.  Now my son just found out that his recruiter will not be there next Thursday with my son when he goes in.  Just wondering if this is the norm for everyone. 

[Invisible12]

I'm so sorry you're having a bad experience with your recruiter.  I've heard stories like yours unfortunately.  Thankfully, my son's recruiters were wonderful.  I've spoken with them on the phone on many occasions and I've also joined in their weekly meetings a couple of times.  I wish there was a way I could help you.  I can just offer {{{hugs}}}.

[jacketfan24 (corpsman mom)]

we hada positive experience also.  My SR was told that theyaren't allowed to train physically because of previous issues, so he only had to go in for meetings at the local recruiting station.  He kept in touch with my son by text and was very nice when he talked to us.  I'm so sorry that you are having problems.   

[Lizzie's Mom Ship 03/Div 367]

I have mixed recruiter experience as well.  The officer in charge - career recruiter - excellent.  The recruiter that actually signed up my daughter, not as excellent.  Many small issues....I finally stepped in and played go-between.  Part of the issue was that my daughter wouldn't talk to her recruiter as well as she should....she was only 17.  Many times he would tell her to be present at a certain time not realizing she was working or attending college classes.  When I called and told him that he said that she didn't need to attend the weekly meeting if that was the case, only the monthly one.

 

To top it off we moved states during her dep period and she was "courtesy shipped" and so dealt with different (mow local) recruiters the last 4 months of her dep period as well as the original recruiters.

 

You or your son should speak to the OIC about the lost paperwork and not going to MEPS with your son.  That just isn't right.

 

 

[ABH Mom (Tiffani)]

Thank you everyone, it's just so frustrating.  He leaves next Thursday and was bummed that his recruiter couldn't be there with him.  I have no idea what is even going on next Thursday, what the whole experience is supposed to be like. 

[spontino]

Unfortunately my son didn't have a good experience either.  They changed people at his office several times and also his recruiter...calls were never returned, sometimes for a week or more...we weren't told a lot of things that would have been nice to know for when he left.  Was never told to bring a calling card or stamps.  It was always someone different taking him to MEPS for paperwork.  And as with you itseaya, someone different brought my son in when he was going to the hotel the day before he was swearing in.  We also have a friend who has a son going through the process at the same office and her son is having the same experience....he was thinking of changing to the Air Force because they were so frustrated.  However, we made it through!!  Good luck when your son goes on Thursday!!

 

[ABH Mom (Tiffani)]

Thank you!  It's just a bummer, if my husband wouldn't of been in the Navy and also a recruiter before I think he might of switched too.  My husband said that this is not the way he ever handled his recruits so I'm thinking there are still some pretty good recruiters out there. 

[Diana(PO3/IT3)]

My daughter is 20 and she handled all the talks with the recruiter herself. Like you, there were many times she would show up and the office was dark, they didn't do much, canceled "training" sessions, etc. I was going to talk with her recruiter this past Monday as I had questions for myself going down to MEPS next week. Again, he wasn't around. My daughter was told by him (she called him) that I could drive her to the hotel and then she would check in from there.....I can stay at the hotel, just not with her and then go to MEPS in the morning. Hmmm. Apparently that is okay since she is the only one from up here going down. Is that something that happens? Families taking their kid all the way down rather than the recruiter taking them? We live 2 and 1/2 hours from MEPS. In any event, I'm taking a day and a half off to drive her down and say my last good-bye at the hotel before they are taken to the airport on Wednesday.

[ProudMawMaw(Ship 3 Division 360)]

We have had bad recruiter also. Can't even get into all that went on but it was from the Very beginning. Now he has lost paperwork for the third time. Every MEPS she has gone to they have waited over an hour for recruiter not to show up. She has not learned to salute to stand correctly or anything. I have heard that the or bring watched by higher ranking officers right now because their recruits show up at BC with missing paperwork He called her yesterday to come in he had something's he had to train her in. It is less than three weeks away. I am do worried for her.

[MoCityMom]

Our experience with the recruiting office for my daughter was very positive.  We did have a few times where they changes things at the last minute or weren't available when they said they would be but these were very few.  I think as with anything else, the position is only as good as the person who holds it.  Sounds like your recruiter will be moving on soon because I'm sure that his lack of follow through is coming through in other areas and he definitely has a commanding officer.  Unless his commanding officer is satisfied with his/her performance, things will have to change.  

[Mrs Roo Ship 02 Div. 901]

I am with you, my husband started his journey in oregon and we had a great experience.. loved it wish we could have stayed. things came up and we ended up moving to california.. got a new recruiter and boy... it was horrible. recruiter never showed up, lost our file 3 times, never called to update my husband with anything, finally we just went back to our oregon recruiter to help us an he was able to thank goodness. My husband finally left on tuesday after a 21 month journey... and Im so so so thankful we do not have to go see this new recruiter anymore. 

Make sure your son makes copies of EVERYTHING. They tend to misplace alot of things an it never hurts to have a backup. good luck to your son

[Victoria.s mom]

No that is not normal.That recuriter needs to be reported..my daughters recuiter got in alot of trouble for lying to her,they are there to help your son..

[sws]

My son had a good experience. I think that was more to do with the other kids in the group rather than the recruiter. They got together every Thursday afternoon, went out for dinner or to the movies after the meeting. They also spent time getting together on other days over the summer depending on who had a day off. Maybe your son can bring the group together and make it more meaningful by finding ways to create a more positive experience since it seems his recruiter may be slacking.