Waiting Waiting Waiting

[VirginiaMom]

I either need advice or I just need to vent.

My son has been working on getting into the Navy for well over a year...probably a year and a half.  I feel he's getting the run-around from his recruiter.  He took his ASVAB in November or December 2011 and got an 81; he's been waiting for a MEPS date ever since.  He has a medical waiver for strep throat (?!) that's expired twice.  Yesterday his recruiter told him to meet him at the office today and when my son got there found out the recruiter was in Richmond (we're in Virginia Beach).  He calls him almost daily and the guys always busy and says he'll call back but never does. 

It's not only upsetting it's starting to make me angry.  My son is 21 and wants to take care of this himself, and I'm letting him, but its hard to not get involved especially with the recruiter he's got.  I wish I could give the recruiter hell. 

Has anyone else gone through this?

[aj2daway]

Ms Angie, I would beg to differ not just because I did end up doing that very thing (I waited,gave sought after advice and waited for the results) but also because our children have their futures at stake.

The particular recruiter that was handling my SR's future was the kind other former sailors had warned us about. From the first meeting, the recruiter was unclear and vague. Once an initial contract was signed. he was slam,bam thank you um..., ma'am. When there was too many missed check-ins(ones the recruiter had set up to occur on his day off) , no return messages AND the SR was getting chewed out for not staying in touch, well, that child may be part of the US Navy but is still my child.

I asked to speak with him but he said that wasn't necessary and it was all worked out now. Hmm, really? The spec ops contract stayed on somebody's desk for a month due to in-fighting.

So asked through my child that we parental units speak to Chief. Chief could not have been more professional or concerned. He handled everything diplomatically and reasonably. SR got assigned a new recruiter that took the SR under his wing to truly get ready for SpecOps. That recruiter said that the SR was the best recruit that he had the pleasure to work with. (vs the 1st recruiter that had stated to Chief that the SR was the worst ever)  True story.

[Suzanne_S07/DIV161]

Oh I believe that.. you wouldn't happen to be in Raleigh NC...lol

[aj2daway]

no, but I hear that it is lovely this time of year........

[Suzanne_S07/DIV161]

Oh it is lovely right now. But please keep us up to date on your recruit!!

[LinsMom Ship03 Div176 PIR 6/8]

My 21 year old daughter went through the same thing and we are in Tennessee.  I DID step in and call around until I spoke to the recruiter's superior.  He gave me his direct number if we had anymore problems.  Many times my daughter went by the recruiting office the door would be locked.  We were very frustrated for months.  All her paperwork got "lost" and she had to fill it all out again with her new recruiter.  Once the ball really got rolling, it was smooth sailing! She left for bootcamp on April 11. I think they are also testing the potential recruits to see how serious they are about it.   

[andrewsmom]

My son left that day too....maybe they are together!!! Have you Heard anything yet?

[LinsMom Ship03 Div176 PIR 6/8]

Maybe they will be in the same division.  I haven't heard anything since the quick "im here, gotta go" call. Im looking for the box any day now.  Have you heard anything from him?

[Gc0972]

My daughter left for BC on the 11th of April as well. I got the call and have yet to hear anything else. She will be 21 in September. I have to say her recruiter was Chief Davis, so her enlistment went pretty smooth.

 

[andrewsmom]

Even after thy get to meps and ge everything in order, my son had to wait another year before he left for basic. I was beginning to think his recruiters where not the best. but they never put him through what your son has gone through, my son was going into another branch, but the recruiter was like your sons (no help at all) so he decided on the navy becouse there door was not locked.  But there was times when they were jerks, but in the long run they got him in and he left for bootcamp earlier this week.

[Suzanne_S07/DIV161]

My son started out talking to the AF- but the door was always closed and we could get nothing done. The Marines were there day and night...lol... even came to the house several times but I knew that would not be my recruits cup of tea. My husband was in the Army and he knew what that was going to be like. So we suggested he forget the AF if it was going to be such a run around and he started speaking to the Navy. In the end it was a wait but he is gone now and will be in PIR 5-25-12. 

At the mall - where the recruiting office is.. they called the AF the Chair Force. I prayed and prayed for the right path to come my sons way and I think my prayers were answered - along with my recruits.

[SailorGirl124]

Something similar happened with my fiancee, although not as extreme. He recently left for Basic and in the weeks of trying to get all our information down and understood, we had millions of questions. Which his recruiter SHOULD be able to have helped with but never would. He wouldn't ever call back when he'd say he would. 

[Juliesmom(Ship 11 Div 336)]

I hate to say this because honestly I'm very proud of my daughter for making such a decision to join the Navy but also for handling everything herself from speaking to a recruiter and getting info to studying for the ASVAB test to getting us informed and enlisting.  I kinda wish she had had some roadblocks...lol.  All just fell in place for her instead.  If I can continue to be honest.....I would have welcomed delays/roadblocks!  She graduates on 6/9 from high school and she will be leaving for bootcamp 8/20.  I'm very thankful that we have her for the summer so able to plan a great family vacation before she leaves for bootcamp.  I say put your son in God's hands.  I'm sure all will work out for him in faith.