Recruiter experiance today - after all the waiting

[Oldschool23]

Well, I had an interesting morning with my NEW recruiter (last one just ETSed)…
• I filled out all of my paperwork again and talked through some options.
• I have an RE3 so I need a state waiver (which he said I could have in 1 day)
• He informed me he could not get me to E4 with my BA degree (must go E1)
• He told me I need to hurry and get in by September or I will be out for ever
• He told me I had to stay 19D and then transfer after I’m in (Cav unit is 300 miles away) I then asked him pull up the SMOM and showed him point 2-D stating PS can change jobs
We then talked about jobs. I’m a former 19D and we have no Cav units in the area. However, we have several Infantry units. I informed him I wanted to go 11B and was told I only have to go to Camp San Luis for two weeks to re-class (that’s what my first recruiter told me). He agreed after several attempts to tell me I’m wrong… It then got interesting:
• He recommended me to go Engineers locally and I would be crazy to do otherwise
• Told me I had to go to the Infantry units myself to find a job if I wanted to go 11B and not 21B where he resides. And, the approval had to be the CO, not the 1st Sgt.
• Told me in the infantry I would be harassed for being a 44 year old private because of the infantry mentality
• He then told me he couldn’t do my over 40 physical until I had a company to accept me. He told me he could get his local CO to do it in a day if I go 21B. If I wait to try and go the Infantry units, I might miss my last chance to join the guard.
The experience was surreal. As I’ve stated, I’m at the top of my game in my career and life and want some adventure. My reasons for wanting to join the Guard are not for money and benefits, but for some sanity in an otherwise boring corporate life… After all the waiting I feel deflated and discouraged…
Can any recruiters on here comment on his statements and is this the way it really is in the Guard?

[hrotccadet]

Just curious what do you have your degree in?

[Oldschool23]

Just curious what do you have your degree in?

I have a BA in Political Science and a miner in Philosophy... I also just took a language for 2 years and spent time in a summer language institute this summer to become proficient... and still don't mind being an E1 for a while...

[SGTHess]

I have a BA in Political Science and a miner in Philosaphy... I also just took a language for 2 years and spent time in a summer language institute this summer to become proficient... and still don't mind being an E1 for a while...

Why don't you go 09L, 35M, or 35P and put those language skills to use? What language?

[Nathan]

Personally, I wouldn't go E1 or anything other than ROTC or OCS.

[hrotccadet]

Personally, I wouldn't go E1 or anything other than ROTC or OCS.

Sometimes you just have to take what you can get.

[hrotccadet]

I have a BA in Political Science and a miner in Philosaphy... I also just took a language for 2 years and spent time in a summer language institute this summer to become proficient... and still don't mind being an E1 for a while...

Nice what Language?

[Oldschool23]

Nice what Language?

Spanish... I'm sure the guard has plenty of spanish speaking soldiers here in CA... If I don't join the guard, I'll probebly try and move into an americas level job within my corporation and put it to use in Latin America.

[California Major]

Well, I had an interesting morning with my NEW recruiter (last one just ETSed)…
• I filled out all of my paperwork again and talked through some options.
• I have an RE3 so I need a state waiver (which he said I could have in 1 day)
• He informed me he could not get me to E4 with my BA degree (must go E1)
• He told me I need to hurry and get in by September or I will be out for ever
• He told me I had to stay 19D and then transfer after I’m in (Cav unit is 300 miles away) I then asked him pull up the SMOM and showed him point 2-D stating PS can change jobs
We then talked about jobs. I’m a former 19D and we have no Cav units in the area. However, we have several Infantry units. I informed him I wanted to go 11B and was told I only have to go to Camp San Luis for two weeks to re-class (that’s what my first recruiter told me). He agreed after several attempts to tell me I’m wrong… It then got interesting:
• He recommended me to go Engineers locally and I would be crazy to do otherwise
• Told me I had to go to the Infantry units myself to find a job if I wanted to go 11B and not 21B where he resides. And, the approval had to be the CO, not the 1st Sgt.
• Told me in the infantry I would be harassed for being a 44 year old private because of the infantry mentality
• He then told me he couldn’t do my over 40 physical until I had a company to accept me. He told me he could get his local CO to do it in a day if I go 21B. If I wait to try and go the Infantry units, I might miss my last chance to join the guard.
The experience was surreal. As I’ve stated, I’m at the top of my game in my career and life and want some adventure. My reasons for wanting to join the Guard are not for money and benefits, but for some sanity in an otherwise boring corporate life… After all the waiting I feel deflated and discouraged…
Can any recruiters on here comment on his statements and is this the way it really is in the Guard?

Some of that has changed, and you should be able to get E4 with your degree.

[Oldschool23]

Some of that has changed, and you should be able to get E4 with your degree.

Sir,

Do you know where I can find that information for my recruiter? I think your in Sacramento? He's in the Santa Rosa armory with the Engineering unit there.

Thanks in advance...

[Oldschool23]

When did having an accredited four-year degree not get you E-4? Is that something new?

He told me for incomming NEW recruits it's still ok. I'm prior service with an Article 15 right befor discharge and ETS E1. I went and got my BA after the Army and now it doesn't count for promotion comming in. I believe the Major may have a way or paperwork I can submit to try and get it.

[show_stopper999]

Same here. If I went enlisted there's a stipulation in the ECM saying it doesnt matter what I have, I'm coming in at my last grade.

[Oldschool23]

OK... I'm knocking it down... All my paperwork is in for the waiver and I have emails and VM's out to two CO's and got confirmation from a 1st SGT from one of the companys to meet with me. Both units are over strenghth so I sent my resume and pleaded for an interview in person... My recruiter agreed to send me for my over 40 if I get a verbal approval for him.

Next issue: E1 to E4 - Does anyone know where I can find these regulations online. It's my assumption if it's a rule, it's written somewhere. Only way to see if there's a way to come back an E4, is to know exactly how the reg reads. Any constructive help would be appreciated!

[show_stopper999]

Google ECM FY-07. That's the most recent I believe as I've seen several recruiters carrying it around recently. I read that thing front to back and found it in there that you have to come back as your last grade if discharged for certain reasons.

My recruiter is on the road so I cant get started quite yet. I'm waiting on him to get back so I can get started ASAP.

[Oldschool23]

OK... I'm knocking it down... All my paperwork is in for the waiver and I have emails and VM's out to two CO's and got confirmation from a 1st SGT from one of the companys to meet with me. Both units are over strenghth so I sent my resume and pleaded for an interview in person... My recruiter agreed to send me for my over 40 if I get a verbal approval for him.

Next issue: E1 to E4 - Does anyone know where I can find these regulations online. It's my assumption if it's a rule, it's written somewhere. Only way to see if there's a way to come back an E4, is to know exactly how the reg reads. Any constructive help would be appreciated!

LMAO... New wrinkle!!! Now that I got all my paperwork to him, he's now telling me he can't send up my waiver packet without the signature of the company I'll be joining. Why can't this guy just give me a COMPLETE list for me to check off... He said he'll call me Monday, he's heading out for the weekend at 3:00 today.

I asked him to email me the form that needs to be signed and I'll drive over to the company and see if I can get it done while he's out...

Does he really need the signature from the unit to process my state level RE3? Or is he stalling because he's leaving town and doesn't want to deal with me?

[Mom's Mistake]

I think you're doing a good job asking a lot of questions and even going so far as to volunteer to do things without a recruiter's assistance. However, in this case I think you should wait until Monday and see what your recruiter says. I just don't want you to turn into that guy that annoys recruiters by being way too pushy to get things done. As you know, the military is always about "hurry up and wait" situations. Heck, I've been waiting almost 2 months myself to get into the Guard and I've had my fair share of hoops to jump through. But there's that phrase that "good things come to those who wait."

On another note...don't be afraid to tell your recruiter what's up. If you think it'll better assist you and your recruiter for you to get a checklist so you know what to get done...by all means suggest it.

That's my 2 cents ;)

[Oldschool23]

I think you're doing a good job asking a lot of questions and even going so far as to volunteer to do things without a recruiter's assistance. However, in this case I think you should wait until Monday and see what your recruiter says. I just don't want you to turn into that guy that annoys recruiters by being way too pushy to get things done. As you know, the military is always about "hurry up and wait" situations. Heck, I've been waiting almost 2 months myself to get into the Guard and I've had my fair share of hoops to jump through. But there's that phrase that "good things come to those who wait."

On another note...don't be afraid to tell your recruiter what's up. If you think it'll better assist you and your recruiter for you to get a checklist so you know what to get done...by all means suggest it.

That's my 2 cents ;)

Agree with you 100%. Don't want to be the ******* pushy guy... However, I only have 40 days as of tonight to swear in or I'm done... That puts the pressure on me, not him... I'm afraid they will lower the age back on October 1st...

Not sure if I mentioned the units here are over strength and don't want to take anyone in. I had to beg for an interview to get in front of them.