Over Two Years on Recruiting
An earlier post on this subject with links to two even earlier posts may be found here. Anyway, this post should be the shortest and least bitchy of them all so far. Also, PFC Mack from this thread did end up calling back almost a year to the day after he decided not to ship to training. He rejoined--this time as a linguist--and is in training as of this writing.
[/b]A look back[/b]
My first year out here (2009) was a mostly period of struggle. We went through three Station Commanders before getting our current one late in the year. The first was a stain on the reputation of the military, a pervert who found any excuse to "tape" young ladies in the privacy of his office. One finally busted him out and he was relieved, unfortunately being permitted to retire with his rank intact. He was my first impression of "leadership" in this command and soured me from the first Saturday I worked--making 300+ phone calls in nine hours while he watched back-to-back movies. The second was short-timing from day one and never really took the time to mentor any of us and the third was an interim Station Commander. I did find my strengths, joining the Chamber of Commerce and networking with everyone from politicians to business owners in my areas.
Last year just glided by. I watched the seniors I put in early in the school year graduate and then ship off. Unfortunately, one did not make it through but seems to be doing well back home. The final three months of the year was when I really just stopped caring about putting anyone in. Mixed messages coming from our leadership as well as a reduced mission made me focus on admin duties, helping out my co-workers, and having fun. Finally, at the end of the year I officially became "Future Soldier Leader", responsible for ensuring that everyone is taken care of until they ship.
Reading those earlier posts makes me realize exactly how little things have changed. We still have the usual self-righteous criminals and prior service people unable to understand why they: a) can't join or b) have to take Special Forces.
Crazy/stupid people
Last October I actually made a few phone calls. My days of 100+ in a few hours have been over for almost two years, but I decided to try to get a hold of some of my seniors. I mostly left messages, spoke to a few, and promptly forgot all about the experience. Now, before I continue, let me say that I am hands-off when it comes to pursuing prospects or even following up with them. Outside of my first six months or so out here I am perhaps the least likely Recruiter to attempt to convince someone to join my military. I will talk pay, benefits, experiences, etc all day, but I refuse to try to change someone's mind over the phone or in person if they are not receptive to the idea of serving. Okay, that out of the way...
A few days after leaving those voice mails I received a call from a woman (lady is not the right word). She asked why I called her house and I asked her if she had a child attending Anonymous High School. When she found out I am a Recruiter she snapped, yelling at me that I am not to attempt to contact her sons at school or to call her house again. Cool, except for the fact that during her one-way conversation with me (during which she essentially called me a liar and a murderer) she did not give me her or her sons' names. Imagine her amusement when I called her right back to get that information. Now for the stupid part--I looked her sons up on Facebook to get an idea of what they looked like so that I could either avoid them or go out of my way to talk to them every time I visit the school (in case I decided to piss off their mom instead of appeasing her). I found the woman through that and ran a quick Google search, finding that she is a long-time Realtor who happened to work in the same office as my own Realtor. Needless to say, that company won't be getting any more business from me--especially since my Realtor has moved elsewhere. Now, keep in mind that I am in the South. Her attitude would be understandable in more liberal states such as California. In an area where people almost unanimously support the military I managed to find the one leftover Hippie. Literally; I checked her Facebook and saw where she had commented about watching Woodstock and feeling homesick. Come to find out she grew up in California with Hippie parents before moving out this way where she is now a born-again "Christian" and Conservative".
On to the crazies, and I'll make this one short. We've had a couple of Applicants with various impediments to joining who just can't understand (thankfully I haven't dealt with any). Invariably they threaten to file a "Congressional" against their Recruiters. One has a twenty year history of assaults and batteries. Somehow they are all dismissed, yet she waited until the last possible moment to continue processing (she is over 35 and was given a 1-month grace period to join after they made the change last month). Fortunately her record of charges (if not convictions) kept her out. Another is a highly educated but surprisingly dimwitted prior service Applicant. She has gone through at least three Recruiters and still calls thinking we will help her. An example of her dimwittedness? Let me share a conversation she had with another Recruiter two weeks ago:
SGT K (picking up the phone): Army Strong, can I help you?
TT: Yes, I'm looking to join.
(Usual questions and banter)
SGT K: Well, I'm sorry but all we have open right now for prior service is 18X Special Forces Candidate.
TT: I can do that.
SGT K: You aren't qualified, you have to be a male.
TT: Isn't that discrimination?
SGT K: Yes it is, but I don't make those decisions, I'm just an E-5.
I could go on, but besides the fact that most of you are disinterested I want to enjoy my day outside. This is the first Sunday in months that I have not been drowning in school work.
