Why Are Army Recruiters Killing Themselves?

The military men in my family have little pity for recruiters, but I understand how the military tends to overlook the problems of our soldiers.

Just like anything else wrong in the military, it's Iraq's fault.
 
[quote name='fatherofcaitlyn']The military men in my family have little pity for recruiters, but I understand how the military tends to overlook the problems of our soldiers.

Just like anything else wrong in the military, it's Iraq's fault.[/quote]

I'll ask my dad about some of this tonight. Although he wasn't a recruiter, he was in the Air Force for 20 years. He got out in 1992 though. He probably has some interesting insights.
 
When my dad was 14-16, he stole a few cars for joyrides. The cars were all returned undamaged.

He joined the Marines in '69. The Marine recruiter forced my dad into a four year ride because of his terrible criminal juvenile record.

In boot camp, one of the other recruits was forced into a two year ride or go to prison for manslaughter.
 
[quote name='GuilewasNK']I'll ask my dad about some of this tonight. Although he wasn't a recruiter, he was in the Air Force for 20 years. He got out in 1992 though. He probably has some interesting insights.[/QUOTE]

The AF recruiting process sucks because they don't need people.It's why I'm still waiting for my Basic Officer Training date.

If you're an AF recruiter though, your money.I swear, they're NEVER in the office before 10:00 or after 14:00, and you'd best call before Friday because that's skip the office for Buffalo Wild Wings day.

I remember my Line Officer Recruiter told me that they could've closed up shop in July (last year) and STILL exceeded their recruiting goals for the year.

Also, the selection board for the AF is ridiculously stringent/competitive, and full of hoops you have to jump through. If there's one thing I'll give the Army, it's that their process is WAY more streamlined, faster, and easier to get where you want(IF you want an Army job, anyway).


I guess what I'm saying is GIVE ME MY GODDAMN CLASS DATE AIR FORCE :bomb::bomb:
 
Of course Recruiters lie, and tell you to cover shit up. As long as they get you through MEPS, they've added 1 to their quota. This is why one of the first things that happened at boot camp was the "moment of truth" Where they get everyone into a room and try to get you to tell anything your hiding. Because, they know the recruiters tell you not to tell anyone.

That being said, recruiters usually work tons of hours and under extreme stress to meet their quota.
 
[quote name='homeland']Of course Recruiters lie, and tell you to cover shit up. As long as they get you through MEPS, they've added 1 to their quota. This is why one of the first things that happened at boot camp was the "moment of truth" Where they get everyone into a room and try to get you to tell anything your hiding. Because, they know the recruiters tell you not to tell anyone.

That being said, recruiters usually work tons of hours and under extreme stress to meet their quota.[/QUOTE]


Ha ha, yeah. The only thing you have to disclose is shit they can track. I never disclosed a hip injury I got 2 years ago (which really crippled me for a while) because it may have DQ'd me for flight duty. If you're enlisting, you have a LOT of leeway regardless. Most things that can cause problems are past serious injuries and medical conditions.

Of course, the main thing is if you're using weed. When I told them I never tried it, and I don't even drink, they asked me at LEAST 7 times if I were lying(which I wasn't). Then, when I went for my flight physical I got the same questioning.
 
I have 2 days left in the Air Force. I was in for 10 years. I know a few AF recruiters and their jobs are pretty cake. I really don't feel bad for anyone sitting behind a desk trying to meet a quota that hangs themselves.

That guy could have at least had an "accident" with a tree i nthe middle of a rainy night or drove off the side of a bridge. With his suicide comes ZERO benefits/insurance payout/etc for his family. He ended his life and destroyed his family's life leaving them high and dry.
 
[quote name='Malik112099']I have 2 days left in the Air Force. I was in for 10 years. I know a few AF recruiters and their jobs are pretty cake. I really don't feel bad for anyone sitting behind a desk trying to meet a quota that hangs themselves.

That guy could have at least had an "accident" with a tree i nthe middle of a rainy night or drove off the side of a bridge. With his suicide comes ZERO benefits/insurance payout/etc for his family. He ended his life and destroyed his family's life leaving them high and dry.[/quote]

Congrats on getting out. Hope you got something lined up.. If not, might be a good idea to drive up to Mass to file for unemployment.
 
[quote name='homeland']Congrats on getting out. Hope you got something lined up.. If not, might be a good idea to drive up to Mass to file for unemployment.[/quote]


I've already started working for American Airlines. They put a freeze on outside hires 3 days after I started. I am very lucky.
 
[quote name='Malik112099']I've already started working for American Airlines. They put a freeze on outside hires 3 days after I started. I am very lucky.[/QUOTE]

what was your AFSC?
 
I read this article today and found it fascinating. A very interesting insight into the army recruiters, but at the same time, it seemed like a lot of the problems stem from 1-2 higher ups imposing "rules" just to make their lives hell, especially in the Texas cases.
 
I was almost a Recruiter but I was selected for a better job.

Recruiting in the Army is very stressful. For one, people don't want to deal with you a lot. Second: The Army demands you put in a certain amount of people each month; usually two people. Now the amount of stress that goes into finding someone that passes all the tests, physical, mental, drug etc. before being able to join up is rough. These guys were put under so much pressure. Now if they do not perform they get bad NCOERs (evaluations) which means they do not get selected for promotion and at times could face disciplinary actions. At a minimum anyone struggling in the job will work more hours. These guys work a minimum of 12 hours a day 6 days a week.
Having seen the stress and having friends as Recruiters I'm grateful that I got a better opportunity than be stuck as one. I give these guys credit for what they do. A lot of people hate them because they try to take their kids, etc whatever, but they are trying to do their job. Are they all liars etc? No, but there are definitely some and those are the ones that make the bad rep for these guys.

Anyway, just figured I'd chime in here since I have some actual knowledge on the subject.
 
[quote name='Malik112099']I have 2 days left in the Air Force. I was in for 10 years. I know a few AF recruiters and their jobs are pretty cake. I really don't feel bad for anyone sitting behind a desk trying to meet a quota that hangs themselves.

That guy could have at least had an "accident" with a tree i nthe middle of a rainy night or drove off the side of a bridge. With his suicide comes ZERO benefits/insurance payout/etc for his family. He ended his life and destroyed his family's life leaving them high and dry.[/quote]

Congrats on getting out. I was "force-shaped" 2 years ago, and while I miss the camaraderie, it was possibly the best darn thing that could happen. now I have a nice office with a window (as opposed to the basement of the wing HQ building), I wear jeans to work everyday, and I can go weeks without shaving and no one says a word.
 
[quote name='Wolve11']I was almost a Recruiter but I was selected for a better job.

Recruiting in the Army is very stressful. For one, people don't want to deal with you a lot. Second: The Army demands you put in a certain amount of people each month; usually two people. Now the amount of stress that goes into finding someone that passes all the tests, physical, mental, drug etc. before being able to join up is rough. These guys were put under so much pressure. Now if they do not perform they get bad NCOERs (evaluations) which means they do not get selected for promotion and at times could face disciplinary actions. At a minimum anyone struggling in the job will work more hours. These guys work a minimum of 12 hours a day 6 days a week.
Having seen the stress and having friends as Recruiters I'm grateful that I got a better opportunity than be stuck as one. I give these guys credit for what they do. A lot of people hate them because they try to take their kids, etc whatever, but they are trying to do their job. Are they all liars etc? No, but there are definitely some and those are the ones that make the bad rep for these guys.

Anyway, just figured I'd chime in here since I have some actual knowledge on the subject.[/quote]

Are recruitment billets forced onto you in the Army? In the navy, people chose to do recruitment because it was a golden ticket to advancement (like pushing boots). While I feel bad for anyone who has it rough, if they chose to a recruiting billet than they made the decision that working shitty hours and under tons of stress was a better payoff than taking a job with in their rate (mos).
 
I wonder if recruitment is easier ffor the navy and air force because people see them as safer? After all, i haven't heard of too many sailors being killed in Iraq. I think i read one story about it.
 
[quote name='JolietJake']I wonder if recruitment is easier ffor the navy and air force because people see them as safer? After all, i haven't heard of too many sailors being killed in Iraq. I think i read one story about it.[/quote]

Yeah, having two active wars and a few people itching for a third war might hamper a recruiting drive.

Then again, the government ignoring shellshocked vets might be the cause.

If only there was some way to not have two active wars or some treatment for PTSD ...
 
The article offers nothing to document that this is a new trend. The only numbers offered indicate that recruiters are more likely to suicide than other personnel but don't give any indication that this is a new development. Far be it from the likes of Time Magazine to treat a long existing and ongoing problem as an alarming new concern.

Being a recruiter for the least sought-after branch of the military has never been a low-stress position. Imagine the combination of being a salesman character from 'Glengarry Glen Ross' while putting up with the issues of being in the military, aside from the 'people trying to kill you' hassles. Throw in a post-deployment set of issues for the icing on the stress cake. Add in, as the article does mention, living and working at a distance from others who can empathize with your problems. Online communities are a weak substitute for real human interaction where it counts.
 
Yea the army can force you to a Recruiting assignment or you can volunteer for it. I was chosen to serve as a recruiter, but i was in the middle of signing up for a Special Operations job so I was released from my future assignment as a Recruiter. Several of my buddies didn't.

The Army recruiters killing themselves isn't the only deal. The Army's Suicide numbers hit record highs in January and February of this year. There were mandatory classes and briefings given etc. Still though, if a man wants to end it, he's going to end it, simple as that.
 
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