Kudos to Our Recruiters

I went to Basic in January of 2002. I had the best recruiter that an airman could ask for. After being in the Delayed Enlistment Program for 5 months, I was completely prepared for whatever the TI had to throw at me. My advice for any woman looking to join the military (I can only speak for the Air Force) is this: the first three weeks of Basic Training are for the TI to tear you down. It is all a mind game. Blend in to the walls and do not stand out. The TI needs to break you down so that she/he can start from scratch. The last three weeks are to build you up and make you an outstanding airman. You may want to give up and find any way to get out (I couldn't believe what the girls would do in my flight to get kicked out) but don't. Find any motivation possible to keep yourself dedicated. Live meal to meal and Sunday to Sunday and it'll go so quick. Believe me, I never was more proud of myself than when I received my airman's coin. I owe it all to SSgt Mandy Midget. If you're out there reading this, THANK YOU!

I thought really hard about everything and realized that the Navy is something I've wanted to be a part of for a VERY long time, and I should do things for myself and live my life before I tried to share one with someone else. Guys come and go, but an opportunity like the Navy might never come along again. I didn't want to be one of those people that look back and reflect on their lives thinking.....what did I miss??? My boyfriend and I then broke up. There would be many days that I just went and talked to my recruiter just to stay focused and keep my mind off my ex. (who of course wanted me back...that always makes it hard to stay away) He was very patient, he listened to me, and he gave me advice. I'm sure I bugged him!!:) I was the first person he ever recruited, and I promised him I'd stick with it. I am very glad I made that decision! I possibly almost ruined

Thanks to the hard work of my recruiter, TSgt Wayne Sheppard, my OTS application is on it's way to Texas. There's been a few delays along the way, but he's put up with my endless questions and my eagerness to keep things moving along. I was a little disappointed when I learned he'd be giving up the Air Force in the next year or so, but he's helped so many of us young people taken that step from being a civilian, to a member of the world's finest Air Force. Thanks so much, TSgt Sheppard, for all your hard work!

Stewart a year later and he remembered me from MEPS where I first 'gave him trouble'. Since then our recruiter/recruitee relationship has been fixed. It will be ceremonially secured by a reward lunch for me because I have completed my goal of applying to OTS. I salute him, his hard work, and his ability to put up with me. No one comes close to you TSgt. Stewart!! Thanks for your guidance. And no, I didn't get married in the last 24 hours. Like you said, no man is going to steal me away from the Air Force.

I am 22 and am currently in the DEP for the U.S. Army. I have always known that the military would be a wonderful career and future, being the strong, smart, assertive woman that I am. I was in Marine Corps ROTC in high school and had the opportunity to see and experience much about real military life. I am a senior at the University of Louisville, and was trying to decide if I wanted to enlist or go in as an officer, as well as decide which branch would best suit my interests. I was involved with the Officer program in another branch of the military and thought that was where I belonged.

By chance, a recruiter from the U.S. Army contacted me, after having received my name from the University. At first, I was very skeptical of the process involved in how the University gave out students names to recruiters- not to mention their home phone numbers. So needless to say, I was quite rude to this recruiter, and pounded him with questions regarding how and why he received my information. After this initial questioning, I did listen to what he had to say about the Army, and told him I would meet him the following day. I did, and was still pretty confident that I was going to be part of the Officer program with another branch. So I left him with the idea that I would not be returning.

As fate would have it, I was not receiving the treatment that I wanted within this particular officer program. I felt harassed, I was being called at least once a week, sometimes by someone that didn't even know me, only to ask if I was PTing. I also felt pressured to officially join the program and submit a PFT before I felt confident. I happened to read a Nelson Demille book in the process of all this that detailed a faction of the U.S. Army that really captured my interest. So I proceeded to call the Army recruiter back and inquire with him about career opportunities within this specialized department in the Army.

My recruiter is Staff Sergeant Richard Gibson. He has gone to extreme lengths to answer my questions and provide me with the information I requested. He took me to the Fort Knox base in Kentucky, so I could meet and speak with a Warrant Officer within the department I am interested in, so I could learn even more about my future goals within the Army. I had apprehensions about trying to finish my Psychology degree within the army, and he made repeated calls to the bases I would be stationed and researched the college programs to make sure I would be able to accomplish this. Though I have sworn in, I have been wavering in my chosen MOS field. He has arranged two conference calls so that I could talk within someone already in the MOS field that I was interested in, and get their first-hand opinions about their chosen occupations.

I was not an easily persuaded recruit. I was aware that enlistment recruiters have the stereotype of saying anything to get you to join. I persistently questioned what he told me, and always wanted more information than he had, providing him with more work. I had a bit of a snobbish idea about going in as an officer, and he helped me to see the beneficial experience and knowledge, as well as fun, that you gain by going in enlisted. (I will go in as an E-3 due to college credit hours) with a wonderful enlistment bonus- $11,000 ($8,000 for having 60+ college credit hours, and $3,000 for going airborne). To become an officer later, which I plan to do. Thank God he had a wonderful sense of humor, which had to be his saving grace with me.

I write this to not only express my gratitude to my recruiter, but to encourage other young women to seek as much information, from all branches of the military, before joining. How you are treated by your recruiter is without a doubt a reflection of where you want to be. This is your future , you should never be made to feel bad for asking questions...ask as many that you can...take a couple weeks, write more questions down, come back and ask those. Expect answers. Do your own research. The amount of research I found on the web is substantial. Do not make your enlistment a passive process. I am looking forward to an exciting career and future with our U.S. Army. I hope this may prove useful to anyone concerned or interested in the recruiting process.

SSGT. Jakubek, yup that's his name. He's only about the most awesome Marine that I have ever met, except my brother. It was the second week of school in my new school my jr. year and he was there. I had already talked to other recruiters of other branches and they never gave me the time of day. I knew Marines are supposed to be cocky so I did the same. He was new at recruiting so I figured.....well that he would suck. He just got basic information from me and then invited me to a poolee function. I'm only 16 a jr. in high school and he was inviting me to a marine Corps event!! He even got me a ride there. He called me once a week just like I was a poolee and I went to every function that year. I was the only person half the time not enlisted except for some of the buddies that were brought. SSGT. Jakubek and Gunny always called me their "Little Poolee" though. I had so much fun at those functions. I was the one that got most attention. Gunny would pick me up and slam me on the ground (Playfully) and SSGT Jake calls me fat ass. Those are our little connection. They knew how eager I was to enlist so they got me to enlist on June 30 200......my 17th b-day. It has been the best day of my life so far. I got them both a card with my enlisting picture in it thanking them and telling them how much they mean to me. They have been there for so long. SSGT. Jakubek is much like a brother to me while my brother is away and GUNNY is a guide and a father. There has been times I have called them both up with problems in my life crying and they are there to bring me up. I get down I call one of those guys and my day instantly is shinning. When I am with them I feel like I have known them for ever. When I think of leaving them behind when I leave for bootcamp I start to cry. But I know that they will keep in touch. I've been with SSGT. Jake when he has wrote to recruits, the same with Gunny. SSGT. Jake has also gotten recruiter of the year and I want to congratulate him on that cuz he deserved it. I know this was just for recruiters but I couldn't resist putting Gunny in here. He is truly a remarkable NCOIC and SSGT. And Gunny are both outstanding Marines. They helped me find my self and gave me advice that I will remember forever as I will remember them. I truly love these 2 men because they have been so great to me. I would give my right arm and left leg for them if they needed and I promise them I will not let them down. Semper Fi

wonderful recruiter, Sgt. Dykes of the United States Air Force was helpful and informative. He took time to go over every detail of everything. If I asked a question he gave me an honest answer. He helped reassure me about the most frightening part of the military, basic training, by giving me tips to get ready. I am excited about leaving for the Air Force now and I hope that everyone else interested in the United States Armed Forces gets a recruiter like mine. Thank you so much Sgt. Dykes for helping to change my life.

I have to say...to think that I would one day join the army does come as somewhat of a shock. but things turned out completely different. I first made contact with the army while in my senior year at high school. it didn't seem like the right choice then, so I decided not to pursue it. In January of 2000, I talked with the marines at the South Florida fair, just to see what they had to offer. After talking to the sergeant at the marine corps office, I could tell that they were definitely not for me. By a stroke of luck, I started talking to the local army recruiter. I can honestly say that I feel extremely lucky to have met this sergeant. I had every job that sounded interesting explained to me. I watched numerous videos, and had countless discussions about every aspect of the army that I could possibly think of. and I was rewarded: my recruiter told me everything that would happen while at MEPS and he was right. he even explained that I DID NOT HAVE TO GO IF I

OOH-RAH TO SSGT MEDINA AND GUNNY DUCKWORTH!!! I will never forget the day I decided to join the Corps! One boring day in January I saw a commercial for the Corps and though, wow... such pride, such confidence, that rocks... and then I saw the phone number across the bottom of the screen. Being bored and interested, I called. They gave me the number to the RSS in my town, and I called and got the Recruiters Assistant. I left a message expecting a response in a few days. 5 minutes later, I was on the phone to SSgt Medina scheduling a meeting with him the next day! We had about 4 meetings of just him answering my tons of questions!!! I finally made the decision to enlist and DEPed in 000222. I leave for boot camp Sept 5 and am so excited and thankful for my awesome recruited, SSgt Medina and NCOIC, Gunny Duckworth! (If any other USMC recruits are shipping to Parris Island Sept 5, e-mail me! I'd love to meet you!) OOH-RAH!!! E-mail: aquachick@gateway.net

house. Sorry but service to the good ole US didn't figure into it. My parents refused to sign the consent forms (I was only 17 at the time), so I was stuck. My mom then got really deathly sick and I blamed my self for it because I had stressed her out (sounds stupid huh?). I tried for 8 months to do things the way mom wanted me to--go to college, get my vet degree, etc. During this time I talked off and on to my recruiter--always double checking what he said and answers he gave me about 5-6 times and he has always checked out "A" ok and I have no doubt that he will always do so. Then two weeks ago I decided that I wanted to join the Army and to heck with what my parents wanted me to do because I wasn't happy. I went in to see SSgt Sherrill, and in less than a week and a half I was at MEPS. I got the non language job of my choice and am thrilled to death. He has been there every time I need anything, from talking over personal problems, explaining basic, testing me on my rank structure, encouraging me on PT. He does PT at 0630 as often as I can fit it in, answers all my

I am a 17 year old senior in high school. I am also currently in the DEP for the USAF. I was always planning on joining the service, but I never could decide which branch. I e-mailed my recruiter and asked for some information on the programs that the USAF had to offer. He called me the very next day with tons of interesting information. With in a week I had signed for the USAF. That was back in September, so I have been a DEP for a long time now. I don't leave for Basic until the end of June. I now am considered a DEP Commander and pretty much run things with the DEP. I see my recruiter roughly three times a week. He has always been there for me as well as the rest of our DEP. He is leaving soon to go recruit doctors in Chicago. I will miss him very much. This man is the perfect recruiter and I one of the luckiest members of the DEP to so close with him. Shannon, E-mail: luvbeatle@hotmail.com

for them, then was told that due to the fact that I was married to another serviceman and I had dependants they couldn't do anything for me......imagine the disappointment I felt. I wasn't about to give up so I phoned the marine corps, and SS Robinson picked up the phone I told him my situation and he told me he wasn't going to make me any promises but he would see what he could come up with. no promises no lied straight forward . HE IS MORE THAN JUST A RECRUITER HE IS A FRIEND, BECAUSE OF HIM I HAVE ENOUGH CONFIDENCE TO BECOME ONE OF THE FEW, THE PROUD, A MARINE.

I just enlisted in the Army a month ago and I leave next July and I can't wait! I don't understand these people who say "recruiters lie, don't trust what they say" That is so untrue. Before I was going to enlist in the Army, I was going to go to college. But it just didn't seem right to me. I have gone to school for the last 12 years and I needed a change...a challenge. I found the Army to be what I wanted. I am going to be a Medical Specialist and I am looking forward to it. My recruiter helped me a lot! I had to lose some weight before my physical and I was really worried about not being able to lose it. But there was Sgt. telling me all along that I could do it and he was always encouraging me and when I went down to MEPS, I passed! I could not have done it without him or any of the other recruiters that were there helping me. Once I passed, he was so happy for me and so was I! Recruiters are there to help you make a decision if you are undecided about joining the military. They can tell you a lot of what is going to happen, but not everything. They are experiencing it still for themselves! There are laws passed in Congress all of the time that changes the way the military works. So if you find out something different from the CO, don't blame it on your recruiter. They may be just finding the same thing out you are at the same time. Many thanks to all the recruiters that helped me and to Hopkins....you

I was three months away from graduating from college. I didn't know if I wanted to continue my education or join the army. I always received calls from Sergeant Richardson about obtaining information on everything that the army has to offer. Well, after a lot of research and thinking, I was at the Oakland MEPs station raising my right hand. I discovered that joining the Army was something that would help me, whether my friends, family, or co workers believed it. I was determined to prove anyone wrong. For the next few months, me and my recruiter would do P.T until my departure date for Basic Training. I can truly say that all those days of running in the sun, lifting weights, and dedication paid off. Once I got to Basic, I wrote the recruiters weekly to let them know about my progress. It truly hurts my feelings when I hear that some people have been misinformed in some way or another by their recruiter.

Sergeant Richardson, Sergeant Evans and the rest of the staff at Richmond's (California) Recruiting station are always helpful to prospective soldiers. Once I finished Basic and A.I.T. I went home on leave to show the believers and non-believers that anything is possible.

I was sworn into the National Guard on the 1st of July. I won't leave for Basic till Nov. 3rd. I have the best recruiter in the world! I am an ex-military dependant (my husband was a marine for 5 years) so I knew what to expect from the beginning and knew what questions to ask. As far as there being Bad or Good Recruiters, there are bad and good people in every walk of life.....You must expect to come across those types of people. If you don't, you are living in a fantasy world. I encourage anyone looking into joining the Armed Forces to do your research. Talk to people who are already in; or are retired, search the web on info, go to the library. If you don't like what one recruiter is telling you, call another one. But from my experience, I had no problems and got all my questions answered by my recruiter. If he was un-sure of the answer, he called till he found it. He went above and beyond to get me comfortable with what I was gonna do. Kudos to you Sgt. Thanks for all you have done for me ) To all the recruiters out there....keep up the good work, there are some of us out here that appreciate what you do!!

My recruiter is so AWESOME. When I first began looking at the military as a career change option I was looking at The Coast Guard. That recruiter just wasn't on the ball. I also spoke to an Army recruiter and he just didn't "feel right" either. From the first phone conversation with my AF recruiter, I knew he was the one. He was constantly accessible to me for ALL my questions and believe me, there were plenty. I've now been transferred to a new recruiter because I'm trying for OTS instead of just enlisted and I still call him to ask him to explain things or give me advice. I can't wait to begin my new life in the AF and I have my great recruiter to thank for it.

I'm 18 and in the DEP for the US Navy. I leave for basic in 3 months and I can't wait! I was in ROTC for 2 years of high school and really wasn't thinking about joining the service until I received the phone call that probably changed my life. It was the Chief Petty Officer of our local recruiting office. He asked me some questions and we scheduled an interview He spoke frankly with me from the beginning and even introduced me to some other women who had been or currently were in the Navy. I wasn't in the best of shape, so he offered to take me to the gym and start me on a program to help me get ready for the future. In turn, I tutored his recruiting prospects for their upcoming ASVAB. He is the greatest!!! I've been treated with the utmost resect and I appreciate that. So I guess this is my semi-public way of saying thank you to an incredible man!!

I enlisted in the Army at age 20. My recruiter was a male, E-7, that answered all of my questions, he was honest about what to expect. I received everything promised to me from the military, and while I didn't choose it as a career, I will always cherish the 3 years I spent. It angers me to hear derogatory comments made about recruiters--all of the experiences I've had with them have been positive.

My recruiters are wonderful people. I just called him yesterday and he said "You know, of all the people I have put in the navy you are the only on who calls at least once a week" WHAT A SHAME?? THEY AREN'T THE BAD PEOPLE HERE, THEY HAVE NO CONTROL WHERE WE GO AFTER BASIC TRAINING!!!! MEGA KUDOS TO ALL THE RECRUITERS!!!

enjoy helping out where I can. If you have e-mailed me at the old address (proudpatiot@webtv.net) please forward to my new account proud_patriot@webtv.net The old account is gone. I received a lot of questions from young ladies who had started their third year of college and had a 2.7 GPA or higher so I advised them to contact an officer recruiter for info on going officer. If you are between the ages of 17 and 35 and are considering the military as an option please contact me with any questions you have. we have some really good college programs, and the other benefits are second to none.

I have read many of what the soldiers had to say and future soldiers had to say and let me tell you I am impressed and proud to serve right along side of you, I am A United States Army Recruiter and about 80 percent of my DEPS are women, don't ask me why, because I don't know...but I am going to show them this site because what you have said has touched me and this country needs soldiers like you, I really don't care if your joining the Air Force , Navy, or Marines , in fact it doesn't matter what branch you join, what matters is that you have the intestinal fortitude to make that decision and to serve . I am proud to serve with all those who serve and sometimes I know ..I know you feel un-appreciated and sometimes you may feel that what you do is not noticed ..but believe me it is I promise you... , just remember there is no such thing as bad soldiers only bad leaders. Good luck in all that you do and once again THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO..!!

Take it easy on us recruiter's. We have a job to do, and we don't receive extra $ for you. Just make sure you ask all the right questions. We can't read your minds. Ask us what you need to know. I have been an army recruiter for 8 years and I thank god for my recruiter everyday. I'm retiring when I'm 38 years old. I have saved and invested and in 5 more years, I'm done. So join, don't join, or whatever, but please don't knock it, till you try it. And for you people who think college is the ticket, here are some FACTS for you. 1. Less than 30% who start college actually receive a degree. 2. Liberal arts degrees holders are lower paid than their uneducated peers. Oh, and its not to smart to go to college to be a Oceanographer and plan to live in OHIO. Also why do people pay to go to college and study lawn/turf management?????OH yeah and ANYBODY with $$$$$$$$ can get accepted to college, it is after all a financial institution. Lastly it's not always about you. Think about service to this great country of ours. Is 2 years of your time too much a price to pay for lifetime FREEDOM????????????????????? Questions comments????

After reading many comments on this page about personal experiences I felt the need to reply. I am a recruiter and take pride in what I do. I noticed many have said that they were lied to and I am sure that has happened in some cases. However I have worked with some of the best, most honest recruiters out there. Remember it is just like any job out there. I have seen corporate leaders, teachers, counselors, and politicians lie. The title does not make a liar, it is the person who chooses to stoop to such a low level. If anyone has any questions about the armed forces feel free to contact me and I will give you the facts whether you like them or not. To the potential recruits remember serving in the military is a time honored tradition that will give you what you put into it. It is not for everyone. Some individuals can't handle the level of responsibility or maturity that is required. Also remember, you are given a job based on what you are qualified for. The ASVAB and physical determine that. Recruiters cannot give you a job that you are not able to handle. With these jobs comes a great demand for previous knowledge of some sort or at least being able to understand certain things

I am proud to be an Army recruiter, for not just anyone could endure the trials and tribulations I experience while maintaining both honesty and integrity. However, there is more to me. I am also a wife, mother, daughter, soldier, friend and mentor. To those who believe all recruiters lie and deceive, I ask you to judge, if you must, each of us individually.

I believe in God. I deal with each of my recruits with Christian virtue, patience and understanding. I do not lie; I believe in the Army and what it represents. For my predecessors and contemporaries who have deceived applicants in order to make their "quota", I offer my pity. They have bequeathed those of us who recruit with integrity a "badge of shame and dishonor." We work hard to undo the damage they have caused the Army and the Recruiting command.

Much of what we honorable recruiters do is often taken for granted. It is simply relegated to "doing our job." Our job is to find qualified applicants and process them for enlistment. We are also required to help prepare young men and women for Initial Entry Training.

Each time we counsel our young recruits about family or social problems, it is because we care. Whenever we return calls or pages from recruits and their families during our precious family time or holidays, it is because we care. When we take the time to send our new soldiers in training a note or card of encouragement, it is because we care. When we call the parents and spouses of soldiers we have enlisted to see how they are adjusting to the departure of their loved ones to training or overseas, keep in mind there is no requirement for this. We do it because some of us truly care.

I am an Air Force recruiter and have been for almost 5-years. I normally won't comment on the subject of being a recruiter, but I'm starting to feel like people give us such a bad reputation. First of all people must understand what my job is--to put people in the Air Force. My deepest concern is people saying that we don't tell them everything. That's not true. Think back when you were seventeen or eighteen years old. Were you thinking more about the long term or your short-term goals? Most of us are thinking about the excitement of today or tomorrow. I've worked with several young people who hear the most exciting parts about the Air Force and kind of block out everything else because it's not important to them at the time. Things like retirement and medical benefits are just not as important to most teenagers as it would be to someone in their thirties or forties. I can sit for an hour telling a person about what the military has to offer and turn around and ask them what I said and they won't remember half of it. Although, they seem to remember the part about leave with pay and free meals at the dining facility.

There's no way a recruiter can to tell you everything there is to know about the military. We have not experienced all of the challenges that you could possibly face while serving. For instance, 12 years ago my recruiter had no idea that I would be deployed to Panama as a part of Operation Just Cause or to the desert as a part of Desert Shield/Storm. Did he not tell me everything? The military organization changes daily. New laws are being passed by Congress constantly changing different things about the military lifestyle. Issues such as pay and retirement benefits are not things that your recruiter makes decisions on. So, if I tell you today that you'll receive 40% of your basic pay when you retire, if it changes to 50% tomorrow I had no control over that decision.

If you're going to talk to a recruiter soon, take along someone with more experience in asking the right questions. Talk to some people who have served before you, but remember that's just their opinion. The Air Force is not for everyone, but it's a great place to start for those who accept the challenge.

Kudos to Our Recruiters

This section is for submissions of praise for our recruiters.

Recruiters are also welcome to submit words of advice and wisdom.