Why I hate Army recruiters...

when I was in alternative school they brought these army recruiters to talk to us. This was in 2000. Those who wanted could take some kind of test for the army. I dont know what it was called though. I scored high so they were talking to me about joining. They told me all about the money and paying for college. I was really thinking about going but then I chickened out at the last minute. I knew I wouldnt even make it through basic training. Man am I glad I didn't go then cause then 9/11 happened and I could be over in Iraq or something right now. I total support our troops but it's just not something I could do.

Those military recuters have a quota to fill every month. My son spent 20 years in the service bacause of a recuter. If these kids play any video games they are already getting a romantic view of the military. If they see any war movies the same is going on. recuters aren't any different than any other salesman. There are alot of kids in high school that don't know what they want to do with their future. I hate the idea of our kids having to go to war. But it seems that war is a part of life somewhere in the world. My grandson is planning on joining the service when he graduates. He is very patriotic as are many of his friends. most high schools have a rotc program that is part of the criclum. There they can learn more about the services. The one at our school is the NJROTC. The kids you are describing sound like they need to grow up. The military isn't all about killing. Believe it or not the military is very careful about who they send to war. The boys you are talking about may not even make it through basic training.

well in my country conscription is mandatory. So I wouldn't be able to comment on army recruiters or share any experiences as such. but from your experience, it seems like what they are doing is really wrong. They should really lay out the facts properly instead of getting all the people into the army for the wrong reasons. Sure the pay is good, but if these people are recruited just to kill as if they were hunting, it will result in more innocent loss of lives in whichever theatre of war the US is involved in.

I think if they brag about the pro's to joining the services they should also inform them of the harsh realities that they will be faced with. If they take advantage of it for their schooling, furthering their education that is one thing. But to me, I don't think any soldier makes enough money worth what they are going through and facing on a daily basis serving for our country, they deserve so much more.

I agree! The recruiters, sell the Army on money, college, and adventure. I was in the Army for 4 years and served in Iraq in 2003. I joined the military when I was older (26). I really think that the age limit should be around 21 before some one can join. Maybe kids should be pushed towards job corps if they need money or a job. Maybe let them join at 18 but they need to stay state side and not be in combat arms for atleast 3 years and then they need to make a decision. Yeah, you can get "paid". But most of the people in the military that I knew spent their money as fast as they got it. Bought the new ride, put some rims on it, got all of the stereo and video equipment that they always wanted. Went out on the weekend and spent all of their money. I saved mine!!! Now I am using my GI Bill to get my MBA and making money on top of it! But 90% don't do this. What is war like. Boring! Sit around and wait for something to happen in 120 degree heat. What is the Army like! Boring! I was in combat arms (tanks) all I did was fix stuff, clean, got dirty, and sat around and waited. Waited for what? Something to happen, so someone could tell me what to do. I did have fun at times and was able to travel and was stationed in Germany. I have met a bunch of friends and feel as if I was a part of something bigger, but war isn't what people think it is. I don't regret it but people need to understand that it is a job, it is boring at times, it sometimes isn't fullfilling, and at times it can be dangerous. My nephew is 13 and a recruiter went to his school to talk "not to recruit" I question that! Even if he isn't there as an official recruiting stop he is planting the seed. I am honest with my newphew and asked what did the recruiter tell you! Then I told him how it really was! He was surprised. I always tell the truth about the military. The military isn't bad, but the recruiters are used car salesmen. I am friends with a couple of them that I knew when I was in the military and they are put under pressure. Long days and weekends as punishment if you don't make the numbers. The military is always pushing for you to do something. I was an E4, but had an degree prior to going in. My 1st Sgt would always send me to boards and stuff like that. I didn't want to go. Only one person understood me and that was my gunner. I told him, can't all of you accept that I don't want to be a Sgt. I enjoy my loading job on a tank. Only my gunner understood. Everyone else was like "don't you want to get promoted". When you are a Sargeant all you do is babysit 18 year old kids. Who wants to do that? I was what they called a "Squared away soldier" I had no problems, didn't go out and drank, scored well on all tests. A true model soldier, accept for the fact that i had a degree in Psychology and really didn't believe in the philosophy of the military but played the game well. I remember one of my Sgts was new to my unit and he didn't know me that well. He wanted to see my payroll statment to make sure money wasn't being pulled out if it for any depts or something. So I said, hold on I will be right back Sarge. I came back with my Roth IRA statment and brokerage account statment and CD statments and any other financial staments that I had from previous savings and jobs. He was like OH. I didn't realize that. I said no you didn't. Don't worry about my finances or I am going to question yours. He left me alone ever since then. I helped other soldiers with their money. Saving it CD's or investing it Roth IRAs or other mutual funds. Most of them didn't understand that stuff.

My hubby has served 5 years already. He is now leaving me in another state alone and 13 weeks pregnant with our (and my) first kid, for 2 and a half months thanks to not only the witch of a recruiter he has, but also the lying guy at the main army assignment place who informed us that I can go with him. (only to find out today, 12 days before he leaves that I can't). Oh and we are newly weds. We got married 3 months ago and I already have to give him up! I am furious and am considering gtting an anti army tattoo... this whole situation irks me.

I too hate recruiters. I get phone calls from them all the time because I'm in college and what not, so they're trying to hook me in. I'm not interested in joining, especially not now. I don't like Bush, and I think that the people in this war are acting like animals, treating them like they're dogs that need to be shot. And really, it's not all about the money, good luck seeing that money anytime soon. I'm just not interested.

The Military is a tremendous opportunity for some people;They have educational opportunities that they may otherwise not have the funds to provide for themselves. The pay is certainly resonable considering there aren't many expenses. The High School is exactly the place to do the recruiting,Where else would you expect them to find prospects? A Military Recruiter is just like any salesman,there going to list "Benefits" not faults! Would a used car dealer ask you to purchase a vehicle but,tell you the brakes fail sometimes?No..He is going to sell you on the great sound system it has.

This is probably one of the best times ever to join the Army. The dirty work is mostly done, and the money has never been better. Most of these "Kids" are from underpriveledged families, and few of them have grade 12. This is a Great opportunity for these young people to make a Name for themselves and also to make some good money.Lets face it! Its sure beats a life of crime. Why would they want to get away? I think you should do some research, and some serious thinking about this topic! What "hard truths?" why should they not "Brag up the good parts"? (This is America!)

This is the military we're talking about. Everyone already knows the "hard truths". The recruiters job is tell people what they don't already know and get around those hard truths with some positives.

I totally agree with how you feel. My niece is getting it into her head that the Army is the way to get herself a free education and this will propel her into the medical field a lot cheaper than it would be to go to a standard college. She has been accepted to a few very highly regarded colleges in this state and is still seeing the Army as the way to make her dreams come true. This so-called FREE education is far from that. Do any of these kids not understand that, in times of war (as we are now by lies and deceipt, but there anyway)they ALL will be asked to go to Iraq or Afghanistan??? Neither of these places is where anyone should be and being there with a huge bullseye on their backs is certainly an even greater risk...My niece is convinced that she would be able to be studying and not being sent anywhere...we've all told her of what the real story is and what SHOULD have been told to her and all the rest of these kids in high school by these salesman (recruiters)..None of the real hard facts come out to them...and being that she is not exactly from a rich family, these are mostly the kids they target...Knowing that they do want a good future for themselves and SELLING them one this way with all of their smoke and mirrors is the biggest deceipt I have seen thusfar! How can this be stopped? I do not know, but we have tried to educate my niece with as much information that was withheld from her and the rest of her classmates by these recruiters...I think being a soldier is an admirable feat, but not one I want for my niece.

I had been in the army for a year before I got out. The recruiters lie like crazy. And the army is not a nice place anymore. Its just not. They are very pushy. Mine were so pushy and lying that they are in jail right now for what theyve done.