My experience with a US Army recruiter

[halfwaynowhere]

a recruiter just called me. I have no interest in joining the military, although I do support my country and our overseas troops. I also have severe asthma, which automatically disqualifies me from the US armed forces. But they know this, and they still call me. My sister answered the phone this time, and told him she wanted my name off the list because I have severe asthma, he just wanted to talk to me. so she put me on the phone under the condition that he would take my name off his list. he agreed. so he starts talking to me, and asks me what my plans are for after graduation. I told him I plan on living in a box. he thought he misunderstood me, so i confirmed this for him. He then asks me where. I told him somewhere under a bridge in Los Angeles. This man is utterly confused. Finally he gives up and just tells me that I'd better take my inhaler with me because its windy under bridges, and my asthma could get bad. Then he tells me that he's not taking me off the list, but he is marking down that i have asthma, so i am disqualified. so if i am disqualified, why can't they take me off their list?

[orgtigger]

Because they will be lowering the standards soon to get new recruits.
I had childhood asthma, but still served for 6 years
If he's trying to BS you tell me.

[Jolixte]

Recruiters are really annoying. The last one I talked to was wasted; great example setting there chief. Geez...

[Djiril]

Any way you could complain about him lying? I'm guessing probably not since his word to your sister wasn't legally binding.

Maybe just hang up the phone next time.

[halfwaynowhere]

i just thought the whole part was strange... it didn't sound like he knew english very well, so think me telling him about my plans for the future really confused him... I had a feeling he kept me on the list because they were planning on lowering their standards, but i'm far from what they want anyways, i can't even walk fast, or for very long without collapsing from chest pains and stuff, its pretty bad. They are also trying to pass a law saying once you sign up, you are basically in for life, and there is no way i'm signing my life away. besides, i'm only 16, so they shouldn't even be trying to recruit me until next year... I think next time they call, I'll come up with another crazy story, r i'll just tell them I'm gay or something...

[Ravens_Tears]

I have a suggestion. Get yourself a cheap phone tap, (the suction cup type that you can attach to the phone), or even configure a regular dial-up modem on your computer to be an answering machine. Mine allows me to tape conversations directly on my computer when I set it up that way. Next time he calls and lies and tries to intimidate you, use the phone with the tap, tape them. Make sure you get them to confirm the time and date with you and their name. Then make copies, store them in safe places and forward the copies of youre conversation with your complaint. There is nothing illegal about you taping a conversation without the consent or knowledge of the other person who is trying to intimidate or harrass you because they are in a position of power. It works.

Good luck

[halfwaynowhere]

we used to record all of our phone conversations, my dad had it rigged, but he stopped doing that... it might be a good idea to do that again, especially since there is a certain company that is periodically harrassing my mom about some unpaid medical bill that she already paid for, or something odd like that...

[DracoJesi]

hes lucky he didnt call me because anyone who calls trying to get to do somthing I dont want to do, especialy if they dont know me, is going to get an ear full :rotfl:

[Ravens_Tears]

I'm a firm believer in covering your own ass! And it disgusts me that they are trying to recruit you so young. You can't buy a drink but you can go fight a war? ** shakes her head **

[Khuinaset]

I think next time they call, I'll come up with another crazy story, r i'll just tell them I'm gay or something...

*grins* My American Government teacher told us of a friend who got his first recruit call in his last year of high school, a good 10-15 years ago, and this is what he did:

*picks up the phone* "Hello?"
"Yes, I'm calling on behalf of the United States Army, I'd like to know if you're interested in being recruited?" (or something to that effect)
*very feminine voice* "Oh, yeth, I'm very interethted in being recruited. Now tell me, do all the boyth shower together?"

The recruiter hung up on him, and not only did he never get another call from the Army, he never got a single call from the Navy, Marines, or Air Force either. As Mr. W said, I doubt he could've joined if he'd wanted to :lol:

[SilentDreams]

I had a interesting conversation with a man in the service(or possibly out, didn't ask) in a chat last night. I don't know if he's a recruiter but I do know so many service men and women try to recruit regardless lol. He was nice and not pushy. The thing I found most interesting(and amusing) was that his spelling is horrible. I mean I have bad spelling but his made me look like a english major. I can't believe the army would recruit somebody who can't spell. Well I guessing spelling doesn't effect gun shooting does it?

Anyway, they'll still try to recruit you. Perhaps you could do some sort of desk job? Oh yeah there is basic training but maybe they have some sort of program where you could not do it because of your condition.

[Scarlettvixen]

i find it disgusting that they call to recruit u!
here u have to go to them
or express an interest at a careers fare for them to be able to call u

[Yvonne Belisle]

Tell them sorry but you have a gladular problem you weigh about a hundred pounds more than your real weight. That or that you don't believe in war. It might help.

[Illuminatus]

Whenever they ask you about your plans for the future, tell them that #3 on your list is "not getting your limbs blown off by a rocket propelled grenade".

[merlo]

They get big fuzzy stuffed animals with every recruit they sign up, screw your asthma, he wanted the prize!

[memnoch]

a recruiter just called me. I have no interest in joining the military, although I do support my country and our overseas troops. I also have severe asthma, which automatically disqualifies me from the US armed forces. But they know this, and they still call me. My sister answered the phone this time, and told him she wanted my name off the list because I have severe asthma, he just wanted to talk to me. so she put me on the phone under the condition that he would take my name off his list. he agreed. so he starts talking to me, and asks me what my plans are for after graduation. I told him I plan on living in a box. he thought he misunderstood me, so i confirmed this for him. He then asks me where. I told him somewhere under a bridge in Los Angeles. This man is utterly confused. Finally he gives up and just tells me that I'd better take my inhaler with me because its windy under bridges, and my asthma could get bad. Then he tells me that he's not taking me off the list, but he is marking down that i have asthma, so i am disqualified. so if i am disqualified, why can't they take me off their list?

Asthma, even severe will not disqualify you. There are waivers for most anything

[WokeUpDead]

I'm suprised the miltary types haven't given you 150 reasons to join yet.

[orgtigger]

you Haven't asked, I think the military is a mixed bag. I can give you 150 reasons to join and then tell you the 150 things that'll drive you out.
I can honestly tell you there are experiences you have in the military that'll be happy memories for the rest of your life, but on the flip side there'll be things you want to forget but can't.
I've never met and lost so many friends, as I did in the service(isn't this a hemmingway quote?)

[memnoch]

I don't want people to join who aren't willing to serve their country. I'm sick of whiney bastards who join thinking its a free ride to school and then complaining when they get sent to Iraq.

let me also add things I enjoyed and missed. I got free trips to Japan and Korea. I got paid for 9 weeks for nothing more than getting myself into good mental and physical condition. I have experienced things many of you never will. Have you ever walked into a bar and had someone (especially a waiter or waitress) buy you a drink because of your uniform. Have you walked down the street having people thank you for your job? Have you had a chance to try dog, or japanese sushi (in japan). Have you ever fired a high power weapon? Have you ever had a friend who would put their lives in danger to save you...and prove it? Does your family call you at work telling you how proud they are to have you as a child? Have you ever spent an evening on a mountain, looking at the stars through night vision goggles. Have you gotten days off work just to watch the superbowl? Have you ever had a job where you had 30 vacation days after just 1 year...and most federal holidays off. Have you ever had a job where they covered your food, housing, and all forms of insurance? Have you had a member of the opposite sex throw themselves at you because of your job? Have you ever seen and met a mainstream band, and then have them thank you for your performance? Do you know cpr, did you pay for the certification? Have you ever met and been thanked by some of the most powerful people in the world? Have you ever went to bed with the most indescribable joy because of your job? Do you get into long conversations and become friends with people because you both worked at mcdonalds? Do you know exactly what is going on in the world, that is classified? Have you ever went to the store knowing you don't have to pay taxes...especially for cigarettes or alchohol. Have you ever lived in a place where state laws did not apply to you? Have you ever had someone injured at work in serious condition refuse medical treatment because the life of his comrads were more important than his injury? Have you ever got a lump in your throat seeing the flag fly and hearing the star spangled banner? And do you even know what that flag or that song stand for? Can you retire from your job after 20 years and get a decent retirement check? Can you defend how wonderful your job is the way I just have?

[orgtigger]

I don't want people to join who aren't willing to serve their country. I'm sick of whiney bastards who join thinking its a free ride to school and then complaining when they get sent to Iraq.
Problem of today's society, most people don't appreciate a job where "learn to avoid live grenades" is in the job destricption.
Most kids only sign up for the college money, without that where do you think recruitment would be at?

[Evendusk]

Army stops recruiting for a day.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/05/20/recuit.delay/index.html