Meeting with recruiter while in USNA/NROTC app process

BlackDog71

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Oct 18, 2016
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Hi,

I am new to this forum but have been lurking for a while. My son has applied to USNA and NROTC Class of '21 and we are awaiting the results. At a recent college fair, he spoke with a Navy Enlisted Recruiter and told him of his plans A thru G. His ultimate goal is to become a SEAL Officer. The recruiter wants to meet with us (DS is still 17) so he can set DS up with others to do NSW PT and "boat" workouts. What sort of questions should we ask? Is it a good idea to meet with this recruiter while the applications are pending?

Thank you!
 
Can't speak to the NROTC part, but if he is applying to USNA, there is really no reason to be talking to a recruiter. Often times, they are more interested in meeting their enlistment goals vs providing accurate info about USNA. Enlisting is NOT the recommended path to USNA. Lots of older threads on this subject.
 
The is no harm in meeting with the recruiter. Just realize that the recruiter's goal is to enlist sailors. And there is nothing wrong with working doing the workouts. It may even be fun. Just be there to find out as much as you can about the navy life. Ask the recruiter about the differences between being enlisted and being an officer. But most importantly do not let your son commit to anything. If he is made an offer, take it home and think long and hard about it.
 
Do not sign anything with the recruiter. They're mission is to recruit and many attempt to do so. Some are helpful with academy and NROTC applications but most are not aware of these processes.

I don't see how it can hurt to do NSW PT and "boat" workouts, especially if your son hasn't completed his PT test yet or hasn't knocked it out of the park. Boat workouts can be extremely strenuous. If your son is not in "top condition" you may want to just do the NSW PT for a while.
 
If you want to learn more about USNA, a better option would be to visit USNA, take a tour and talk with current mids to learn about what all this involves.
 
If you want to learn more about USNA, a better option would be to visit USNA, take a tour and talk with current mids to learn about what all this involves.
He's visited USNA and his app is "complete pending review". DS wants to workout with SOs which is why he spoke with the recruiter.
 
We had a recruiter after DS last year and he was very aggressive about trying to set up a meeting with us. I left him a message saying that before I wasted our time talking to him I wanted to understand exactly what role he played in the USNA/ROTC process (knowing full well he played none) and what he could offer DS in that regard. Never heard back from him and DS never missed it. He's now a plebe.
 
I guess my DS experience must not the norm. He stopped by our local Marine recruiting office on his way home from school to introduce himself.
They told him to have his parents come by with him. Oh no...I was ready to attack! It was actually just the opposite. Although they are recruiters they had me watch a video about the NROTC Scholarship opportunities. They invited my DS to train with them during the week (I did have to sign my permission for him to do that). It has been the best experience for him. They have helped him improve his scores, took him to his NROTC interview, and have been some of his biggest supporters.
 
Thankfully, there are great examples on both sides of the recruiting spectrum. No one should vilify recruiters outright. They have a tough, demanding job with high expectations. They are usually high potential, proven performers. But like all professions, there is a wide range of approaches and skill levels found in the ranks. Often the chain-of-command drives the culture and approach. Anyone seeking an officer ascension program who is speaking to a enlisted acquisition recruiter should educate themselves on the differences and be wary if pushed to sign on to any agreement, program, etc. Those recruiters who will support the officer candidate, offer workout sessions and facilitate the application process should be appreciated for their professionalism.
 
Thankfully, there are great examples on both sides of the recruiting spectrum. No one should vilify recruiters outright. They have a tough, demanding job with high expectations. They are usually high potential, proven performers. But like all professions, there is a wide range of approaches and skill levels found in the ranks. Often the chain-of-command drives the culture and approach. Anyone seeking an officer ascension program who is speaking to a enlisted acquisition recruiter should educate themselves on the differences and be wary if pushed to sign on to any agreement, program, etc. Those recruiters who will support the officer candidate, offer workout sessions and facilitate the application process should be appreciated for their professionalism.
As an Sailor who has been enlisted for two years, I can't agree more.
 
Thankfully, there are great examples on both sides of the recruiting spectrum. No one should vilify recruiters outright. They have a tough, demanding job with high expectations. They are usually high potential, proven performers. But like all professions, there is a wide range of approaches and skill levels found in the ranks. Often the chain-of-command drives the culture and approach. Anyone seeking an officer ascension program who is speaking to a enlisted acquisition recruiter should educate themselves on the differences and be wary if pushed to sign on to any agreement, program, etc. Those recruiters who will support the officer candidate, offer workout sessions and facilitate the application process should be appreciated for their professionalism.

Hear, hear!
Marines who take care of officer candidates are setting a great example, modeling USMC values and taking care of the enlisted the future officer will lead. No dummies!
 
My son did something similar. He was applying to WP and I suggested that he go to the local Army recruiting station to see if he could do PT with those who were looking to enlist. (We see them running together through town.) I also gave him a very stern lecture about not signing anything!!!
There were some schedule conflicts but finally it did work for him to do PT with them one day. Turned out that it didn't work out well for him since he was far ahead of them in fitness/athletic ability.
All in all, he didn't have a bad experience, but it wasn't a helpful experience for him either.
 
Thank you all for the insight. Unfortunately, our meeting with the recruiter did not go as well as we would have liked. They wanted my son to sign a delayed entry plan to in order to work out with them. We did discuss the pros and cons of officer vs enlisted. They were definitely biased toward enlistment. We left the office without signing anything and without an offer to do PT. We told them that we may be back in the Spring after my son has a chance to see all offers and opportunities on the table. I wish that they just told my son on the phone that the only way to do PT with them was with DEP, but they did their job and my DS did not ask the question. Lesson learned!
 
Thank you all for the insight. Unfortunately, our meeting with the recruiter did not go as well as we would have liked. They wanted my son to sign a delayed entry plan to in order to work out with them. We did discuss the pros and cons of officer vs enlisted. They were definitely biased toward enlistment. We left the office without signing anything and without an offer to do PT. We told them that we may be back in the Spring after my son has a chance to see all offers and opportunities on the table. I wish that they just told my son on the phone that the only way to do PT with them was with DEP, but they did their job and my DS did not ask the question. Lesson learned!

That's so disappointing. I only had to sign a PT authorization. My DS has actually been a help to them as well...He was able to get them a table at his schools college fair last week. They were right in front of USNA and USMA and it looked like they had a lot of kids stop by.
 
In our area the High School Marine Recruiter was very rude and denigrating to the prospective students he had a booth at the college days school event. For the life of me I can't understand why they would send someone out to High Schools like that. "We are very selective....we don't just take anybody, what makes you think you can do this" ..and it just got ruder from there, I am not real sensitive and I was offended. He came off as an arrogant jerk! We are a military family, I do understand screening prospects, etc. but that is supposed to be an outreach position, I think he was acting outside of his job description and injecting his own ego.

Broke my heart to have to inform them when they made their routine follow up calls the next fall "No I don't think my son is interested, he decided to go to the United States Naval Academy instead"

BTW: got the the same impression from a particular Academy representative but will leave that one alone
 
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@forumjunkie...Yikes! That would upset me as well! According to the polls, which I never believe, we live in the rudest city in America. I guess not when it comes to our Marine recruiters! LOL! I'm happy your DS is at USNA...I pray I'm saying the same thing over the next few months!
 
Thank you all for the insight. Unfortunately, our meeting with the recruiter did not go as well as we would have liked. They wanted my son to sign a delayed entry plan to in order to work out with them. We did discuss the pros and cons of officer vs enlisted. They were definitely biased toward enlistment. We left the office without signing anything and without an offer to do PT. We told them that we may be back in the Spring after my son has a chance to see all offers and opportunities on the table. I wish that they just told my son on the phone that the only way to do PT with them was with DEP, but they did their job and my DS did not ask the question. Lesson learned!
This is sad to see! My DD has been doing PT with local recruiter's office going on year and half now and all I had to do was sign a waiver. They have been very helpful with getting CFA done (assisting her JROTC instructor) and also in NROTC MO scholarship process. They even got her pull ups from 1 to 7!!! Of course they did bring up DEP, but I explained that enlistment was not an option on the table at this time being she will be going to either a SA, SMC or civilian college. They took it well and continue to be very supportive of her. Sorry to hear your DS didn't get the same treatment.
 
This is sad to see! My DD has been doing PT with local recruiter's office going on year and half now and all I had to do was sign a waiver. They have been very helpful with getting CFA done (assisting her JROTC instructor) and also in NROTC MO scholarship process. They even got her pull ups from 1 to 7!!! Of course they did bring up DEP, but I explained that enlistment was not an option on the table at this time being she will be going to either a SA, SMC or civilian college. They took it well and continue to be very supportive of her. Sorry to hear your DS didn't get the same treatment.

We have had the same great experience. They even took him to his NROTC interview! Good luck to your DD!
 
We have had the same great experience. They even took him to his NROTC interview! Good luck to your DD!
Thank you and good luck to your DS as well! DD kicked butt on situps and pull ups (maxed situps and 7 pullups) but struggled with three mile run (she's a sprinter so had a hard time getting herself paced correctly) . One recruiter ran with her EVERYDAY (outside regular PT) until she dropped her time to where it needed to be. Wonderful group of young Marines!
 
Thank you and good luck to your DS as well! DD kicked butt on situps and pull ups (maxed situps and 7 pullups) but struggled with three mile run (she's a sprinter so had a hard time getting herself paced correctly) . One recruiter ran with her EVERYDAY (outside regular PT) until she dropped her time to where it needed to be. Wonderful group of young Marines!
That's awesome! My son's recruiter ran with him to push him. He ran the 3 miles in 20 minutes. He's not a runner! The pullups are where he struggles. He's 6' and 190 lbs. He's continuing to work on them. He was able to do 12...he wasn't happy but keeps working on them. He's also applying MO.
He refuses to apply for anything other than NROTC. If USNA, Prep, or NROTC scholarship don't work out he will still be attending a SMC (looking into other scholarships now) or a State University and join NROTC.
 
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