Military recruiters are a great resource and can answer any question (or find the answer) you ask them. The challenge for you as a potential military recruit is to know what questions to ask before it’s too late. If you don’t do a little research, and leave it up to the recruiter to set the direction of your visit, you could end up in a job that satisfies the needs of the military instead of your personal goals.
Learn about what every recruit should know before talking to a recruiter and joining the military.
What Should You Know Before Talking to a Recruiter?
When I walked into the Air Force Recruiting office, I did not come with specific questions. I let the recruiter do most of the talking. He explained what basic training was and that the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test would determine what jobs I was best suited for. Luckily for me, it all turned out well, and I had an amazing military career, which included seven years enlisted and retiring after 22 years of active-duty service as an Air Force Major.
I must admit that was before the internet, and now there are no excuses for not doing your research. Most military branches have their own website, with forums you can explore to ask questions and get answers before talking to a recruiter. You should be able to walk into that military branch’s recruiting office, armed with questions and a good idea of what jobs you are interested in pursuing.
The bottom line is that you should be in the driver’s seat and have most of the answers to the questions you will ask your recruiter. This way, they can’t try to lead you off the path of the military career you want to pursue.
What Recruiters Usually Don’t Explain Clearly
It is a reality in the military recruiting business that recruiters have quotas (production goals). This can lead to persistent pressure, aggressive tactics, unclear explanations, or over promising to achieve their goals. Remember, verbal promises mean nothing, and nothing is binding until it is in your signed enlistment contract.
Here are some critical details that military recruiters rarely explain clearly:
Job Guarantees vs. “Needs of the Military”
Even if you have been guaranteed the military job of your dreams, there is a clause in every enlistment contract that you can be reassigned to a different military specialty if the “needs of the military” warrant it. That clause is to ensure that understaffed career fields are filled to maintain unit readiness and in support of national defense.
Bonus Fine Print
You may be eligible for monetary bonuses. Some of these bonuses can be in the form of enlistment/reenlistment bonuses, career field bonuses, or critical skills retention bonuses.
What you may not know is that some come with clauses or “fine print.” If you don’t fulfill your end of the bargain, you may not only lose future bonus payments, but you could also have to repay money you have already received.
Here are some cases where you may have to repay your monetary incentives:
- Failure to complete your service obligation
- Separated for misconduct or unsatisfactory performance
- Voluntarily request to reclassify or transfer to a different unit
- Failure to maintain your security clearance or fitness standards
- Barred from reenlistment
Pro Tip: Always read your enlistment contract before you take the oath or agree to a bonus.
Delayed Entry Program (DEP) Realities
The DEP is the phase between signing your military enlistment contract and starting basic training. It allows you to delay active-duty service for up to one year to finish high school or prepare yourself for military service.
I was in the DEP for 10 months before shipping off to Air Force basic training, allowing me to graduate from high school and spend the summer as a Boy Scout Camp Counselor.
DEP Realities that you may not know:
- You can leave the DEP anytime: Technically, by not reporting to the Military Entrance Processing Station ( MEPS) to ship out, you will end your DEP, but it is recommended to let your recruiter know that you are no longer interested and sign a DEP discharge form.
- Physical and legal standards still apply: Injuries, weight gain, or legal trouble could jeopardize your enlistment.
- Recruiter Pressure: You may get pressured to change your job for another specialty just to get you in the door sooner.
- You may have mandatory requirements: If you are joining the Navy or Marines, you may have to attend meetings, improve your physical fitness, or learn service values while on DEP.
Questions Every Recruit Should Ask
Enlisting in the military is a life-altering, multi-year commitment, and one you should not take lightly. To ensure you make the best decision for your future, here are some questions that every recruit should ask:
- Is my preferred job officially guaranteed in writing in my enlistment contract?
- What ASVAB scores do I need to qualify for my chosen military branch and job?
- Is there someone in my preferred job that I can talk to and see what they actually do?
- What is my active-duty service commitment?
- What military specialties are offering enlistment bonuses?
- If I have some college credits, do I qualify for a bonus or higher rank after graduating from basic training?
- How does the GI Bill work, and will I be able to take college classes while on active duty?
- What are the chances of getting my preferred first duty location?
- What are the chances of being deployed based on my guaranteed job?
How Long Does the Enlistment Process Take?
There are so many variables to the military enlistment process that there is no single standard timeline. It could take anywhere from a few weeks to several months (not including DEP time). Things that take time include: gathering required paperwork, waiting for your job training slot to become available, and getting any medical waivers if needed.
ASVAB (2 – 3 hours)
The ASVAB is one of the most discussed factors when deciding to join the military. Some see it as their ticket to the military job of their dreams. It may be if you can ace the ASVAB.
The ASVAB is a timed, multi-aptitude test that helps the military determine if you are a good fit for military service, but also what branch may be the best fit for you and what military jobs you may be right for based on your ASVAB score. The computerized version of the ASVAB has 155 total questions, and you will have 154 minutes to complete it.
The Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) is a part of the ASVAB and determines if you are qualified to join the military. Each military branch has its own minimum AFQT score you would need to join.
MEPS (1 – 2 days)
The job of the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) is to make sure that you are mentally and physically eligible to join the military. The MEPS process typically takes two days.
- Day 1: You will take the ASVAB if you have not already completed it.
- Day 2: You will get your physical exam, work with a job counselor to select your military job specialty, and take the oath of enlistment.
Waivers (Days to 3+ months)
MEPS does not approve or deny waivers; they just conduct the physical or ask you a series of questions about your legal or family history. Your military branch will make the final call on whether to allow you to join based on your specific medical, criminal, or dependent family issues. Quick waivers can be resolved in a few days, while complex waivers that require medical or legal consultation can take up to three months or more.
Shipping Timeline (Days to 1 year from MEPS visit)
Again, this really depends on factors beyond your control, like medical waivers or waiting for training slots to open for a guaranteed job. However, if you are flexible and have no medical or legal issues, you can go from your first recruiter visit to basic training in just three to four weeks. In some cases, recruits could leave for training on short notice and may qualify for quick ship opportunities and related incentives.
Recruiter Red Flags: What to Watch For
As we have mentioned, recruiters are looking out for your best interests and genuinely want you to have a successful military career. However, there may be some recruiters who may pressure you to sign your contract quickly, or promise specific duty assignments, or guaranteed jobs verbally. In rare cases, a recruiter may ask you to omit something from your medical or legal history.
Here are some recruiter “red flags” to keep an eye out for:
Verbal promises: If it is not in your enlistment contract, it is not guaranteed
Sign it now, we can change it later: If you are told to take a job you do not want, and they will change it later, don’t do it. This process is very difficult to do after you sign.
Open-general enlistment: This is one of the biggest red flags, unless you want to ship out quickly. You may get assigned a job that nobody else wants or that is experiencing a critical shortage.
Pressure to lie: If your recruiter wants you to hide past medical or legal issues, this is not just ethically wrong; it is illegal. You could face a dishonorable discharge. Don’t do it!
Remember, knowing what to ask and how to spot these red flags is your key to success:
- Do your research before you even speak to a recruiter.
- Use resources like Military.com to find out the real truth.
- Get it in writing; never settle for a verbal promise.
- Talk to a veteran. Speak to those who are on active duty or have recently served in the branch you are interested in. Get unbiased perspectives.
- Bring a trusted person with you. You may want to do this all on your own, but sometimes a parent, older sibling, or a trusted friend can be a second set of ears and help you avoid falling for one of these red flags.
Enlistment Checklist Before Signing
Here is a realistic enlistment step-by-step checklist to set yourself up for success:
☐ Do your research: Explore the different branches, and compare jobs, bonuses, and quality of life.
☐ Prep for the ASVAB: Find resources to help you ace the ASVAB and increase your chances of getting your dream job.
☐ Get your documents together: You will need a Social Security card, birth certificate, driver’s license, high school diploma, and any college transcripts.
☐ Complete MEPS: Take the ASVAB, select a job, and get sworn in.
☐ Sign your enlistment contract and get sworn in: Make sure that it has everything that your recruiter promised you, such as a guaranteed job, bonuses, or debt repayment.
☐ Wait: You will either get a date to report for basic training or enter DEP.
☐ Ship off to basic training.
FAQ
Q: What should I know before talking to a military recruiter?
You should walk in with researched questions, an understanding of the jobs you want, the ASVAB scores required, and whether those jobs can be guaranteed in writing.
Q: How long does the enlistment process take?
It can take a few weeks to several months, depending on paperwork, job availability, waivers, and training slots.
Q: How long do waivers take?
Some waivers may take days. More complex medical or legal waivers can take three months or more. MEPS does not approve waivers; your service branch makes the final decision.
Q: How many years will I need to serve on active duty to earn full GI-Bill benefits?
To get 100% of the maximum GI-Bill benefits, you will need to serve at least 36 months on active duty. If you serve less time, you will get a percentage of the maximum amount.
Q: I have significant student debt. Will the military repay those loans?
The Army, Navy, and Coast Guard have student loan repayment programs for certain military specialties and circumstances. However, participating may affect your GI Bill benefits.
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