Reply With QuoteGot most of my questions answered by the recruiter today. I might be going to MEPS soon. Still got some questions in the back of my head which I forgot to ask, so I'm not going to hurry the process, though.
I was going to post my opinion, but I've gotta say oldsoak put it down page 1. I wouldn't trade my time for anything, but there were a lot of things that changed from day one on, and I do wish I'd done a little more research, both into my chosen MOS and myself, but not so much that I'd naysay or dissuade anyone else. And yeah, don't shave your head early. I can't say for any other branch or country, but in the Corp, if that defining moment of inauguration is missed, it will be filled in for later.
Got most of my questions answered by the recruiter today. I might be going to MEPS soon. Still got some questions in the back of my head which I forgot to ask, so I'm not going to hurry the process, though.
You can ask here. There are no stupid questions when it comes to joining the military.Originally Posted by Aeroflot
Ok so I'm finally going to talk to a recruiter here in about an hour. Sadly it won't be the same one that I spoke with 3 years ago, but I'm hoping to get something accomplished today. I'll be honest I'm a little nervous, but I think I've got a good idea of what I want out of the deal and what I'm willing to offer. I think it will be a little different this time though since I'm a little older. Wish me luck.
Well, my question was concerning MOS 97L (translator). I read on the DLI website that there are basic language courses, but I thought I read somewhere that you needed to know a language to qualify for 97L.
You need a DLPT (Defense Language Proficiency Test) score on file to qualify, but not a DLAP. (Defensce Language Aptitude Battery) You need a 95ST on your asvab and a 100 in Reading and Listening portion of the ECLT. Basically you will be tested and have to show proficiency in the English Languag. You will basically get contracted for training based on your ASVAB but will have to prove yourself several times along the way.
Ok. Sweet. Thanks for the info.
Find out what happens to you if you wash out of language school, and get it in writting. I had a friend that was in for a 5 year enlistment as a translator.
He couldn't learn Farsi, and he couldn't learn German, so he was reassigned as a legal clerk.
Five years as a legal clerk was NOT what he had in mind, but in his defense he was great at it.
You should have a priority list of 3 MOSs that you can qualify for. All 3 should be an MOS you would want to do. Not, just in case you wash out.. but also if there are qualification issues at MEPS.. ie colorblind, ASVAB scores, or Security Clearance issues.
Ok so I went and talked with a recruiter today and I'm going to MEPS on Tuesday, but there was absolutely no mention of the specifics of my contract such as benefits, bonuses or MOS. Did my recruiter try to screw me or does that all come later at MEPS? I'm not signing a damn thing until I know exactly what I'm getting myself in for. It's the next 4 years of my life not his and I'm not scared to let him know that. Aside from that I was really amazed at how unprofessional the whole office was while I was in there, the only one that came off as professional was the gunny and he was in and out. Please let me know what yall think about this, because I'm getting a bad vibe.
Without specifics, it's hard to affirm or disagree with your perception of their professionalism.
But I will tell you to trust your instincts, and if you get a bad vibe - chances are, you have good reason to distrust them.
If you're going to join the military on Tuesday, and you don't know the details - WAIT.
Don't believe the Recruiter's BS - "We have to do this on Tuesday, or you won't be able to join" or whatever BS reason they give you for enlisting now. That is their way of manipulating you -- they know the process and you don't, so they invent this urgency about MEPS that really isn't necessary.
Also, they will do everything to avoid hearing "No, I'll wait" or "I'd like to explore other options." So my advice would be to tell the Recruiter to back off, and his Gunny, and his Boss, and so on until they let you make your decision without unnecessary pressure.
These Recruiters, Gunny Sgts., etc. won't have anything to do with your career in the Marine Corps once you sign that dotted line.
Your gut instinct is usually not wrong. If you got the use car sales treatment.. call and cancel on them. Problem with recruiters (I am a former one) is that the spend too much time looking at volume sales rather than representing their Branch of Service. Let them know you really don't like what you see and you aren't about to go in blind. Being blunt is the only way some of them will listen. Don't fault the branch of service based on a few individuals. Just find another recruiter and be up front. Problem most recruits run into is that they become impatient. Don't get in a rush to go anywhere.
Another option is to go to MEPS and get qualified.. but don't bother signing any paperwork. Simply get qualified and then tell them you'll call them when you're ready to sign. It will piss that recruiter off big time.. but it's a small price to pay for the right contract.
My brother went Active ARMY and had similar problems with his recruiter.. I told him to go to MEPS but don't sign the contract. His recruiter threatened to leave him there. My brother called me from MEPS so I told him to go to the control desk and ask to talk to a Marine Corps recruiter. After a bit of drama, the recruiter took him home (made and ass of himself the whole way.) My brother contracted a week later with another recruiter and a contract he was happy with. He ran into the first recruiter at MEPS and gave him a "sup" and kept walking.
I'm not telling you to make waves.. but don't let the recruiter have all the cards either. Holding out for a reasonable contract or a better recruiter is just being smart.
Great advice WARPIG...I went through the same kinda deal when I enlisted...if you don't feel right about it, don't do it...
You should have a pretty good idea of your rate, where you're going to train & school before your first MEPS trip. I think recruiters have the best intentions for recruits, but I deal with so called professional companies all day long and even they leave a lot of lose ends. My recruiter promised me delayed entry (6 months) but failed to deliver on that.
Also, just like college, it is common to have to pen an essay on why you are joining. I forgot about why I "joined Chief Leaonard's Navy" until my division officer was going through my personel file and started reading it aloud. We all had a good laugh and then I was told Chief Leoanrd sold the Navy and I could not refer to it as such.
I think I'm just going to tell my recruiter to put MEPS off for a week or so and have him or another recruiter tell me more about what he should have told me in the first place. I definitely don't judge all Marines based on these few guys, that's why I'm joining. But just to show you how uh how do you say......thick my recruiter is, he calls me the other day with a really confused tone and says to me "What the hell is your name man? you told me it was Robert now I'm pulling up your medical records and it says your name is Bobby. So which is it?" I was a little stunned and told him it was just a nick name most Roberts go by and said it's like richard being called ****. He never caught on. Another thing is he calls me like my ex girlfriend when she's drunk and missing me, it's getting really annoying. Thanks for everyone's input.
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