What are some important topics and questions that should be discussed with a recruiter?

Answer 1

Discuss what ratings/MOSs have the best promotion rates (the Navy says "Choose your rate-- choose your fate"). For example, in the Navy a 'nuke'-- a Machinists Mate (nuclear), may be a Second Class Petty Officer (E-5) by the time he finishes school and goes to his first sub or carrier; while a Mess Specialist (cook)will be lucky to make E-5 in his first enlistment. Of course, nuke school is also the hardest school, academically, in the Navy, and a lot od students (including officer students) wash out because they can't handle the academics. Choose your rate-- choose your fate.

Ask about where you're likely to be stationed in your first tour (if you're looking at infantry, I'll give you a hint: Iraq).

Ask about the potential for college credit and further education-- some rate/MOS training is worth college credit (and boot camp is usually good for a couple of P.E. credits in any case), and many bases have college campuse extensions, offering classes on base. Education counts in the military-- not just having it, but willingness to further it.

Find out about potential bonuses, for signing up or for re-enlisting (and don't yield to temptation and blow the bonus on a shiny new pickup truck, which will then sit, undriven, for a year or more while you're deployed).

And perhaps most important, get your answers in writing. It won't help to say "But the recruiter promised me that I could go to such-and-such school"-- nobody cares. If it's not in your contract, it doesn't exist.

As the saying goes, "How do you know when your recruiter's lying to you? His lips move." It's not true of all recruiters-- there are some very good ones-- but they're under tremendous pressure to make their quotas, especially now, with an increasingly unpopular war reducing the number of willing applicants.

Answer 2

Do your own independent research before talking to a recruiter. Ask people you know who have served and get the facts from them. Recruiters are nothing more than “spin doctors” with a quota to fill.

The only thing a recruiter should be asked is where to sign the papers.

Answer 3

Can I change my mind?
What will I be fighting for?
What recourse will I have when I find out you lied to me?
Will the American flag be enough to console my loved ones when I come back in a box?
Will the Veterans Administration provide me health care for life to treat my physical, and emotional injuries?
Would I get screwed out of benefits like past war-vets?

Answer 4

What kinds of military jobs are you qualified for

How much should you exercise and work out before boot camp

What kinds of grades are required

What are the GI benefits

How long will you serve

Answer 5

Educational opportunities. Re-enlistment options and realities. Benefits after service. Opportunity for OCS.

Answer 6

Whatever you ask -- get it in writting!!! They have a saying in the army that you aren't promised anything if you don't have documentation. In other words - a verbal promise isn't worth crap!
Beyond that, ask about your enlistment bonus - your MOS (job) and where you will be stationed.

Answer 7

Duty station of choice.

Repayment of college loans.

Enlistment bonuses for specific MOS.

Possible schools, TDY.

Always get it in writing.

Good Luck

Answer 8

Ask him where his family lives in case the specialty he is promising you is "not available" once you are committed. That way you can express your displeasure.

Answer 9

"If I flunk out of the training for the job I enlisted for, what are my options?"