Do army recruiters lie?

Question

I spoke with an army recruiter today, but IMHO a lot of what he said was a little suspicious, and i suspect he is not telling the truth. I cant believe he is lying to kids like me that just wanna serve the country and support a family (yes my irlfriend is pregnant)? I told him I was an Eagle Scout and had top grades in High School and wanted to chose the armed forces instead of college to make up for child support and he just like: "We need people like you/.../ chances are minimal that you are going to Iraq"; and he spoke about Iraq like the british did to the american colonies back in the 1770's. Why cant he speak the truth? He shouldnt abuse the Lockean social contract!

Answer 1

I think recruiters will engage in "creative-ommission"... I know my Navy Recruiter left a few key things out when I enlisted in 1984.

In your specific case: Your Eagle Scout and grades WILL get you a pay-rate bump out of basic, and the Army DOES need people like you. And as others have pointed out... only a small percentage of our military IS in Iraq.

The KEY is to ask LOTS of questions get EVERYTHING he promises in writing on your Enlistment Contract... and then READ that contract !!!

I enlisted with a guarantee to AW A-school. I wanted to be Aircrew in the Lockheed Orion... and therefore would be highly likely to return to Sunnyvale California...

But I failed to note a little blurb that said something like: "If the Navy determines that an Aircrew Candidate graduate is acceptable for Rescue Swimmer School, that Candidate is obligated to complete that school to continue contract"

Ooops... so instead of living at home and flying in P-3 Orions... I ended up in San Diego jumping out of Helicopters.

Answer 2

What he said about going to Iraq is correct. Out of the 200+ people I went to BCT with and the 50+ that I went to AIT with only 3 went to the sandbox right away. That is not to say you wont get sent overseas right away, remember we do have troops in Hawaii, Germany and Korea, the last one being were I was sent right away. I too was in your postion when I joined and wont lie. It is extremely tough being seperated from your family for as long as I have been (going on 2 years but I will be going home in 8 days), but it extremely rewarding. Being able to wake up in the morning and take pride in putting on the uniform, knowing that I am making a better life for my family, my nation and for future generations of Americans is an awesome thing. Sure the hours suck, the equipment does not work the way it is supposed to and the lines at the DFAC are too long, but it is the Army. I volunteered for it. I signed up. I raised my hand, and I would do it exactly the same way if givemn the chance. I love the Army. I am proud to say that I protect our nation as a US soldier. As afar as your chances of going to Iraq go, don't go for a MOS with a really high bonus, because those are the ones that will be sent over first. I will tell you right now if you want to avoid Iraq for a whilethan avoid these MOS's 11B, 88M, MP, and anything in the 13 series except W. You may want to try for something along the lines of a mechanic or medical equipment repair. I dont know what your interests are, but those are some options.

Before you decide anything, talk it over with you family (girlfriend and her parents, as well as your own parents). When you do talk to the recruiter and the career counselor make sure you get everything they promise you in WRITING IN YOU CONTRACT. I can not express that enough. I know so many guys that were promised a bunch of stuff, but they did not get it in thier contracts so they got the shaft.

If you have any further questions feel free to email me at
[e-mail]

Answer 3

I'm not in the military, but I pay attention to the news, and might be able to give you some general info.

Yes, looking at the military, changes are you won't, at least immediately, end up in a battle zone. However, you should know that the Army makes up the largest body of troops in Iraq, by far. The President has just authorized 20,000 additional soldiers to Iraq. More (an undefined amount) is MAY to be sent to Afghanistan later this year.

Those going to Iraq have already been decided, so you may either fill the rolls they were performing before redeployment to Iraq, or you may eventually find yourself in Iraq, if it's deemed the 20,000 troops are not enough. You must remember there is ALWAYS a chance.

As far as the recruiter lying, he could just be telling you what he knows. I've heard that on occasion they do; I've also heard that they don't. Just remember, it's their job to try and get you signed up (think a salesman); that's why they're called recruiters.

Answer 4

His job performance is based on number of recruits and he does have a set quota to maintain. I'm sure he'd not refer to it as lying, maybe just not including all the details. As for his statement that your chances of going to Iraq are minimal, he has no control over your Military assignments once you have entered basic training and the military will send you where there is a need. It appears from the news, Iraq or Afghanistan will be an area of need for some time in the future. I commend you on your desire to serve our country and suggest you include your girlfriend in this decision, as she will be bearing the brundt of raising a child without you around. I will inform you that I know two young men that have recently enlisted, went through basic training and were not deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan. I do not however know what they chose as their area of specialty, one sure thing is you chose Infantry and you will be on your way to one of those two areas of conflict.

Answer 5

An Army Recruiter who is caught lying will suffer serve punishment when caught. The Army does not play in this matter. I have to believe that you also only heard what you wanted to hear. The Army offers a very good living for allot of people, but it is very demanding and one should not take this to lightly. For when you join the Army you bind yourself by oath to the defense of the Constitution of the United States of America, you swear to defend this against all enemies, foreign and domestic. It is an ARMY and they have weapons and use them, it is not the boy scouts. I know lots of people that have been to Iraq and back several times. It is part of the job.

Answer 6

I served 22 years in the Army( 3 regular, 7 guard, 12 reserves.). I was to young to have a draft card when Enlisted 2 days after my 17th birthday. When I signed the papers of enlistment it said where I would do my basic ( FT. Dix, NJ) What my MOS was ( telephone linemen) & where I would go to school(FT. Gordon,Georgia). That is all the recuter told me about. After school I learned I was going to Special Forces training . That is when I learned I was being trained for Virtnam , This all happened with in a year. After 121/2 months training ( from basic to war) I was in Nam. When you inlist you go where they tell you , when they tell you, & do what they tell you. The days of job training & free education are over. NOW you EARN your pay.

Answer 7

Does a bear poop in the woods.....of course they lie but in this case he was telling you the truth. Since you're an Eagle Scout you will get an automatic bump in rank once you enlist and only about 1% of our military is in Iraq. You can make a good life for you and your girlfriend if you stick to it.

Answer 8

The don't lie, they are just a little misleading. It's like every other salesman position that exists in this country.

And to the person who answered before me...

Come on... I know that enlisting has the benefits of free education, and you may be payed to not fight, but if you don't want to be sent to war right after training, don't try and take advantage of the military just for the benefits. If one elists, they should expect to be called on to fight, not matter how soon they are called upon after enlisting. That's their job. No one forced them.

Think logically for once people. Thats like a doctor expecting he or she will never have to treat a patient, or a carpenter expecting he or she shall never have to build a house. It just doesn't make sense.

...Democrats... Ha.

Answer 9

My daughter signed up about 1.5 years ago. She got exactly what the recruiter promised her which included training and duty station. However, if you sign up to be a soldier plan on being a soldier instead of one of those dishonorable cry babies that sign up then refuse the duty. You want them to keep their word to you, you had better keep your word to them. If that means as a soldier you have to fight, then fight. That is the job you agreed to do. Otherwise, go to work for McDonalds flipping hamburgers or something else but don't sign up for any military service if you aren't willing to do the job.

Answer 10

You must not watch the news. They had recruiters telling kids they would go to Iraqi on Fri night and come back state side on Monday. To your question they only lie if their lips are moving.

God Bless You and our Southern People.