I am considering joining the Navy at age 28. It's a decision I'm not sure about yet, but I did walk into a recruiter's office last week to learn more.
I ended up taking the ASVAB on my second visit to the office, and scored a 95 (out of 99).
Now, the recruiter's trying to rush me to go to MEPS, and reserve my job...to enroll in the DEP (Delayed Entry Program).
I'm not ready to make a decision about joining yet.
I don't want to be pressured by my recruiter, but I would like to learn more about jobs.
I've been told that when I go to MEPS, they'll drug test me, do a complete physical, then I'll sit with Classifiers who will talk to me about job options.
My understanding is that I HAVE TO choose a job after I speak with these Classifiers.
I don't want to be forced to choose a job on the spot that day.
I want time to think about it before I commit, to make sure I am making the right decision.
Do I have to choose on that day?
How do I get my recruiter to listen to me and not rush me?
2007-04-22 04:57:05 · 10 answers · asked by AngiSchy 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
by not going back to the office if you scored high then go to college not join the military only dumb@sses do that
2007-04-22 05:00:35 · answer #1 · answered by Ryan T 2 · 0⤊ 4⤋
You don't have to choose a job. I don't care what anybody here says. You don't have to.
If you think your recruiter is putting pressure on you just wait until the classifier gets a hold of you. The classifier can only offer you what's available, not everything you're qualified for. There's tremendous pressure on the classifier to "close the deal" so to speak.
Listen, if you don't like what the classifier offers then get up and walk away. You can always go back to MEPS again. I didn't enlist until the 4th time I went back. I got a job they swore would not be available the first 3 times I went in.
Also, it used to be to your advantage to go to MEPS as close to the 1st of the month as possible. The classifiers used to get new requisitions on the first of each month. I don't know if it's still that way or not.
2007-04-22 12:41:01 · answer #2 · answered by Yak Rider 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That's not true. You don't need to talk to your recruiter about anything. Go to MEPS, see if you even qualify physically to enlist first. You WILL talk to a classifer. The classifier will enter your ASVAB information into the system and the SYSTEM will tell you what jobs are available to you based on a time frame that YOU want to go to boot camp. Not ALL jobs in the Navy are available ALL the time. You will be given a choice a several jobs that are OPEN and you are QUALIFIED for. Before making any decision you will be given job cards that give you the description of each job you are interested in that is open. IF you don't like any of the jobs or the job you really want is not open the day you are there you tell them you are going to wait until that particular job becomes open. You CAN leave MEPS without picking a job. Your physical is valid for one year except for the drug test and weigh in that you will need to do if you don't pick a job that day and return at a later date. Things to be concerned about is when do you want to do to boot camp. If you want to go during the spring/summer/fall you need to decide when you are ready to leave. You need to pick a job that is also open during that time so you have a seat for both boot camp and then the "A" school for the job you pick after boot camp. Does the job you are asking for have a bonus? Does the job you are asking for have a 4, 5 or 6 year commitment? Those are the three questions you really need to concern yourself with plus does the job you are picking sound interesting to you. The job you mentioned before is VERY hard to get. Just because you are smart does not mean you will get that job or even qualify for it. MOST people don't even with a high ASVAB. You will need to take the DLAB to see if you have any ability for that rating and again, MOST people do not even with a 99 ASVAB. You may look into IS, ET, FC or the nuclear field, but the age max age for nukes is 28. Stop conning yourself out of something you know will make your life better and easier. You will love your Navy life after you get adjusted to the way of life. Regular college eduated people are all over the Navy. You will be older than most in boot camp, but there are still 35 year olds out there that could be in boot camp with you. No other military service right now offers you the ability to really see the world and finish your college education while on active duty. You aren't going to go to Iraq, but you may be in the waters in the gulf, but you will still see visit a bunch of cool countries on the way there and back and you will be able to attend college classes onboard while deployed if you are on a ship that is deployed to the gulf. You could also get shore duty somewhere although I totally don't recommend it since it is really boring and you don't get to see anything but that city. Go to MEPS see what you can get. Try not to go to boot camp duting winter unless you love being cold. It is a good choice and I wouldn't lie to you. Good luck.
2007-04-22 12:24:21 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
yes you pretty much have to choose a job by the time you get to MEPS. if you aren't ready, do not go to MEPS. by the way you also make your first 'swearing in' at MEPS, that is, you agree to be in the Navy, it's not irreversible, but again, if you are not sure, do not go. for one thing, it's a huge chunk of your time and a waste of your time if you still don't know. spend more time talking to your recruiter, or other recruiters. you have to know that they will tell you ANYTHING to get you to join--that is their job--so try to have a clear idea of the reality of military life--also, you should know that anybody who scores really high on the ASVAB they are going to try like crazy to get to join. anyhow, just be sure you want to join. there are lots of different jobs and some of them are very different from each other. also, as an older person, you will have a very different experience from the younger folks (who are the majority), in boot camp and forever. also you might want to talk to recruiters from other services. just to compare.
the recruiter WILL RUSH YOU. there is no way to avoid that. if you are not ready, stop going to see them. you can always go back, at least, until the age limit comes into effect (and even then they often offer age waivers).
2007-04-22 12:05:00 · answer #4 · answered by KJC 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
You NEED to be in controll of this process. I was rushed by a recruiter and offered a 6k infantry bonus and it ruined my life. The job you select will indeed be the desiding factor of the rest of your life and you only get one chance. I had such high asfvab score that when I got to meps the 1st sgt called my recruiter and screamed at him for 20mins about signing me to infantry just to meet his quota. At this point even with many phone calls I was locked in. You are the prize, you hold all the cards, you can walkaway and you need to do so if you are not 100% certain your making the right choice. Don't be afraid to change recruiters or waste some time in desiding your lifes path. They don't own you till you sign on the dotted line and they will do or say anything to get you to do it.
2007-04-22 12:12:37 · answer #5 · answered by Jennnny 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
you do not have to do anything. You are not commited to the military until the second time you go to MEPS and swear in for the SECOND time. you don't have to make a decision on what job you want to go into when you go to meps, they will ask you to make a decision, but you are not required to. If you aren't sure yet, just go home, they can't stop you from doing that.
2007-04-22 12:37:52 · answer #6 · answered by soldierboy 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Their job is to rush you in before you change your mind. Also, at the MEPS station they will try to get you into the MOS that are in high demand for that day.
My suggestion is to a) get everything in writing as it isn't true unless it's part of the contract and b) pick the MOS you want from the Navy's website. Do NOT except any of their BS, get it i writing and get the MOS you want, do not let them strong arm you into a decision you do not want.
Good luck, and once you get in, make photocopies of everything. =)
2007-04-22 13:20:00 · answer #7 · answered by David C 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
you can go to meps and do your physical and all that and you are not commited yet. At the end of meps when they tell you you have to swear in then you are commited. but remember you dont Have to swear in they tell you you do but you dont, i went to meps with the army then the marines and they both told me to swear in and I did not, got a better offer in the Air force
2007-04-22 12:01:46 · answer #8 · answered by Brad L 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You misunderstand. Your recruiter's job is to pressure you and rush you into signing up.
I'm sorry that I don't have any specific experience with MEPS that will be helpful to you, but some of these links may help.
2007-04-22 12:28:31 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
yes
2007-04-24 13:04:59 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋