I'm 17, and I already filled out those Government issued forms saying that I did NOT want to be on the recruiting list for the military. I turned it in, everything should've been fine.
But then yesterday, I got a call from the U.S. Navy asking for me. Now I'm really worried. I know that drafting doesn't happen (right now), but are they still allowed to have your name and number if you filled out those forms that request that I have NO affiliation with the military or navy? Can they actually knock on your door and physically drag you out of the house and force you to join? I know there's no way that could be officially legal, but does that happen behind closed doors? People I know have been telling me horror stories, and I while I truly respect those brave enough to fight for the U.S., I do NOT want to join up.
During that phone call, as soon as I found out it was the Navy, I cut him off and immediately asked him to take me off the call list, and hung up.
2007-06-15 07:08:34 · 38 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Military
I know I could've handled the phone call better, but I just freaked out.
2007-06-15 07:09:28 · update #1
settle down man it was only a recruiter trying to get you to join. He cant make you join. they wont come and get you
2007-06-15 07:11:50 · answer #1 · answered by texasbluezman 2 · 11⤊ 1⤋
They can not and will not come to your house and pull you out kicking and screaming. I think if anything, it is taking some time to enter your request not to call into the system, either that or a mistake was made entering your request. If you took the ASVAB at your high school recently, that may be way they are calling you. Based on the scores of your test, they think you would be a good candidate for the military.
If it happens again, I would politely tell the recruiter on the other end that you are not interested and that you completed the proper paperwork to ensure that you are not called on the phone. If it continues after that, I would resubmit the paperwork. If it is paperwork needs to be mailed in, send it certified return receipt so you have confirmation that it was received.
The military is not for everyone and some may even call you a coward, but I think that is it big of you to admit you don't want to join. Good luck to you!!
2007-06-15 12:25:48 · answer #2 · answered by jessashook 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Calm down. It's just a recruiter doing cold calls trying to create leads. Every one of them do it. Most likely he got your number from a mailing list he got from your school. No, they cannot come and drag you out of the house and make you join. The military these days is entirely volunteer. All you have to do is tell them "not interested" and that should be that. I've been in the military for almost 20 years now and still get calls and mail from recruiters asking if I want to join. LOL!
And since it looks like you're not a guy (by your profile name) you won't have to fill out the Selective Service paperwork when you turn 18 either.
2007-06-15 07:26:19 · answer #3 · answered by Zac S 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Darling please calm down, take a deep breath, and relax. In this country, we are no longer required to be a part of any branch of the military. The draft ended with Vietnam in the early 1970s. I am 26 years old, I have two college degrees, I'm a teacher, and I STILL get mail from the Air force and other branches of the military occasionally trying ot convince me to join so I can "take advantage of the G.I. bill." I promptly throw those flyers in the garbage with all of my other junk mail.
The military has been recruiting in similar ways that colleges and universities do. They used to call me when I was your age, and I said the same thing I said to colleges I wasn't interested in applying for: "Thank you but I'm not interested. Have a nice day!"
So go ahead and fill out your college application forms and don't worry about it. Anyone showing up at your door claiming to be in the "Navy" is probably one of your friends playing a prank of you. Don't be so gullible to the "stories." All conspiracy theories are are just that- THEORIES. Not proven. (for the most part).
2007-06-15 07:19:28 · answer #4 · answered by prtybrwneyez1 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
LOL!!!! You did fine kid. They were calling to recruit you. Your local recruiters have to meet quotas. They don't give a poop what list you are on, if they see your name they are gonna call you. Expect them to call intermitently (Navy and Army - are the heaviest recruiters). Feel free to be polite and just tell them you don't want to be contacted anymore. They'll get it soon enough and will stop calling. BTW, no one has ever been dragged kicking and screaming into the military. Well, no one since compulsury military was eliminated. When there is a draft there is a big announcement (like everywhere) and they they draft you by birthdays. They announce the birthdays and if your birthdays is one of those then you have to voluntarily show up or go to jail (or flee the country). There will not be a draft again (I hope). The current military has made it clear that a bunch of soldiers who do not want to be there should not be there. You are right to admire those who do choose to go. And you have the right to choose not to. Good luck man. Go to college.
2007-06-15 07:16:03 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
First of all you have to calm down and started thinking clearly. No, they cannot drag you out of the house or otherwise force you into the military. However, they attempt to recruit you. They may well continue to try. With any luck there won't be many calls and the different recruiters will get the message. Just be civil an tell them firmly that you are not interested. Do not be drawn into conversations. Just a civil thanks but not interested will do.
Above all else dude, you have to learn to respond to things calmly and not go into panic mode. I am a veteran but I have total respect for your right to make a decision either way on this. One thing I learned in some of my later training was how not to react to anything in panic. Even if you never enlist or join you might want to check into that. We do not handle any situation well when in panic mode.
Good luck to you friend.
2007-06-15 07:15:45 · answer #6 · answered by toff 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
judging by your name you are not male anywayse so the draft would not apply to you even if there was one only males registered with the selective service act can and will be drafted
to join any branch of military is strictly voluntary they cant drag you out and force you to join the only time they will knock down your door like that is if you are a deserter or have gone absent without leave.
you handeled it quite well actually to be blunt with them is the best way to handle it just stimply tell them no you are not intrested and do not call me again dont be rude to them but rather blunt and they will leave you alone if they keep pestering you just simply block the number that they are calling from.
please pay attention in school i know your history teacher had to teach this to you because you really sound silly on here
2007-06-15 10:44:27 · answer #7 · answered by Honey Badger Doesnt give a Shat 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's ok, don't panic. The Recruiters get "leads" from all kinds of places including school lists, ASVAB tests you may have taken and friends. Sometimes you get on a list and it's their job to at least call you and see if they can talk to you about the Navy. Believe me what you did is nothing compared to what some people (and their parents) have to say when the Navy or whatever branch of service calls. I'd expect that your name was probably on a list of High School students or recent grads and you probably will get calls from the other services too. Just let them know that you are totally not interested and please don't call. They still have to give you the sales pitch and it is ok to hang up.
2007-06-15 07:16:59 · answer #8 · answered by Bill T 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I think your paranoia is unfounded. No one in the armed forces is going to drag you off to boot camp without your express authorization. Get real here!
Even in these days of recruiting goals being high and the need for trainees quite high, the military is an all volunteer force. Even if you enlist and discover that you are not military material, you can come home. It is only after they have spent time and money training you that you become a valuable asset and getting out becomes more difficult.
2007-06-15 07:15:54 · answer #9 · answered by yes_its_me 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Sorry to say, this is just the first call.
They can not force you to go into the service AT ALL.
They most likely got your name from the selective service mandatory form or something from your high school.
The easiest way for you to get them off of your back is to tell them you do drugs, as a matter of fact - tell them you have a joint in your hand right now and you dropped out of high school. Guaranteed that office will not call you back!
Of course I do not condone doing drugs.
Stay in School.
2007-06-16 16:54:16 · answer #10 · answered by Jman 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My brother filled out the same thing. The recruiter came to our house, but he just wanted to talk with my brother about his interest in the navy. He called back a couple of times too, to see if my brother had made up his mind, and he was pretty convincing..(the recruiter. They will tell you anything to get you to join.) But, after awhile, he stopped calling and coming around.
2007-06-15 07:20:33 · answer #11 · answered by Kelly 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋