How to catch a recruiter?

Question

I guess I should rephrase my question and here it is:

How the hell do I make sure whatever the recruiter says about the benefits is actually true and if it isnt true then I get them. That is, how can I have him held responsible for what he says.

Meeting face to face doesnt give me physical evidence, by email he wont respond. Taping a phone conversation is illegal. Any ideas? I dont want to get screwed over.

I dont want to do research via internet cause I don't exactly trust the internet all the time. Getting advice is nice but facts usually not. Plus I don't see how is asking for actual information from someone whose job is to provide them is very wrong.

Who said I will give any information to the media? That isn't my goal, if they make ridicolous bullshit up then I might do that along with reporting it to their supperiors cause I dont believe recruiters are supposed to lie.

Answer 1

Why are you doing that? What is your reasoning for getting something out of the recruiter that you might give to the media? If you do your research on the benefits, then why are you trying to get someone that serves their country in trouble?

+++++++++

I would talk to you threw e-mail. Only a few times then I would expect to talk to you over lunch or coffee. What do you think?

Answer 2

If a recruiter cannot or will not back up his words in writing, then it's time to talk to another recruiter.

Military benefits are governed by some very lengthy instructions, and some of those instructions are subject to change. One good example is that when I chose between going into the Navy and going into the Air Force, the final deciding factor was that the Navy would let me have a beard. (The Chief of Naval Operations, Adm Zumwalt, called it a "fine old Navy tradition".)

It was about five years later when they changed that rule. Oh, well.

So, if the benefits you're talking about have to do with things like pay, allowances, medical and dental benefits, etc..., then those benefits are in the Military Personnel Manual (MILPERSMAN) and the Pay and Procedures for Military Personnel Manual (PAYPERSMAN). Remember that those instructions can be changed, and your contract will still be valid.

Oh, by the way. Those are the instructions for the Navy. The other services have similar instructions. All of them, however, tend to be huge books filled with small type. The MILPERSMAN is about three inches thick, printed on standard 8 1/2 by 11 paper.

When a recruiter makes a statement about benefits, there should be some sort of documentation that backs him up. For example, MILPERSMAN 1133-010 discusses recruiting and initial contracts. (You can read the manual on-line, and I've put a link in the "sources" section.)

As to specific promises about schools, ratings, MOS, advanced paygrades, duty stations, etc... remember that if they aren't in writing, they aren't valid. Period. The contract you will sign, DD form 4 states:

"I fully understand that only those agreements in Section B and Section C of this document or recorded on the attached annex(es) will be honored. I also understand that any other promises or guarantees made to me by anyone that are not set forth in Section B or the attached annex(es) are not effective and will not be honored."

So, in a nutshell, if it isn't in writing, it isn't worth the paper that it isn't printed on.

Answer 3

I will try to give you a short answer. If any military recruiter promises you something, make them put it in writing on your enlistment contract. Do any research you can regarding the different branches of the service regarding what they will guarantee for benefits and jobs before you enlist. If you here the words "In the best interests of ..." be wary of what they are telling you and demand they explain it. Also, find a reliable source that is not biased and you trust. Recruiters are about filling whatever slots are needed at the time you talk to them ... period. Don't be scared to walk out of a recruiters office if you think they are lying to you. They need you more than you need them, if they don't meet their quotas, they suffer the consequences. As a general tool for miltary info and regulations, try www.military.com. A good rule of thumb, if it isn't in your contract when you enlist, you aren't getting whatever the recruiter promised you. After you get to Boot Camp, its your word against their's if it isn't in writing.

Answer 4

Benifits are not a problem. Those are spelled out in your contract. If you get this bonus, you get that bonus. If you ask for a school, you get that school. The way you check is to read the contract. Retirement is retirement. Congress can change that, not the recruiter.

Where the recruiter can play around is with assignments and talking about the military itself. For example, being in Artillery is like being in a tank, it has tracks like a tank. In reality Artillery is completly different then armor, expecially if you go light. He can play with abstract things in the Army, but he can't play with what is in the contract.

Answer 5

Talk to another recruiter, get it in writing, look it up on the internet. Promises made to a recruit that aren't miltary policy don't count. Oh and read the fine print. The miltary may say that they will make you a jet pilot but the fine print says that they don't have to.

By the way, good luck holding him responsible. Hasn't happened in centuries. ("No" says the Roman Recruiter, "You won't be sent to Scotland.....Really!" )

And remember - if it sounds too good to be true, it ain't!

Still most recruiters are above board, otherwise they get in trouble from thier bosses and they loose recruits.

Answer 6

Just have any promises that they make you put in writing, and attached to your contract. If it's not on the contract- it's not going to happen. If you believe you are being lied to.. then ask his supervisor for confirmation. Remember they may not always outright lie to you- they just may leave out some information. My recruiter out right asked me to lie about prior drug use, and injuries..to make the enlistment process faster..
They are salesmen after all...and selling death isn't so easy.

Answer 7

Serving the United States is a privilege, it's not about you. I wouldn't want a person like you in my Platoon. Stay away from recruiters in the first place, we don't need people like you.

Answer 8

If its not in writing you wont get it.
Make sure your contract has everything you want.
Read all the little words, and dont just sign it.

If you dont get what he said you could get, its YOUR fault not his.

Answer 9

Write out everything he has offered and ask that his commanding officer approve and sign the document as evidence of the offer. If he declines to sign, you decline to enter !

Answer 10

I hope you stay away from my office you paranoid tool