Likelihood of not seeing any combat if promised by recruiters?

Question

My step-son just enlisted in the army and ships out to boot camp in January. He told us that the recruiters promised him that since he wants to be an MP he will not see any combat or ever have to go to Iraq or Afghanistan. I think that the recruiters will tell a kid anything they want to hear just to get them to sign on the dotted line. What do you think or know? Please respond....

I am so grateful for everyones time and effort in their answers, one more quick sidenote that I need addressed; is there a division of army for just MP training? and is there an actual contract that can be signed guaranteeing an MP job with no deployment to war zones? Because that is what he told he signed.

Just wanted to quickly say that I think that when you sign up for the military, you better be ready to rumble because THAT IS WHAT IT IS ABOUT! It IS ridiculous to think that you can expect to skate through the next 5 years collecting a check, getting a free education, hiding out free from harm and then skip out like you have been away on extended summer vacation.

Answer 1

I second your concerns. The whole purpose of the military is to perform "combat" in one form or another. Plus, many troops in Iraq are on their 3rd or 4th deployment there, there is a huge need for fresh troops and recruitment is down and recruiters are under a lot of pressure to hit their quotas. Also consider that the Pentagon is already heavily using private contractors, reservists and even the National Guard - I'm half expecting them to send the Coast Guard and Boy Scouts to Iraq next.

In short, there is simply no way a recruiter has the authority to "guarantee" someone they won't go to Iraq.

Answer 2

Are you sure it was the recruiter saying it and not your step-son. I have seen enlistees tell others something else to help them feel at ease with the decesion to join.

Don't get me wrong, Im not saying it wasn't the recruiter, just another option.

Overall, 60% of the Armed Forces have been deployed, 40% have not statistically. Yes MP are deployed. Yes, MPs see combat in Iraq. In a conventional war, they are not on the front lines like Infantry, but in these wars there are no frontlines.

Other statistics.... A little over 1% of all troops in Iraq become casualties... wounded or killed. The media unintentionally makes it sound worse then it is by focusing on that 1%.

Answer 3

Ok, first off, I come from a military family. Both of my grandfathers, multiple cousins, and my father all served. You can't believe what a recruiter tells you. They get up to $2000 per person that they enlist. In talking to people who have been through the process, the military doesn't guarantee anything except three square meals, especially when it comes to combat deployment.

My cousin enlisted as an MP, went to AIT (AIT is specialized training for your field of work), and after a few years of service was given a training postion. He had been told the whole time that he would never see action in the Middle East, especially once he got that training position...

Three months ago his C.O. came to him and handed him new orders. He is currently in sniper school, set to be shipped to Iraq in the spring.

A separate cousin was deployed to Iraq but before he went, he was informed that the Army had outsourced his job to civilians. He went from diesel mechanic to Infantry. He was stationed at Camp Anaconda, which at the time was the most dangerous place to be stationed.

I'm not sure this helps, and it certainly won't ease your mind, but the reality is to never trust your recruiter. Your step-son stands a very good chance of being deployed to the Middle East. The Army is the worst about not holding up to their "guarantees".

Answer 4

You are absolutely right. There is no way a recruiter can promise a new recruit something like that. MPs are sent to Iraq as well. There is also no guarantee that your stepson will get to be an MP.

It's been in the news that there has been a shortage of men and women to send to Iraq. Recruiting is severely down. It seems far more likely that anyone they recruit right now is going to be sent since they are desperate for numbers.

Best of luck!

Answer 5

Recruiters are not the ones who decide who to send into combat. Almost everything a recruiter says is a lie. During Viet Nam, my USAF recruiter signed a contract promising me a job as an Air Policeman and assigning me to a base in California...under a 'Guaranteed Enlistment Program', which guaranteed choice of job, and station. I knew better than to believe it, but preferred to enlist n USAF rather than get drafted into The Army. After I got out of Basic, I recieved orders making me an AP, and sending me to a base in California. While I sat in an airport, in Texas, waiting for my flight to California, a T/Sgt walked up, and handed me new orders...making me a Medic, and sending me to tech school in Texas. I was later sent to Okinawa. I had offically been an AP for an hour, and a half, and had been assigned to a base in California...even though I was later re-assigned, and never got to CA. The issuance of orders making me an AP, assigned to a base in CA, fulfilled the recruitment contract, and freed the AF to re-classify/re-assign me. I had expected something like that, so I was not upset. If you go into it believing what a recruiter says you will be very upset...and be able to do nothing about it.

Answer 6

I don't think it's fair for anyone to join the military without the possibility of combat. If you don't want to go into combat... don't join the military.

BUT... what you really NEED to do is contact that recruiters superior. Let s/he know what line of crap this recruiter handed your step-son. It will most likely not do anything for him but if continual complaints are processed against this recruiter... someone will eventually notice and the person removed from their position as a recruiter.

Answer 7

Ma'am,
Your son is not telling you the truth. I'm sure that his recruiter never told him that. Your step-son just doesn't want you to be upset or worried about him. That's all. We are at war on many fronts at this time. So, he'll more than likely serve overseas at some point after he gets to his unit. But, I think that it speaks a lot for your step son's character to know that we are at war and still walk into that office and sign up. Be proud of him and support him. It'll be one less thing to distract him while he serves. Hope this helps you.

Answer 8

If you want to see combat, the Marines are the way to go. The army will get you there but you have to remember that the army is vast compared to the Marine Corps. Also the Grunts will get you to a place where you can shoot but in the Marines, every Marine is a rifleman and I know a lot of box kickers and admin bubbas that have combat action ribbons. Oh and don't hate on LAVs those things are awesome.

Answer 9

If the recruiter didn't put it in writing, it's not true.

He has as much of a chance of seeing combat as anyone else.

Have him read these:

http://www.helium.com/tm/730270/strong-before-decide-important

and

http://www.helium.com/tm/761745/united-states-hiring-jobthere

AS A SIDE NOTE: if the recruiter genuinely lied to him, have him bring it up to the 1SG at the recruiting station - they can't get away with it. The first sergeant (that's a rank, sorry) is in charge of those guys, and he'll whoop that recruiter's tail.

If he only signed up because he was assured he wouldn't deploy, he can get out of it still.

I hope he chooses not to, though!

Answer 10

MP's are one of the most deployed MOS's in the Army. We are sought after in Afghanistan and Iraq. I wasnt in my first unit but a month before i was deployed. We are well trained as MP's, so he'll be fine.