We tried to warn him................(thick headed family member)

[always quiet]

A few months ago, my great nephew enlisted in the Army. With everything going on in the world, everyone was naturally concerned. My nephew insisted that when he spoke to his son's enrollment officer, they GUARANTEED him that after basic training, he would NOT be sent to Iraq. My great nephew was going into a non-infiltry unit. Well, he graduated basic 2 weeks ago, is now at a base in Georgia...and come March, he will be sent to Iraq! Our local news had a broadcast several months ago about how some recruiting officers were promising anything to get kids to enlist.

Not much anyone can do about it now, aside from pray that everyone over there comes home safe and sound.

 

[Sleepy]

As I always advise.......if it is something promised by ANYONE, get it in writting. They do lie in those recruiting offices!

 

[DawnCt1]

As I always advise.......if it is something promised by ANYONE, get it in writting. They do lie in those recruiting offices!

I don't know how "getting it in writing" would change the location of where an entire unit can be deployed and how one would get out of being deployed to that area if the unit was going. Unless he has a medical profile preventing him from serving in the military at all, getting it in writing would be of little use.

 

[hugsquared]

Just wondering how anyone could enlist in any branch of the military right now and not ASSUME you'd be going to Iraq at some point. And truthfully, 6 months out wouldn't be considered "right out of basic training", so in essence, they didn't lie, they just didn't clarify how long you had to be out to be considered "not new" anymore. Good luck to your family and I hope he returns safely.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

there is no such thing as a guarantee in the military - in writing or otherwise. Once you sign on the line - you have signed away your personal rights. I have great respect for those who serve - but not for how they are treated.

 

[robinb]

Oh man, I'm sorry that he's going to Iraq . Good wishes in keeping him safe.

I believe that recruiters will lie and deceive in order to make their quotas.

 

[golfgal]

Our local armory is a support unit so they don't typically get deployed because they are in charge of getting food/supplies to units that are deployed. Well, guess what, they were all retrained 2 summers ago have have been in Iraq now for a year. They lost 3 members of their unit to a car bomb last spring. They are scheduled to come home in a couple weeks, but we will see.

Even non-combat units get deployed because they are the ones behind the lines getting the fuel and supplies where they need to go.

 

[MosMom]

They'll promise you anything to get you in. They promised my BIL a job with computers since that is what he does. He was put in a supplies unit and shipped to Iraq immediately. Don't trust the Army! Expect anything when you enlist.

 

[cardaway]

I believe that recruiters will lie and deceive in order to make their quotas.

It's sickening really.

 

[inaminute]

I believe that recruiters will lie and deceive in order to make their quotas.

I really wish people wouldn't paint with such a broad brush.

My son is a recruiter and I can guarantee you--he doesn't lie. Especially when it comes to his job. He despises recruiters who lie. It makes his job much more difficult.

He refuses to lie in order to make a quota and I would venture a guess that a majority of recruiters feel the same way.

 

[AllyandJack]

My DH got out of the National Guard in 2002. Right around this time, they started the Stop Loss. DH's commanding officer told him if he didn't re-enlist, he'd keep him using Stop Loss. DH did some research and his MOS wasn't under the Stop Loss order. He didn't re-enlist.....they wiped him from the rolls without paying him the rest of his enlistment bonus. He had to call the AG's office to get it and they had to re-enlist him for 5 minutes in order to pay him.

I don't trust them. Although, I wouldn't trust anyone who told me I wouldn't go to combat....I do believe it's a tactic some of them will use. It doesn't excuse the recruit since a promise like that should raise red flags. I think there is a level of guilt on both sides.

 

[Sleepy]

I don't know how "getting it in writing" would change the location of where an entire unit can be deployed and how one would get out of being deployed to that area if the unit was going. Unless he has a medical profile preventing him from serving in the military at all, getting it in writing would be of little use.

Because if they refuse to put it in writing (and they will), they in essence have told you they can't promise you what you have requested. What does that tell you?

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

There are without a doubt great men out there recruiting. Unfortunately, there are also others who will do whatever it takes - and the pressure is greater than ever now. Hopefully, these types are in the minority. The fact remains that there are currently at least 7 cases being investigated/in the court. This is a real concern and hopefully the military is serious and sincere about cracking down on it - rather than condoning it.

 

[Serena]

I'm sorry.


That is what I told my daughter before she enlisted in the national guard. Once you sign, you're theirs until they are done with you.

At this point I think more recruiters lie than not.

 

[Stitchfans]

I work at one of our local high schools. It really burns me when I see the recruiters in the students cafe walking around the tables sorry if I am going to upset anyone, but lieing to the kids to get them to sign up. The lies I hear makes my blood boil. One was actually stupid enough to approach one of my students and I work with the multi needs students. I nearly choked when he realized that the boy sufffered from autisim. Wanted to say something but I didn't the look on his face was enough.

 

[inaminute]

One was actually stupid enough to approach one of my students and I work with the multi needs students. I nearly choked when he realized that the boy sufffered from autisim. Wanted to say something but I didn't the look on his face was enough.

Was there some reason the recruiter should have known your student was special needs? Does he look different than other people? Seriously, how can you say the recruiter was "stupid" for approaching this kid if there was no visible way for him to know? How was he supposed to know? I was under the impression that autistic kids look exactly the same as others? Is that wrong?

On the other hand, my son might have approached--even if he did know. Not to recruit him, but because he has a soft spot for special needs kids. He knows they need to feel included, too. He learned that from his cousin.

Glad to know that seeing the recruiter embarrassed made your day.

The lies I hear makes my blood boil.

What lies have you heard? Just curious.

You want to know what makes my blood boil? The stories my son tells me about the general public cursing him, calling him names, and even spitting at him. He tells me about a recruiter who is in some major trouble for fighting back when he was physically attacked. My son now carries a knife with him for protection. He's not supposed to, but has decided his safety is more important than getting into trouble for having it.

What really makes my blood boil has been watching a young man who wanted nothing more than to be a soldier brought to the point where he simply wants out. Not by the Army--he loves the Army. He's just had enough of witnessing the generous public support of the military that he hears so much about on television.

 

[lyeag]

What makes me upset are people who sign up during times of war and actually think it is reasonable to say, "Oh, I want to join, but I don't want to actually be put in danger." Excuse me? You want the pay, the education benefits, the travel, but you think you shouldn't have to do what others have done and are doing? Personally, if someone is so blind that they think they can join the military and not expect to be sent to Iraq, they shouldn't be joining in the first place. Get a grip. Oh... they lied to me boohoo. You lied to yourself as well. flame away

 

[Ziva]

What makes me upset are people who sign up during times of war and actually think it is reasonable to say, "Oh, I want to join, but I don't want to actually be put in danger." Excuse me? You want the pay, the education benefits, the travel, but you think you shouldn't have to do what others have done and are doing? Personally, if someone is so blind that they think they can join the military and not expect to be sent to Iraq, they shouldn't be joining in the first place. Get a grip. Oh... they lied to me boohoo. You lied to yourself as well. flame away

No flames from me, I agree with you!

 

[Stitchfans]

Glad you were happy the recruiter was embarrassed. Good to know it made your day.[/QUOTE]


Knew you would get your feathers ruffled. And yes thank you it did make my day.

This paticuliar boy is very tall, large, and a perfect pick for them. yes he looks just like any other boy. I am not going into it, but the line he used on him made me sick. They even go as far as to flirt with the girls to get them intersted in signing upl Or maybe it is make the boys see how the girls react to a guy in a uniform. These are young innocent kids trying to eat their lunch, socialize a little with their friends then go back to their class to get an education. They don't deserve to have these young men all decked out in their uniforms come and approach them and tell them lies. Not fair, not right!

 

[Keli]

Don't you just hate it when someone won't listen to good advice they are receiving from all quarters, do their own thing instead, and then are surprised when it turns out badly?

Personally I wouldn't believe any branch of the military recruiters if they promised I wouldn't be deployed to the middle east after enlisting. It's so obvious that if you are army or marines you will go, and with navy or air force you might go. If I weren't willing to be deployed then I wouldn't even consider joining.

I remember when Titus first left for Iraq (he was one of the first in, before the war even started) they were told they'd be home by July (his company left in February and March), after a while they realized that couldn't possibly happen so they said we'll try to get you home by October. Morale was pretty low by October when they realized they weren't coming home soon (they lived in rough conditions for a long time, no showers, still eating MRE's, still living in tents w/o any type of a/c, no phones, no computers or internet available most of the time since they were moving around a lot) so they had a CO come in and give a morale raising speech. I will never forget it because Titus was so excited when we heard from him next. The CO said they weren't sure they'd be spending Thanksgiving with their families but he could promise them they'd be home before Christmas. They came home the following February. No, promises aren't generally kept in the military and no way would I believe them.