When did recruiters start calling the homes of upcoming seniors?

[live4christp1]

I got called several times when I was a senior 1987/88. If he has taken the ASVAB test that usually generates a lot of the interaction, especially if they scored well.

 

[georgina]

That paper work just says you dont want your child to be contacted by a recruiter at school-has nothing to do with what goes on outside the walls of the school.

The form I have siting in front of me says it is for releasing the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of juniors and seniors to military recruiters. It should keep the information from them when I turn it in. My DD got some military mailings, which may have come from PSAT tests, etc. My DS knows where he wants to go to college and won't be checking the box on his tests to be contacted by any other colleges, so I'm hoping it keeps the mailings down also. No ASVAB test at our school that I have ever heard of, not sure what it stands for.

 

[live4christp1]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armed_Services_Vocational_Aptitude_Battery

Usually offered in the 11th grade. We took it to get out of class, it was given at the school during regular school hours way back then.

 

[C.Ann]

I would opt out..

I have all the respect in the world for the military (my late DH was a Marine; my brother was in the Navy) - but to me calls such as this are right up there with telemarketing..

 

[N.Bailey]

Ive heard many colleges lying to people also.

Sorry guess this is a sore subject for me being that my dh is a Marine. I hold a soft spot for those men and women that have a hard job of filling in the spots of a job that many think is not good enough, and granted the pay isnt , the benifits arent but the pride IS!

Hubby too was a Marine, so your soft spot doesn't go by the wayside with me.

Why would I allow the colleges to contact them but not the military? It probably has something to do with the fact that college is where they'll be heading, at least for my daughter (was unaware when they were in 9th grade that my son wouldn't want to attend college). My son has decided to attend the best automotive school on the east coast. When all is said and done, he'll be qualified to work in a Nascar pit crew. I'm not saying that's what he'll do, only that he will be more than qualified for it and the school he's attending will be where they'll be recruiting from.

If he decided, or changes his mind and decides the military is for him, I want to be involved in the process so no one gets away with lying to him. This is a no chit, true story. My daughter's current BF has been speaking to a Navy recruiter. He's been told that he really wouldn't spend that much time deployed on a ship. Now, is that believable? I hardly think so, but here is the better kicker. He told the BF that he could join the military and pass his GI money to his girlfriend (my daughter) if he wanted to. He told him the government would give her $40,000 for educational expenses if he wanted to pass his benefits on to her.

Has anyone ever heard of any such thing?

 

[N.Bailey]

I can completely understand being annoyed by frequent calls after saying you're not interested, but I'm puzzled when parents get upset that their kids are approached at all. The military is a great profession, and a way to see the world, learn a job skill and get an education while serving your country. It's not for everyone, but for many kids, it's an excellent opportunity, and for some, the best chance they have at creating a solid future.

As in any area, there are shady and less than honest recruiters out there. But you wouldn't believe the abuse that these guys take. DH was a recruiter for a while, and he was subject to constant tirades from protesters, angry parents, and the worst, from punk kids who thought nothing of swearing and yelling at a war veteran instead of politely telling him, "no thanks." It's the worst and most stressful job he's ever had. So I hope that those who are annoyed or offended by recruiters will realize that they're just doing a job under very stressful circumstances, and that they're providing a service to our country.

I think some people (myself included) are afraid their kid would sign on the dotted line without communication between family members. Some recruiters lie so well that they can make it look better than it actually is. If a kid signs and he's 18, there isn't a whole lot that can be done about it after the fact.

Do I truly think this would happen with my children? No I don't, but as long as it's possible, I do NOT want them approaching my children and lying to them.

Why is disciplinary action not taken against recruiters who engage in these types of tactics? If all recruiters were held accountable for faulty, manipulative practices, maybe those who are honest might actually find the job easier to handle. It's the bad among them that ruin it for the others. As for protesters and the like, it's very unfortunate that anyone would treat a member of the military in such a manner.

 

[EMom]

My sister got a few of these calls starting around 1999, I think. Her son was a senior in high school. She said no, but they kept calling. I suggested she tell them her son would sign up right after the Bush twins signed up, and maybe that would slow down the calls.

Her son knew all about the military. If he had wanted to join, he knew how. The family didn't need to be hounded at home.

 

[Golf4food]

I got a call when I was a high school senior in 1998.

Ditto.

 

[Stitchfans]

OP ~ In my son's HS, we have to sign a form stating we do not want them contacted by the military.

Same here for our HS. The tactics they use is sickening to get the kids to sign up. I watched them a few times and was but now calling them at their homes. Come on!!

 

[Ephany]

My daughter's current BF has been speaking to a Navy recruiter. He's been told that he really wouldn't spend that much time deployed on a ship. Now, is that believable? I hardly think so, but here is the better kicker. He told the BF that he could join the military and pass his GI money to his girlfriend (my daughter) if he wanted to. He told him the government would give her $40,000 for educational expenses if he wanted to pass his benefits on to her.

Has anyone ever heard of any such thing?

http://www.gibill.va.gov/gi_bill_info/CH33/Benefit_Comparison_Chart.htm

Go about 2/3 of the way down and look at the chart under 'Transferability'. I've never heard about a GF being able to use benefits, but spouses are allowed to under certain conditions. I thought that I had heard/read that the service member had to retire after at least 20 years (honorably) before it was allowed but the chart doesn't say that.

My recruiter lied, he said I was going to go to boot camp in Orlando (it was closed) that I would go to school in Idaho (also closed) and that the only time I would spend at sea was on my 6 month deployment. He forgot to mention all those days/weeks/months during work-ups of sea time.

After I got out and was using my GI Bill to pay for school I was still called at least a month trying to convince me to either join another branch or re-enlist in the Navy. Ummm, no. IF we (DH and I) decide that my rejoining the Navy is what's best for our family, I'll do it with my doctorate, not as an enlisted blue-shirt in my former rating. Not that's there's anything wrong with what I did, but there's a reason I didn't take the money and re-enlist the first time around, that job field was not for me.

I don't ever regret enlisting, it was one of the best decisions I ever made. However, I did not like being bothered repeatedly at home time and time again after we had made it very clear that I was not interested. Quite frankly all it did was peeve me off, and gave me a bad taste in my mouth. If I want you, I'll contact you.

 

[N.Bailey]

I have a question my son just turned 18 does he have to register and if so where does he do this?

I just happened across my son's form and this is the information on it for registering. Surprisingly, there is no info on it about the post office, though I am pretty sure you can still register there.

You can register online at:
WWW.SSS.GOV

Or by phone at (this may require a pin):
1-800-730-9211

 

[N.Bailey]

http://www.gibill.va.gov/gi_bill_info/CH33/Benefit_Comparison_Chart.htm

Go about 2/3 of the way down and look at the chart under 'Transferability'. I've never heard about a GF being able to use benefits, but spouses are allowed to under certain conditions. I thought that I had heard/read that the service member had to retire after at least 20 years (honorably) before it was allowed but the chart doesn't say that.

My recruiter lied, he said I was going to go to boot camp in Orlando (it was closed) that I would go to school in Idaho (also closed) and that the only time I would spend at sea was on my 6 month deployment. He forgot to mention all those days/weeks/months during work-ups of sea time.

After I got out and was using my GI Bill to pay for school I was still called at least a month trying to convince me to either join another branch or re-enlist in the Navy. Ummm, no. IF we (DH and I) decide that my rejoining the Navy is what's best for our family, I'll do it with my doctorate, not as an enlisted blue-shirt in my former rating. Not that's there's anything wrong with what I did, but there's a reason I didn't take the money and re-enlist the first time around, that job field was not for me.

I don't ever regret enlisting, it was one of the best decisions I ever made. However, I did not like being bothered repeatedly at home time and time again after we had made it very clear that I was not interested. Quite frankly all it did was peeve me off, and gave me a bad taste in my mouth. If I want you, I'll contact you.

Thanks. That's quite confusing, but it doesn't look like he could transfer his benefits to a GF. If married, it doesn't appear that even a spouse would have instant benefits if marrying a new recruit. It also looks like $40,000 was quite an optimistic figure. I guess expecting a recruiter to mention these tiny details is expecting way too much.

They try to manipulate our children (the children of this country, not just our's) and we're unpatriotic if we question them at all. It doesn't matter who the person is, if someone is trying to manipulate my child, I will do everything in my power to see to it that they don't get away with it.

 

[PatsMom]

It's definitely nothing new since I can remember my sister getting calls the year she graduated (1975). I don't remember receiving calls but that could be because I enlisted prior to high school graduation.

My recruiter never lied to me. And at 17 I didn't need my parents to intercede - I was a young adult and quite capable of making a decision on my own. My dad had no problem signing my enlistment papers. My mother was like the Mom on the TV commercials - asking me about 10 times was I very sure about what I was doing. I told her she could sign the papers or I would just enlist as soon as I turned 18 anyhow. She signed.

Joining the Air Force was the best thing I've ever done. I have a college degree that I obtained while on active duty and had no student debt.

I encouraged my daughter to give consideration to the military. She spoke with the recruiters and took the ASVAB but ultimately decided that college first was the correct route for her. She might enlist after she finishes school.

I just don't get why people don't want the recruiters to talk to their children? The military is an option, just like looking at different colleges.

I do agree that repeated phone calls after being told there is no interest are jsut wrong.

 

[N.Bailey]

It's definitely nothing new since I can remember my sister getting calls the year she graduated (1975). I don't remember receiving calls but that could be because I enlisted prior to high school graduation.

My recruiter never lied to me. And at 17 I didn't need my parents to intercede - I was a young adult and quite capable of making a decision on my own. My dad had no problem signing my enlistment papers. My mother was like the Mom on the TV commercials - asking me about 10 times was I very sure about what I was doing. I told her she could sign the papers or I would just enlist as soon as I turned 18 anyhow. She signed.

Joining the Air Force was the best thing I've ever done. I have a college degree that I obtained while on active duty and had no student debt.

I encouraged my daughter to give consideration to the military. She spoke with the recruiters and took the ASVAB but ultimately decided that college first was the correct route for her. She might enlist after she finishes school.

I just don't get why people don't want the recruiters to talk to their children? The military is an option, just like looking at different colleges.

I do agree that repeated phone calls after being told there is no interest are jsut wrong.

You said yourself, your recruiter did not lie to you. Had you met up with one that did, you might not be as accepting. I think joining the military is a HUGE commitment and a life altering decision. If my child were to decide this was for him, I'd be on board, but I won't let him be manipulated into signing up based on a bunch of lies. There is nothing wrong with the military, but a person has every right to know what they're getting into before signing on the dotted line.

If every recruiter spoke the truth, I don't think as many people would be against them approaching their child/children. Sadly, that's not the case.

 

[Ephany]

Thanks. That's quite confusing, but it doesn't look like he could transfer his benefits to a GF. If married, it doesn't appear that even a spouse would have instant benefits if marrying a new recruit. It also looks like $40,000 was quite an optimistic figure. I guess expecting a recruiter to mention these tiny details is expecting way too much.

$40K+ is possible, it just depends on the rating chosen (job description) and what is in the initial contract. Some rates have better enlistment bonuses than others. My DH took the cash bonus and the GI Bill since he knew he'd eventually go to school, but not when. I knew I was going to college through graduate school so I chose the college fund as my bonus and the GI Bill. I also enrolled for a 'kicker' right before I got out that increased my monthly GI Bill payments.

If you have any specific questions, feel free to drop me a pm.

 

[jsmith]

[/QThe form I have siting in front of me says it is for releasing the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of juniors and seniors to military recruitersUOTE]
understood-and it STILL applies ONLY to the high school collecting the form-not to testing organizations-or any of the many other things that your child does as a jr or senior-much of it publicly available information-even attendance or interest in some universitys implies that your interest in the military ( VMI, Clemson, Texas A and M, Vanderbilt all come to mind as these are schools who's ROTC programs supply a majority of non-acadamy officers to the army and navy and are traditionally military schools) My point is dont assume that either your high school or the recruiter violated your wishes-the information just didnt come from your high school. And im with the posters who dont get the violent objection any way.
The military is a good solid career-and for the student who is unsure of their future-it provides a job which includes housing,meals, health care and teaches marketable skills while the young person figures themself out-provides an excellent college savings plan and a reasonable income. While i understand the terror that the press has created over the Iraq Afghanistan thing-the reality is that driving a car kills and injures more young people annually than those conflicts have-and im a firm believer that its your time to go -it doesnt matter where you are-i know more than one young man who has come home safely from the middle east to be killed or injured in a car accident while "safe" at home.
Bottom line-recruiters are doing their jobs-if you dont like it-dont answer the phone-and tell you kid to tell them no-but-give the kid a chance-most of them-by 18 are ready to consider all their options and make the decision that is right for them.

 

[Piglet4Ever]

Hubby too was a Marine, so your soft spot doesn't go by the wayside with me.

Why would I allow the colleges to contact them but not the military? It probably has something to do with the fact that college is where they'll be heading, at least for my daughter (was unaware when they were in 9th grade that my son wouldn't want to attend college). My son has decided to attend the best automotive school on the east coast. When all is said and done, he'll be qualified to work in a Nascar pit crew. I'm not saying that's what he'll do, only that he will be more than qualified for it and the school he's attending will be where they'll be recruiting from.

If he decided, or changes his mind and decides the military is for him, I want to be involved in the process so no one gets away with lying to him. This is a no chit, true story. My daughter's current BF has been speaking to a Navy recruiter. He's been told that he really wouldn't spend that much time deployed on a ship. Now, is that believable? I hardly think so, but here is the better kicker. He told the BF that he could join the military and pass his GI money to his girlfriend (my daughter) if he wanted to. He told him the government would give her $40,000 for educational expenses if he wanted to pass his benefits on to her.

Has anyone ever heard of any such thing?

My Dh is in the Navy and Db is in the Army, you can pass your GI Bill to your children or spouse now. We have a friend that just retired from the Navy and he signed his GI Bill over to his daughter. As for not having to do much time on a ship in the Navy it is very possible depending on the job you are going to do. My Dh is going on his 18yr in the Navy and in the 13 yrs we have been married he has spent 6 months on a boat, and that is totally due to the career path he is on. The usual rotation for Navy folks is one sea tour and then a land tour and it keeps going from there.

 

[Explodo]

In 1986, I had recruiters from both the Army and Air force show up at my house. It's not a new thing in the slightest.

Looking back on it, I should have gone to Westpoint or Colorado springs. One of those "Oh did I miss a wonderful chance" kind of things.

 

[luvsJack]

Almost every male in my family is either in or was in the military(nothing against females in, we just don't have any that joined). I have only the utmost respect for anyone in the military and their families that sacrifice so much.

With that said, I have a real problem with recruiters and the promises that are made to some of these kids. I don't think they should be allowed to speak with these kids without a parent present (and that would mean no phone calls unless to just make an appointment).

What I really do not understand is, when my oldest was in hs and playing baseball the college baseball coaches could not have any contact with him until a certain time during his senior year. But the military started calling as soon as he took the ASVAB. (the principal at the time required that all the juniors take it) Why is it ok for one and not the other?

 

[golfgal]

Almost every male in my family is either in or was in the military(nothing against females in, we just don't have any that joined). I have only the utmost respect for anyone in the military and their families that sacrifice so much.

With that said, I have a real problem with recruiters and the promises that are made to some of these kids. I don't think they should be allowed to speak with these kids without a parent present (and that would mean no phone calls unless to just make an appointment).

What I really do not understand is, when my oldest was in hs and playing baseball the college baseball coaches could not have any contact with him until a certain time during his senior year. But the military started calling as soon as he took the ASVAB. (the principal at the time required that all the juniors take it) Why is it ok for one and not the other?

College coaches can start talking to recruits after the end of their junior year season. For normal academic recruiting they don't have any regulations really--DS17 starting getting college stuff in the mail in 7th grade. The military would follow the same rules.