Don't waste your time trying to find the recruiter near you. Let us do the work.
Step 4: Meet the recruiter
20 Questions for Recruiters
Military.com offers a lot of information to help you decide if you want
to pursue a career in the military, but military recruiters have the most current
information on job availability, new deals and changing requirements. Once you
decide to talk to a recruiter, you should arm yourself with as much information
as possible, develop some idea of what you want and know the questions that
you want answered. In general, your questions should help you:
Understand eligibility and military life
Pick the right service for you
Understand the jobs you're eligible for
Understand the benefits you can get
Get the best benefits package possible
Prepare for basic training and a military career
For starters, here are the questions that the Insider recommends asking:
1. How long do I have to enlist for? What's the minimum
commitment? Generally the minimum is two years, but the amount of benefits
you receive directly relates to your commitment.
2. Am I eligible for any special enlistment programs or bonuses? Make sure you tell the recruiter if you have ROTC, college
or even Junior ROTC experience. Some services have programs that will allow
you to enter at a higher pay grade than peers with no experience.
3. What do I have to score on the Armed Services Vocational
Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test to qualify? The minimum score varies annually
based on need and candidate availability. Some specialties also require a particular
score. Your recruiter should have the latest information on qualifying scores.
Make sure you know what you need to score to qualify for the job you want.
4. What are the major differences in pay, benefits and job opportunities between services? While base pay and veteran benefits
are the same across services; travel opportunities, job availability and promotion
rates vary greatly. If you are considering more than one branch of the military,
ask the recruiters the same questions and compare the answers.
5. Do you have films or literature about military life and particular jobs? Most recruiters have videos and literature
about their branch and particular jobs. In most cases you can either check the
videos out or watch them at the recruiting station. Remember these are promotional
materials.
6. How long is basic training? Where is it? What is
it like?
7. What physical fitness requirements must I meet to enter the military and succeed in basic training? Physical standards
vary from service to service. Have your recruiter spell it out for you.
8. What jobs are available? Use our job
matcher to find jobs that match your interest, and ask your recruiter about
openings in these and related fields. Then, use the delayed entry program to
get the training you want. Training programs are related to the job specialty
that you are assigned to. You should ask your recruiter about the entire career
path in that chosen field. Most military specialties have follow-on training
as you gain expertise and rise in rank.
9. What are the possibilities for remote or overseas duty stations? All services have overseas opportunities. Overseas service
is often considered a "square to fill" for advancement. Ask your recruiter.
10. What are the training and advancement opportunities for jobs that I'm eligible for? Military promotions are based on performance,
time in grade and job knowledge. While the system is objective, certain specialties
seem to fare better in promotion rates. Ask your recruiter how the promotion
rates are in your chosen field and compare them to several other fields you
may choose from.
11. What would pay be like? Military pay is
no secret but can seem complicated for an outsider. Check out the Military.com
guides to military pay for active
duty, Reserve,
and Guard;
then ask your recruiter to explain how temporary duty pay, hazardous duty pay
and other special entitlements affect your bottom line.
12. Do I get paid while in training? Military
training is part of military service and you receive your pay based on your
grade and entitlements.
13. How much money can I get for college? After
checking our money for college section to see the many ways you can earn money
for college, sit down with the recruiter and calculate how much you'll earn
based on the programs that you enlist under.
14. Can I take college courses or other training programs
while in the military? Yes. The military will pay up to 100% of the first
$4,500 in tuition costs for college courses you take in your free time. Most
bases have extensive education programs to help service members. Remember, off-duty
courses can't interfere with your military duties.
15. Are there any upcoming military events in the
area, such as airshows, fleet weeks, etc.? Recruiters will often have
special deals for upcoming military events in your area. These good deals for
potential recruits may include tickets to performances and passes to meet the
Blue Angels, the
Thunderbirds
or the Golden
Knights, or during Fleet
Week.
16. Can a friend and I go to basic training together? Yes. Ask the recruiter about the "buddy program" which allows you to
enlist together, go through training and even get advanced pay or bonuses.
17. What are the haircut or other appearance standards
that will apply to me? Military standards are strict but vary slightly
from service to service.
18. What's the delayed entry program? The enlistee
can delay entry into active duty for up to one year (normally used by high school
students). This program can also help you get the job you want or to choose
when you want to attend training.
19. What are the next steps? Recruiters have
no problem telling you what to do next. Have them draw you a road map. Then
make your own decision without any pressure.
20. How can I get more information? The best way to get the answers to your questions is to submit an online - no obligation - request for more information. Contact a recruiter near you.
Bonus Tip: Why not have the recruiter write down the answers to all your questions?
This will help you go over their answers later and compare answers across services.
It also makes the recruiters think carefully about their answers.
