very well put and the words do mean something and I'm in the boat where I want to join but I'm not 100%. This is why I have not sworn in and taken the oath because I really want it to mean something. Come time that my semester ends I will probably go and swear in because that is what I feel will be right. If everyone lived by their word then the world would be a better place I agree. You both make very valid points. Kudos to you both because you both sound better than 90% of recruiters I have ever talked to
quote:
Originally posted by stec74: As a recruiter, then you should know that the reason that most people have second thoughts is cold feet. This usually happens within a month or two of leaving for bootcamp. A recruit will come up with a million and one excuses, all credible to him because it gives him an out.
I could take the easy way out and say "ok see you later", but I believe in tne Navy. So I will talk to the DEP member face to face and try to reach a solution. In the past year, I have only had one of my 53 DEP members leave DEP because they refused to obligate, he went and joined the Marines.
I talked more than half a dozen of my DEP members into staying in and shipping to RTC, many over a period of weeks. Not one single person that has gone to RTC from my station has not made it through bootcamp. This is what a good recruiter does.
I do not except "bs" reasons for not shipping, I ask why and solve the issues that face the recruit, then they go to bootcamp and become fine sailors.
A good recuiter tells an applicant they need to be sure with their decision before ever entering DEP, not "If you change your mind, that's cool."
Never forget that recruiters are mentors and counselors first, salesmen second. If you take care of your recruits, train them, mold them, then that is the biggest reward. Teach them that their word is their bond, that the Core Values mean something and aren't just words on a poster. This is what a good recruiter does.
I was raised that my word means something. I am raising my daughter the same way. Maybe if more people felt this way, the world would be a better place.
