I already posted this in the general joining subforum but I wanted to post it here too
I wanted to join the navy specifically so I could become CTI and attend the DLI. My recruiter said he had to contact someone or something to see if they had CTI jobs open BEFORE I had even taken the DLAB, and he came back saying that they didn't have an open position for a long time, but that it was possible to switch into the CTI field once positions were open. Now when I come back saying I'll still join as a CTN or a CTR, he doesn't have to check if those jobs are open at all and tells me I'm going to get a physical etc. etc. etc.
I just want to know if this sounds like standard procedure or not.
From what I have seen, CTN and CTR are currently 2 of the few ratings that are undermanned; this would probably explain why he is saying he can get you to MEPS.
Lead Mod Navy and Recconect America Forums catherine0830@msn.com Democracy will survive until the government figures out it can bribe the people with their own money.
A good reason for doing this was demonstrated by some kid over on the Army forum. He signed up for Human Intelligence Collector (which requires passing the DLAB) and then didn't come anywhere near passing the test. He had to go back to MEPS and reclass.
Basically your recruiter figures you will fail the DLAB. He's probably had dozens of people come in and want to join as a CTI and then fail the DLAB so he doesn't want to deal with it. Most recruiters just tell people to sign up for some other job and then take the DLAB (and if they pass they can change jobs) because at that point, even if they fail the DLAB, they still have a job and are set to ship out.
So many people fail the DLAB and end up not wanting to join that recruiters are wary of letting you take it before you've got another job. I do find it strange that he's not even willing to deal with CTI at all though. Hey, maybe he's telling the truth that CTI is filled up, but somehow I doubt it considering the E-4, E-5, and E-6 advancement rates for Arabic and Farsi linguists were all 100% last cycle.
