Talking with an OTS Recruiter

[Windchill]

So I got in contact with an OTS recruiter to get the ball rolling, and during the conversation he strongly encouraged me to go the Pilot/Nav route due to my AFOQT scores and having a private certificate. I couldn't help but chuckle to myself.

To those who aren't aware where the humor may be ... I was selected to fly the C-5 with my ANG unit (I want to fly) but was medically DQ'd with what amounts to a simple lazy eye.

[bullmastiff]

Windchill,

What career field are looking at?

[Mike Lewis]

I always take anything a recruiter says with a BIG GIGANTIC GRAIN OF SALT...

[Doug Taylor]

I had a great score, they said that I should save time, enlist and become a mechanic. Because after all, I'd probably get some 'stick time'.

[Windchill]

bulmastiff: Not exactly sure what career field I'm aiming for at this point ... still trying to figure that one out.

Mike Lewis: Fortunately for me I've been enlisted for a little over 5 years now so I'm familiar with the games recruiters play to help fill their numbers. When I joined I knew enough people to help give me the real deal that I knew what to expect when I joined and what BS to ignore.

The two OTS recruiters I've talked to have been pretty straight-forward with me. I think part of this is because I'm prior-enlisted and the other part is when they tell me what I need for my packet, I already know about it and pretty much have most of what they need ... basically they can tell I know what's going on and have my stuff squared away ... I just need them to help put it all together and send it off.

Doug: Being prior-enlisted, I don't have to worry about them suggesting that route.

[Mike Lewis]

[ QUOTE ]

Mike Lewis: Fortunately for me I've been enlisted for a little over 5 years now so I'm familiar with the games recruiters play to help fill their numbers. When I joined I knew enough people to help give me the real deal that I knew what to expect when I joined and what BS to ignore.

The two OTS recruiters I've talked to have been pretty straight-forward with me. I think part of this is because I'm prior-enlisted and the other part is when they tell me what I need for my packet, I already know about it and pretty much have most of what they need ... basically they can tell I know what's going on and have my stuff squared away ... I just need them to help put it all together and send it off.


[/ QUOTE ]

That's cool, because you can always call AFPC to see if what they are telling you is true or not.

But on OTS, I had a guy I worked with who was enlisted, and he was a brilliant computer programmer in the Comm Squadron. He applied for OTS to come in as a communications engineer (basically same job, but as an officer), and they said that they couldn't take him because he had asthma.

Now, here was the thing that I thought was stupid: his asthma was a disqualifier for him to become an officer, but not a disqualifier to stay enlisted?

[Doug Taylor]

Perhaps the occasional spritz with the enhaler erodes authority?

"Private! I gave you a direct..." *SCOOP!* *WHEEEEZE* "..order that it was supposed to be a two pump, sugar-free venti..." *SCOOP!* *WHEEEEEZE* " caramel macchiatto!"

[Mike Lewis]

[ QUOTE ]
Perhaps the occasional spritz with the enhaler erodes authority?

"Private! I gave you a direct..." *SCOOP!* *WHEEEEZE* "..order that it was supposed to be a two pump, sugar-free venti..." *SCOOP!* *WHEEEEEZE* " caramel macchiatto!"

[/ QUOTE ]

But then what about Darth Vader? He had authority written all over him.

Well, maybe it wasn't so much the wheezing as the ability to choke people with his mind...

[Doug Taylor]

[ QUOTE ]
But then what about Darth Vader?

[/ QUOTE ]

Bad Padawan, no dessert! Go to your death star!