My recruiting techniques are working!!!!

[usafcap1]

A military recruiter called me about 30 mins ago and wants to join CAP. He wants me to meet him at the recruiting office on Friday. Which uniform should I wear Blues, BDUs?


Phone call number 1!!!!! woooooo hoooooo This has made my day!!!!

[Thrashed]

He is probably looking for a source of recruits too.

[whatevah]

$5 says he enlists

[Eclipse]

$5 says he enlists

Double or nothing it was a pocket dial.

[usafcap1]

$5 says he enlists

I can't

[a2capt]

"techniques are working" implies you got a CAPF 12 or 15 filled out.

[NIN]

This is going to be one of those "five minutes ago, I thought I was recruiting you" conversations.

[jimmydeanno]

A military recruiter called me about 30 mins ago and wants to join CAP. He wants me to meet him at the recruiting office on Friday. Which uniform should I wear Blues, BDUs?


Phone call number 1!!!!! woooooo hoooooo This has made my day!!!!

Just be cautious that if he does join, that it doesn't become an extension of his office at the unit. 

[Майор Хаткевич]

+1 ^

[Private Investigator]

+10 ^^

So he is going to be your assistant recruiter?   

[Cool Mace]

My friend and I went to talk to an Air Force recruiter one time, and he ended up asking us about CAP. We spent more time talking him in to joining, then the other way around.
He told us once his son is of age, he would see if he's interested.

[Flying Pig]

I would wear your blues.  You are a cadet or a SM?  If you are a cadet going to recruit a potential SM, either be up on your information or bring a SM with you.  Odd that he would make an appointment to have you come meet him at his office.  I don't mean anything sinister.... I just mean seems like he may be interviewing you as well.    Good luck, let us know how it goes

[Eclipse]

$5 says he enlists

Double or nothing it was a pocket dial.

I'm upping my bet to him trying to recruit you.  There's no reason you'd need to come to his office.

After the initial phone call, he should be coming to a meeting, not the other way around.

[Flying Pig]

In June 1992 I got a call from the Marine recruiter on a lazy Saturday afternoon.  He asked what I was doing.  "Nothing" I said.  He says "Well, why dont you come on down and let me talk to you about the Marines.  If you dont like what I have to say, youll never hear from me again."  I hang up. 

"MOM....  Ill be back in a couple hours"   "OK" She responds.    Fast forward five years and Im getting off the plane back home for the last time wearing Sergeant chevrons and my Marine Alphas.  Everything in between is kind of a blurr     Let us know what your MOS is going to be

[usafcap1]

I would wear your blues.  You are a cadet or a SM?  If you are a cadet going to recruit a potential SM, either be up on your information or bring a SM with you.  Odd that he would make an appointment to have you come meet him at his office.  I don't mean anything sinister.... I just mean seems like he may be interviewing you as well.    Good luck, let us know how it goes

I am a SM.

[usafcap1]

In June 1992 I got a call from the Marine recruiter on a lazy Saturday afternoon.  He asked what I was doing.  "Nothing" I said.  He says "Well, why dont you come on down and let me talk to you about the Marines.  If you dont like what I have to say, youll never hear from me again."  I hang up. 

"MOM....  Ill be back in a couple hours"   "OK" She responds.    Fast forward five years and Im getting off the plane back home for the last time wearing Sergeant chevrons and my Marine Alphas.  Everything in between is kind of a blurr     Let us know what your MOS is going to be

I can't go in to the military ever. MaYbe if there were to be a draft. Maybe and only maybe.

[Майор Хаткевич]

In June 1992 I got a call from the Marine recruiter on a lazy Saturday afternoon.  He asked what I was doing.  "Nothing" I said.  He says "Well, why dont you come on down and let me talk to you about the Marines.  If you dont like what I have to say, youll never hear from me again."  I hang up. 

"MOM....  Ill be back in a couple hours"   "OK" She responds.    Fast forward five years and Im getting off the plane back home for the last time wearing Sergeant chevrons and my Marine Alphas.  Everything in between is kind of a blurr     Let us know what your MOS is going to be

I can't go in to the military ever. MaYbe if there were to be a draft. Maybe and only maybe.

IIRC, the draft had the same standards as volunteering.

[Pylon]

A military recruiter called me about 30 mins ago and wants to join CAP. He wants me to meet him at the recruiting office on Friday. Which uniform should I wear Blues, BDUs?

Phone call number 1!!!!! woooooo hoooooo This has made my day!!!!

To the OP:
What uniform to wear, you ask?  I am through-and-through an AF-style uniform guy.  Have worn AF-style uniforms 99.9% of every CAP activity I've been to in the last 13 years.  However, for this situation, I'd seriously and strenuously recommend the polo combo.  Do you own the polo?   If not, don't wear BDUs.  It's just not appropriate for a proper meeting in an office setting.  If you don't own the polo, maybe blues with no ribbons and/or lightweight jacket (weather depending) would be most appropriate.

In June 1992 I got a call from the Marine recruiter on a lazy Saturday afternoon.  He asked what I was doing.  "Nothing" I said.  He says "Well, why dont you come on down and let me talk to you about the Marines.  If you dont like what I have to say, youll never hear from me again."  I hang up. 

"MOM....  Ill be back in a couple hours"   "OK" She responds.    Fast forward five years and Im getting off the plane back home for the last time wearing Sergeant chevrons and my Marine Alphas.  Everything in between is kind of a blurr     Let us know what your MOS is going to be

That conversation sounds oddly familiar. Heh.  Just replace "Sergeant" with "Terminal Lance" for me. 

[Flying Pig]

In June 1992 I got a call from the Marine recruiter on a lazy Saturday afternoon.  He asked what I was doing.  "Nothing" I said.  He says "Well, why dont you come on down and let me talk to you about the Marines.  If you dont like what I have to say, youll never hear from me again."  I hang up. 

"MOM....  Ill be back in a couple hours"   "OK" She responds.    Fast forward five years and Im getting off the plane back home for the last time wearing Sergeant chevrons and my Marine Alphas.  Everything in between is kind of a blurr     Let us know what your MOS is going to be

I can't go in to the military ever. MaYbe if there were to be a draft. Maybe and only maybe.

IIRC, the draft had the same standards as volunteering.

I had a college professor who, during Vietnam applied to OCS for all four branches of the military.  When he was denied on medical reasons, he tried to enlist, trying every recruiter.  At one point I believe he tried to enlist under a different name and got caught.  He had a Masters Degree at the time, young, but had something that prevented him from joining, although he was actually very athletic.  He actually has a letter from a local congressman thanking him for his dedication.  The letter was essentially written saying, "Don't anyone ever try to claim this man tried to get out of serving."  It was a pretty neat letter.

[Flying Pig]

That conversation sounds oddly familiar. Heh.  Just replace "Sergeant" with "Terminal Lance" for me. 

Cutting scores for 03 pretty high these days? 

[Pylon]

That conversation sounds oddly familiar. Heh.  Just replace "Sergeant" with "Terminal Lance" for me. 

Cutting scores for 03 pretty high these days?

Solid 1700's all the way.   I should pick up sometime around my second hashmark. 

[Flying Pig]

WOW...it was about 1400ish when I got it.  Although that was in 1996   Its weird... sometimes I find myself talking to people about being in the military or talk about how something is done, and then it hits me that it was more than 15 years ago!  Geeez man...feels like yesterday.  Here I sit in my chair at the crusty age of 37 wondering where it all went

[Private Investigator]

I had a college professor who, during Vietnam applied to OCS for all four branches of the military. 

In the book, "Blackhawk Down" it explains why Grimes knows how to type. He was college ROTC but nobody offerred him 2LT so he went enlisted. A four year degree does not mean 'butter bars' is in somebody's future.

[Private Investigator]

I can't go in to the military ever. MaYbe if there were to be a draft. Maybe and only maybe.

The military is a great starter for 75% of young men. Unless your parents are the 1% than whatever   

[JK657]

So, what came of your meeting with the recruiter?

[usafcap1]

So, what came of your meeting with the recruiter?

Well all of you are in debt from all the bets you made. He is very very interested in CAP. And now I have a great military contact.

[a2capt]

That's what you think
Recruiters ... salespeople.

[Private Investigator]

^ +1   

[usafcap1]

Recruiters ... salespeople.

Hey I can sell sand to Israel!! 

[Майор Хаткевич]

What exactly did he say he wants to do in CAP?

[Eclipse]

So, what came of your meeting with the recruiter?

Well all of you are in debt from all the bets you made. He is very very interested in CAP. And now I have a great military contact.

Talk to me when you have a signed app and a check.

[a2capt]

Hey I can sell sand to Israel!! 

..or used Saudi oil rigs?
Yeah, the guy is real interested in CAP. A guy who's job depends on the dotted line, and an audience that has a higher per capita chance of signing it, brought right to him.   Real interest would have been a filled out membership form.

[usafcap1]

What exactly did he say he wants to do in CAP?

He really wants to be my military recruiting liaison.

[Майор Хаткевич]

What exactly did he say he wants to do in CAP?

He really wants to be my military recruiting liaison.

I must have missed that in CAPR 20-1

[Eclipse]

What exactly did he say he wants to do in CAP?

He really wants to be my military recruiting liaison.

Which to us "'oldies" = he wants to be allowed to come in and recruit cadets.   There's nothing wrong with occasionally
inviting recruiters in for discussions of military life, etc., but make sure everyone is clear on where the lines are and
why he's really involved.

Parents may have an opinion as well.  I've had push-back in the past when units had too much "recruiter time".

[usafcap1]

What exactly did he say he wants to do in CAP?

He really wants to be my military recruiting liaison.

Which to us "'oldies" = he wants to be allowed to come in and recruit cadets.   There's nothing wrong with occasionally
inviting recruiters in for discussions of military life, etc., but make sure everyone is clear on where the lines are and
why he's really involved.

Parents may have an opinion as well.  I've had push-back in the past when units had too much "recruiter time".

What exactly did he say he wants to do in CAP?

He really wants to be my military recruiting liaison.

I must have missed that in CAPR 20-1

He's not going to recruit anyone he is just helping me. Maybe its a bad idea. . .  I don't know. . . Hes just a military contact. . . He wants to be a military recruiting liaison. . . Like I said "maybe its a bad idea". . .

[Eclipse]

What else do you think a military recruiting liaison would do?

[usafcap1]

What else do you think a military recruiting liaison would do?

I don't know?

[usafcap1]

I think this is not a good idea based on the responses  I am getting. Currently FREAKING OUT that some how I have screwed my CAP career. And I don't know how to fix this. How would professionally "Call it off"


Which smiley to pick for FREAKING OUT?

[Eclipse]

What else do you think a military recruiting liaison would do?

I don't know?

Well, alrighty then.

You don't need to freak out, call it off, or even be overly concerned.  Units with cadets should have a healthy relationship
with local recruiters.  And there's nothing wrong with having him by once or twice a year, with your CC's OK, to pass out
antenna balls and key chains, as long as you don't kid yourself on why he wants to be involved with CAP.

Who knows, maybe he wants to fly, etc..  It wouldn't be the first time.  If he joins, great, if not, no biggie, lesson learned.

Next time have him come to the meeting as a CAP recruit, not a USAF recruiter, and go from there.

[usafcap1]

What else do you think a military recruiting liaison would do?

I don't know?

Well, alrighty then.

I think I got overly happy when I got my 1st recruiting call.

[jimmydeanno]

"Military Recruiting Liaison" sounds like he's interested in the following:

1) Talking to the cadets as a recruiter on certain dates.

2) Being channeled any cadet who is interested in joining the military.

It's all related to his job.  He's trying to network so that he can improve his recruiting numbers.  By  being your "liaison", every time you have a cadet who expresses interest in joining the military, you'll suggest that they talk to him.  He'll talk to them about joining whatever branch he is, and voila, he gets the recruit before they even talk to other services. 

I would be very clear with him about how that position would operate, if at all.  Personally, I can't say that I'd want to bring such a permanent recruiting presence into my unit.  Not because I'm anti-military, but because of the perception of what it appears our organization is for and does.  I know that a significant number of our cadets are interested in joining the military.  I know that many of them will end up in the military, but I wouldn't want them to feel pressured to join because we have an in-house recruiter who is always chatting them up about joining.

[SarDragon]

He doesn't mention which service the recruiter is from. As much as my personal bias says to channel people towards the Navy, I also know that not every one is suited for the Navy, or the AF, or any other service.

I'm not comfortable with one recruiter having that leg up, and being able to cherry pick recruits.

[a2capt]

I do have to say, that's one thing nice here. The nearest recruiting office to our unit represents everyone. All services are available via the same office.

[SarDragon]

There's the office, and there's the recruiter. I've seen recruiters back stab guys in their office to cherry pick the best recruits. Probably isn't super common, but it happens, and this as the appearance of being that situation.

[Private Investigator]

Roger that.

I was going to join the Army and the Marine recruiter ask me in the parking lot what I wanted to do in the Army and he came back with a good spin on why the Marines made more sense and I joined the Marines.

When I was in the Marines my girl friend then got Recruiting Duty. Same scenario. Any decent candidate another service got she would talk them into joining the Marines instead. She did such a good job she was "Recruiter of the Year" and got the Navy Commendation Medal for it.   

[Майор Хаткевич]

The "Armed Forces Recruiting Center" in my area is an Army Recruiting station...

[abdsp51]

He wants to be a "liaison"  per say.  What can he offer you as far as helping the unit out besides picking up cadets for the service.  What branch is he?  If he is AF then I would see about having him get a base tour for your guys etc.  This does not have to be a one way street for just the recruiter having a pool of bodies.

[Eclipse]

I just got a phone call from a guy who wants to be my Amway "Liaison".

[Pylon]

To the OP:  Since you're new and relatively inexperienced (that's not a dig at you; we were all in those shoes at one point), I'd say now that you have garnered a recruiting referral for CAP pass him off to somebody with more experience in the organization to "close the deal" (so to speak) and talk to him about what he really wants to do in and for CAP.  Perhaps your Sq/CC or Deputy for Seniors could speak to him -- somebody with experience in a variety of specialty tracks and can knowledgeably speak about the various ways he can get involved.

The bottom line is that "Recruiting Liaison" isn't a real position.  It doesn't appear in the org charts in 20-1.  And it doesn't appear for a reason.  Those positions that are standard for a squadron are the critical spots to fill, unless there's a preexisting need for something else.   I would not recommend creating a special position for someone interested in joining, especially if you're creating it for their sake rather than to fill a need the squadron already has.   On top of that, most military recruiters I've known have long, demanding schedules that often include evening and weekend work; I can't imagine how they'd have time for any sort of real level of involvement with CAP.

So, turn over his contact info to an experienced CAP member in your unit and have him or her (or your commander) follow up with the military recruiter.  They should ask what (if anything) he has an interest in doing in CAP, in a standard duty assignment, and what level of commitment he is interested in putting forth.   My guess is that you'll find he's not interested in becoming a SM and helping out the squadron by filling a duty assignment as a result of that conversation.    Of course, don't burn bridges.  Keep his contact info around, thank him for his time, and perhaps work with the Deputy for Cadets and Leadership Officer to see if there is an appropriate time in the quarterly schedule to work in a presentation or Q&A session with the recruiter and the cadets.  That would be far more appropriate.

[a2capt]

I just got a phone call from a guy who wants to be my Amway "Liaison".

These people make me think of "Louis Tully" (Rick Moranis, Ghostbusters) .. always weaseling their way into your face for a buck.

[Flying Pig]

I would say fine.  That position doesnt exist, nor are you going to create one.  If you want to join CAP, great, I think CP would be a great spot.  But you are going to need to "buy in" to the CAP program.  Not show up in your military uniform and stand in the corner.  Look.... heres the deal.  Unless your squadron has a MASSIVE cadet program, him joining isnt going to become a funnel for anything.  The time and effort he will need to invest in CAP will far outweigh the 1 or 2 cadets a year he might pick up.  Throw him a bone.  When he shows up to a meeting and quickly discovers there arent 25 18 yr old cadets, youll see where his intentions are. 
Just the fact that he suggested "recruiting liaison" tells me hes looking at CAP as a recruit funnel.  Hey... OK, no problem, as long as he plays by the rules and is a benefit to the unit.   Is this guy a new recruiter by chance? 

[usafcap1]

Is this guy a new recruiter by chance?

I don't think so.

[Walkman]

A possible upside to this is gaining referrals for your squadron from him. Many teens go to see recruiters before they're old enough to be eligible to enlist. That's a good potential cadet, especially if the Mitchell benefits are highlighted. You can also ask him to direct any solid people that may have had a medical or other technical DQ. I'm not talking about the one with legal or drug issues, or the ones that score in the basement on the ASVAB. There are lots of good people out there that would love to serve their country, but for reasons outside their control they can't enlist. I'm one of them.