Recruiting School, Weeks 3 and 4 and 5

I am going to do another post tonight, when I have full, functional use of pictures (Doesn't work right on this computer!)

But for now, I am updating you on Andy's recruiting school status:

Week Three was learning how to put together a new recruit packet. Evidentally, for those of you who don't have good keyboarding skills, it will be kind of rough. It takes quite awhile to fill out the paperwork, and get it put together. I struggled to find sympathy for him, that he had to sit and put together paperwork all day. (What the hell does he think I do at work????) At the end of the week, you are timed, as you put together a packet from start to finish. Not exactly rocket-science.

Week Four (last week) they learned the finer points of cold calling. This is probably the worst part of your job as a recruiter. Calling random people and asking if they want to join the army. They have you make a script, and you have to follow it pretty much to a "T". Each day, there is a practice "call" with your small group instructor. You won't fail this part...they will sit you in a room with a giant swirly on a projection screen and tape your eyelids open if you are too dense to get it....or something. Or maybe they just beat you with pugal sticks. Regardless, this isnt as hard as you think it is...you just need to get over your fear of public speaking, since the whole class is watching you.

Week Five (current week) is live calls to random folks. This is when you actually WILL get hung up on. lol. There was a good amount of homework over the weekend, which proved frustrating for Andy because he has a small mini netbook, with no Microsoft Office on it, and he needed Powerpoint for the project that is due this week: Creating his "I love the Army" book. Lord knows what his looks like...he's not a moron or anything, but I've envisioned him sitting and scrapbooking. He actually knows powerpoint better than most of the other MS Office programs. This week will entail later nights, since the live calling is done between 6-8pm so that you might actually reach people at home.

The Trials of Army Recruiting School, Weeks One and Two

Andy started recruiting school last week, down at Fort Jackson, SC. I can tell you that it's not the greatest place, because that's where I went to basic training, many moons ago.

And I do not have fond memories.

He was pretty mad because they haven't been very forthcoming with information so far. We've had to nudge answers out of them about everything. Before we went on our trip, I had emailed the RTR guys and asked about a welcome email that he was supposed to get about a week before he went to ARC. He emailed back and said there was no such email, just report to the Welcome Center. Then we get to St Lucia, and the email comes, but we can't open it, because we didn't have Word loaded on Andy's mini netbook.

So Andy gets there and finds out he is sharing a room with another E-6. Not cool, when you have to be there for almost two months. Plus, it kind of prevents me from going to visit, which I had considered.

Week One of class was organization and regulations. You don't report until 5pm on Monday, so he had lots of time to settle in, since he arrived on Sunday. He had to write an essay about his army career Thursday night. Stupid timing when the first test was Friday. He also had homework most nights. He didn't do so hot on the first test, and had to retest on Monday. If you fail the test twice, you meet with the SGM, and most likely he boots you out. But from what I hear, you will get orders to go back 90 days later, if you are DA Select.

So we are in Week Two now, and tomorrow is this weeks test. From the little info I've been able to dig up on recruiting school, this is the hardest one. It's more regulation, but this one is focused on the ins and outs of waivers for enlistees. Andy had to complete his E-Qip online last night for his NALCL (or National Agency with Credit Check). He's also had a lot of homework this week.

Food:
They set up breakfast and lunch at the NCO Club and you use a meal card. For dinners Monday through Friday, you get a $10 voucher for fast food....which is pretty stupid since they aren't really doing much PT (exercise). Most nights, Andy has eaten pizza. He figures it's better for him than fried foods. On weekends, you eat at the Pub on post. Again, it's like a $10 voucher.

This is a good source for info if you are on recruiting orders:
Army Study Guide Recruiting Forum

You can ask whatever you want. There is a lot of content in here. It's about the most helpful thing I have found so far. You can also email me if you have a question and I will try to find out. It's been extremely frustrating at the lack of info about Recruiting Duty, so I will do what I can to help other people.