Military recruiters are a great resource and can answer any question (or find the answer) you ask them. The challenge for you as a potential military recruit is to know what questions to ask before it’s too late. If you don’t do a little research, and leave it up to the recruiter to set the direction of your visit, you could end up in a job that satisfies the needs of the military instead of your personal goals. Learn about what every recruit should know before talking to a recruiter and joining the military.
When I walked into the Air Force Recruiting office, I did not come with specific questions. I let the recruiter do most of the talking. He explained what basic training was and that the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test would determine what jobs I was best suited for. Luckily for me, it all turned out well, and I had an amazing military career, which included seven years enlisted and retiring after 22 years of active-duty service as an Air Force Major. I must admit that was before the internet, and now there are no excuses for not doing your research. Most military branches have their own website, with forums you can explore to ask questions and get answers before talking to a recruiter. You should be able to walk into that military branch’s recruiting office, armed with questions and a good idea of what jobs you are interested in pursuing. The bottom line is that you should be in the driver’s seat and have most of the answers to the questions you will ask your recruiter. This way, they can’t try to lead you off the path of the military career you want to pursue.
