why wont recruiters talk to me?

[tank1986]

I am a 23 year old male, married with a 3 year old son and a baby girl on the way, i am 40 pounds over weight for my height, i have already taken the ASVAB made an average if not above average overall score, and the USAF recruiters will not give me the time of day. It has been a dream of mine to join the military for years, my grandfather being a LtCol. part of the Mighty 8th, dropping bombs on Germany, but, life got put on hold when my son was born and i needed a stable job to support my family and help with my son. It is rather discouraging when the recruiters dont even bat an eye at me. I have sent countless emails and tried calling and nothing. Just very discouraged, i cant pursue my dream because i cant get recruiters to talk to me. Any thoughts?
Madhatter43086@aol.com
use Enlistment Questions and subject.
I do appreciate y'alls time.

[Your_Name_Here]

Hi Tank,

Based on what you have shared, the apparent show-stopper is your weight. You don't mention your height or current weight, but if you do not even reasonably appear to be in shape, I can understand recruiters' reluctance in spending much time.
You might want to get in better shape and wait until after the baby's born. Congratulations, BTW, on your new addition! Good Luck!

[Smeghead]

Also, is could be a matter of potentially being an E-1 with 2 dependents. I know an income determination is done to see if you can survive on the paycheck the Air Force will give you. Single parents have a hard time coming in. Don't know if you having a family automatically disqualifies you, but as we have no problem reaching our recruiting goals in teh AF our recruiters can afford to be very choosy. It's easier to put the single 18 yr old high schooler in, so why put any effort in to you? Harsh, but it's often the way it is.

[technomage1]

Unfortunately, the weight is pretty much a deal breaker. If you're really interested, then I suggest starting an exercise and diet change program to lose the pounds (and get yourself fit for basic training). You can get a part time job to help support yourself and your family until then.

You can also contact other USAF recruiters in the area (if you've only contacted one) and see what they say. Bear in mind, their time is limited, so they are going to concentrate on fit applicants before they concentrate on any that have issues (be it weight or whatever).

Best of luck to you.

[Silver Fox]

Breaking this down here...

I am a 23 year old male,



married
3 year old son and a baby girl



i am 40 pounds over weight for my height,


ASVAB made an average if not above average overall score,



You're really asking?

You're a late comer, married with kids, overweight and don't have a level of genius to make up for the overweightness, and you're surprised?

C'mon, they're looking for 18 - 19, single, commtimentless, no debt, highly naive and moldable, thin and fit and straight out of high school... you're about as 'bad recruit' as it gets without having a criminal history or failing the ASVAB.

That's just brutal honesty. Recruiters don't get paid to sign up heavyweights, add to the military's healthcare bills for dependents, and you don't have an ASVAB score that's making them drool.... this is a no brainer.

They're not going to recruit overweight people. If you want them to even look at you you've gotta cut the weight ASAP. If you're in a lot of debt, don't count on it. It's not their job to get you to cut weight, it's their job to improve your fitness from an already fit level. Until you show them you want it bad enough to get in shape for it, they have no reason to be interested in you. Work your ass off and drop 40 pounds and then go tell them, "I lost 40 pounds just to do this..." and you'll probably get a much more favorable response. That's assuming we've got the whole story anyway....

[Rabbit69]

C'mon, they're looking for 18 - 19, single, commtimentless, no debt, highly naive and moldable, thin and fit and straight out of high school...

Heh, the only two of those I fit were no debt(basically) and thin. Of course, it helped having college credits for E-3 and a pretty high ASVAB(96).

I would suggest to you Tank that you start eating right, excercising at least a couple hours a day, and studying ASVAB practice tests like those at military.com. Do them in a notebook and go back to each answer you missed or didn't have a clue but guessed right on and learn how to get the right answer.

If you can get yourself down to the weight limit, retake the ASVAB, then go back to the recruiter on a much more physically and mentally fit level. They will be far more welcoming.

You also may have a better chance with the Navy or Army if the Air Force won't warm up to you. As long as you get into a job that you enjoy those wouldn't be so bad. You still have plenty of time. I turn 28 in December which is the age limit and I ship to BMT tomorrow.

[BRUWIN]

Breaking this down here...












You're really asking?

You're a late comer, married with kids, overweight and don't have a level of genius to make up for the overweightness, and you're surprised?

C'mon, they're looking for 18 - 19, single, commtimentless, no debt, highly naive and moldable, thin and fit and straight out of high school... you're about as 'bad recruit' as it gets without having a criminal history or failing the ASVAB.

That's just brutal honesty. Recruiters don't get paid to sign up heavyweights, add to the military's healthcare bills for dependents, and you don't have an ASVAB score that's making them drool.... this is a no brainer.

They're not going to recruit overweight people. If you want them to even look at you you've gotta cut the weight ASAP. If you're in a lot of debt, don't count on it. It's not their job to get you to cut weight, it's their job to improve your fitness from an already fit level. Until you show them you want it bad enough to get in shape for it, they have no reason to be interested in you. Work your ass off and drop 40 pounds and then go tell them, "I lost 40 pounds just to do this..." and you'll probably get a much more favorable response. That's assuming we've got the whole story anyway....


Dude...your blunt reply is not very Air Forcey. In the future you must be careful of feelings and have a "Thanks for Trying" appreciation certificate ready to present. You should also mentor him in our "time out" procedures should he eventually make into basic training.

I really don't know how you made it this far...you big meanie.

[ringjamesa]

Have to disagree with SF on this one. As long as you are not over the age limit or under the min, and you are not, age is irrelevant. Married or single isn't really relevant either. Kids are. With one, you would have been fine, two is a problem. That is a problem you can get around but the weight is not. If you want in so bad, join the Navy. Somehow they don't have to comply with the DoD ht/wt standard. Also, a high ASVAB score does nothing to change the fact that you were DQ'd. You could have scored a 99 across the board and once I found out you were overweight, I wouldn't call you again until you were within standards.

[eichampt1]

I am a 23 year old male, married with a 3 year old son and a baby girl on the way, i am 40 pounds over weight for my height, i have already taken the ASVAB made an average if not above average overall score, and the USAF recruiters will not give me the time of day. It has been a dream of mine to join the military for years, my grandfather being a LtCol. part of the Mighty 8th, dropping bombs on Germany, but, life got put on hold when my son was born and i needed a stable job to support my family and help with my son. It is rather discouraging when the recruiters dont even bat an eye at me. I have sent countless emails and tried calling and nothing. Just very discouraged, i cant pursue my dream because i cant get recruiters to talk to me. Any thoughts?
Madhatter43086@aol.com
use Enlistment Questions and subject.
I do appreciate y'alls time.

1st of all, you have to lose the extra weight. Your age is not the issue. Your family history is irrelevant. I'd study and retake the ASVAB and score way better than average. One more thing to note...they WILL run a credit check on you, so make sure you are not in collections, have any repo's, or behind on any payments. The Air Force traditionally is the hardest branch to get into, so keep that in mind and good luck!

[Bummed]

As noted above, weight is the problem. Lose the weight and retaking the ASVAB can't hurt. Then see a different recruiter.

Our local recruiter has PT a few times per week, exercising and timing the potentials (keeping himself fit at the same time). I don't know why one would not offer to let you join the group till you lose the weight.

Good luck.

[ART]

Did anyone tell you to lose the weight yet?

Start there and if AD wont talk to you, the reserve will. We are hurting for pipeliners, and mandays are there for the taking. In addition, seasoning training for 3-levels and rotations down range for a well qualified 5- level are always available.

Lose the weight and a recruiter will be happy to tell you what all that meant.

[FLAPS]

I am a 23 year old male, married with a 3 year old son and a baby girl on the way, i am 40 pounds over weight for my height, i have already taken the ASVAB made an average if not above average overall score, and the USAF recruiters will not give me the time of day.

If you want an Air Force career badly enough you can do what it takes to be marketable. Imagine yourself walking into a regular civilian company asking for a job, yet you admit to them that you aren't qualified for the job. If you were that employer, would you hire YOU?

In my squadron we have kicked people out of the Air Force for a) being too overweight and not being able to meet fitness standards, and b) losing their security clearance because of on-going financial problems. I'll admit I don't know your financial situation, but most new Airmen with children (especially w/more than one) are struggling to make ends meet.

Bottom line, as far as the recruiters are probably concerned you are too much of a liability to the Air Force, just like you would be to a civilian company that you didn't have the qualifications for...

[ramprat]

What have you been doing since you were 18 yrs old ?
Interviewing for a civilian job ,being obviously overweight is also a minus .

[tank1986]

I appreciate y'alls honesty, replies, and time. I am already currently dieting and hitting the gym everyday, have lost ten pounds, and as for the ASVAB i made an overall score of 90, im pretty sure that means that i am not stupid there Silver Fox. But hey, i appreciate it. Maybe i was just looking for some work-out buddies or running partners with others maybe in the DEP or something. Keep it all coming in y'all.
Thanks again.

[AF Chief]

Well keep in the gym. I think the weight is the factor keeping you out. If you really want it, you can lose the weight. You wouldn't want to come into the AF overweight, they would probably kick you out for the same reason and your time would be cut short.

[WillsPowers]

I hope you like salads, frutis and water because that's all your goning to be getting for a while if youre serious about enlisting.

Lose the weight and then go see another recruiter in another town.

[sigecaps]

Additionally, Powers meant to tell you tank1986 that you can blame your predicament on Jill Metzger.

[technomage1]

I hope you like salads, frutis and water because that's all your goning to be getting for a while if youre serious about enlisting.

Lose the weight and then go see another recruiter in another town.

Uh, this isn't a healthy diet. I'd recommend smaller portions, and healthier food, but you don't need to go to this extreme to lose weight (plus it isn't good for you or keeping the weight off for the long term).

[NFCstang]

Additionally, Powers meant to tell you tank1986 that you can blame your predicament on Jill Metzger.

I'm not going to lie...I LOL'd

[ChaplainC]

Sounds like you have gotten a lot of good advice here. I hope that you take these statements seriously.

I have to agree that the Army and Navy would take you more readily, but if you really want the AF then you have to start now be eating right, and working out. I recommend you get a pedometer (counts your steps). They are only about ten bucks at wal-mart. Then make sure you walk (or run) at least ten thousand steps per day, minimum, then on top of that find sixteen different lifting exercises that you can do, and do twelve reps of each per day at least three times per day. If you do not have a gym, then do things like sit-ups pull-ups jumping jacks, and so-forth. If you really want it then do not let anything get in your way.

[Combat correspondent]

Yeah, enlisting w/ kids can be waivered. They'll do a credit check and apply necessary waivers. Still, the weight is your problem. Why don't you lose the weight and then try.

I'd recommend getting your ass out and running like a maniac. Hitting the gym won't hurt either. We're not the AF of yesterday. If you're not in shape, you'll get a beat down in BMT. I was just there for another course and saw the Airmen out running in boots&uts, running to cadence while carrying guns and 'really' running - not this shuffle in place crap! Prepare yourself dog!

[Variable Wind]

Additionally, Powers meant to tell you tank1986 that you can blame your predicament on Jill Metzger.

Okay...that seriously is the funniest thing Ive read all day :D good one!

[ringjamesa]

As noted above, weight is the problem. Lose the weight and retaking the ASVAB can't hurt. Then see a different recruiter.

Our local recruiter has PT a few times per week, exercising and timing the potentials (keeping himself fit at the same time). I don't know why one would not offer to let you join the group till you lose the weight.

Good luck.

A) retaking the ASVAB can hurt-if he does worse, he can be disqualified
B) why would he need to see another recruiter? He isn't qualified. Once he is, the recruiter will be happy to help him.

[Variable Wind]

90 isnt a bad score by any means, its definitely above average (I think average is in the high 50's/low 60's)

Work on the weight. What is it that you want to do in the military?

[tank1986]

What i really want is tactical aircraft maintenance, and my mechanical portion was the highest score i had so im hoping that will get me in the door. which aircraft i dont really know. possibly the C-130.

[FLAPS]

What i really want is tactical aircraft maintenance, and my mechanical portion was the highest score i had so im hoping that will get me in the door. which aircraft i dont really know. possibly the C-130.

Perfect choice! I did that job for 11 years before doing ROTC. You should know though that the C-130 "crew chief" is under the "aerospace maintenance" career field, not tactical aircraft maintenance, which is fighters.

[tank1986]

thanks for that. i had no idea that was under the aerospace maintenance category. how was that job? how often did you get deployed to the sandbox?

[Gigglendorf]

90 isnt a bad score by any means, its definitely above average (I think average is in the high 50's/low 60's)

The USAF reports ASVAB scores as a Percentile.

This means that your score represents the percentage of the stastical normal population you outscored on the test.

49~50 is the stastical average score on a percentile score.

A 90 on a percentile is pretty impressive.

[axscntU8_Dpstv]

Hey Tank...

I wish you luck. I thought you might like to read this story for inspiration (http://www.militarytimes.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1576651).

[FLAPS]

thanks for that. i had no idea that was under the aerospace maintenance category. how was that job? how often did you get deployed to the sandbox?

Deployment frequency depends on where you are stationed, but on average you can expect at least once every 1.5 years or so for about four months at a time. Again, this is a very rough average.

[Variable Wind]

What i really want is tactical aircraft maintenance, and my mechanical portion was the highest score i had so im hoping that will get me in the door. which aircraft i dont really know. possibly the C-130.

You know you dont have to go Air Force for that job. I did it with Blackhawk Helicopters in the Army (the best helo aviators are Army anyway ;) ) Are you looking at all the services or just AF? Navy and Marines also have that job field and the Coast Guard has aviation jobs too.

Be nice to have a Coastie on the boards.

[Shrike]

You know you dont have to go Air Force for that job. I did it with Blackhawk Helicopters in the Army (the best helo aviators are Army anyway ;) ) Are you looking at all the services or just AF? Navy and Marines also have that job field and the Coast Guard has aviation jobs too.

Be nice to have a Coastie on the boards.

Didn't you get the memo? Coasties are referred to as "Guardians" now.

[Variable Wind]

Didn't you get the memo? Coasties are referred to as "Guardians" now.

Memos? What is that? Some kind of Air Force thing? ;)

[VFFSSGT]

Dude...your blunt reply is not very Air Forcey. In the future you must be careful of feelings and have a "Thanks for Trying" appreciation certificate ready to present. You should also mentor him in our "time out" procedures should he eventually make into basic training.

I really don't know how you made it this far...you big meanie.

ROFL... I am surprised the usual ones on here with the entitlement mindset are not defending the guy's "right" (that really doesn't exist) to join the AF or attacking & ridiculing those who tell him the straight truth on here... :rolleyes:

I actually seem to respect this guy's questions though... At least he is not screaming he feels entitled to enlist for XXX reason. To us it is common knowledge why he cannot get in but those on the outside such common knowledge is not always so common.

[Yggdrasil]

You know you dont have to go Air Force for that job. I did it with Blackhawk Helicopters in the Army (the best helo aviators are Army anyway ;) ) Are you looking at all the services or just AF? Navy and Marines also have that job field and the Coast Guard has aviation jobs too.

Be nice to have a Coastie on the boards.

The Coast Guard is the most difficult service to get into, even more difficult than the Air Force. Not sure about the entry physical fitness standards, but I do know that once he gets in, the Coast Guard doesn't have a PT test.

For body fat percentage, the Navy can take males up to 25%, under the understanding that they'll have to meet the 22% requirement upon completion of boot camp. Of course, if he wanted to become an AM or an AD in the Navy, he'd have to wait almost a year before he could ship out.

[Variable Wind]

Yeah, at times I wish I had gone with the Coasties. From what I understand, their basic training is no-joke.

[Deebelle369]

Dude...your blunt reply is not very Air Forcey. In the future you must be careful of feelings and have a "Thanks for Trying" appreciation certificate ready to present. You should also mentor him in our "time out" procedures should he eventually make into basic training.

I really don't know how you made it this far...you big meanie.

<snort> Thanks for the best laugh of the day so far!!!!
:D

[Yggdrasil]

Yeah, at times I wish I had gone with the Coasties. From what I understand, their basic training is no-joke.

I heard different. I hear that their CC's are about as ruthless as Marine Corps DI's, but the actual training itself is a different story. I'd actually like to take a road trip to Cape May to see for myself.

[Variable Wind]

I heard different. I hear that their CC's are about as ruthless as Marine Corps DI's, but the actual training itself is a different story. I'd actually like to take a road trip to Cape May to see for myself.

It may have softened. My Sister in Law was a coastie and Mother in Law was married to a Coastie base commander out in washington...those were decades ago though.