1) THE CONTRACT - I would encourage anyone to read any contract in full, prior to signing it. The DD Form 4 is available on-line from many sources or from any military recruiting office. If an Army recruiter in this area refuses to provide a copy to you or direct you to where you can get a copy, notify me at (408) 842-0349.

2) NO PROMISES & CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE – The military is not a civilian organization. There are occasions of national emergency that require changes. I cannot think of an instance, however, for the Army to just arbitrarily change an individual’s enlistment contract. My pay goes up every year, though, and no one checks with me first.

3) 8 YEARS – Yes, enlistment in the US military incurs an 8 year military service obligation. It can be served on active duty, in the Army Reserve, National Guard, or Individual Ready Reserve (IRR). The IRR is a non-pay, non-drilling status in which you can be recalled to active duty. Has it happened? Yes. Does it happen often? No. Since the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom, about 6,000 IRR Soldiers in critical specialties have been recalled to active duty. When you compare that number of Soldiers who have been honorably discharged over the last 8 years and are not currently in the Guard or Reserve, it’s a pretty small percentage.

4) COMBAT – Every cook, MP, clerk, etc., is a Soldier. Being a Soldier in the United States Army means that anyone, in any specialty, could encounter a hostile force. Do cooks or clerks routinely breach and clear the objective? No. Would any commander want Soldiers who do not usually train for infantry operations conduct them? No. Have cooks, MPs, and truck drivers responded with honor and bravery when called upon? Yes, absolutely. It’s all part of being a Soldier. Some police officers go 20 years without unholstering their weapon. Some have to use it more than once. It’s part of being a police officer. You could apply the same to being a Soldier.

5) TRAVEL – There are thousands of jobs and employers around the US. Many are in remote and unpleasant locations, as well. As a Soldier, I’ve been to some places that I certainly wouldn’t take the family on vacation. I have also been skiing in the Alps, lounged in the Canary Islands, snorkled in Hawaii, climbed the Eifel Tower, etc. All due to duty locations or travel benefits that Soldiers have. Commanders do sometimes place locations around bases off-limits. It is a process that has to go through the chain of command and be approved. Often, they are places like unscrupulous pawn shops, pay-day lenders, or clubs where there is known illegal activity. This is done to protect Soldiers, not punish them. As far as complaints, you can always find someone that will complain. I’ve done my share of complaining about things, before and after joining the Army. I’ve been a Private, Sergeant, and now a Captain. There are positives and negatives to every profession.

6) COLLEGE MONEY – It is true, if enrolled in the Montgomery GI Bill and Army College Fund (ACF), you can get up to $70,000 in return for college. New Soldiers do contribute $100 a month for the first 12 months. That’s a pretty good rate of return as far as I’m concerned. The Montgomery GI Bill is offered to every Soldier when they enlist. To qualify for the Army College Fund, you must score a 50 (out of 100) on the Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery. That’s it. It’s not the SAT/ACT/GRE and it’s certainly not rocket science. There are also some occasions when individuals scoring lower than a 50 are offered the Army College Fund. And yes, people that are separated from the Army for misconduct do not always retain their GI Bill/ACF. As commander of a logistics company, I initiated separation on a few individuals for illegal drug use. They did not get to keep their Army College Fund. (Lesson to be learned here: if you have to smoke dope, the Army is not the place for you). I know the GI Bill/ACF works. I used it to pay for my college degree while on active duty. Is there other financial aid available? Absolutely. Does it come with a job that provides a paycheck that you can live on at the same time? Rarely. I won’t even address the statement about working at McDonald’s as the pathway to education and financial security.

I think I’ve said enough. Mr. Fitch makes a point that I agree with entirely. MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION. Get the facts. They don’t just come from the Army or from RCNV (or SAW or CAN or whoever). There are counter-recruitment organizations out there that spin data and statistics to justify their own agenda- just as they accuse the military of doing. Talk to family, friends, vets, community leaders, get on the internet, etc. Consider opinions from others outside your community. All military services have pros and cons, just like any other profession. There are risks and rewards in any job. Consider the fact that there are normal and unusual circumstances. One can make a positive or negative example out of just about anything that happens as part of life. The military can offer many opportunities to achieve goals and make a difference in the world while you’re at it. Is it for everyone? No.
One thing I would like to add- Army recruiters are not “salespeople�, they are Soldiers. Most of the Soldiers assigned to my company are not career recruiters- they are cooks, cavalry scouts, mechanics, infantrymen, supply clerks, etc. They are outstanding Soldiers, which is why the Army chose them to represent the Army in this community. Once again, if you have any issues with an Army recruiter in this area, please contact me at (408) 842-0349.