Bad, newbie recruiter - what do I do?

[hajin]

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I had an awesome Navy recruiter. Knowledgeable, proactive, always communicating with me... But he left the service just as I was finishing up my HPSP application packet. The new guy they have in replacing him seems like an ok guy, but he doesn't really know what he's doing and what's worse is that instead of just saying "I don't know" or "I'll get back to you" he PRETENDS he knows the answers to my questions. I don't know if that's some weird "cover your ass" habit he's learned from the military, but I have to fact check him on everything.

I've tried to be as nice and diplomatic as possible, but after I (as gently and indirectly as humanly possible) pointed out he was wrong on one point I feel like he doesn't like me very much. He sounds annoyed when I call, doesn't really answer emails..

I'm starting to worry. The other guy was in my corner. This guy seems to not care much plus I think his lack of familiarity with the system is slowing down my application and hurting my chances. For something less important than this I would just be patient and deal with it, but with half a million dollars on the line I don't have a ton of compassion for dealing with the the bruised ego of some new guy who doesn't seem all that motivated to figure things out.

Anyway, sorry for the rant... My packet is basically done and submitted - I think ??? - but I'm not getting much in the way of feedback. Still, it's gotten to this weird, unhealthy, uncommunicative point where like... I want to call for updates, but I also DON'T want to call because I think him hearing from me again is just gonna annoy him more.

Is there anything I can do this late in the game? Should I just wait, stay under the radar, and hope for the best?

 

[HighPriest]

Likely he isn't communicative because your packet is submitted, and therefore his job is done. Recruiters are like used care salesmen - once you've bought the lemon, they'd be happier if you just disappeared. You could ask to speak to a different recruiter, or call the HPSP office, although they're likely to tell you to be patient.

 

[d2305]

The only company commander is the enlisted member in charge of a boot camp company. Try division officer, dept head, or officer in charge.

 

[HighPriest]

by the way, get used to this kind of inefficiency and lack of attention to detail. It is basically the mortar that holds the bloated, sloven behemoth that is the military together.

 

[pgg]

It's good practice for when you're on active duty, and you can't count on other people to handle your admin needs properly, even though it's their job. 🙂

Sometimes you get lucky and have great support staff. Other times ... you just have to take care of yourself .

 

[jabreal00]

I had an awesome Navy recruiter. Knowledgeable, proactive, always communicating with me... But he left the service just as I was finishing up my HPSP application packet. The new guy they have in replacing him seems like an ok guy, but he doesn't really know what he's doing and what's worse is that instead of just saying "I don't know" or "I'll get back to you" he PRETENDS he knows the answers to my questions. I don't know if that's some weird "cover your ass" habit he's learned from the military, but I have to fact check him on everything.

I've tried to be as nice and diplomatic as possible, but after I (as gently and indirectly as humanly possible) pointed out he was wrong on one point I feel like he doesn't like me very much. He sounds annoyed when I call, doesn't really answer emails..

I'm starting to worry. The other guy was in my corner. This guy seems to not care much plus I think his lack of familiarity with the system is slowing down my application and hurting my chances. For something less important than this I would just be patient and deal with it, but with half a million dollars on the line I don't have a ton of compassion for dealing with the the bruised ego of some new guy who doesn't seem all that motivated to figure things out.

Anyway, sorry for the rant... My packet is basically done and submitted - I think ??? - but I'm not getting much in the way of feedback. Still, it's gotten to this weird, unhealthy, uncommunicative point where like... I want to call for updates, but I also DON'T want to call because I think him hearing from me again is just gonna annoy him more.

Is there anything I can do this late in the game? Should I just wait, stay under the radar, and hope for the best?

Sorry to hear that. My recruiter was awesome. Super engaged even after I got the scholarship. He helped me get my ID card and uniforms prior to going to officer basic. The toughest part is done for you now that your packet is in. Even if engaged, there's not much your recruiter can do for you apart for some hand-holding. If you get the scholarship, you may want to ask some students at your school who already have the scholarship how to navigate some of the bureaucracy of being in HPSP.

 

[DerBen]

I had a similar issue four years ago with a new AF recruiter, I started talking to a Navy service recruiter, he was great and got my packet in and got me accepted. I told the AF recruiter I was engaging in the process with the Navy, and that caused him to step up as well and I was able to choose which offer to accept. Wound up costing me a semesters worth of headache and student loans, but I realized I would be happier in the Navy, and it wound up being a positive.