What a Prick!

[HeyCharlie]

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OMG, you can't make up this drama...

I declined my Army HPSP in favor of the Navy HPSP as this branch is a much better fit for me in terms of locations, traveling and career opportunities. Yesterday, when I told my Army recruiter I was choosing Navy, he became unexpectedly nasty and insisted on a decline letter. Fine, sour grapes, whatever. So after I emailed him the letter today, he called me requesting a copy of my Navy selection letter. When I questioned the legality and privacy issues of his unusual demand, he started blowing more smoke about his commanding officer requiring proof that I accepted another branch's scholarship and rules he needs to follow and et cetera.

Later his attitude worsened as he accused me of wasting his time and taxpayers' money. I responded by telling him that I am entitled to apply for the scholarship if I'm qualified which I am, and it was his job as a recruiter to process my application. He then flipped out yelling something like: "Don't tell me what is my job because I don't work for you!!! and yadda yadda yadda..." My ear started hurting and to avoid further discomfort, I just hung up the phone lol. WTH?

I can't believe this Army recruiter. I'm so glad I'm joining the Navy. Talk about being unprofessional and whining like a little beeyatch. Gees, it's like I was the first guy who ever turned down the scholarship from him. I hope the rest of the Army is not like this.

Also, I didn't include the part about this prick trying to intentionally delay my Navy application by removing certain documents from my completed MEPS physical (such as a vision prescription and a letter from my personal physician certifying a condition) when he sent a copy over to the Navy recruiter. Luckily I already kept a copy of that physician letter and my sister-in-law is an optometrist so she was able to fax in a script so my application could be submitted that day.

He also didn't realize I had an ace up sleeve: my Navy recruiter who is well connected and was able to pull a lot of strings to expedite the review of my app. The Army jerk was shocked when I called him on the day before his unreasonably short b.s. deadline to accept the Army HPSP and told him I scored the Navy HPSP. He didn't think I would hear from the Navy for another 2 weeks.

Funny thing is he played dirty yet I still beat him. I bet it was the first time he didn't win. And he lost to recruit! lol. Man, still smh.

 

[Bis-GMA111]

OMG, I can't make up this drama...

I declined my Army HPSP in favor of the Navy HPSP as this branch is a much better fit for me in terms of locations, traveling and career opportunities. Yesterday, when I told my Army recruiter I was choosing Navy, he became unexpectedly nasty and insisted on a decline letter. Fine, sour grapes, whatever. So after I emailed him the letter today, he called me requesting a copy of my Navy selection letter. When I questioned the legality and privacy issues of his unusual demand, he started blowing more smoke about his commanding officer requiring proof that I accepted another branch's scholarship and rules he needs to follow and et cetera.

Later his attitude worsened as he accused me of wasting his time and taxpayers' money. I responded by telling him that I am entitled to apply for the scholarship if I'm qualified which I am, and it was his job as a recruiter to process my application. He then flipped out yelling something like: "Don't tell me what is my job because I don't work for you!!! and yadda yadda yadda..." My ear started hurting and to avoid further discomfort, I just hung up the phone lol. WTH?

I can't believe this Army recruiter. I'm so glad I'm joining the Navy. Talk about being unprofessional and whining like a little beeyatch. Gees, it's like I was the first guy who ever turned down the scholarship from him. I hope the rest of the Army is not like this.

Also, I didn't include the part about this prick trying to intentionally delay my Navy application by removing certain documents from my completed MEPS physical (such as a vision prescription and a letter from my personal physician certifying a condition) when he sent a copy over to the Navy recruiter. Luckily I already kept a copy of that physician letter and my sister-in-law is an optometrist so she was able to fax in a script so my application could be submitted that day.

He also didn't realize I had an ace up sleeve: my Navy recruiter who is well connected and was able to pull a lot of strings to expedite the review of my app. The Army jerk was shocked when I called him on the day before his unreasonably short b.s. deadline to accept the Army HPSP and told him I scored the Navy HPSP. He didn't think I would hear from the Navy for another 2 weeks.

Funny thing is he played dirty yet I still beat him. I bet it was the first time he didn't win. And he lost to recruit! lol. Man, still smh.

good for you dude (not sarcastic). my army recruiter bailed on me without telling me she would be leaving and she lost all of my documents. my navy recruiter was also transferred but he at least had the courtesy to tell me so and he forwarded my documents to another recruiter.

not to mention, the navy was more on top of their game and would actively call me every other week. i respect all branches, but that was just extremely unprofessional of the army recruiting staff

 

[HeyCharlie]

Go Navy! Army can go bum their own rides!

 

[UBDent19]

My two bits: When I first inquired about HPSP, the Army recruiter called me back the same day. He was always very helpful and friendly. Anytime something went wrong, he handled it quickly and efficiently. On the other hand, the Navy never returned my three calls and two emails. I thought perhaps something was wrong with their communications but I did eventually receive a call from them almost a year later asking if I was still interested in HPSP (talk about being on the ball! haha)

I'm sure your experience had a lot more to do with the recruiter than the Army as a whole. Sorry to hear it worked out that way.

Congrats on the scholarship and good luck to you!

 

[hellopeople]

I actually had the opposite experience. My Army recruiter was very on top of things whereas my Navy recruiter essentially ignored me despite many attempts to contact him. I thought my stats were too low to be worth his time at first, but later I found out they were competitive. I assume it's all about what recruiter you get.

My Air Force recruiter was pretty cool too, but sadly I was too late to try for the four-year by the time I applied.

 

[hellopeople]

.

 

[HeyCharlie]

I should say that both Army and Navy recruiters were on top of things and communicated well with me throughout the process and were friendly too. I enjoyed working with both. However, as soon as I notified the Army a-hole of my Navy decision, he morphed into an aggressive, petty, obnoxious, belligerent, vindictive piece of donkey doo. What a lame turd. He just totally deflated any euphoria I briefly generated after learning of my Navy scholarship and acceptance to my top choice school which were on back to back days. What a buzz kill dude. Thanks a lot pal.

 

[UPac12]

I got the HPSP scholarship through the Army last month and my recruiter was awesome! I was applying with the Navy as well and had to withdraw my scholarship application with them and they were very courteous and professional. I had a great application experience with both branches and I imagine I would have a great professional experience with either.

Just make sure you don't judge the entire Army Dental Corps based off of one bad recruiter. Sorry it was a bad experience for you!

 

[yappy]

As a long as we're sharing stories...

When I was joining the military out of HS I was interested in the AF. They had hours to come in and take a practice written test called the ASVAB. Well, the AF office was out to lunch so I went next door to the navy. I asked about taking a practice ASVAB and as we were walking back to the 4 OPEN COMPUTERS I mentioned that in full disclosure I was planning on joining the AF but really appriciated him allowing me to take this practice ASVAB.

After hearing this he stopped dead in his tracks. "What did you say?". I told him again and his reponse was that I "need to get out, this office is for the f***ing navy, sorry".

My 17 y/o response was "Hey man, I thought you guys were all on the same team?".
He went ape **** lol.

MEPS and the recruitment process is nothing like the real military.

 

[Shadownght12]

Sorry to hear.
I would hate to be in a position of confrontation like that.
My army experience was completely different.
My recruiter was awesome, he was very organized, contacted me almost twice a week, called and emailed, got everything done as quick as he could.
He even gave up his lunch time one day so that he could file all the info. and get my application into the soonest board date.
We're pretty good buds now.

 

[HeyCharlie]

I was unlucky and got a bad rotten apple from the Army. I'm sure most of the Army is pretty cool.

On the other hand, the Navy dude is awesome. Very competent and a very cool guy who loves football. That's how we bonded.. from talking football. Best part was he went out of his way to pull strings while compromising his stature with higher ranked officers to expedite the handling of my app. Really took care of me. He told me he's one of the top recruiters in placement number and has a success rate of nearly 100% of submitted apps. Timing was perfect as this is his last app cycle of recruiting in this area and will move away next month. I am truly blessed to have landed him as my recruiter. Only because of him I am in the Navy.. I owe him. What a cool good guy.

 

[eric275]

Im prior Army, currently in the Navy. I had a similar situation with my Army recruiter. Being prior service and understanding the chain of command, I simply wrote a letter to his commanding officer explaining what had happened, poor reflection on the Army, etc. Also filed a complaint with the schools admissions office that helps coordinate the visits from the recruiters.

Got a personal phone call from his CO - happened to be an O5/LTC. Apologized for the incident and was very professional, even offered to let my wife visit with his wife if she had any questions about military life as a spouse, etc. regardless of which branch we chose. The recruiter was never seen at the school again and a new Army recruiter began working with prospective applicants.

 

[krmower]

Im prior Army, currently in the Navy. I had a similar situation with my Army recruiter. Being prior service and understanding the chain of command, I simply wrote a letter to his commanding officer explaining what had happened, poor reflection on the Army, etc. Also filed a complaint with the schools admissions office that helps coordinate the visits from the recruiters.

Got a personal phone call from his CO - happened to be an O5/LTC. Apologized for the incident and was very professional, even offered to let my wife visit with his wife if she had any questions about military life as a spouse, etc. regardless of which branch we chose. The recruiter was never seen at the school again and a new Army recruiter began working with prospective applicants.

I like that approach Eric. It never hurts to provide visibility to Command when their subordinates perform unprofessionally like that. Everyone should be held accountable for their actions. The Command can choose to act on it or not - but at least you would have had a chance to vent.