20. How can I negotiate my contract? How do I get what I want? What about lying? What if I have problems with my recruiter? How do I get my recruiter recognition for a job well done?
Please visit the link below to get some tips on negotiating your contract:
I do get quite a few questions from wanna-be recruits who say they have done something in their past that they are not proud of and wondered how much to tell their recruiter or the doctor at MEPS. Obviously, if you have a police record, you have to disclose this. If your MOS has a security clearance, you had better be honest. If you have used drugs in the past, I would definitely let them know (if you are using drugs now, don't even bother to see a recruiter..get clean first). I think the Army sometimes even expects that people have experimented some, and they do offer some leeway in this (see Are You Qualified to Enter the Military). If you had previous surgery or a serious medical condition (and it's documented in your civilian medical records), you need to disclose it. If you have done something minor (not criminal) in the past, it's really up to you and your conscience on whether to reveal it or not. Try to be honest to the best of your ability. One thing to remember, if you lie now and are found out later (let's say to get a higher security clearance), you may get in more trouble for the lying rather than the actual thing you lied about! In basic training, there were a few soldiers I had to discharge because it was revealed during their security check (which is ongoing while you are in basic) that they had lied about something. I would then have to discharge them under a fraudulent enlistment.
If for some reason, you feel your recruiter is doing a poor job, there is nothing wrong with making an appointment with his superior. Let him/her know what is going on. Be specific about what your recruiter is or isn't doing. In those cases where your recruiter is really terrible, just go find another one at another station. Do this as soon as possible, rather than later also. On the other hand, if you have a stellar recruiter who has done an excellent job, there is nothing wrong with sending his superior a letter. Address it to the commander of that recruiting post (usually a Captain) and send it through the mail. Recruiters are under such pressure to recruit new soldiers (sometimes I personally even think unrealistic goals), that I think they really deserve "a pat on the back" for their efforts and "going the extra mile". Recruiting is not an easy job in itself and with the long hours, it takes a special kind of person to be successful.
