When a new recruit is enlisting into the military, the step after passing the medical exam is to visit with the guidance counselor at MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station). MEPS is where most of the processing for joining the military takes place, from taking the ASVAB to shipping off to Basic Training.
Chicken Hawks are exceptionally excited when a new recruit enlists into the military. It’s one more person that can go kill and die so the Chicken Hawk doesn’t have to.
My experience with the guidance counselor was a little confusing at first. I was 18 years old. I wasn’t experienced enough to know what exactly I was dealing with. However, I hope you can learn from my experience.
Make sure to check out the post, Five Things to Know Before Talking to an Army Recruiter.
Meeting the Guidance Counselor at MEPS at 18 Years Old
When I was signing up for the military, I did a lot of research on what jobs I could do. When I finally decided on the Army, I compiled a list of ten jobs.
With a great ASVAB score, a clean bill of health (except being a little fat), and no criminal record, I was cleared for almost any job I wanted in the Army.
Little did I know that wouldn’t matter.
I sat down with the guidance counselor. He looked at my list of jobs. Within 5 seconds, he told me that the only job that was available was Mechanized Infantry (MOS 11M).
Well, that was quick, I remember thinking.
How did he know that? Why didn’t he even bother to check on all of the jobs? I was pretty interested in Military Intelligence and Broadcast Journalism, but this guy didn’t care about what I wanted.
Guidance Counselors and Recruiting
Fast forward a few years and a deployment to Iraq later. I found myself being selected by the Department of the Army to be a recruiter. I didn’t want to do it. I’m not a salesman, nor do I care what people do with their lives. I joined to serve my time and then move on with my life.
Yet, there I was, walking into MEPS to check on my SA’s (Senior Alphas – Seniors in high school who scored well on the ASVAB – yes, you get a priority label depending on what you score on the test).
One of the guidance counselors at MEPS was talking to one of my future soldiers about MOS 19D – Cavalry Scout. This was extremely strange because I only ever discussed the Army Reserves with him. With the exception of the 100 Battalion, 442 Infantry, the Reserves doesn’t have any combat related units.
I was able to talk the future soldier before he signed anything. I inquired why he changed his mind. He didn’t. The guidance counselor was pushing it on him. He was signing up with his friend and they wanted to be in the Reserves together, so this big change was a bit of a shocker to me.
Money Money Money!!!
During my time in the United States Army Recruiting Command (USAREC), they introduced a Recruiter Incentive Program. It was to monetarily reward recruiters for putting soldiers into the Army.
Although I can’t find any updated information on the RIP on the web today, I did find a Recruiter Recall Program for fiscal year 2019 that has been discontinued. With this program, former recruiters could serve in an in-need recruiting station for ONE YEAR and receive a lump sum of $18,000, along with the recruiter special duty pay – an extra $375/month.
The Army does offer up to $40,000 as an enlistment bonus. If joining the military is about service, why is so much money needed to entice people to join?
When I was recruiting, there were civilian Army recruiters. There were a handful in the Columbus Recruiting Battalion. They were admired by Army Recruiters because of all the money they were making if they were putting in recruits.
Soldiers can refer friends. When I was recruiting, there were cash incentives to do so. Even retired military service members could receive up to $2,000.
Why do I throw all these numbers out there? Well…do you think the Guidance Counselors are the only ones in this whole chain that aren’t in on the money?
The Guidance Counselor at MEPS Mission
Ultimately, the mission of the guidance counselor at MEPS is to put you into the military. After you ship off, they most likely don’t care what happens to you, what you do, or where you go. I’ve never heard of any soldier going home after Basic Training and going to meet the guidance counselor.
They’re lucky because there is no cadence that goes, “My Guidance Counselor Lied to Me!” (there is a marching cadence that says recruiter, but not guidance counselor).
Plus, if the guidance counselor is given a monetary incentive to put you in a high-demand job, why should they care what you want?
So How Can You Navigate the Guidance Counselor at MEPS?
Stand. Your. Ground.
One future soldier that enlisted through the recruiting station I was stationed at stood his ground. He wanted one specific job in communications. I don’t know why. The job sounded boring! To each his own!
Yet, it was 5 (FIVE) trips to MEPS to talk to a guidance counselor before he enlisted. He wanted something specific, and that was what was important to him.
I could tell they were annoyed with him. I was actually really happy for him. He wasn’t letting what any of them said sway his decision on what he wanted. The ultimate goal of the recruiter and the guidance counselor is to get you to sign up and get you to ship as soon as possible.
Another Way
Another way you can work the guidance counselor is to consider not joining the military at all. Take a few days to sit and think about what exactly it means to join the military.
*Are you willing to kill and die for people who don’t even know you?
*Are you willing to kill people you don’t even know?
Take a look at The Hawk Bawk Manifesto. Give it some thought. Do some more research on the United States Government.
Support The Hawk Bawk
If you found “The Guidance Counselor at MEPS” helpful or useful, please consider your further support at The Coop!
Follow on Twitter: @TheHawkBawk
Like on Facebook: @TheHawkBawk
Subscribe on YouTube: The Hawk Bawk
Paypal Donation: @BLoafX