Should I Become an Army Recruiter?
Army recruiters are motivated individuals who offer guidance to civilians interested in joining the U.S. Army. Their duties include visiting schools and career fairs, preparing recruits for aptitude and fitness tests, and performing interviews to determine eligibility. Travel may be required, as well as frequent face-to-face communication and other contact with prospective applicants and other Army personnel.
Career Requirements
| Degree Level | 30 credit hours of college is required |
| Degree Field | No degree field specified |
| Experience | At least four years of service in the U.S. Army |
| Key Skills | Strong verbal and written communication skills, knowledge of all aspects of the Army; database and query software, human resources software |
| Salary (2015) | $41,136 per year (Median salary for employment, recruitment, or placement specialists) |
Sources: U.S. Army, O*Net OnLine, Payscale.com (July 2015)
Step 1: Join the Army
To join the U.S. Army, individuals must be 17-35 years old, have a high school diploma and pass a physical exam. After enlisting, Army recruits attend Basic Combat Training (BCT) for ten weeks. BCT includes courses and drills in Army values, marksmanship, marching and physical conditioning. Upon passing basic training, recruits complete Advanced Individual Training, in which they receive instruction in their chosen career fields.
Step 2: Finish the Warrior Leader Course
Aspiring recruiters attend a Warrior Leader Course (WLC) at a Non-commissioned Officer Academy for 17 days. During the WLC, soldiers receive leadership, combat, and physical fitness training. The program includes courses in war-fighting, drills and ceremonies, navigation, and training management. Soldiers must pass a land navigation test, leadership evaluation, the Army Physical Fitness Test, and written exams to complete the course, according to the Association of the United States Army.
Step 3: Meet Recruiter Qualifications
Army recruiters are 21-35 years old, have completed 30 hours of college coursework and have at least three years of active service remaining after becoming a recruiter, according to the United States Army Recruiting Command. Recruiters must earn a minimum combined score of 110 on the verbal expression and arithmetic sections of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery. Only soldiers with the ranks of Specialist, Corporal, Sergeant, Staff Sergeant or Sergeant First Class can apply to become a recruiter. First-term soldiers (those within their first four years of service) and those with unsafe driving records, absences without leave, or credit problems are not eligible.
Step 4: Complete the Application
The recruiter application includes an interview worksheet as well as two interview and assessment forms: one to be completed by the applicant's battalion commander and the other to be completed by the company commander. Applicants must submit a photo ID, a form documenting personal finances, a list of preferred assignment locations, a WLC certificate and proof of a mental health evaluation. They also provide photographs and explanations of any potentially visible tattoos; offensive tattoos may disqualify someone. Completed application packets must be mailed to the Recruit the Recruiter Team in Fort Knox, KY. They can take 4-6 months to process.
Success Tip:
- Be flexible in assignment preferences. Individuals who are flexible about where they are willing to work might stand out from candidates who are set on their preferred assignment locations. The more places a candidate is willing to work, the more assignments the Army may have available to him or her.
Step 5: Attend Recruiter Training
Candidates who pass the application and background screening take the Army Recruiting Course (ARC) at the Recruiting and Retention School in Fort Jackson, SC. The ARC provides six weeks of instruction that covers interviewing, technology systems, interpersonal communication, Army programs, time management and enlistment requirements. Training ends after candidates complete the Advanced Training Program (ATP). The ATP is an online program that helps recruiters retain the skills they learned during the ARC while awaiting assignment.
Step 6: Continue Your Education
The U.S. Army has its own continuing education system for active duty members, and Army recruiters continue their training through the military throughout their careers. Additionally, Army recruiters have access to the Montgomery GI Bill, which enables them to continue their education with a college degree program fully or partially financed by the Army.
