Got DA select for recruiting...?

Question

I came down on recruiting orders. Currently, I'm stationed in Lewis (infantry). ASK says that I'm reporting to knox (after jackson, obviously) Jan 18.

That's fine. NCO's gotta do the special duty.

But my wife is locked into WA with two kids (not my biological kids) and is sharing joint custody. Also, she's almost 3 months pregnant with our kid. Her family and complete support channel is here. She's not leaving WA.

And there's no way my pay will cover both of our living expenses.

So is it possible to get my orders changed to somewhere in WA? Or swap with someone at a different station? If so... how?

Answer 1

You are not going to Fort Knox.

Your orders say Fort Knox, because that is where USAREC headquarters are.  You will find out where you are actually going during recruiter school.  Make sure that all of your DEERs, EFMP, etc. stuff is up to date.

USAREC will work with you a little bit (not much, but a little bit) on assignments.  For example, if your spouse is EFMP, you must be stationed somewhere that she can receive care.  Explain your situation to the assignments folks, it may help influence the decision.

Unfortunately, I have to tell you to consider the Dec statement.  Recruiting is very hard.  You will not have a lot of time with your family.  Your career depends on the whims of 17 year olds.  You get cussed out to your face.  You will be accused of being a bad NCO and not living up to the Army Values just because some kid decided that he wants to work on airplanes instead of helicopters.  You may end up working 12 hours a day, 12 days in a row.

Make sure that your wife understands that you will be working long hours, and make have to work odd hours.  Your cell phone can ring at any time, and you'd better jump.  Your wife must be self-sufficient, and not the jealous type.  Jealous wives become bitter ex-wives in Recruiting Command.

When you are at recruiter school, if they call you aside to ask about a health issue, a bankruptcy, past UCMJ, etc; do not oversell yourself.  If you have sleep apnea, do not say that you're fine and have no problems, unless it is completely true.  If you are having financial problems, be honest.  The last thing you want is to find yourself on recruiting duty, with the same problems, and no time to deal with them.

Recruiting is 36 one month deployments, back to back to back.

Recruiting can also be very rewarding.. Some folks join the Army for the very best reasons, higly qualified and highly motivated.  That helps make it worthwhile.

Good Luck

Answer 2

Start calling station commanders in your area.  If they need recruiters bad enough in their region, they may be able to pull some strings.

Answer 3

What SFC M said is true with the exception of all wife’s except the really, really strong will become bitter ex-wives.  She will feel like a single married mom Seriously!!!  It is beyond rough (and I used to be active duty), do not have her move with you unless you have family support were (I mean within 5 miles) of were you are going.  They honestly need to make recruiting either an unaccompanied tour or a tour only at your or your spouses home of record.  Let them know of finances.  If you do not you will end up worse off than us.  I lost 4000 so that they could send us to a place were getting federal-heck sustainable, employment was harder than winning the powerball.  Right now I am sitting here spinning my wheels with 5+ years USMC and an honorable discharge with Vets preference.  Which in these sticks means squat you would have thought a good SNCO would have looked at that when placing us somewhere!!  Employers here pay minimum wage for masters degrees-oh yes and day care is 20 more per day and only open weekdays.  Send up the flags now!!!!!!!!!!!!!