The Recruiter

As the perspective of military recruiters is crucial to this topic, I had my questions cleared for Army recruiters by Army Public Affairs. I was able to set up an interview with Sergeant First Class Chad Wasileski, an Army recruiter in the Athens, Ohio recruiting station. As Sgt. Wasileski and I scheduled our meeting over the phone, I thought of the stories I’d heard about recruiters. My younger brother claims that his Navy recruiter lied to him about his G.I. Bill eligibility. On the other hand, my older brother said in his interview (Feb. 28 post) that his Marine Corps recruiter was a “good guy,” with whom he stays in contact. He also said that typically, “recruiters have a stigma of being shady and trying to get you to join, regardless of what they say is the truth or not.” With conflicting stories and the promise that not all recruiters are “shady,” I anticipated this interview with Sgt. Wasileski, eager to meet and question a recruiter myself.

On Friday March 2, I made my way to the Army recruiting station for the interview. Inside the office, I felt out of place in my jeans and t-shirt, surrounded by men in camouflage. Sgt. Wasileski greeted me and showed me into the office of Staff Sergeant Douglas, a recruiter with three years of experience who remained present for my interview with Sgt. Wasileski.

In this interview, I wanted to find out what factors the Army believes impact a recruit’s decision to join. I wanted to know what recruiters initially say to people who show interest in joining. I also wanted to know what questions and concerns people considering the military typically raise to recruiters and I wanted to know how recruiters, specifically Sgt. Wasileski, answer.

Sergeant First Class Chad Wasileski
Sgt. Wasileski has been in the Army for 12 years, but has only been a recruiter for two months. Before being trained as a recruiter, Sgt. Wasileski was an M.O.S. Infantryman. He recently relocated to Athens and has only been recruiting here for 3 weeks.

Photo: Sgt. Wasileski at his desk in the Army recruiting office

“Not knowing the job well is the biggest challenge,” Sgt. Wasileski said of his new recruiter status. “It’s completely different than what I was doing before. As an infantryman, you’re focused on tactics, weapons, and capabilities.”

According to Sgt. Wasileski, recruiting is more of a sales and marketing type job, “I guess more of a business oriented occupation.”

In meeting with Sgt. Wasileski, I had access to a new perspective. As it is his job to interview candidates (as well as advocate) for the Army, I find his point of view interesting, but even more relevant. A summary of some key questions is as follows:


How do you recruit? What channels do you use? “A couple of different methods of locating people: telephone, e-mail, face to face. Really just getting out there.”

What is your initial “spiel?” “Usually when we’re talking it’s just like a friend or a relative trying to find out what they’re interested in. I’m not trying to turn a hard buck. I’m at a point where a promotion isn’t any kind of incentive. Nothing could hurt us more than someone who is not happy with their job. That’s a big deal.”

In your opinion, what do people want to get out of their time in the military? “That’s individually based, but generally a better quality of life, some kind of training or job skill, a steady job, benefits… it’s a package thing.” Staff Sgt. Douglas also commented, saying “usually it’s not just one thing but a combination. Each person is different.” Retirement, a family medical plan and college money are other incentives that influence people.

What reasons give recruits the most cause for hesitation before signing? What do they worry about? “It’s a hard concept to swallow. Before you join you can’t touch it, feel it, see it,” said Sgt. Wasileski. Staff Sgt. Douglas added that “people tell them, ‘oh you don’t want to do that,’ people who have never been in the Army and don’t know [what it’s like].” Staff Sgt. Douglas also cited the media as a factor affecting recruitment, saying “definitely media influence that [has] given us a bad name.”

What misconceptions do people have about the armed services? “17 to 30 year olds are a completely different generation than Vietnam, Korea and WWII. Some folks who know what it was like back then think that the Army will take anyone and that’s not true. Fewer than 3/10 people, [less than 30 percent of the population of the US] are morally, mentally, and physically fit for the Army.” The eligible age, under 42, is another misconception, as many servicemen and women join at a much younger age.

How many people call or come in wanting info every week? “How many people actually sign fluctuates. Based on the local economy, school and seasons.” The Athens office currently has approximately one person sign every week, with between 20 and 30 requesting information.

Have you noticed a diminishing number of interested recruits since the President’s announcement that more troops will be sent over to Iraq for an indefinite period of time? “No, as a matter of fact, I’m surprised. Most don’t talk about Iraq at all. I’ve only had one person ask about it. You’d think it’d be a huge question but it’s not."

What would you say to someone who asks if they’ll be sent over if they join? “‘Probably.’ We’ll break it down according to their job. If they’re a medic…” Sgt. Wasileski stopped. I had told him that my younger brother was in Navy school, studying to become a medic for Marines. “…I say ‘plan for the worst but hope for the best.’”


I had been called out. I was one of those uninformed citizens who thought that almost anyone could join the Army. The fact that less than 30 percent of the U.S. population is, as it was put, “morally, mentally, and physically fit for the Army” was a surprise and encouragement (I like knowing that my security is in the hands of those who are “morally, mentally, and physically” fit).

Sgt. Wasileski's comment on what gives potential recruits cause for hesitation was also interesting: “It’s a hard concept to swallow. Before you join you can’t touch it, feel it, see it.” Upon hearing this, I thought about some of the big decisions I’ve made in my life: where to attend college, where to live and which relationships to pursue. This inability to touch, feel, and see what the consequences of my choices will be has given me cause for seemingly endless deliberations that almost always end in exhaustion and no concrete decision, rather a less than half-assed secession to one side or the other. Changes in life, especially those made deliberately, can be daunting. According to Sgt. Wasileski, the decision to join the service and put one’s life on the line is indeed a “hard concept to swallow.”