Mentor Interview

     For this project I will be interviewing a number of people about how the military works, today I will be interviewing my mother...

What are the different branches of the military?  The different branches of the military are: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard. 

What do each consist of as far as special forces?  Each branch has lots of special forces but these are the most commonly known. The Army has The Army Rangers and Green Beret, The Navy has the Navy seals, The Air Force has The Special Operations Wing, The Marines have The RECON, The Coast Guard has The Security Response Team. 

When I talk to the military recruiters I will be asking questions about all the special units of each branch; what makes them unique and what the requirements are to join each group.

How would you suggest I contact a military recruiter?  There are a number of different ways you can contact a military recruiter. You can phone each division personally and set up an interview, you can go through the school that you are attending if they have a military recruiting link, you can go to a recruiting office, one of the important things that they will recommend is that you have a parent present if you are under 18. 

I am going to go to the recruiting offices when I talk to the recruiter. 

What are some questions I can ask a recruiter?  

General Questions

•    How is your Service branch different from the others?

•    What is the recruiting process like from beginning to end?

•    Why should I join the (Service)?

•    Do you have any special incentives to join?

•    What's the Delayed Enlistment Program?

Basic Training

•    What really goes on in Basic Training?

•    What's the balance of classroom and physical training?

•    What kind of condition do you have to be in at the start?

•    What are the physical standards candidates have to meet?

•    What are training and drill instructors like today?

•    What percent of people who start Basic Training complete it?

•    Can two friends go through Basic Training at the same time?

•    Do women receive "military haircuts" too?

The First Term

•    How long does the first term last? Do you have programs of different lengths?

•    Can an entrant choose the military job he or she wants? How is the job assignment made?

•    Can you describe a couple of jobs?

•    Can a trainee choose to serve overseas?

•    How much does a new recruit get paid, and what are the benefits?

•    How often are service members promoted?

Education

•    What kind of training comes after Basic Training?

•    How good are your military job-training schools?

•    What are all the ways a service member can earn college credits during enlistment?

•    What are your tuition support programs? How does an entrant qualify for them?

What do the parents have to do in order for me to be able to talk to a recruiter?  The parents need their education, not only do they go with the child to the recruiting offices, so they are as informed as the child, they should also do there own research on the branches so they know what to expect. Here are some common questions that parents might have:

• How long will my child’s first term last? Do you have programs of different lengths?
• How much will my child get paid, and what are the benefits?
• Can my child marry and have a family while serving?
• How often will I see my child? Where will he or she primarily be working?
• Will my child still be able to begin or complete his or her college degree?

Any questions??? comment below.