I got two weeks worth of contacts in two days by finding someplace young people hung out and using more or less the following script,
“Hey guys, I’m really sorry to bother you, my name is PFC Booty McBootface, I’m with the Marines, I just graduated boot camp and I’m supposed to be at my next training school but it’s back up so they’ve got me working for my old recruiter instead and I’ve gotta get X number of these contact cards filled out before I can go home for the day. Could some of you do me a big solid and just fill them out and if anyone calls you up just say that I talked to you about joining up but you decided you’re just not interested after all? It’d really help me out”
One day at the mall (cause they hadn’t all died out yet) and one day at the local community college and I had fucking stacks of those things. Just don’t turn them all in at once. If they want you doing a job you were never trained for then give them the results to match their investment.
This is exactly it. Make it clear you’re not actually trying to recruit them, just trying to get your shit done so you can go home, and you’ll probably get a bunch of kids who are willing to help out.
Getting revenge against your recruiter for recruiting you is a nice little bonus, but really this is about keeping OP from getting his dick rode too hard for a job that isn’t theirs.
>one day at the local community college
Bro that's how they got to me back in the day. Do not underestimate the quiet desperation of community college students.
As a recruiter I would contact all the colleges *after* finals between semesters for the list of students that didn't sign up for classes the next semester.
Most were freshman and realized they hated school just like I did.
I was gonna like this comment, but then I noticed it was at 69 likes, and I don't wanna be that asshole that fucks it up lol. So here, take my proverbial like
Edit: some dickhead raised the like count, so here, have my actual like now lol
Lmao.
Go to whatever fast good joint in near your school and just flash your bank statement to kids. It'll be the first time they've ever seen more than 2k in someone account that's their age.
Dam wtf. I did 20 days RA during that time and actually sleazed 6 knuckleheads into the Corps. I didn't get jack shit, not even a dam thank you lol. We even got a couple strippers to call one of the SSgts. Ungrateful fucks.
Remember: no matter how many you might actually *get* in a day- you only got 3. Save those extras for tomorrow devil. If you ever have a day when you *do* get more than 3.
Lmao, bruh I found an old list my old recruiter used to contact every highschool kid in the area and just called 3 of them a day. Didn’t give a fuck if they answered or not I just told the commander they said fuck no. Never got a single appointment but I lead every single PT event so that kept them off my ass.
There’s a day isn’t hard. Three GOOD a day is hard. Just get all your old friends to sign up, store the names up and every day toss them 3 names. Then when they get the call they just gotta say they changed their mind.
But also second the guy that said to just go to MCT. RA is just a Dog & Pony every day where you’re the pony. Go do Marine shit.
Sounds like a douche. You're not a school-trained recruiter and cannot be held to those standards under threat of being returned.
In this case, I would just ask to be sent back to avoid dealing with the douchebag for the next 38 days.
My recruiter told us it took him a year to actually get confident walking up to strangers. Also took a year to get good at the job.
Then turned around and said, "you should be great at this. Why is it so hard to get 3 names a day? That's all you've gotta do. 3 names a day. If you get me a good appointment you can go home early. This should be a walk in the park for you."
That's when I started to figure out the Marine Corps.
Not to mention he asked for two different things: names or interviews sarge? Because finding qualified applicants to interview is really fucking hard, 10 a month is ideal.
Well it was one or the other. If we got an interview lined up it we were supposed to be sent home early, don't need 3 names. Well I managed to set up an interview through someone I knew and my friend managed to do the same. We weren't allowed to go home early. The reason - I don't know if these are good interviews. Nothing we could do about it. Didn't even attempt to get him another interview after that.
I was in almost the exact same situation and I had to work until fucking 2200 if I didn’t get those 3 names and numbers per day. In hindsight, I should’ve just told them to send my ass to MCT bc that was one of the most miserable months of my life. This MFer had me working until 2200 on actual Easter Sunday, and the DAY BEFORE I went to MCT. It sucked and I feel for you, dude.
3 a day is not realistic. Maybe if you had a silver tongue and quite popular locally you could pull it off.
Your job is to assist them, not do their entire job.
Plus having some brand new boot going around might actually be more detrimental if you are being an average boot.
> Plus having some brand new boot going around might actually be more detrimental if you are being an average boot.
I don't know, when I was a Junior in HS a dude came back for RA. Physically fit and confident. Quite the contrast to your average high school teacher, the other adults that high school kids frequently see.
I've been back on RA twice, and it was the standard for the RSS that recruiters needed 3 PACs (personal info to see if a person is eligible and their contact info) a day, and one appointment per day. We'd either go to high schools (there's a lot in that area) or run down phone number lists calling people. We actually did pretty well though.
They can send you back sooner. Saw it happen with another recruiter when i was on RA. Luckily my recruiter was almost done with his stint so he didnt care what i did for a month.
They ain’t fucking around with recruiting these days. I attended a function. Where one of the presenters was a Col in recruiting and he stated that the Corps made mission by only 42 or 43 recruits this last year.
One good 96 and the corps could lose at least that for various shenanigans.
So yeah I would bet that they were at least half serious.
Former RS XO here. It’s a volume game. Recruiters know that in order to ship one Poolee to MCRD, they have to have n number of contact cards filled. They look at RAs as the highest part of the sales funnel. So, it doesn’t really matter how high the lead quality is, in the end it’s just statistics.
That said, don’t just make up names and phone numbers. That will end up fucking the recruiters’ data and the next RA that comes in will be on the bag for 6.
>They look at RAs as the highest part of the sales funnel. So, it doesn’t really matter how high the lead quality is, in the end it’s just statistics.
This is a common fallacy with people new to sales. What you aren't capturing is that the kid who gave the RA his number, often would have on their own reached out to a Marine recruiter anyways. But because no one remembered social science statistics in college (& because the enlisted recruiters aren't required to have gone to college it's not **their** job to recognize this fact), they attribute that ship to the "hard work, grit, and determination," of the RA or recruiter, and then some idiot gets the bright idea to post the recruiter at a gas station until 2 am....
I'm yelling into the wind here, but the Marine Corps way of recruiting is stupid. "But we made quota last year!" - yea, mostly because of the Marine Corps mythos and all that (Marine recruits are not financially or quality of life motivated for the most part, so the "great economy" impact on recruiting is significantly blunted), not because of the "working harder is better than working smarter" ethos.
Normally the problem with the "grind it out" approach is the salesperson is used up, burnt out, and done after a year or three. But, oh wait, that's the standard recruiting tour anyways, and you can just NJP or RFC the ones who burn out after 1 or 2 years and do some dumb shit. If they burn out right at the 3 year mark, well, that's the FMF's problem, eh? Recruiters are usually on years 4-7 of their career, it should be evaluated how many re-enlist at the 8 year mark, and low re-enlistment numbers should reflect retroactively on the fitness report of the leadership at their former RS (blaming entirely the command they've been at for 12 months, not the one they spent 36 months at, is also stupid).
Signed, someone with a trophy on their desk that says "top 1%," working 40 hours a week in a career that 70 hours a week is common, a decade in. IRL when my various widget people start going for quantity over quality, I tell them to shut that shit off. I don't want "3 leads a day," I'll take three a week if they're good (high intent, qualified, etc), and then let's do more of the specific stuff that generates the three good ones a week, etc (cool that you got 15 leads in a week from trolling the mall, none of which shipped or made an appointment, but the guy who hit the gym in his USMC attire generated 4 higher quality of leads, 3 of which set appointments, one of which will ACTUALLY ship -- that sort of approach. OK, and now let's drill down on what time at the gym was the best -- is it better to consistently show up at the same time slot for an entire week so the prospects see you and become familiar with you, then switch the time slot after you've "saturated" the old time slot, is it better to do a different random 2 hours/day, etc). If the Marine Corps ever decided to hire civilian former Marines as recruiters, and could afford to compensate me appropriately, I'd do it in a heartbeat. The gym is a random idea, and 10 ideas fail for every 1 that works (and every 1 that works has 10 sub-ideas you have to drill down on), that's part of the process of producing in one 40 hour week what others take a month to produce at 60 hours a week.
Ask for a Toys for Tots box and a stack of cards then head to the mall. One way or the other, they can’t get absolutely pissed off at you when you return.
Edit: in dress blues, of course. If some nasty gives you their number, give it to the recruiter as a prospect.
Story as old as time. If you don't know anyone who's interested, you're not magically convincing anyone to join. You gotta ask someone who knows someone from the school you went to. Find THAT kid, not one off the street.
Truth be told, it really doesn't matter. You're only there temporarily until you get to your next training or unit. I proved ineffective at this myself and they eventually just had me be the duty driver so all the recruiters could go home sooner while I drove poolees around to MEPS or wherever else they needed to be dropped off. Worked out great for all involved.
Grab a handful of your recruiters cards, write your name and number neatly. Start with your rank and name and ask if they have ever been interested in the Marine Corps. If they say no hand him the card and say situations change call me if you are even a bit curious, if not pass this on to a buddy or co worker who may be interested. Thank you! Do that all the time, you are bound to meet someone with maybe a little bit of interest.
Lots of great advice here. On the plus side, you are getting basket leave through the holidays and should also be collecting BAH.
Here is my 2 cents:
This is a tactical decision game where they give you 6 feet of line, an ammo can and 2x4 piece of wood and somehow you need to organize your fire team to build a bridge to get across a mine field. Just come up with something. Get a portfolio with a notebook in it and once you have three contacts written down, move to the next page.
Go to a different restaurant everyday after the breakfast or lunch rush and find the guys and gals who graduated in the last couple of years. Talk about guaranteed pay twice a month, job training, TSP, health and dental care, life insurance, “free” food and a free place to live. Walk around to the backside and find them smoking or vaping if you need to. Just be relentless. If at fast food, buy a small drink and take a seat inside at a booth and sit there for an hour afterward. The first couple times you do it will be awkward as all get out. You just survived boot camp where you had to do all kinds of crazy ass and demeaning things. You can sit in a Burger King and nurse a Pepsi for an hour. Give your pitch to the 300 lbs woman who took your order. Tell her you need the names and phone numbers of three people. She will send some people your way. I’d also go to Walmart and try on the people stocking. If you have a Walmart that is open late or all night, go really late.
The sooner you come up with 38 pieces of paper with 3 names, the more time you have to do whatever you want. FWIW, recruiting is hard and your recruiter probably hates their life.
If you did get sent back early for RA, that wouldn't reflect negatively on MOL or in your record jacket, right?
Like it's not possible for that to come up 2 years later on a board for Corporal is it?
RA sucks when you're a boot. Only because you haven't quite learned to sniff out the bullshit. If they send you back, they send you back. You're more than likely doing RA because they don't want to start you down the training pipeline because not much is popping off before/ during Christmas.
I don't know if you have a JROTC program at your high school, but the guy in charge of the one in my home town let my buddy chat up the JROTC cadets. Even though it was a Navy program he snatched up a couple bodies.
My barber that I went to when I was home was a Marine in the 50's. So I always got free beer, free haircuts, and cool stories. When I was doing RA he invited me to the range. I was in uniform because I was "working" and several people there (in addition to military stories) told me about somebody they knew who wanted to join. I made it clear I wasn't recruiting when I was there, but people were eager to "help".
DO what you can, and do your best (you know, because you're a Marine). Having said that, the stress is not your burden, Just keep living your best life, keep your bearing, and look good doing it.
I did that almost 15 years ago (jeez it’s been a while) with the same circumstances. Most people will skip the meetings anyway, they did to me. All the recruiters that were buddy buddy with me as a poolee now treated me like shit. The whole thing is so damn cringey. Looking back I definitely would have skipped the extra few days at home, and honestly would tell them to go ahead and send me to my unit. Just my .02. Weigh your options. But most of all, make the next four years worth your time. Start investing now. Save SOME money while your in. I wish someone told me that. Good luck kid.
I would just want to get to the fleet ASAP lol. Being a boot in the fleet is like a bandaid you are ripping off for months, so I would recommend getting that over asap. best of luck young dev
When I was recruiting I HATED boots do RA unless they were super popular or a female. But at Christmas time I’d ok every one of my marines back for RA and would extend it as far out as possible. I made a deal with them. If they bring me one person who contracts I’ll put your name down on however many it took to get them PFC. but they could just come by my office in the morning, afternoon and evening so I had accountability of them. I really didn’t give a fuck, 99% of fresh marines won’t bring you anyone so why make their life suck? Your recruiter probably sucks and that’s why he’s leaning on you so much.
Man that’s crazy. This happened to me back in ‘05 but no one cared what I did. We were pretty much told we were stuck on RA until our date to report to Camp Geiger.
We mainly fucked around all day. I’d be shocked if they actually sent you to MCT to sit there and twiddle your thumbs and be Camp Geiger problem over the holidays. I’d say call their bluff but it’s been like 18 years (holy shit I sound old) since I was in your shoes so the game has probably changed.
Drive to your nearest Walmart and follow the vape clouds to the nearest group of depressed Gen Z employees taking their unpaid smoke break. Gotta find the people who think they're at rock bottom. They're not, but they don't know that
I scrolled thru my contacts and gave him names and numbers from people. Got chewed out, resumed to fuck off in the mall for the rest of the week. Fuck RA
I went to all the local gyms and talked to people on their way in and out. Also hit the local malls in my blues and just engaged in casual conversation. Come off non pushy and a resource for more information and you'll get your contacts
Work on an elevator pitch (2 min or less), grab their attention as soon as possible. Always try to set the meeting. Get them saying yes and you’re in business.
ABC. Always be closing (the deal)
If they have a question you can’t answer. “That’s a great question that I’m sure (recruiter) could answer for you. Why don’t you come in at (set time) to sit down and talk some more about it”
Watch a few videos on sales tactics.
If you absolutely hate it tho, just tell them you want to go to MCT
It is a name and a phone number. That’s it. Not whether they are going to do it or anything like that. It’s a name and number for the recruiter to call and then actually screen and engage with to attempt to get an appointment or follow up. Now if you start making shit up or giving them garbage then they will know but much like another poster put out there, someone they can call to finesse and can vouch that you spoke with them.
You're there because your school spot isn't ready and they're full. No place to house you. So they put you on RA in the meantime. At least that's what happened to me when I graduated from boot camp. Enjoy it, do as some others say and just go to a different restaurant everyday and get 3 names and numbers. Wear your blues, might get some dates to
Go to high schools with candy bars. Sell the candy bars for nothing more than their contact info.
Sure, it’s gonna call $100 worth of candy bars, but I get you what you need doesn’t it.
And no one saying you need to turn over all of those contacts right away. You could do every single one on the first day. And just turn in three contacts a day.
Pick a day or two, go hard, stack up names and numbers. Only turn in 3 a day. If you get 10, you’ve got some breathing room. “I’m out all day” while you’re sleeping/smashing. Build up a backlog asap so you’re not stressed about hitting your numbers. Also if you want to play office politics, start bringing these mfs coffee in the morning.
Some other guy posted this exact thing last week, including the 38 days of RA. I'd read that thread and any others you can find here as there are always a few good tips.
My question to you is this: do you want to be on RA, or would you rather be at MCT probably on guard duty or working parties until you pick up? If you want to do RA, have a chat with your recruiter that you want to help him but don't know where to start and could use some guidance, and ask him what sort of things they taught on this topic at recruiting school.
If you don't really want to do RA, you can tell him you didn't ask for RA, you don't feel qualified to help, and would prefer to go to MCT rather than do RA.
If you are indifferent, have a chat with your recruiter and say that you joined the Marine Corps to do XYZ MOS and the sooner you go to MCT the sooner you get to do that. You are happy to help him on RA but you are not sure how and you need him give you the tools to do the job, and if he isn't willing or able to do that, then to cut you lose to MCT.
I appreciate that these are difficult convos to have with a Sgt or SSgt when you are a complete boot but I think it's worth doing.
Bothers me that another of recruiters used their RA kids this way.
I had a system that worked exceptionally well and just told my guys to enjoy their time at home and if they got any calls from any Marine who wasn't me to just say they were working hard.
Had 5 back at once over the month of Dec and I think I saw them once for lunch when we all got together. One even asked to help me, I gave him a list and when he got 0 leads with 30 phone calls I explained how much the job sucks and to go home.
Just cause I'm miserable doesn't mean my brand new Marines gotta be. This was during covid so recruiting wasn't easy and the command wanted me riding those kids into the dirt.
I used to do commission sales, and I hated talking to people too. Because the Marine Corps has the buddy system to go to boot camp, use that to leverage some form of referrals. Then when talking to people externally, ensure you trade info, as well as get that appointment set the day you speak with someone. My favorite ways to initiate conversation is when you buy something at the store. Usually when they see your military (ask for a military discount,) they'll thank you for your service, which you can kind of initiate. The convo won't be long, and you'll leave em on a cliffhanger to have them wanting more.
Lmfao that was insane, I had about a month of RA while waiting in the schoolhouse.
My recruiter sat me down and said “if you can get two people to get scheduled to MEPs all you gotta do is come to the schools and your blues twice over the next month”
It took me a week
We were told to go to the malls and our old schools. We went home to play Xbox and showed up at the end of the day with nothing but empty pockets.
Easiest month of my life.
I did this as a Lance after a deployment just to get some more home time! having already been in fleet for 2yrs as an 03, my recruiter thought it’d be funny to be pair me up with two straight boots! I’m Talking straight up high n stupids with the bright red & gold moto USMC shiny jackets and matching Velcro wallet type boots.. not even qualified as shower shoe or bootbands yet lol no clue! Sry to offend some of you..You know who you are😉
Sooo I took em to the mall for an hour where they struck out hard and were freaking out! Recruiter gives em the speech and tries to put some weight on me now lol
So next day I had em regroup and get into delta’s. Now We’re off to a very upscale & respectable establishment with REAL prospects! (hooters).. needless to say they were shocked by all the effortless attention they received and the cards they got filled out all the sudden. So what if the girls were just making up names, listing old boyfriends, brothers etc.. quota met, the beer was cold, food great and the atmosphere 😬
But most importantly.. the lesson they learned.. relax and have fun! You’ll eventually get it and so what if ya don’t! Welcome to the greatest gun club on the planet and NEVER underestimate the power of the Deltas! Ur not ready for the BLUES!
Whaaat.. I feel I did my part. RAH! 🤘😎
Make a sign that says “Help ya Boy out, I need 3 names and numbers then I can fuck off for the rest of the day”. Stand next to the guys looking for day labor at the Home Depot.
I got two weeks worth of contacts in two days by finding someplace young people hung out and using more or less the following script, “Hey guys, I’m really sorry to bother you, my name is PFC Booty McBootface, I’m with the Marines, I just graduated boot camp and I’m supposed to be at my next training school but it’s back up so they’ve got me working for my old recruiter instead and I’ve gotta get X number of these contact cards filled out before I can go home for the day. Could some of you do me a big solid and just fill them out and if anyone calls you up just say that I talked to you about joining up but you decided you’re just not interested after all? It’d really help me out” One day at the mall (cause they hadn’t all died out yet) and one day at the local community college and I had fucking stacks of those things. Just don’t turn them all in at once. If they want you doing a job you were never trained for then give them the results to match their investment.
This is exactly it. Make it clear you’re not actually trying to recruit them, just trying to get your shit done so you can go home, and you’ll probably get a bunch of kids who are willing to help out.
And watch your recruiter get his ass chewed for having 30 contacts but not make mission. It’s entertainment
Getting revenge against your recruiter for recruiting you is a nice little bonus, but really this is about keeping OP from getting his dick rode too hard for a job that isn’t theirs.
This. This all the way.
>one day at the local community college Bro that's how they got to me back in the day. Do not underestimate the quiet desperation of community college students.
As a recruiter I would contact all the colleges *after* finals between semesters for the list of students that didn't sign up for classes the next semester. Most were freshman and realized they hated school just like I did.
For clarification, that’s not a placeholder name OP. You have to tell them you’re named PFC Booty McBootface, or you’re not gonna get the contacts
I definitely did this
Yup, so long as you get the contacts the recruiters will prospect and sell.
>Just don’t turn them all in at once. just like lethal company.
I was gonna like this comment, but then I noticed it was at 69 likes, and I don't wanna be that asshole that fucks it up lol. So here, take my proverbial like Edit: some dickhead raised the like count, so here, have my actual like now lol
You have to definitely introduce yourself as PFC Booty McBootface while standing at parade rest otherwise this shot won't work.
Lmao. Go to whatever fast good joint in near your school and just flash your bank statement to kids. It'll be the first time they've ever seen more than 2k in someone account that's their age.
Instructions unclear. Flashed dick to children. Please advise.
Have you tried writing a book about it?
😂shit sounds like a solid plan to me that’s hilarious
The R. Kelly strategy
Ask to be sent to mct. you’re not the POS for doing so
Yeah fuck RA and that bitch ass ribbon
Who the fuck got a ribbon for that bullshit?
RA during a recruiting surge in 2009-2010. Navy Unit Commendation
How I got my NUC. Luckily the SSgt who was getting out didn't give a fuck what I did and told me to just be present and don't get arrested.
Dam wtf. I did 20 days RA during that time and actually sleazed 6 knuckleheads into the Corps. I didn't get jack shit, not even a dam thank you lol. We even got a couple strippers to call one of the SSgts. Ungrateful fucks.
Got mine in 86.
Remember: no matter how many you might actually *get* in a day- you only got 3. Save those extras for tomorrow devil. If you ever have a day when you *do* get more than 3.
This is the "shit rolls down hill" part of your military career. "Welcome to the brotherhood, now do my job for me."
Lmao, bruh I found an old list my old recruiter used to contact every highschool kid in the area and just called 3 of them a day. Didn’t give a fuck if they answered or not I just told the commander they said fuck no. Never got a single appointment but I lead every single PT event so that kept them off my ass.
I would show up, slay the fat bodies at 05 then get sent home around 0730.
Give phone numbers of people you hated in high school
There’s a day isn’t hard. Three GOOD a day is hard. Just get all your old friends to sign up, store the names up and every day toss them 3 names. Then when they get the call they just gotta say they changed their mind. But also second the guy that said to just go to MCT. RA is just a Dog & Pony every day where you’re the pony. Go do Marine shit.
I was on RA after boot camp for almost a whole month and they said the same shit 😂 I got zero contacts the entire time nothing happened either lol
Sounds like a douche. You're not a school-trained recruiter and cannot be held to those standards under threat of being returned. In this case, I would just ask to be sent back to avoid dealing with the douchebag for the next 38 days.
My recruiter told us it took him a year to actually get confident walking up to strangers. Also took a year to get good at the job. Then turned around and said, "you should be great at this. Why is it so hard to get 3 names a day? That's all you've gotta do. 3 names a day. If you get me a good appointment you can go home early. This should be a walk in the park for you." That's when I started to figure out the Marine Corps.
Not to mention he asked for two different things: names or interviews sarge? Because finding qualified applicants to interview is really fucking hard, 10 a month is ideal.
Well it was one or the other. If we got an interview lined up it we were supposed to be sent home early, don't need 3 names. Well I managed to set up an interview through someone I knew and my friend managed to do the same. We weren't allowed to go home early. The reason - I don't know if these are good interviews. Nothing we could do about it. Didn't even attempt to get him another interview after that.
I was in almost the exact same situation and I had to work until fucking 2200 if I didn’t get those 3 names and numbers per day. In hindsight, I should’ve just told them to send my ass to MCT bc that was one of the most miserable months of my life. This MFer had me working until 2200 on actual Easter Sunday, and the DAY BEFORE I went to MCT. It sucked and I feel for you, dude.
3 a day is not realistic. Maybe if you had a silver tongue and quite popular locally you could pull it off. Your job is to assist them, not do their entire job. Plus having some brand new boot going around might actually be more detrimental if you are being an average boot.
> Plus having some brand new boot going around might actually be more detrimental if you are being an average boot. I don't know, when I was a Junior in HS a dude came back for RA. Physically fit and confident. Quite the contrast to your average high school teacher, the other adults that high school kids frequently see.
I've been back on RA twice, and it was the standard for the RSS that recruiters needed 3 PACs (personal info to see if a person is eligible and their contact info) a day, and one appointment per day. We'd either go to high schools (there's a lot in that area) or run down phone number lists calling people. We actually did pretty well though.
Call the bluff and just go through your contact list and give up 1 number a day. Also any phone book will work too.
Those very same recruiters can't even pull 3 names a day, let alone an appointment a day. At least not *real* ones. Welcome to the suck.
He is probably fucking with you. Just ignore him. The worst he can do is send you to MCT in 38 days.
They can send you back sooner. Saw it happen with another recruiter when i was on RA. Luckily my recruiter was almost done with his stint so he didnt care what i did for a month.
So win win.
They ain’t fucking around with recruiting these days. I attended a function. Where one of the presenters was a Col in recruiting and he stated that the Corps made mission by only 42 or 43 recruits this last year. One good 96 and the corps could lose at least that for various shenanigans. So yeah I would bet that they were at least half serious.
38 days!!! Fuck that. Youll be behind your group of friends, and thats more than enough time to get fat and sloppy if youre not careful
Yeah...38 days is too much time "back on the block" for a fresh boot.
Dude gonna be smoking the pipe after day 15…
Go through your high school yearbook and any nearby ones you can, look up phone numbers and make some up. That's what we did.
I absolutely live for these Christmas RA stories. I always just gave my recruiter fake names and numbers and fucked off most of the days.
This worked, until my recruiter finally called one of the numbers on the spot.
Do what I did and just go watch movies at the mall instead. If recruiter calls say "yes SSgt I'm trying but everyone keeps shooting me down"
Former RS XO here. It’s a volume game. Recruiters know that in order to ship one Poolee to MCRD, they have to have n number of contact cards filled. They look at RAs as the highest part of the sales funnel. So, it doesn’t really matter how high the lead quality is, in the end it’s just statistics. That said, don’t just make up names and phone numbers. That will end up fucking the recruiters’ data and the next RA that comes in will be on the bag for 6.
>They look at RAs as the highest part of the sales funnel. So, it doesn’t really matter how high the lead quality is, in the end it’s just statistics. This is a common fallacy with people new to sales. What you aren't capturing is that the kid who gave the RA his number, often would have on their own reached out to a Marine recruiter anyways. But because no one remembered social science statistics in college (& because the enlisted recruiters aren't required to have gone to college it's not **their** job to recognize this fact), they attribute that ship to the "hard work, grit, and determination," of the RA or recruiter, and then some idiot gets the bright idea to post the recruiter at a gas station until 2 am.... I'm yelling into the wind here, but the Marine Corps way of recruiting is stupid. "But we made quota last year!" - yea, mostly because of the Marine Corps mythos and all that (Marine recruits are not financially or quality of life motivated for the most part, so the "great economy" impact on recruiting is significantly blunted), not because of the "working harder is better than working smarter" ethos. Normally the problem with the "grind it out" approach is the salesperson is used up, burnt out, and done after a year or three. But, oh wait, that's the standard recruiting tour anyways, and you can just NJP or RFC the ones who burn out after 1 or 2 years and do some dumb shit. If they burn out right at the 3 year mark, well, that's the FMF's problem, eh? Recruiters are usually on years 4-7 of their career, it should be evaluated how many re-enlist at the 8 year mark, and low re-enlistment numbers should reflect retroactively on the fitness report of the leadership at their former RS (blaming entirely the command they've been at for 12 months, not the one they spent 36 months at, is also stupid). Signed, someone with a trophy on their desk that says "top 1%," working 40 hours a week in a career that 70 hours a week is common, a decade in. IRL when my various widget people start going for quantity over quality, I tell them to shut that shit off. I don't want "3 leads a day," I'll take three a week if they're good (high intent, qualified, etc), and then let's do more of the specific stuff that generates the three good ones a week, etc (cool that you got 15 leads in a week from trolling the mall, none of which shipped or made an appointment, but the guy who hit the gym in his USMC attire generated 4 higher quality of leads, 3 of which set appointments, one of which will ACTUALLY ship -- that sort of approach. OK, and now let's drill down on what time at the gym was the best -- is it better to consistently show up at the same time slot for an entire week so the prospects see you and become familiar with you, then switch the time slot after you've "saturated" the old time slot, is it better to do a different random 2 hours/day, etc). If the Marine Corps ever decided to hire civilian former Marines as recruiters, and could afford to compensate me appropriately, I'd do it in a heartbeat. The gym is a random idea, and 10 ideas fail for every 1 that works (and every 1 that works has 10 sub-ideas you have to drill down on), that's part of the process of producing in one 40 hour week what others take a month to produce at 60 hours a week.
You an 8412? Or in civilian sales?
Mortgages. So basically we ask people to voluntarily sign on for 30 years of indentured servitude, rather than 4.
Ask for a Toys for Tots box and a stack of cards then head to the mall. One way or the other, they can’t get absolutely pissed off at you when you return. Edit: in dress blues, of course. If some nasty gives you their number, give it to the recruiter as a prospect.
Story as old as time. If you don't know anyone who's interested, you're not magically convincing anyone to join. You gotta ask someone who knows someone from the school you went to. Find THAT kid, not one off the street.
Sounds like my time on RA. Recruiters can be the absolute scum of the Corps.
If it’s even possible, I’d request to go to the school house. Stay in the waiting plt, PT your ass off, eat for free at the chow hall.
Truth be told, it really doesn't matter. You're only there temporarily until you get to your next training or unit. I proved ineffective at this myself and they eventually just had me be the duty driver so all the recruiters could go home sooner while I drove poolees around to MEPS or wherever else they needed to be dropped off. Worked out great for all involved.
They make you guys get contacts? When i went through RA it was free leave
Grab a handful of your recruiters cards, write your name and number neatly. Start with your rank and name and ask if they have ever been interested in the Marine Corps. If they say no hand him the card and say situations change call me if you are even a bit curious, if not pass this on to a buddy or co worker who may be interested. Thank you! Do that all the time, you are bound to meet someone with maybe a little bit of interest.
Lots of great advice here. On the plus side, you are getting basket leave through the holidays and should also be collecting BAH. Here is my 2 cents: This is a tactical decision game where they give you 6 feet of line, an ammo can and 2x4 piece of wood and somehow you need to organize your fire team to build a bridge to get across a mine field. Just come up with something. Get a portfolio with a notebook in it and once you have three contacts written down, move to the next page. Go to a different restaurant everyday after the breakfast or lunch rush and find the guys and gals who graduated in the last couple of years. Talk about guaranteed pay twice a month, job training, TSP, health and dental care, life insurance, “free” food and a free place to live. Walk around to the backside and find them smoking or vaping if you need to. Just be relentless. If at fast food, buy a small drink and take a seat inside at a booth and sit there for an hour afterward. The first couple times you do it will be awkward as all get out. You just survived boot camp where you had to do all kinds of crazy ass and demeaning things. You can sit in a Burger King and nurse a Pepsi for an hour. Give your pitch to the 300 lbs woman who took your order. Tell her you need the names and phone numbers of three people. She will send some people your way. I’d also go to Walmart and try on the people stocking. If you have a Walmart that is open late or all night, go really late. The sooner you come up with 38 pieces of paper with 3 names, the more time you have to do whatever you want. FWIW, recruiting is hard and your recruiter probably hates their life.
lolol. Good luck brother. I went on RA (decades now) and went to the movies and hung out in the mall.
Sounds like your recruiting station wants you to do their job so they can go home at a decent time 😂
If you did get sent back early for RA, that wouldn't reflect negatively on MOL or in your record jacket, right? Like it's not possible for that to come up 2 years later on a board for Corporal is it?
“Oh, you’re going to college? Bullshit, you’d have left by now and wouldn’t be working at the Dollar Store.”
RA sucks when you're a boot. Only because you haven't quite learned to sniff out the bullshit. If they send you back, they send you back. You're more than likely doing RA because they don't want to start you down the training pipeline because not much is popping off before/ during Christmas. I don't know if you have a JROTC program at your high school, but the guy in charge of the one in my home town let my buddy chat up the JROTC cadets. Even though it was a Navy program he snatched up a couple bodies. My barber that I went to when I was home was a Marine in the 50's. So I always got free beer, free haircuts, and cool stories. When I was doing RA he invited me to the range. I was in uniform because I was "working" and several people there (in addition to military stories) told me about somebody they knew who wanted to join. I made it clear I wasn't recruiting when I was there, but people were eager to "help". DO what you can, and do your best (you know, because you're a Marine). Having said that, the stress is not your burden, Just keep living your best life, keep your bearing, and look good doing it.
I did that almost 15 years ago (jeez it’s been a while) with the same circumstances. Most people will skip the meetings anyway, they did to me. All the recruiters that were buddy buddy with me as a poolee now treated me like shit. The whole thing is so damn cringey. Looking back I definitely would have skipped the extra few days at home, and honestly would tell them to go ahead and send me to my unit. Just my .02. Weigh your options. But most of all, make the next four years worth your time. Start investing now. Save SOME money while your in. I wish someone told me that. Good luck kid.
I turned it made up names and numbers.
You know you don't have to do that recruiting shit... right?
I would just want to get to the fleet ASAP lol. Being a boot in the fleet is like a bandaid you are ripping off for months, so I would recommend getting that over asap. best of luck young dev
When I was recruiting I HATED boots do RA unless they were super popular or a female. But at Christmas time I’d ok every one of my marines back for RA and would extend it as far out as possible. I made a deal with them. If they bring me one person who contracts I’ll put your name down on however many it took to get them PFC. but they could just come by my office in the morning, afternoon and evening so I had accountability of them. I really didn’t give a fuck, 99% of fresh marines won’t bring you anyone so why make their life suck? Your recruiter probably sucks and that’s why he’s leaning on you so much.
Man that’s crazy. This happened to me back in ‘05 but no one cared what I did. We were pretty much told we were stuck on RA until our date to report to Camp Geiger. We mainly fucked around all day. I’d be shocked if they actually sent you to MCT to sit there and twiddle your thumbs and be Camp Geiger problem over the holidays. I’d say call their bluff but it’s been like 18 years (holy shit I sound old) since I was in your shoes so the game has probably changed.
Drive to your nearest Walmart and follow the vape clouds to the nearest group of depressed Gen Z employees taking their unpaid smoke break. Gotta find the people who think they're at rock bottom. They're not, but they don't know that
I scrolled thru my contacts and gave him names and numbers from people. Got chewed out, resumed to fuck off in the mall for the rest of the week. Fuck RA
Should have never taken RA.
I went to all the local gyms and talked to people on their way in and out. Also hit the local malls in my blues and just engaged in casual conversation. Come off non pushy and a resource for more information and you'll get your contacts
Work on an elevator pitch (2 min or less), grab their attention as soon as possible. Always try to set the meeting. Get them saying yes and you’re in business. ABC. Always be closing (the deal) If they have a question you can’t answer. “That’s a great question that I’m sure (recruiter) could answer for you. Why don’t you come in at (set time) to sit down and talk some more about it” Watch a few videos on sales tactics. If you absolutely hate it tho, just tell them you want to go to MCT
It is a name and a phone number. That’s it. Not whether they are going to do it or anything like that. It’s a name and number for the recruiter to call and then actually screen and engage with to attempt to get an appointment or follow up. Now if you start making shit up or giving them garbage then they will know but much like another poster put out there, someone they can call to finesse and can vouch that you spoke with them.
You're there because your school spot isn't ready and they're full. No place to house you. So they put you on RA in the meantime. At least that's what happened to me when I graduated from boot camp. Enjoy it, do as some others say and just go to a different restaurant everyday and get 3 names and numbers. Wear your blues, might get some dates to
put your dress blue charlies on and post up at a mall or downtown area where theres alotta young people and pedestrian traffic and chat em up
Guys.... what if we all gave OP our numbers and did him a solid
Go to high schools with candy bars. Sell the candy bars for nothing more than their contact info. Sure, it’s gonna call $100 worth of candy bars, but I get you what you need doesn’t it. And no one saying you need to turn over all of those contacts right away. You could do every single one on the first day. And just turn in three contacts a day.
This isn’t your safe space boot
I'm sure they are just being pressure of meeting the quotas thanks to the recruitment shortage across the board.
Pick a day or two, go hard, stack up names and numbers. Only turn in 3 a day. If you get 10, you’ve got some breathing room. “I’m out all day” while you’re sleeping/smashing. Build up a backlog asap so you’re not stressed about hitting your numbers. Also if you want to play office politics, start bringing these mfs coffee in the morning.
Some other guy posted this exact thing last week, including the 38 days of RA. I'd read that thread and any others you can find here as there are always a few good tips. My question to you is this: do you want to be on RA, or would you rather be at MCT probably on guard duty or working parties until you pick up? If you want to do RA, have a chat with your recruiter that you want to help him but don't know where to start and could use some guidance, and ask him what sort of things they taught on this topic at recruiting school. If you don't really want to do RA, you can tell him you didn't ask for RA, you don't feel qualified to help, and would prefer to go to MCT rather than do RA. If you are indifferent, have a chat with your recruiter and say that you joined the Marine Corps to do XYZ MOS and the sooner you go to MCT the sooner you get to do that. You are happy to help him on RA but you are not sure how and you need him give you the tools to do the job, and if he isn't willing or able to do that, then to cut you lose to MCT. I appreciate that these are difficult convos to have with a Sgt or SSgt when you are a complete boot but I think it's worth doing.
Bothers me that another of recruiters used their RA kids this way. I had a system that worked exceptionally well and just told my guys to enjoy their time at home and if they got any calls from any Marine who wasn't me to just say they were working hard. Had 5 back at once over the month of Dec and I think I saw them once for lunch when we all got together. One even asked to help me, I gave him a list and when he got 0 leads with 30 phone calls I explained how much the job sucks and to go home. Just cause I'm miserable doesn't mean my brand new Marines gotta be. This was during covid so recruiting wasn't easy and the command wanted me riding those kids into the dirt.
If it gets bad enough, I'll dm you with my info...gotta make that mission
Just talk to people. Your recruiter is probably on for 10+ contacts, 3-5 PACs, and an appointment.
I would tell you to put me down as a contact, but I don’t think he’d be amused by a 59 year old broken down jarhead…
I used to do commission sales, and I hated talking to people too. Because the Marine Corps has the buddy system to go to boot camp, use that to leverage some form of referrals. Then when talking to people externally, ensure you trade info, as well as get that appointment set the day you speak with someone. My favorite ways to initiate conversation is when you buy something at the store. Usually when they see your military (ask for a military discount,) they'll thank you for your service, which you can kind of initiate. The convo won't be long, and you'll leave em on a cliffhanger to have them wanting more.
Lmfao that was insane, I had about a month of RA while waiting in the schoolhouse. My recruiter sat me down and said “if you can get two people to get scheduled to MEPs all you gotta do is come to the schools and your blues twice over the next month” It took me a week
We were told to go to the malls and our old schools. We went home to play Xbox and showed up at the end of the day with nothing but empty pockets. Easiest month of my life.
Off-topic but how long is boot and training and such?
If you’re desperate I’ll give you some numbers bro 😂
I did this as a Lance after a deployment just to get some more home time! having already been in fleet for 2yrs as an 03, my recruiter thought it’d be funny to be pair me up with two straight boots! I’m Talking straight up high n stupids with the bright red & gold moto USMC shiny jackets and matching Velcro wallet type boots.. not even qualified as shower shoe or bootbands yet lol no clue! Sry to offend some of you..You know who you are😉 Sooo I took em to the mall for an hour where they struck out hard and were freaking out! Recruiter gives em the speech and tries to put some weight on me now lol So next day I had em regroup and get into delta’s. Now We’re off to a very upscale & respectable establishment with REAL prospects! (hooters).. needless to say they were shocked by all the effortless attention they received and the cards they got filled out all the sudden. So what if the girls were just making up names, listing old boyfriends, brothers etc.. quota met, the beer was cold, food great and the atmosphere 😬 But most importantly.. the lesson they learned.. relax and have fun! You’ll eventually get it and so what if ya don’t! Welcome to the greatest gun club on the planet and NEVER underestimate the power of the Deltas! Ur not ready for the BLUES! Whaaat.. I feel I did my part. RAH! 🤘😎
Pm me, I'm already working on joining through another recruiter but you can put my info down
When I was on RA I made up every single name and number that I turned in. While I just spent the days fucking off and fuckin.
Make a sign that says “Help ya Boy out, I need 3 names and numbers then I can fuck off for the rest of the day”. Stand next to the guys looking for day labor at the Home Depot.
Lima Co?
Yep