Job Responsibilities
My major job responsibilities are to interview and select the
best applicant for enlistment into the United States Coast Guard,
using the "whole person concept". This concept assures us that
by viewing their character, attitude, test score, and other
criteria, they will be a perfect fit for our branch of the Armed
Forces.
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Job Requirements
In order to become a recruiter, you must be a member of the Coast
Guard. You must put in an application and a detailed resume',
along with pictures of you in uniform. You must meet weight
standards, be at least an E-5 (Petty Officer Second Class), and
go through an interview. In addition, there is a test that must
be completed called an EQI. This test is given to see if you can
handle the pressures of what the job entails. Once selected, you
will be stationed at a recruiting office somewhere in the
Continental U.S. or outside (i.e. for us, it is Alaska or Hawaii)
and must attend Recruiter School, a 3.5 week course at Training
Center Cape May, NJ.
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Uppers
The most rewarding parts of my job is talking to people. I enjoy that aspect
dearly. Establishing a rapport with young people who wish to pursue a career in
the Coast Guard is very important. Making sure they have full knowledge of what
they are about to embark upon is what I press to stress during the interview
process. Also, I love to attend their graduations, letting them feel they are a
part of a family, not just a number on the board.
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Downers
Disqualifying potential applicants does not come easy. Once I
have made every attempt to get them cleared either physically or
academically and there is no hope, my biggest downfall in this
job is having to tell them you cannot join this branch of the
military.
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Lifestyle
You can have a normal lifestyle if you are organized. The hours can be long
depending upon what has to be done that day or week. There are times when I have
to travel to different seminars or training needed to stay abreast the consistent
changes in policies or regulations. Coast Guard Day is the most fun you could
ever have. Attending career fairs, whether high school or college, is very time
consuming. When you are in the office, you must be in uniform at all times. On
Fridays, we are allowed to dress down to a business casual, which consists of
Khaki slacks or skirt and a polo shirt with the Coast Guard insignia on it. It
is our goal as recruiters to diversify the Coast Guard more now and in the years
to come. You must be able to have flexibility in this job. If not, it can be a
hindrance for everyone else in the office.
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Compensation
My base salary is the same as the other four branches. We use
the same pay scale. The bonus received being a recruiter is
called Special Duty Assignment Pay, consisting of an extra $225
per month. You can invest in the Thrift Savings plan, which is a
stock portfolio per se. We have full medical and dental coverage
for the member, as well as unlimited comissary and exchange
privileges. You can obtain money for college with Montgomery G.
I. Bill by contributing $100 per month for 12 months, taken
directly out of your pay. We are paid on the 1st and 15th of
every month. If you have dependents, Basic Allowance for Housing
will be given to you according to your rank and the zip code of
your current duty station. Basic Allowance for Subsistence,
which is daily food money, is given to you also. A Clothing
Maintenance Allowance is added in, but is not a lot of money. In
addition, you may be eligible for Conus COLA, which is an
additional allowance depending upon where you live and the cost
of living.
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Advice to Jobseekers
If you wish to become a recruiter, give yourself some time in the
Coast Guard before making that decision. Learn about the branch
you are in first before jumping into something you may not like.
If you have anything that is pondering around in your mind, ask
someone. If they cannot answer it, they will find it for you.
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