Hello, so glad to find these forums! Got a problem with a recruiter telling my son-in-law one thing, then doing another.

The plan was for him to join for the SWCC program, on Delayed Entry Program. He signed the DEP agreement, then was told his ASVAB score was too low for the SWCC program and that after passing physicals and other requirements that he would be allowed to take the ASVAB to raise his scores and be eligible for the program. He did all this, and when he asked to retest, he found out that a 6 month waiting period is required before being allowed to test again. And his report for active duty date is less than 6 months since taking his original test; therefore, he is not eligible for retest, And, unbeknownst to him till of late is that he is signed up to be a Navy Corpsman, the LAST thing he wanted to be (and I'm sure the Marines want Navy Corpsman who desire to be in that field).

Of course, he doesn't want repercussions from discharge from DEP; He still wants to go with the SWCC program. What can he do towards this end?

Thanks much in advance!

Don't ship out. Right now he can back out of that contract and the recruiter can do very little about it. What he can do is tell the recruiter he will ship to boot camp on his terms, with a contract he likes (and he can retake the ASVAB in the meantime).

Just how did he get Navy Corpsman without knowing it? That sounds rather unlikely. Did he sign a "Open Contract"?

My son did the same thing (signed an open contract with a verbal promise of a designated MOS once he retook the ASVAB). He was also scheduled to ship out on a specific date (and, fortunately, six months had already passed since his last ASVAB). However, I did not like the sound of that deal and went down with him to the recruiter (specifically explained to him that I was a retired Marine) and went over everything with the recruiter and made sure he knew if he screwed my kid over, I could make things hard for him (which wasn't a lie, he was in the process of moving into my former MOS which requires a personal interview board made up of a bunch of my friends).

quote:

Don't ship out. Right now he can back out of that contract and the recruiter can do very little about it. What he can do is tell the recruiter he will ship to boot camp on his terms, with a contract he likes (and he can retake the ASVAB in the meantime).

Does he need to request a release from DEP first? That's the skinny I read about refusing to ship out. I haven't talked to the recruiter yet; what should we do if he says your suggestion is not possible?

quote:

Just how did he get Navy Corpsman without knowing it? That sounds rather unlikely.

Agreed, waiting to get a look at his contract now.

quote:

My son did the same thing (signed an open contract with a verbal promise of a designated MOS once he retook the ASVAB). He was also scheduled to ship out on a specific date (and, fortunately, six months had already passed since his last ASVAB). However, I did not like the sound of that deal and went down with him to the recruiter (specifically explained to him that I was a retired Marine) and went over everything with the recruiter and made sure he knew if he screwed my kid over, I could make things hard for him (which wasn't a lie, he was in the process of moving into my former MOS which requires a personal interview board made up of a bunch of my friends).

If this is the case for for this young man, I don't know what this broken down old Army Sergeant can do to put pressure on this recruiter.

Many thanks, Gunnery Sergeant, will report back ASAP. I apologize that my original post was a bit hurried and scrambled. And that I didn't look at the contract prior to posting.

Contract says Navy Corpsman. Recruiter told this young man that his ASVAB scores qualified him for the SWCC program and that he had only to meet the requirements for Navy Corpsman to complete his induction process into the SWCC program. Now this recruiter says his ASVAB scores are too low, and he must be a Navy Corpsman. I don't know why that would matter if it's already in his contract. I will have to confront this recruiter, as you say here:

quote:

Don't ship out. Right now he can back out of that contract and the recruiter can do very little about it. What he can do is tell the recruiter he will ship to boot camp on his terms, with a contract he likes (and he can retake the ASVAB in the meantime).

Wish me luck!

Forgot to mention that this recruiter threatened disciplinary action if the young man does not report for duty, under reasons that it is "time of war". I have read that this is not true. Confirmation either way greatly appreciated.

quote:

Forgot to mention that this recruiter threatened disciplinary action if the young man does not report for duty, under reasons that it is "time of war". I have read that this is not true. Confirmation either way greatly appreciated.

Huh. That's interesting. You might want to remind him of this:

(1) Threatening DEP member with possible disciplinary actions for failing to enlist or coercing DEP members to fulfill their contractual obligations is inconsistent with the concept of the all-volunteer force (AVF). If a member of DEP refuses to ship,
recruiters will not address the issue of possible disciplinary consequences for failure to report to active duty, nor will the DEP member be told that it is Navy policy to order or force an unwilling member to recruit training or to any other
form of active or reserve duty.

That's from the Navy Recruiting Reg - COMNAVCRUITCOMIST 1130.8F. It's an interesting reg with an entire chapter on DEP. Check out Chapter 6, page 6-4, it lists reasons for dropping from the DEP, they include:

(7) DEP/DET member becomes disqualified for the enlistment program for any reason (medical, moral, failure to graduate from high school, etc.) and declines alternate program for which qualified.
(8) DEP member for USN/USNR program refuses to access onto active duty as scheduled.

Here's the pub:
http://usmilitary.about.com/library/pdf/navrecruit.pdf

Bottom line, this recruiter is a sh!thead. If possible, I'd drive to the next recruiting station and deal with someone else. Explain the issue you're having to the other recruiter (as your son-in-law is already "in the system" they'll know he is already dealing with another recruiter).

Quadvet I think you should look at the contract first I see something very different I can't picture even a Shithead being so bold as to try and force the opposite on anyone and that would be SWCC & Corpsman. After reading the Contract and you see a violation do what Patoloco stated he is the youngest Retire in here and knows more about the Vol Military than most of us.I will say if he continues to be unable to raise the ASVAB I would check the USN NECC program I am not sure of the new requirements and if he gets in that program until a few years ago all Enlisted Seals came from other Active Duty Fleet programs.Remember SEALS are the Elite from SWCC the Naval Academy and any other program that meets the requirement.

Well apparently that's what happened, Sully5x5 (don't want to go so far as to call the recruiter a liar here).

I see the regulation, Patoloco, thanks. On further research, I found that it's been superseded by COMNAVCRUITCOMINST 1130.8H, May 1, 2008, which can be found here:

http://www.nrdqa.com/

There's not much difference regarding DEP, just posting for the record. I'll take that advice and go to a different recruiter. I appreciate the responses, especially considering I'm a n00b here. Great site, will return as possible.

Quadvet I sure would not have any trouble calling him a liar.I would try as many Recruiters as required to get what he wants don't settle for anything less.By the way I don't consider you a Noobie never did you already did your time .By the way hope you can find the time to come back to the forum.

see you've already been hooked up with good advice so I'll just second Sully's offer! Stop in anytime! 1st rounds on me!

Thank you all for the warm welcome and great advice. Always great to interact with "family". Well my son-in-law decided (after putting me through hell trying to help change it) that he will go for Navy Corpsman. He's a blank canvas, ready to be painted; a brain like a sponge ready to soak up what's before him. He qualified for the SWCC program and should be able to follow through with it after boot and school. Thanks again for your welcomes.

You can see me here at a Purple Heart award ceremony for an outstanding young soldier very critically injured when the Stryker vehicle he was driving ran over a 500-pound IED. 6 died, 2 left wheelchair-bound. Wes and I met back in March when he arrived at my VA SCI center from Walter Reed. Us spinal cord injured veterans stick together, been going to the same unit since my injury in 1990. Check us out in his slideshow, can't miss the wheelchairs:

http://pfcweshixon.com/

Quadvet

You know, that we Marines hold Navy Corpsmen in very high regards. Your son couldn't be in better hands as once he's assigned to a Marine unit, they will take care of him.

When you see Wes, give him a resounding 'Semper FI' from thegunny for me OK? And pass along our invitation to visit with us in here. While your at it, pass along to the rest of the guy's at the center that if they can find the time, stop in here for a little socializing and entertainment.

Yes, Gunny, I am keenly aware of and appreciative of the relationship between Marine and Navy Corpsmen. I reckon it's time for a new generation to learn it. I couldn't be more proud of him and he knows it. If anything should ever happen to him I will die of guilt, for instilling that in him. I guess that's what we learn to live with when we put on that uniform. Will pass your "Semper FI" to Wes, and return one to you. Thanks for the invite, it's hard to get us beat up guys out, you know that. Never fired a weapon in anger myself, just have a hard time pulling it together sometimes. Semper Fi, brothers/sisters, I'll be around, thanks again for your help.