Is it legal for the Army to submit my paperwork to MEPS after I told them I'm going AF? Can my recruiter help request days off from my job?

Ryan Webb — Mon, 21 Oct 2019 14:42:18 -0400

First Question: The Army, after I told them I'm going Air Force, still tried submitting all my stuff to MEPS but needed a signature or something from me, but I wouldn't give it. Is that legal?

Second Question: I work retail and soon I can't request any days off and because of the SPF, my days might not go through as expected, can my Recruiter send a letter or something to my supervisor?

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Oct 21 at 2019 3:00 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Mon, 21 Oct 2019 15:00:58 -0400

First Question: recruiters have quotas. Not sure how recruits are counted, but the recruiter may have been playing a bit fast and loose with your information in order to boost his accomplishments. I hate to say this because I believe all service members are good honest people, but stuff happens. Anyway, if the Air Force recruiter has submitted all of the correct and signed paperwork for you, it shouldn't be a problem.

Second Question: Your employer should have a written policy about supporting Service Members. It should be spelled out in the Employee Handbook including the required documentation. There are Federal Laws about this, but for now just find out what the company policy is. If you're going on active duty for several years, then I don't' see this as a big deal because you'll have a full-time good paying job with the Air Force. If you are entering a Reserve Component (AF Res or ANG), then it matters if you want to continue work for this employer after basic training and technical training. A copy of your orders to basic training should be sufficient for your employer.

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Oct 21 at 2019 3:38 PM

Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth — Mon, 21 Oct 2019 15:38:14 -0400

1.) Although it is not illegal...it is very unethical. Once you have committed to another branch or 1.) Although it is not technically illegal it is highly unethical. Once you have signed on with a branch of service and a specific recruiter, and another still pursues you it is called poaching and I have seen recruiters almost come to blows over it. Very unethical. I visited one of my recruiters once and saw this in action. A kid was in the Air Force recruiting station and was signing initial paperwork but he had to come back the next day with some documentation. the Army recruiters were outside the front door on a "smike" break about the time he was leaving as they could hear the conversation. He went outside and they pounced on him like a duck on a bug going after him to join the Army. I went out the door and told the kid to get in his car and come back that night with what we needed...when he left me and those Army recruiters had words. Then I contacted their Recruiting Battallion commander and we discussed ethics. Never had another problem there but it still goes on.
2.) You need to contact your work HR and ask about military support and what their policy is. If you are going on Active Duty then no problem.

Response by SSG Brian G. made Oct 21 at 2019 8:06 PM

SSG Brian G. — Mon, 21 Oct 2019 20:06:35 -0400

1) Underhanded yes, illegal no. You filled out paperwork and spoke to the Army first but did not attend MEPS as their recruit. It means nothing and does not impact your joining the AF at all.

2) You are not in the military. Not yet. You are not covered by military protections with your employer. The best you can do is to approach you HR and explain the situation with regards to you joining the Air Force and see if they will work with you on that.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2019 12:52 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Oct 2019 00:52:57 -0400

1. If you did not sign a binding contract to the Army, then you are fine and you are not obligated to do anything further with the recruiter and you can go about your business. My advice, do NOT sign anything unless you are committed to joining any branch and KNOW what it is that you are signing...Read everything / never take the recruiter's word on what a document says.

2. No, they cannot do anything about your employer because you are not a member of the Military yet. Work around your schedule, the recruiters will work with you. They get paid to work on a possible recruit's schedule...If your only off say on a Sunday, guess what? That recruiter will work Sunday.

Hope that helps and good luck!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2019 11:11 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 23 Oct 2019 11:11:30 -0400

How far along are you in the process? Did you enlist or do you still need to test/phys? If you enlisted with the Army they probably want you to come in to try and recommit you and-if that fails- have you sign the .21. BL: either way, there's nothing they can do to stop you from going to another branch.

Speaking as an Army Recruiting Company Commander, I'm also curious why you changed your mind. Recruiters invest a lot of time and effort to get applicants in, and when they lose the commitment some of them take it personally.