I want to try and get an honest response about what happens if the job rating you were recruited for doesn't work out. On one hand, situations like budget cuts, core mission changes or changing structure of the CG, they decide to cancel the job rating you were recruited for. Or on the other hand what if you cant pass physical, testing, or background requirements for the rating you were recruited for? I am passing up the opportunity to be an officer in another branch because I want one specfic rating in the CG, however I don't want soemthing to happen and then I am just doing menial tasks for six years. Can any of the recruiters here tell me what would happen to you CG contract if either of the above scenarios were to happen? I don't have any specific fears of not being able to meet the requirements of the job I am going for, however you never know what could happen and I would like to know what to expect in either case.

So none of the recruiters on this board has ever had a situation like that described above happen?

Basically this is how it works... Don't take this as scripture. I'm going to be generalizing...ALOT. If you want details speak with your recruiter.

You meet with a Recruiter to enlist in the CG Reserves. You take the test to see what jobs to qualify for, based on that list you choose a job. You go to MEPS to physical, provided you pass the physical the process continues. You decide on a rate (i.e. BM) Your recruiter submits a Reserve Billet Request, with a unit and the rate you are interested. Once your position and rating gets approved your recruiter submits a request for an "A" school date. The date depends on the Reserve Program you are entering. Once that is approved, your recruiter will submit a Reservation for you to go to boot camp. Once that is finished your final contract can be assembled. The unit, billet, and rating will all be guaranteed in your contract. Unless something in the extreme happens it won't be taken away from you. I've never heard of a Reservist getting denied a school, just because.

Reservists are brought in to fill specifice rates at specific units. You can't fill a BM spot as a SN. So, if you get approved for BM "A" school at some point you will attend BM "A" school. Does that help, or are you even more confused?

*CENSORED* for incorrect grammar.

Tera,

Thanks for clearing that up. If he joins the Reserves via the Split Training Program, this MAY be how it goes down. I'm no expert, so don't take this as scripture. If he was drilling as a nonrate waiting for IS school, I would think the investigation for a Top Secret clearance would be complete ahead of time, due to the nature of the billet. OR, the background check would commence on or about the time he began drilling. If his clearance was denied he would PROBABLY have to switch rates. However, I have been in touch with an IS. I'll ask him and post his reply.

Tera, that was not my specific question, and I am not going for that particular rate, however it was that type of situation from the recruits perspective that I was interested in, say you fail the security clearance or physical tests, then Gears as you said the person would have to switch rates? Or would the contract be void? And same goes from the other end, say your particular rate gets filled up, no A school slots, change in budgets or elimination of rate then does the same apply? These kind of things may never happen, I just have some ex-military friends that keep saying "they can tell you whatever you want to hear until you sign" so prior to that I want to be able to make an informed decision so that I use my time wisely. As I mentioned before I am sacrificing a little to go CG in order to do what I want, in order to make a good decision for myself I am just curious as to what happens in these kind of situations.

If you don't pass the physical at MEPS your enlistment stops. If the criminal background checks or the E-Qip comes back with something your enlistment stops. You won't be offered a billet that isn't available. All recruiters have a list of what billets are available, and where those billets are available. After you have a billet and rate approved the recruiter has to get an "A" school date approved before a reservation for boot camp can be made. Everything must be approved by recruiting command in writing before anything will happen. If you have any further concerns you need to speak with your recruiter.

My only comment as far as this is concerned "according to some ex-military friends" blah blah blah... they are ex-military & often bitter about their service because they didn't get what they wanted out of it. Also, the CG operates a little differently from other services. My personal take on CG recruiting... if they tell you we can get you A... they don't screw you with X. So take listening to ex-military from other branches with a bucket of salt, not just a grain.

Then as Gears says, speak in depth to your recruiter. Asking anyone else will not get you the honest answers of what can or can't be done.

my friend's boyfriend said he got the screwed because he originally wanted to be a firefighter but got bomb disposal. Going back and looking at it and talking to him, he was never promised firefighting, and he signed his contract without a guaranteed A school and so forth and finally admitted he had selective hearing. If It isn't in written, you aren't getting it. If it's in your contract you are getting A school, than you are. Most reservists from my company all have crows now to the A school they were guaranteed.