Expert: Aaron Shifferly - 2/28/2010

Question
Our son has passed all of the exams for the Coast Guard. He did have to go see one of their Doctor's because when he was 13 the word "anxiety" was written in one of our son's visits to his pediatrician about starting high school. It was a nothing issue (what 13 year old doesn't experience some anxiety growing up) and the Doctor (who is a retired Air Force Officer) wrote a letter for our son to that effect to the Coast Guard. After our son's visit with the military Doctor, he shook our son's hand, said he was clearing our son to go in and said, "Congratulations and Welcome to the Coast Guard." It was around this time that the Coast Guard was easing up sending recruits because they had reached their quota. I know that there was something on the Coast Guard forum from several applicants that said they were told that no more people would be called until Oct 2010. Our son calls his recruiter every week, and he has told our son that he guarantees that he will be going October 2010. Our son believes him and they have actually become friends through all of this. Our question is, the recruiter would have no reason not to be truthful with our son would he? We are taking this recruiter's word that our son will be going in, but then we start to wonder...would it be out of line or hurt our son if we stopped by and spoke with him, or do we just leave it to our son. If he doesn't go in until Oct. that's fine, but don't tell our son this if it isn't ever going to happen. I just can't imagine why anyone would do that, though. Could you advise us? Obviously he has everything riding on this and his future with what his recruiter has told him. Needless to say we will be more than a little upset if he hasn't been truthful....

Answer
What the recruiter told your son is plausible. The military runs its fiscal year from October 1 to September 30, so when they reach a quota of a certain job they stop admitting it until the next fiscal year starts. Has he signed any paperwork putting him into a delayed entry program or reserving his job? If so, that is extra proof that the recruiter is telling you the truth. Also, the recruiters have quotas they have to meet every month and the pressure to meet or exceed them is immense. I can't see why a recruiter would string your son along if he's a fully qualified applicant since it doesnt benefit him unless your son actually enlists.
I dont know how your son would react to you talking to his recruiter, but I encourage the parents of all applicants to get as much information about the service their child is going to join as possible. It is a huge decision to join the military and your child will need the support of his parents in various ways. If you think he'll react badly to you talking to his recruiter, maybe talk to another one.