Whether you agree or disagree with this administration’s position on the Iraq war, I would think that any respectable recruiter would be outraged at the bombing of the Army’s Times Square recruiting station early this morning. The person or group that orchestrated is undoubtedly against the war – as am I – but the act of using violence against violence sure sounds the work of a person(s) who has a few screws loose. I have far more respect for people who protest by standing outside the recruiting stations who peacefully explain their positions to passersby.
For the record, I am a COI – Circle of Influence – who works with AREC to mentor individual recruiters on creative recruiting strategies and tactics; you may think your recruiting job is hard but try standing in the shoes of someone who has to do the same for the military. So yes, I’m against the war but for helping the Army find the best people they can who want to serve (why? because I have friends who ARE serving and fighting and I’ll be damned if I’m not going to help get the best people to serve and fight next to them).
Being a COI also helps me because if what I can offer in insight works for the Army rectruiters, I’m reasonably certain the same insight can be used to help convince someone who is on the fence to come with me.
So if you truly love recruiting, stop in at a station and engage the recruiters in a conversation about recruiting. You might not only learn something but you might also walks away with a very healthy respect for the challenges faced by people tasked with building a military.
Bombing’s however are for cowards.