Signed up with employer trouble!

[Gunclap]

Might be the wrong section if so I am sorry!

Signed up for the army (11x) ship to basic in February. My recruiter requires me to come in on Thursday afternoons for "future soldier training" but my boss says NO. I have been able to attend once and I had to fight for that day off. Almost certain he is going to fire me over this if I try to attend another training (saw him asking people to apply for my position along with an app on his desk).

Anything I can do? or should I just quit now and move on?

[CavTrooper]

Dont worry about not showing up for FST, just tell yor recruiter your working and he will deal with it. Its not REQUIRED, but it is cool if you want a meritorious promotion before shipping to basic.

[Gunclap]

Cool thanks for the heads up, was starting to sweat. Although my Boss has had a terrible attitude towards me since I signed up anyway, so I will still need to look for something else it seems.

[Wes]

what do you do for work? (if you dont mind me asking?)

[Gunclap]

I help the Tech's at a Toyota dealership, OR a driver the rest of the time.

[roll2li]

All recruiters usually have some sort of training before bootcamp but granted if you passed MEPs (or the Army equivalent of screening) and have a contract you're GTG until you ship. The training is supposed to provide incentive and keep you motivated to your ship date and ensure you have some sort of physical training background prior to arriving at basic. Like CavTrooper said your recruiter may not like it but will deal with it.

[Uriah02]

FST... the acronmyns never stop. It is good pre-basic familiarization, you would likely be ahead of your peers if you memorize rank structure, pass the PT standards, learn the Army Song/Soldiers Creed. While the last two are rarely if ever used in real army it might give some of your Drill SGT's a stiffy if you have all that down.

[ankyle62]

You arent required to do anything with your recruiter, no need to screw yourself over financially before you join. Take care of work, and do what you can on your off time to prepare yourself.

[turbomkt]

To top it off, there is likely no legal requirement for your boss to keep you employed. It would be different if you were a reservist on involuntary mobilization (USERRA).

[evidens83]

Currently working retail, I can only attend FST maybe once every week or two. Sucks because I really want to be prepared for BCT but at the same time my priorities are to put food on the table and take care of my fam. Luckily my recruiters understand and are just glad to see me make it when I can.

[AmpedUp]

Army BCT is kind of a joke, I thought it was more fun then hard. You will be taught everything you need to know, and even then almost no one fails. Blow off that FST crap.

Now for your job, unless you are on Orders, State or Federal you work does not have to let you go.

[Gunclap]

Thanks everyone for the replies!

[SoCal_Sapper]

Guys, dont worry about that promotion before basic, yes you will get some extra money (not much) every check but the wait time from e-3 to e-4 is still a minimum of 18 months (last time I checked). I went in the Army as an E-1 and was one of those to make E-4 in 18 months. Dont be a retard and you can do that too.

[jkcerda]

Guys, dont worry about that promotion before basic, yes you will get some extra money (not much) every check but the wait time from e-3 to e-4 is still a minimum of 18 months (last time I checked). I went in the Army as an E-1 and was one of those to make E-4 in 18 months. Dont be a retard and you can do that too.

its actually worth it.
even from E-1 to E-3.

http://www.navycs.com/2012-military-pay-chart.html

E-4 2364
E-3 1981
E-2 1671
E-1 1491

[Weekend Warrior]

You Can tell your Recruiter that your Current Employer is not working with you, and all your recruiter has to do is make a phone call, there are a couple of companies that love dealing with employers that dont want to work with us wether it be BCT/TRADOC/Deployement. Under USERRA they cant do anything negative to you because of the military, but if its related to your working ability its different. Im Currently in TRADOC in Texas now, and have my job in so Cal on hold for 9 months now and when I get back im guaranteed my position same hours and pay and all time based promotions I would receive if I where working. Guess its a good thing to pay attention at the mandatory training sometimes.
*NOT LEGAL ADVICE - NOT A LAWYER*