Sgt. 1st Class Roger O’Connell, Spokane Valley Army Career Center Army Reserve recruiter, briefs Seattle Army Recruiting Battalion company commanders, first sergeants and center commanders about his experience as a high school principal. During the briefing, O’Connell shared tactics, techniques and procedures with the battalion about how to interact with high school administrators.
Recruiter/Former High School Principal Shares Insights
By Tom Conning, USAREC, Seattle Battalion
Sept 22, 2014
Principals, administrators, teachers, coaches; they are the gatekeepers allowing or blocking recruiter access to high schools. Knowing how those gatekeepers think is helpful in opening doors.
Having worked as a high school principal for several years in Sierra Vista, Ariz., Spokane Valley Army Career Center Army Reserve recruiter, Sgt. 1stClass Roger O’Connell knows exactly how school administrators think.
"I remember watching recruiters, from all the branches, walk into my school and start demanding lists, opportunities with my students, and anything else they believed themselves to be entitled to," O'Connell said. "I came into recruiting nine years ago with those images burned into my brain."
These images shaped O’Connell’s approach on how to deal with school gatekeepers. He’s compiled a list of recommendations.
Staff Sgt. Christian O’Keefe, Marysville Army Career Center commander, recently attended a briefing given by O’Connell and sees value in the former principal’s suggestions.
“Anytime you have a teammate who has experience on the other side of the conversation, we gain the advantage of gaining their perspective and train of thought,”O’Keefe said. “The brief provided insights about what high school principals think and we gained an understanding of their concerns.
During the briefing, O’Connell discussed other tactics, techniques and procedures for operating in high schools and promoting the Army Reserve as an option for applicants.
“[Sgt 1st Class O’Connell] was able to give us that different perspective that I don’t think recruiters get,” said Capt. Peter Matonis, Spokane Army Recruiting Company commander. “When they talk to somebody that’s been in that position, I think it kind of eases some minds and helps out.”
By Tom Conning, USAREC, Seattle Battalion
Sept 22, 2014
Principals, administrators, teachers, coaches; they are the gatekeepers allowing or blocking recruiter access to high schools. Knowing how those gatekeepers think is helpful in opening doors.
Having worked as a high school principal for several years in Sierra Vista, Ariz., Spokane Valley Army Career Center Army Reserve recruiter, Sgt. 1stClass Roger O’Connell knows exactly how school administrators think.
"I remember watching recruiters, from all the branches, walk into my school and start demanding lists, opportunities with my students, and anything else they believed themselves to be entitled to," O'Connell said. "I came into recruiting nine years ago with those images burned into my brain."
These images shaped O’Connell’s approach on how to deal with school gatekeepers. He’s compiled a list of recommendations.
- Remember, we are guests in their school.
- Realize that we need them more than they need us.
- Be preemptive. Don’t wait until the first week of school to introduce yourself and find out what the school expects of you.
- Be a friend before you need a friend.
- Know that one wrong act, even a mistake, can have lasting consequences.
Staff Sgt. Christian O’Keefe, Marysville Army Career Center commander, recently attended a briefing given by O’Connell and sees value in the former principal’s suggestions.
“Anytime you have a teammate who has experience on the other side of the conversation, we gain the advantage of gaining their perspective and train of thought,”O’Keefe said. “The brief provided insights about what high school principals think and we gained an understanding of their concerns.
During the briefing, O’Connell discussed other tactics, techniques and procedures for operating in high schools and promoting the Army Reserve as an option for applicants.
“[Sgt 1st Class O’Connell] was able to give us that different perspective that I don’t think recruiters get,” said Capt. Peter Matonis, Spokane Army Recruiting Company commander. “When they talk to somebody that’s been in that position, I think it kind of eases some minds and helps out.”