Can anyone give me any information on the new DEPOT program? When I was at TRACEN, they said REBI was going away and was going to be replaced with the longer, more intense DEPOT. I have a friend who is an ex-marine and is looking to join. Any info would be appreciated.
First of all, don't EVER let your friend hear you call him (or her) an EX-Marine.
EX-Marines are Dishonorably Discharged. Everyone other one is a "Former" Marine.
DEPOT (from what I have been told) replaces both REBI and PITSTOP. DEPOT is supposed to be 3-1/2 weeks long, with all of the yelling and screaming by the CCs that someone would get going through regular Bootcamp.
Why? I have no clue. I have someone going through it in January (he's a former Marine, former E-5 with 11 years in the Corps). I'll have more insight when he gets back from it.
To add to the previous post, the person would have to come in as a direct Petty Officer to qualify for DEPOT. Most Marine MOS's don't translate directly into a Coast Guard rating, so for the most part, they don't qualify for the program and would have to go through regular basic training.
Thanks for the info. I appreciate it. This Former-Marine that I was referring to is currently a police officer and he is looking at the ME rating. I will get him in touch with my recruiter and see what happens. Thanks again!
If he is looking into the reserves, DEPOT may apply to him. Definitely have him talk to the recruiter and see where it goes. I forgot that I was posting in the Reserve forum when I gave my original answer.
Ok. So DEPOT is for both active duty and reserves. It is supposed to be a cross between REBI and Pitstop. The class is 19 days long and is run as a boot camp. The first week is a bunch of D & C, customs and courtesies, etc. with some core classes in the evenings taught via self paced computer workbooks. The second week is more hands on- firefighting, seamanship, range, etc.. The third week is leadership. Don't plan on using the phone except maybe on Sunday. Don't plan on down time. If you're reserve, don't plan on BAH- you get reserve component BAH. If you're reserve- don't plan on the post 9/11 gi bill.
I'll have to agree with 21112294, since I just graduated DEPOT 0110 on 23 OCT. I would like to add that you come in as a Petty Officer or a non rate (E3) with a guaranteed A School. Contrary to what LetsGoRedSox said, your former marine friend who is a cop and is interested in the ME rating is in a good position. Depending on his rank when he left the Marines and his time as a Law Enforcement Officer, he could come in the program as an E4 or E5. We had one of each in our DEPOT class only difference being they were prior Army. I should mention they came in as PS's, a rate that's going away but being replaced by the ME rating in January. And yes they will keep there rank when the rate changes as long as they complete their corrospondence coures. So tell your buddy to talk to his/her recruiter. It's a pretty good deal.
