I am a prior service Marine, 0311 from 96-00.

I left active duty and joined the Army National Guard. Needless to say, that was a stupid move to save an hour's drive for weekend drills.

I am trying to get back into the Marine Reserves when I get back from Iraq, and was wondering if anyone here knows if my Army MOS (13M - Field Artillery MLRS crewman) will transfer to the HIMARS system. I also have MOS 13B - cannon crewmember, same as 0811.

Thanks for any replies!

The best thing to do is see a recruiter. Make sure they look in the book that shows the MOS's for all branches to see if it does. I did the same thing, went into the National Guard after being out for 8 years. The National Guard recruiter "hooked me up". She had no idea what she was talking about. My MOS, 0861 DOES NOT translate to Army 13F, although she said it did. Don't know why, it just doesnt. There were three things in my contract that were wrong, things got so bad, even after going through the chain of command for a year, I contacted a person I know who works on the House Armed Services Committee. They decided to give me some options, one of which was being released from my contract. I recommend whole heartedly to double check everything when switching services.

Well, I don't mind being retrained to get into that Reserve Artillery unit. If I can't go there, I can still go to an Infantry unit a little closer to home. I don't care what it's doing, I am getting out of the National Guard.

I'm an artilleryman, and I'm in Iraq as a freaking prison guard. Right now I am at Abu Ghraib, this is NOT the place for anyone except an MP, more specifically correctional MP's. I'm being a baby about it all, I know, but I VOLUNTEERED for this deployment, they could have been honest about what we were going to be doing. Oh well. Rant off.

Semper Fi,
James

God, how this sounds familiar. I left active duty USMC, joined the Guard (they were Infantry, the local USMC was Motor T) and hated every. single. day. Found out later that there was an Infantry battalion just an hour and a half down the road.

You already know, the Guard is not The Corps. It's better to be an NCO in the USMC than an officer in the National Guard. Really. Good luck in returning to the Corps. I've made a few calls, and I know that I'm going to have to bust my *** for the recruiter to even call me back. I'm not a priority, and I'll have to take whatever MOS they have, period.

I'm in the army now, too, but went Warrant Officer Flight. It isn't the Corps, but I'm flying. They're hurting for pilots.

I would rather be going on a hump on the worst lava dogs then spend time in the guards or the army! devil dogs return while you still can.

A.R.M.Y.
Ain't Ready tobe a Marine Yet!

You're right and you're wrong. Yeah, they aren't about to be Marines, most of 'em can't do it at all. But I spent lots of time humpin', and I've got to say that flying myself around is much better.

I was involved in the testing and development phases of the HIMARS system. It is a very different animal than the MLRS. The basic concept is the same but the operating system is unique and the wheeled vehicle is a complete change from the tracked MLRS. Ask a recruiter to be sure but I would wager that the training will not transfer directly. The problem is that right now there is no real school for the HIMAR and all trainig is done on site with the unit. All HIMARS crewman must be on site. All HIMARS crewman must be 0811s first anyway so you will probably have to attend at least a shortened 0811 course

If you go marine reserve artillery then you wont be seeing the HIMARS anytime soon. 5/11 will be getting the HIMARS next year some time. We all know that the reserve falls behind the active duty as far as training and equipment. Think about it: the M777 is not even marine corps wide yet. 10th and 12th marines dont have it yet. HIMARS wont be out till next year. Now when do you think that good ole new gear is gonna trinkle down to reserve arty btrys. Gonna be a while. All you'll be shooting in the reserve for now is good ole faithfull m198 and 105. But hey you can always go active duty and get deployed to iraq as a provisional MP company doing convoy security getting blowed up by ied's. Thats arty's role over there now a days.

quote:

Originally posted by blak_ice29:
If you go marine reserve artillery then you wont be seeing the HIMARS anytime soon. 5/11 will be getting the HIMARS next year some time. We all know that the reserve falls behind the active duty as far as training and equipment. Think about it: the M777 is not even marine corps wide yet. 10th and 12th marines dont have it yet. HIMARS wont be out till next year. Now when do you think that good ole new gear is gonna trinkle down to reserve arty btrys. Gonna be a while. All you'll be shooting in the reserve for now is good ole faithfull m198 and 105. But hey you can always go active duty and get deployed to iraq as a provisional MP company doing convoy security getting blowed up by ied's. Thats arty's role over there now a days.

Except the first and only HIMARS unit that has been fielded is 2/14 out of Oklahoma City, which is a reserve unit.

As it stands you can transfer, there is no formal school, so no one is MOS trained as a true 0814. The only Operatial unit in the Marines Corps at this time for HIMARS is Fox 2/14 out of Oklahoma City( sorry to disappoint you blak ice, but we have had HIMARS for going on 2+ years) Generally speaking you would need to be an 0811 to be directly on the HIMAR, but not in support, such as Local Security, which each HIMAR now travels with.

As for arty and MP's. Thats a big yup, I just returned in april with 5/14 as provisional MP Battalion. But on the other hand all the Arty did was night fire Illum, and that sucks too.
If you have any questions feel free to email me direct.

Gunny D
BG Fox 2/14

Also blak ice, 5/14 fields the 777 in the summer of 2007

quote:

Originally posted by blak_ice29:
If you go marine reserve artillery then you wont be seeing the HIMARS anytime soon. 5/11 will be getting the HIMARS next year some time. We all know that the reserve falls behind the active duty as far as training and equipment. Think about it: the M777 is not even marine corps wide yet. 10th and 12th marines dont have it yet. HIMARS wont be out till next year. Now when do you think that good ole new gear is gonna trinkle down to reserve arty btrys. Gonna be a while. All you'll be shooting in the reserve for now is good ole faithfull m198 and 105. But hey you can always go active duty and get deployed to iraq as a provisional MP company doing convoy security getting blowed up by ied's. Thats arty's role over there now a days.

HIMARS is being fielded in the Marine Corps as a GS weapon and 14th Marines (along with a couple of active duty units) has been given that mission.

quote:

Originally posted by newman1371:
I would rather be going on a hump on the worst lava dogs then spend time in the guards or the army! devil dogs return while you still can.

A.R.M.Y.
Ain't Ready tobe a Marine Yet!

I spent 7 1/2 in Marines and now I am in the guard. I want to come back to the Corps but its not worth it. It might not take long to pick up rank now but its still the same with service limitations. I would hate to be a SSG. and be kicked out with nothing to show for it. Army gives out rank, might as well take advantage of it. Still hurts putting on an army uniform though.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ChestyRules,

quote:

Originally posted by TexAgDevildog:

quote:

Originally posted by blak_ice29:
If you go marine reserve artillery then you wont be seeing the HIMARS anytime soon. 5/11 will be getting the HIMARS next year some time. We all know that the reserve falls behind the active duty as far as training and equipment. Think about it: the M777 is not even marine corps wide yet. 10th and 12th marines dont have it yet. HIMARS wont be out till next year. Now when do you think that good ole new gear is gonna trinkle down to reserve arty btrys. Gonna be a while. All you'll be shooting in the reserve for now is good ole faithfull m198 and 105. But hey you can always go active duty and get deployed to iraq as a provisional MP company doing convoy security getting blowed up by ied's. Thats arty's role over there now a days.

Except the first and only HIMARS unit that has been fielded is 2/14 out of Oklahoma City, which is a reserve unit.

correct 2/14 F btry has the HIMARS, I think they are supposed to be expanding 2/14's HIMARS capability, their HQ btry and the regimental HQ (where I am) work together alot. 14th as a whole is supposed to be undergoing alot of changes though our Regimental I and I said.

I dont know anything about this new corps arty.So when i read these posts,i kinda scratch my head wondering why would a brother want to be an army maggot?Id rather gouge out my eyes!I was with 5/10,2/12 and 3/10 in the late 70's and early 80's.I would like to track down some of the brothers i served with.I know 1 of them works in Lejeune as a civilian contractor now.I guess i am a little off topic.
Semper Fi

F2/14(reserves) HIMARS, currently deployed to Iraq. So much for your active duty first theory blakice

quote:

Originally posted by MilitaryMFA:
It's better to be an NCO in the USMC than an officer in the National Guard.

Just out of curiosity what does that mean?

quote:

Originally posted by SWDmeansKILL:

quote:

Originally posted by MilitaryMFA:
It's better to be an NCO in the USMC than an officer in the National Guard.

Just out of curiosity what does that mean?

You are still a wannabe, if you go in, you will then know what it means.

quote:

Originally posted by SCMerle:

quote:

Originally posted by SWDmeansKILL:

quote:

Originally posted by MilitaryMFA:
It's better to be an NCO in the USMC than an officer in the National Guard.

Just out of curiosity what does that mean?

You are still a wannabe, if you go in, you will then know what it means.

SWDmeanskill, get your head out of your butt make up your mind join up ether the Marines or Army you will never be able to be in both.I told you I'd be keeping an eye on you.

Cav