I was originally going to go army but after 3 trips to MEPS and multiple mistakes and moral issues involved with my recruiters I decided to look into the Marine Corps instead.
I have already passed my physical and my ASVBAT with and 86.
I'm 28 years old so I need to enlist before November 25th 09 when I turn 29.
Realistically will I be able to join Active Duty and ship to Boot in the next 3-4 months...
I have been wanting to be in the military for a while and my wife and I are anxious to make this a reality.
Thanks in advance for the replies.
PS... I'm in pretty good shape for a 28 year old so I know my body and mind will make it through.
Yes I went to the recruiter for my area Wednesday of this week and he gave me the run down of what I could get out of the Marine Corps and what I could do for them ext...
He then told me to call him when I had made a decision whether I wanted to join or not...
I called him back today but have not been able to reach him.
I have a BA as well so I'm a college grad but was told by the OCS recruiter I couldn't get through the legalities before turning 29 so OCS wasn't an option... still wanted to join, I'll go enlisted.
You should at least see if your recruiter can give you a higher enlisted rank. I did 2 years of ROTC in high school and got E2 for it. With all those credit hours you have they should at least be able to get you up to E2 if not higher.
I was actually able to bump my ship date to basic up, I was supposed to leave in January, but am now shipping in November which is probably the earliest they could get you out. It mainly depends on your recruiter and the people at meps as to how fast you can get shipped. I was lucky to get some fast working people to have a ship date so soon. Just try to speed things along as much as you can and you should be able to ship pretty fast.
The issue I was having was that for some reason the army would not accept my degree because it is from a private college...
The Marine Corps said they would accept it because it meets the requirements for accreditation in the state of Florida where the college is located...
The army recruiter told me to go ahead and sign the contract going in as an E1 and then if they couldn't work the problem out before I shipped to BCT that I didn't have to go...
To me that is a moral issue... I would never sign a document stating that I would join the military and then not ship...
Originally posted by 11463710: My real question has been whether or not I will be able to get in and get to basic in relatively good time?
I have heard that the Navy and Marine corps are turning away people at the moment or placing people on DEP... I'd rather get on with it.
Thanks for the post
You are going to DEP for some period of time. Wether it is a few weeks or months depends on MOS and you. The fastest way to get in and gone (assuming you do not need a waiver) is to not care what your MOS is. If you go open or find out what can get you gone the fastest that might get you out the door sooner. Again that is assuming there are slots period right now.
Why in the hell are you worried about the difference between a Pvt and Pfc pay? From the time you leave Bootcamp, you're talking 3 months. Now add on leave and MOS school and BINGO! You're there.
Just go to Boot Camp and do the best you can do. Evrything else will fall into place.
the road goes both ways, if you can not get in touch with him via phone then get your butt to his office,sit there and wait for him, provide all the needed documents and secure your promotion to E2 and make it happen.
Originally posted by CHEMICAL_ALI: the road goes both ways, if you can not get in touch with him via phone then get your butt to his office,sit there and wait for him, provide all the needed documents and secure your promotion to E2 and make it happen.
I actually work full time but have been in after work 2 times and he has not been in... I was told to call to set up an appointment. I'll keep trying till I get one.
Originally posted by GyJDIrwin: Why in the hell are you worried about the difference between a Pvt and Pfc pay? From the time you leave Bootcamp, you're talking 3 months. Now add on leave and MOS school and BINGO! You're there.
Just go to Boot Camp and do the best you can do. Evrything else will fall into place.
Semper Fi
John
I agree but did not realize I was worried about E1 as opposed to E2 in the Marine Corps.
It was an issue with going in at E1 in the army instead of E4... Big difference plus the issue wasn't really the rank as much as whether they accepted my credits for my BA... which has longer reaching ramifications such as High Grad Bonus... and also eligibility to go to OCS in the future... I'm looking more long term...
I understand in the Marine Corps none of this factors in because they will accept my degree and this is one of the reasons I have chosen to go Marine Corps.
