Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/Pre-enlistment promises

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Expert: - 10/28/2008


Question
Local recruiter is recruiting my soon 18 year old son who is one credit away from HS diploma.  He is out of school & taking a few classes at local junior college.  He currently is working as an airplane mechanic.  This local recruiter (an E5) is promising him "aviation schools", and has told him he doesnt need his diploma.   He basically says my son has to sign up (join), and then will be guaranteed these schools ("unless the needs of the corp........).  
In fact, can he get a written guarantee of school that allows discharge if they don't send him to the school they promise?  I worry my son is going to wind up kicking down doors in Kandahar instead of working on planes.  Why wont the USMC just give the boy a written guarantee?

Answer
Al:

 I think I might see the problem;  if your son doesn't have a HS diploma, he's going to have a limited amount of choices he can work with.  With no diploma, I'm surprised the recruiter is even TALKING to him at this point, that's unusual.  

 This is what I understand from your question, anyway.  (That he doesn't have a diploma yet).

 As far as the MOS goes, the way it works now is that you select a career field (say, Aviation, Mechanic).  Then once you complete recruit training and get to the school, they (the schoolhouse) decide what type of planes you actually work on.  Then you get your assigned job.

 They will NOT discharge him if he doesn't get the job he wants.  It doesn't work that way, (although many people believe it does).  Even with a 'guarantee', if you somehow don't get the school, you don't automatically "get" a discharge.

 I'd suggest sitting down with the recruiter and have him explain to you the process.

Jason

Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard

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Jason Grabill

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Questions relating to US Marine Corps; rank, awards, uniforms, career choices. I can also help people spot and expose fakes (people pretending to be Marines or have awards they didn`t earn). Considering the Marines as a career? Or another branch, like the Air National Guard? Drop me a line. HOWever..know that I am NOT a recruiter. I can offer my expert opinion and advice, but can't (and won't) over rule what a recruiter says, they are the 'on duty' expert.

Experience

Infantry Rifleman, MOS 0311: 3 years. Marine Barracks Security (Marine Barracks, Annapolis, Maryland(not Embassy Duty): 3 years. Parachutist: MOS 9962: Got my wings in August of 1984. Intelligence Specialist: MOS 0231 10 years working as an Intelligence Analyst with a Fixed Wing Fighter Squadron, Force Service Support Group, and at Headquarters, Marine Corps. Field Radio Operator: MOS 2531. Served as a Platoon Sergeant in a Communications Platoon assigned to MEU Service Support Group 24 (Special Operations Capable). Did a hitch in the Army reserves as an 11B (Infantryman), 3 years. Finished out my career in the Air National Guard as a BioEnvironmental Engineer MOS 4B3X1, did that for a few years. I"ve been collecting and selling Marine Corps and other military uniforms, medals, and field gear since I was 8 years old.

Organizations
United States Marine Corps Logistical Company.

Publications
I was an Editorial writer for Marine Corps Times from 1998-2000.

Education/Credentials
Extensive library of research materials relating to uniforms, medals, and equipment of the military and the Marine Corps. 22 College credits, Community College of the Air Force. Certified Historical Interpreter.

Awards and Honors
Kosovo Campaign Medal w/1 star Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with 4 stars. Numerous other unit awards. I was on duty on 9/11 at HQMC, near the Pentagon, and responded to that location to try and lend a hand if needed...

Past/Present Clients
United States Marine Corps Historical Company, Guardian Security and Investigations, lead Investigator for 'Stolen Valor' cases.

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