Expert: John L - 12/8/2008

Question
My husband was active duty USMC for 4 years.  The PSR called him up and was trying to talk him into coming back to the Reserve side.  My husband is not interested right now.  The PSR asked him if he could fax over some paperwork that just updates his personal info and incase he decides he wants to come back all the paper work is signed and done.  He said that ABSOLUTELY he is not signing a contract or under obligation.  I have a friend who says that sometimes this is a "Join and Drop" procedure that PSR do to make "mission".  I am okay with it, and my husband says Marines have each others back..as long as he is not obligated then the PSR can do what he has to do for his job?  Is this a tactic they do and is it legal?  I certainly do not want my husband in trouble, but I also do not want to see a Fellow Marine get into trouble either.  If it is not legal what is the charge and what will happen to the PSR and or my husband?

Answer
Marines have the option of rejoining and being what they called non-obligated.  Some Marines come back in for a couple months, then drop, which is legal.  


However, BEWARE.

What if on hte day after he joins, his unit gets a warning order that threy are deploying in 6 months.  That automatically discontinues the dropping out and your husband will be bound for overseas.

Rules can change in an instant, and join and drop is not ethical either, just to help someone "make mission".

Good luck.