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Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/Marine Corps Reserve
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Question
Mr. Grabill,
I have a deep respect for the Marine Corps and have been considering joining the reserves. I just turned 21 and am a few classes short of finishing general requirments at a junior college which I hope to eventually transfer credits to a university and get a Bachelors degree afer 2 yrs. My issue is in deciding whether or not it is ok to do the reserves while attending college, or wait til I'm finished school. I would like the GI Bill to help me out financially; However, with our situations in Iraq and Afganistan, will I have to do tour after tour interupting school? Is there any way of telling? As a reservist will I have months notice before getting summoned or get pulled out of school? Will my unit be required a certain grace period b/n tours?
Tony:
Realistically, you would have to see what your nearest reserve unit does, first. Are they Infantry? Artillery? Or something else? That is what's going to drive the deployment schedule. Otherwise, it's just one weekend a month and a couple of weeks per year.
"Tour after tour" isn't really something going on right now so that's not something to concern yourself with at this point. The Marines, like the other services, try to leave their reservists home for several years between deployments. Talk to your local reserve unit to be up to date on their deployment schedule.
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Answers by Expert:
Jason Grabill
Expertise
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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