Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/Active / reserve

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Expert: - 4/2/2008


Question
Dear Mr. Grabill,

I am currently in community college but want to go to the U.S. Marine Corp. I am contemplating a couple of things and want to get some information before i talk to a recruiter.

1. Should i transfer to a 4-year college then join?
2. If i want to finish college should i go in as reserve?
3. is it true that the fastest way to an officer through boot is:
a. go to bootcamp enlisted as reserve,
b. finish school, while applying to OCS,
C. graudate And or go to OCS,
d. upon graduation get commissioned as an officer?

Sincerely,
Ben and thank you in advance.

Answer
Ben:

 The reserves are probably the way to go in this instance, although you still stand a chance of being deployed while in your reserve unit, and this might interfere with your college.   Reserve or Active, you have to factor in 3 months of recruit training and additional time for School of Infantry and MOS school.  If you are leaning reserve and want to go that route, then perhaps staying in community college while you do those things would be your best option at this point.  That way any time away can be made up easier.

 Once you transfer to a 4 year school, you could apply for OCS through the Platoon Leader Course, which breaks up the schooling for officers over a several year period, at the end of which you get a commission (when you have graduated from college).  You'll have some advtanges in already being an enlisted Marine if you go this route, but it actually may take longer to do this if deployments interrupt your college.  (Does that make sense?)

 I understand what you 'plan' is but factor in those things and make a decision from there.  By all means talk to a recruiter who will have the most up to date information on enlisted and officer programs, they will be able to give you some additional insight on this.

Good luck!
Jason

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

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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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