Expert: Jason Grabill - 8/17/2008

Question
I began by joining the Marine Corps DEP program under open contract (recommended by the recruiter) completed my MEPS processing and testing on thanksgiving of 2007 making my ship date to be september 2nd 2008 but since then requested my discharge letter after meeting with the commander and all those guys with the response now that my letter is "on the way" probably in no hurry but i have 100% interest in the air force which to begin with was my number 1 choice but went with the marines out of impulse and now that i have been told i was "discharged" with no letter i dont know if i can go and talk to the air force recruiters and get going on my contract to go with them. i want to join the security forces in the air force reserves and later on switch to active but for now reserves. but do you think ill have to wait until my ship date passes or do you think i am able to begin now i was thinking of telling them i've explained to the marines of my leave and been told i would discharge august 2nd but haven't received paperwork on it and to take it up with them but i dont know, what do you think.

Answer
Bryan:

 Without a doubt, you've won the prize for the longest run on question this year.  Congratulations!   

 All right.  From what I've been able to figure out in this, you enlisted DEP in the Marines, and now have decided the Marines aren't for you, for whatever reason, and want to transfer to the Air Force.  And do Security Forces.  Possibly in the Reserves.  And you are anxious because your 'release' letter hasn't arrived yet.

 If I've got that all down, then here is the answer:

1st, you are concerned because you don't yet have this letter.  If the Marines told you it was coming, it'll be there, but it takes time.  I would figure at least 30 days and maybe more for the paperwork to wind it's way through the system.  It's barely been 3 weeks yet.  

2nd:  You want to go Security Forces in the Air Force.  Well, that shouldn't be that hard, since the AF is ramping up that job.  But guess what?  If you really believe that you are going to be doing a law enforcement mission, you are mistaken.  I know SF guys, and they told me not 3 days ago "We've become the Air Force infantry".  Think on that a moment.  My Air Guard unit is getting ready to send 45 SF guys out to the sandbox this week, for a six month tour.  They'll be doing infantry type stuff.  They aren't cops, they are grunts.  

3rd:  Going from reserve to active, in the Air Force at least, is nearly impossible, no matter what your MOS is.  I don't care what the recruiter is telling you, it's almost never heard of.  

So, I would talk to the recruiter, express your interest, and explain the situation to him/her about the Marine paperwork, and let them work from there.  Good luck with your situation, I hope you are happy with your decision.

Jason