Expert: John L - 9/14/2008

Question
Hello. I'm re-enlisting with an honorable discharge from the marine corp. Although I had a great experience with the corp. I'm thinking of going into the air force. Any insight into better benefits for my family with my wife and kids really wanting to live in california? I'm pretty open to any branch with the skills I've learned already in the marines. I'm just having a tough time choosing what direction to go in. Thanks.

Answer
The best option in re enlisting is to talk to a recruiter, being prior service makes things easier and more difficult.  If you reached the rank of SGT or above, accepting you may be an issue for the Air force, you may have to take a reduction in rank.  Depending on your MOS,  your job may convert to another service MOS or will need a little training to convert.  Try looking at the National Guard as well.  about 10-15% of all Guard members are full time support, getting same pay and benefits as any other active members of the military.  In my office of five, three are former Marine, and two are former Navy.

You've been through the recruiting process before, so you can smell BS if a recruiter tells you stuff.  Remember, a recruiter CANNOT guarantee you duty station.  The only branch that can is the National Guard due to that they enlist you into a specific slot in a specific unit.  But the full time slots are competed for from a qualified pool.  Sometimes a few apply for it, sometimes one.

Air Force benefits are no different than USMC benefits, except the PT standards are ALOT more relaxed than what you would be used to.

Bottom line,  talk to recruiters and find out what best meets you ands your family's needs and wants.

Thanks for serving.