Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/Switching to active duty

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Expert: - 1/30/2009


Question
i am in the army reserves and need to switch to active duty but have a few problems. I was a split option, and got a ged thinking i could get out of highschool early and go active duty. I understand i have to wait for the cg of my unit to release me, but i just heard yesterday that there completely snowed out and cant get to their offices. Whats complicated is that i haven't been to any training at all, including bct, ait, or any of the drills. Is there any loophole or some way to go active duty, i have no source of income due to the fact that i am 17, and jobs that that have sufficient pay and hours are extremely hard to find. My recruiter didn't even know about the new (rule) that a cg has to release you? So originally i had expected to ship off in early January as active duty, now its almost February and Im still at home with no job. I don't care if they sent me to iraq i just need to go active desperately because i can't pay bills and my aunts about to boot me.

Answer
Colt:

 Basically it sounds like you just have to wait for the paperwork to wind it's way through the system.  Sounds to me like you are doing what needs to be done, the reserves have to release you before you can enlist.  That's all there is to it.  Keep in contact with your unit and your recruiter, call both of them every day if need be.  It just takes time.

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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