Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/life long dream

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Expert: - 7/23/2009


Question
I’m currently 29 years old and have always wanted to join the Marines. Unfortunately until recently I was over 100lbs over the max weight limits. To try and get around this I was planning on joining the Navy as a Hospital Corpsman and enlist after my service was up with prior service I was told the age limits would be lifted is this true? Joining the Marines has been a life long dream of mine

Answer
Marlon:

  At 29, you are too old to become a Marine.  The cut off age is 28, and there are NO waivers for that.  Yes, the prior service might help, but there is no assurance that it will.  The Corpsman route is a good one and you'd still get to serve with Marines, but don't assume the prior service will help once you get out, it only deducts the time you have already served.  In other words, it will 'minus' four years from your actual age, which will also be four years older.  

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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