Expert: Jason Grabill - 8/13/2009

Question
Hi, I'm not sure if you'll know the answer to this, but you probably can give me more clarity than I currently have.

The marine corps let FY10 marines submit lateral move packages for certain MOS's starting July 1 and one of those MOS's was 4133 (MWR specialist), which doesn't require schooling.  It's on the job training.  

My husband's lat move package was approved today, but it's got a status of "approved pending release."  The career planner told him that it means he can reenlist starting October 1 (his EAS fiscal year).  From what I've been able to look up myself, it appears that this is a correct statement and it happened last year as well.  

What we don't understand is, when will we actually see orders?  I thought the orders came WITH the reenlistment contract so we would know WHERE we're going before he signs it (not that it matters THAT much, since he'll take what they give him, but I'd still like to know).  Are the orders going to get generated prior to October 1?  Or do we have to wait until October 1 to know anything more?

I guess I have a couple more slightly related questions as well.  Since it's on the job training, are we going to get PCS orders immediately, or only on completion of the on the job training?  And I guess that brings me to the question of: is on the job training usually done AT the new duty station or can they be done somewhere else?  I'm only asking because the master gunnery sgt said he could probably do the training at his currently duty station, but I can't find information about that anywhere.

I know this was long!  Sorry!  Thanks for reading!

Answer
Shannon:

  As I understand it, with this MOS, it's almost like a 'civilian' position in that you do your OJT right where you are, if they have an opening.  If they do not, HQMC finds an open 'spot' and PCS's you there.

 My guess here is that you will get the orders once he actually reenlists; That way the Corps knows it's actually getting someone to fill the slot instead of 'hoping' they will get someone to fill the slot.  I'm thinking that based on that, (esp since there is no school involved), that is why you don't have orders yet.  

 Hopefully that convuluted answer helps you some.

Jason