Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 9/14/2009

Question
i was told by my recruiter that they cannot enlist no one right now because the marines ia really full right now. he said he could probably enlist me until august and i would probably go on open contract. so he told me that he can sign me up to the reserves. he said after SOI i could request to transfer to active duty. Is this true? And how long would it take to transfer to active duty?

Answer
Dear Antonio --

All the services have met their recruiting goals for fiscal year 2009.  The new fiscal year begins on 1 October 2009.  That means they are not actively recruiting until 1 Oct.

If you want a specialty that is over strength, they will not have a training billet for you even when 1 Oct arrives.  

If you join the reserves and complete your boot camp and military specialty training, you can request to go from your training directly into an active duty assignment.  Whether you are accepted onto active duty, and how long it takes will depend on the needs of the Marines and your military specialty.  There is no guarantee that you will get an active duty assignment when you ask, but if you have done well in all your training, the odds are in your favor.

Please write back, if you have additional questions.  Good luck to you.