Expert: Jason Grabill - 6/16/2011

Question
QUESTION: Sir first I would like to say thank-you in advance for taking time out to answer my question . What my question is though is how do I transfer to the marines while currently in the air force . Please hear me out first . What my  story is that I tried everything I could do be a marine but I have my moms name tattooed below my right  wrist and I was automatically disqualified I tried laser treatment to get it off but my pigmentation is too dark to work and Would have gravely damaged my skin . So I stopped the expensive process. Having no money left to get skin grafts and money to pay for college I settled for the service that would take me . The Air Force . To this day I still do not know the tattoo policy for the Marines because I am on lackland AFB and I have met some SSGT that told me I should have gotten in with no problem, with me having no record , college with a 3.3 and very athletic and overall great character. So I would like to know the marine tattoo policy if you know it. But the air force is not for me , there is brotherhood, no integrity what's so every the way they treat eachother , very selfish, and they tall bad about all the branches of the military and make it seem like they won all the wars with no help . I belong in the marines. I heard about ELS. Entry level separation . And was wonder if I can do that to transfer, but people told me it will be like I never even served in the AF. So what should i do I want to get out soon as possible . I want to be a us marshals eventually after the marines and was wondering of infantry and college degree will help a lot . So can you please help me with an answer.thanks again appreciate it
A1C  JoshuaJohns

ANSWER: Joshua:

 Inter-service transfers are very, VERY difficult.  The tat policy of the Marine Corps is basically if it can be seen below the sleeve it has to be small enough to be covered with a hand and can't be racist, gang looking or detract from the Marine Corps.  

 ELS isn't for you, if that happens you'll be IN-eligible to reenlist.  Also, that discharge is only for people with under 6 months of service.

 The tat, if still there, is going to DQ you no matter what, if it did before.  You'll need to have it removed if you want to have a chance.  

 Once that is done, your best option, believe it or not, is to complete your time with an honorable discharge, then immediately reenlist into the Marine Corps.  That happens quite a bit and is really the best, and simplist, way to go about it.

 I do wish you the best of luck!

Jason  

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Yes sir I understand. What about a conditional release? What is that exactly?

Answer
I'll put it to you this way..something that is almost impossible to get.  One service has to really, really WANT you because of some specialized skill set...and the other service has to agree to give you up.

I've personally never heard of it happening in 20 some years.  Not to say it couldn't of course...but it would be rarer than rare.