Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/Active duty or Reserve?

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Expert: - 9/30/2007


Question
I'm an 18 year old female and i just enlisted in the marine reserve. My problem is that i feel active duty has a lot more benefits than the reserve. My guidance counselor from school told me to pick reserve so that i can go to college first. I just really want to know the pros and cons of the reserve versus active duty because I'm so confused on which one to choose.

Answer
Virginia:

  First, congratulations on whichever choice you make!   Good job!

  This will really depend on what YOU want to do.  Reserves can get deployed just like the active duty can.  You don't earn as many benefits in the reserves that you would in the active duty; (full time medical, more college money, full time paycheck etc).  However, you likely won't deploy as much in the reserves as you will on active duty, either.

  There is time to do college on active duty, even when deployed, but you will have to have the discipline to do it, it is more difficult to juggle but it can be done.   

  Me, personally, I'd go active duty first and then do the reserve thing if you don't want to stay active.   Talk to your recruiter, I'm sure they can give you some good suggestions as well.  Either way, I wish you the best of luck!

 Also, you might want to check out:
www.leatherneck.com/forums , log on, fill out a profile, and talk to some actual active duty and reserve Marines about the pros and cons.

Jason

Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard

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Jason Grabill

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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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