Expert: Jason Grabill - 12/3/2007

Question
Hello, My name is James and I'm 18 years old

I recently joined the Army and am scheduled to ship out for basic at Fort
Jackson on January 16th.  January 9 I am scheduled to report to MEPS to sign
some more paperwork, which I was told would "officially" (The "no turning
back now officially") put me in the Army.

Before I say more, I have to say that when I became interested in joining the
military I was 16 and had my heart set on being a Marine.  I planned on
joining as soon as I graduated, but had some problems due to my private
high school diploma that was not accredited by the state of Texas.  So I went
to college to gain my 15 college credit hours needed to join, and enrolled in
Army ROTC.  The class was fun and had many students that were apart of
Army Reserve.  I decided that I would join the Army Reserve and continue the
ROTC classes to gain my commission.  Now that my ship date is approaching,
I'm realizing that I made a mistake.  It is my dream to be a United States
Marine and I constatnly kick myself for Marine Corps is the branch for me.

I've talked to the Army XO of the Reserve unit I'd be attached to and he told
me it was possible to switch.  I've also talked to two Marine Recruiters that
Have told me it was possible as long as I could get the Army to discharge me.  
However, as expected, my Army recruiter and her CO are giving me the red
light, saying I'm in already.  They've tried to make it easier for me by telling
me I could switch jobs and other things like that, but I told them it wasn't the
job, it was the branch.

Is there any possible way to make this switch?  Or just not join the Army and
wait a while to join USMC?  Please help with any information you have.  Thank
you.

James

Answer
James:

  You should be able to transfer from Army DEP into the USMC DEP with no problem, it's just a matter of being released from one service to re-enlist into another.  While you are sort of 'in' already, the army recruiter just doesn't want to lose you as a prospect, and will do everything they can to keep you.  Go back to the USMC recruiters and have them start the paperwork to get you in;  advise your army recruiter you will NOT be shipping with them because you are enlisting into the Marines.  Tell them you will go up the chain of command if need be.

Good luck!

Jason