Expert: Rod Powers - 5/15/2007

Question
Hello, I served in the Marines in an Infantry unit from 1998 to 2002 and was discharged Honorably with a re-entry code of 1-a.  I was wondering what the chances were for me to re-enlist in the Marine Corps either as enlisted or in the MESEP program.  I have been going to college part time since I got out and have about 90 units.  I also have kept up my health by running at least 5 miles a week and practicing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.  Thank you in advance!

Dustin

Answer
Hi Dustin,

If you have an honorable discharge, and an RE Code of "2," then there is nothing that would keep you from reenlisting in the Marine Corps.

Keep in mind, however, that prior service enlistment is not the same as non-prior service enlistment. You are competing for "re-enlistment slots" with those who are currently on active duty. Push come to shove, the Marine Corps will allow one already on active duty to re-enlist, instead of someone who got out. In other words, if they have two re-enlistment slots for MOS XYZ, and one person applies for it who is a first-termer, currently on active duty, wanting to re-enlist for the "boat space," and another person applies for it, who is a prior service enlistment applicant, the person who is currently on active duty will get the slot.  For details, see my article about prior service enlistments at: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/joiningthemilitary/a/priorservice.htm

However, for the Marine Corps, as prior service, with an honorable discharge, and an RE Code of "1," the chances right now are pretty good. This is also true for prior service Army enlistments.  The reason is, that Congress has authorized the active duty Army and Active Duty Marine Corps to increase in size over the next few years.

On the other hand, if you were prior service who wished to enlist in the active duty Navy or Air Force, your chances would be much smaller, as both of these services are *decreasing* in size over the next few years.

My best guess? With a Marine Corps discharge of "honorable," an RE Code of "1," and an Infantry MOS, and considering you are in good physical shape, many Marine Corps recruiters would wash your car (just kidding) and buy you lunch at McDonalds (not kidding), just for the opportunity of talking to you about coming back into the Corps.

For more information about the United States Military, feel free to visit my U.S. Military Information Site at: http://usmilitary.about.com

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com