Expert: Jason Grabill - 1/5/2006

Question
I've been considering the Military for quite some time.. I've switched interests from the Army Rangers, to the SEALs.. I really can't make up my mind.. I just recently went through part of BUD/s.. (Navy SEAL basic *Basic Underwater Demolition*) for Sony, as part of a reality show.. You can see it at www.socomhellweek.com <-- Anyway, I wanted to go to college, and go through OCS afterwords..

Theres a local reserve unit, It's a Combat Engineer unit... I know this sounds weird, but I've always wanted to be in combat, or at least a combat related field.. It seems the engineers build a lot of stuff and do a whole bunch of tedious work... Road Construction, Mine Sweeping, etc..

I can't seem to find any information on Marine Corps Combat Engineers, But I was hoping you could maybe fill me in on the likelyhood of combat, the general job, benefits of being a reservist.. etc..

One of the questions I really wanted to know about, if I decide to go Active, I can.. But, can I change my MOS? Like, if I wanted to go Infantry, or Intelligence, or something of the sort? I've written quite a lot, maybe even journalism?

What are the benefits of being a reservist? What do I do those 2 days a month? Is there a lot of EOD related stuff? Will I go through Infantry training? Will I attend combat drills and such?

I apologise for the random placement of all the questions.. I'm somewhat confused, and not too informed..

Thanks alot,
  Jesse Lewis

Answer
Hi Jesse:

 Ok, here goes.  Hopefully, I can help some.  The USMC Combat Engineers are both builders, and destroyers.  In peacetime, you basically get to learn a trade.  During wartime, you get to blow stuff up, build bunkers, do mineclearing (to a degree), and things like that.  You also do lots of "humanitarian" projects, like, for example, putting a new roof on a school or something.  That's a very, very, simplified version of the Combat Engineers in the Marine Corps;  they also drive heavy equipment like bulldozers, etc.  It can be a fun MOS, but it can also be, like you alluded, very tedious.  However, the Engineers are in high demand right now in Iraq/Afganistan, so expect to deploy sooner, rather than later.

 Can you change MOS?  As an Active duty Marine, yes.  Usually, after your first enlistment, or 3 years, you are given the chance to do a "lateral move", allowing you to go into a different job.  That having been said, if your job is considered "Critical", you won't be allowed to change.  *Unless*, you change into a critical MOS (such as Counterintelligence).  

 Reserve Marines usually can't lat move unless there is a unit nearby that requires that particular job, or you are willing to travel to a unit that is short that job (at your own expense).

 ALL Marines are basically trained Riflemen.  Everyone goes through Infantry school, no exceptions, even bandsmen.  Actual Infantrymen have a longer school with more nuances and in depth tactics, after the "basic" Infantry course.

 The 2 or 3 days a month you spend at drill will, after Recruit Training (13 weeks), Infantry School (5 weeks), and your MOS School (depending on job, 6 or more weeks) be spent doing and learning the units primary mission, and whatever it is your job entails.

 Give the local USMC Recruiter a call, I'm sure he or she will be able to arrange a trip out to the reserve center so you can have a look around, and make an informed choice.  Personally, I'd go active duty if I were looking to get into "action", your chances will be much improved no matter what MOS you chose, if you are on Active duty.  

Good luck, don't hesistate to write again if you have more questions.

Best Regards,

Jason