Expert: Jason Grabill - 10/21/2007

Question
Alright let me set some things straight, I'm currently 17 and in AFJROTC(3 years). I'm planning to enlist USMC Reserve Infantry as an E-2 PFC(taken the asvab and got a GT of 110ish so I know I'm 'good to go').

Upon enlisting I hope to take advantage of the new enlistment bonus offering the SRMGIB and kicker as well as a nice 10000 or 20000 bonus...not sure which it was. Assuming I'm a full-time student and IN THE MIDDLE OF A CLASS would that make me undeployable?(Note, I am NOT afraid of deploying, merely seeking information, I actually hope to be deployed but was merely wondering if you can go while your in college AND in the middle of a class.)

If you're unable to give me a definitive answer for any of those questions, that's alright I understand. Please don't stress yourself over it.

As for my main question, I see you have experience as an 0311 and that(hopefully) will be the MOS I receive, so I was wondering if you could enlighten me with 'real-world' experience of that MOS and also of any other knowledge you might have of the other 03-- billets, duties, way their assigned, as hard facts and information is SOOOO, terribly hard to come by.

FINALLY(sorry, I'm tired of reading this too ;) ), I was wondering if you could give me some feedback on the plausibility of this plan.

My current plans for enlistment on turning 18 are:

1. Pull 6 years in the reserves while I get my degree(Literature btw)
2. Go Active Duty as an Officer and become a 'Mustang'
3. After serving another 6 to 10ish years as an Infantry Officer hopefully will make a LAT Move to Intel as the body might be gettin too old for that young'ins game ha-ha.

I lied. This is the final statements.

I just wanted to Thank you. Thank you for your service to our fine country. Thank you for THIS service of answering stupid people's, like myself, questions. Thank you for being there as quick and efficient as you are. =]

Answer
James:

  First, congrats on your potential career!  

Ok, here we go:

If you are a reservist, when you get orders, you get orders.  Class, wedding, death, birth, doesn't matter, orders are orders.   So, yes, you can be deployed in the middle of a class.

Your plan sounds fine by me, there are a couple of hurdles to overcome, of course, but if you set your mind to it, you can accomplish it!

As far as day to day "03" stuff, I highly suggest you go to:

www.leatherneck.com/forums

Sign up, log in, and talk to real, no kidding, serving *right now* 0311's and everything in between.  You'll learn lots of good information on both the Infantry, and being a Marine (getting through Recruit Training should be your immediate objective at this point).

Hopefully, that will be enough information to get you started!

Thanks for the kind words, no worries.  I like answering questions so it's no big deal :)  

Best regards,

Jason