Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/reenlistment from Army to Marine Corp

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Expert: - 9/4/2007


Question
QUESTION: I am currently serving in the Army. My ETS date is Oct. 2, 2009 and it will end my 3 year Active Duty contract with the Army. My question is do the Marines take prior service members from other branches and if so is it difficult to get into for instance is there a waiting period? I am aware that I will have to go through Marine boot camp but what will happen to my rank?

ANSWER: Adrian:

 Yes, they take prior service with no problem as long as you have an Honorable Discharge with an RE-1A reenlistment code.  There generally isn't a waiting period.  Maximum rank going into the Marine Corps for prior service is E-3.

Jason

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: So if I get promoted to E-4 they won't take me?

Answer
Adrian:

  No no no.  They'll take you, just not at E-4.  You might be guaranteed to make Corporal (the Marine Corps doesn't call their enlisted ranks by the paygrade, BTW) within six months, or something like that.  But they'll still take you as long as you meet the qualifications.

Jason

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

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Jason Grabill

Expertise

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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