Expert: Jason Grabill - 11/12/2007

Question
I am a 27 year old married female with 2 kids. I have wanted to join the Corps since I was 17. I wasn't able to because I only had a GED. I am on my last 2 classes of my 1st year (24 credits). I remembered that 15 was what it took to equal a diploma. My husband was a Marine and just got out in July 06. I miss the life and now am thinking about trying to join. I have a good job, but it just isn't cutting it in some aspects. I have spoken to a recruiter asked a few questions but then he never called me back. I thought they were go-getters???

My questions lead to: Am I still eligible? Do I have too many dependents? I had displasia after I had my kids and had to have biopsies, but haven't had any problems since. Does this disqualify me?

Basically I want to know for sure if I do or don't qualify. I don't want to go the rest of my life thinking if I had only. . . or wondered if I could have.

Can you provide me with any insight?

Thanks,
Kristin

Answer
Kristin:

 Sounds to me like you are certainly qualified to enlist.   This is what I'd do...

First, get your affairs in order.  You know the drill, once you enlist you'll be gone for, realistically, 5 months or so.  (Recruit Training, followed by SOI) then your MOS school.   (Add extra time for MOS school).   So, even though you'll have leave in between, you'll basically be gone.   That's what I mean by 'get your affairs in order'.

After that is done, march yourself into the recruiters office in person, with your documentation from college, birth certificate, kids birth certs, marriage license, etc, and tell him you are ready to enlist...TODAY.   It won't be that simple (it never is) but that will get their attention.  Typically they are focused on the High school crowd, not older adults.   You'll have to do the ASVAB, and MEPS, which will likely take some time before they can schedule that up...but when you show up, committed to go, that will get their attention.

 Good luck, and keep me updated.  Also, you might want to check out www.leatherneck.com/forums  ....there are lots of poolies and Marines that hang out there, very good group, some female Marines as well.  Tons of good info.

Jason