[taseal]

thanks for the replies guys...

let me know explain a bit about myself so you have an idea of who I am, and why I chose force recon...

I'm currently a pilot, and it was my child dream job. one of the other child dream careers was to be a some sort of a soldier. not 100% marines.

now being a pilot gives me alot of benefits. one is being able to join force recon in reserves... for me, taking a flight to alabama is as easy as you driving home. I go to the airport, show couple IDs, wait for an empty spot, and sit up in the cockpit and take a ride. so it doesn't matter if I live in FL, and the unit is in AL.

2nd, let me tell you why I said reserves.... I like what I do, and I enjoy every minute of it. but like I said earlier, it was one of my dreams to be a some sort of a soldier. Marine is the only branch out there that will offer you a spot before signing the contract. also the fact that the 'brotherhood' is very known. pride of being etc. I don't want big sump of bonus cash that army offers (I believe marines is 20, but army is 40 for example) I just want to enjoy what I do. I probably won't be signing up for another year because I want to train myself (mentally, and physically) to do real well at the AVSAB and PFT/GT tests...

now why no AD? well. I like my current job as well. but I would love to be a marine too. and USMC can offer me that option. if I have to be AD 4 years of the 5 years that I'm in, hey... fine with me. at least I still have my job back home if I do come back.

another thing I thought about was signing up for a figther pilot position... however I do enough flying as is. I could prolly do something else.

and I have only 1 year of school lef to get my 4 year degree... so i'll probably get to work on that as well so when I join at least i'm not PFC, but a 2nd Lt.

[Jeebs]

Originally Posted by taseal

thanks for the replies guys...

let me know explain a bit about myself so you have an idea of who I am, and why I chose force recon...

I'm currently a pilot, and it was my child dream job. one of the other child dream careers was to be a some sort of a soldier. not 100% marines.

now being a pilot gives me alot of benefits. one is being able to join force recon in reserves... for me, taking a flight to alabama is as easy as you driving home. I go to the airport, show couple IDs, wait for an empty spot, and sit up in the cockpit and take a ride. so it doesn't matter if I live in FL, and the unit is in AL.

2nd, let me tell you why I said reserves.... I like what I do, and I enjoy every minute of it. but like I said earlier, it was one of my dreams to be a some sort of a soldier. Marine is the only branch out there that will offer you a spot before signing the contract. also the fact that the 'brotherhood' is very known. pride of being etc. I don't want big sump of bonus cash that army offers (I believe marines is 20, but army is 40 for example) I just want to enjoy what I do. I probably won't be signing up for another year because I want to train myself (mentally, and physically) to do real well at the AVSAB and PFT/GT tests...

now why no AD? well. I like my current job as well. but I would love to be a marine too. and USMC can offer me that option. if I have to be AD 4 years of the 5 years that I'm in, hey... fine with me. at least I still have my job back home if I do come back.

another thing I thought about was signing up for a figther pilot position... however I do enough flying as is. I could prolly do something else.

and I have only 1 year of school lef to get my 4 year degree... so i'll probably get to work on that as well so when I join at least i'm not PFC, but a 2nd Lt.

In response to the bold....

Just to second what I said earlier. You don't go in as a recon Marine. You go in as something else, typically infantry, and then try out for recon. Nothing about it is promised in any way.

Also, Marine officers are much fewer and farther between than enlisted. Being that recon is an even smaller community and there are probably only 1 or 2 reserve CO's out there, I would bet there are only maybe 20 officers in the entire country. Not saying don't go for it, just gotta realize that there are even fewer options at officer in that field.

[Greg_Volkman]

Originally Posted by taseal

(where my nickname 'seal' comes from actually)

I think that is cute.

since I already have a degree I could keep my MGIB for my child in the future as well....

B.S. - even under the new GI bill, which rolls out in Aug 2009, you have to be on active duty or activated status for your kids to receive benfits under the GI bill.

what do reserves do when they have to go for the 1 weekend out of a month? train??? how about if you are Active, but not deployed overseas to mid east? what do you then? I haerd its 7.30-4.30 M-F... do you train every single day?

No branch is M-F 7:30-4:30. When you are on tour you will work/train until they tell you that you can go home. You will deploy - even in the reserves...it is very common for reservists to deploy now. I would say, it's expected.

is that the AD guys REALLY look down on the reserve guys... they try everything they can to make life harder for them, and don't have respect for them....

I suppose it depends on where you are, but suffice to say, if you got your crap together no one will look down on you. This is B.S. as most people are more worried about what they are doing than what you are doing. If you deploy they will expect you to be ready. If you're a ******* you could get someone killed. I have had a few bad experiences with reservists, but I have had some with active duty too.

btw, I am not a marine...but I did stay at a holiday inn last night.

[JLeon]

Dude if you want to explore the option of flying in the military shoot me a PM and I'll try to help.

[taseal]

Originally Posted by Jeebs

In response to the bold....

Just to second what I said earlier. You don't go in as a recon Marine. You go in as something else, typically infantry, and then try out for recon. Nothing about it is promised in any way.

Also, Marine officers are much fewer and farther between than enlisted. Being that recon is an even smaller community and there are probably only 1 or 2 reserve CO's out there, I would bet there are only maybe 20 officers in the entire country. Not saying don't go for it, just gotta realize that there are even fewer options at officer in that field.

well from my research, it is now something you pick. MOS0321.... perhaps I got it wrong. but even if, I would gladly try out for it.

and yeah, I did hear that as well. that your chances of being one is much better when enlisted...

[taseal]

Originally Posted by Greg_Volkman

I think that is cute.



B.S. - even under the new GI bill, which rolls out in Aug 2009, you have to be on active duty or activated status for your kids to receive benfits under the GI bill.



No branch is M-F 7:30-4:30. When you are on tour you will work/train until they tell you that you can go home. You will deploy - even in the reserves...it is very common for reservists to deploy now. I would say, it's expected.



I suppose it depends on where you are, but suffice to say, if you got your crap together no one will look down on you. This is B.S. as most people are more worried about what they are doing than what you are doing. If you deploy they will expect you to be ready. If you're a ******* you could get someone killed. I have had a few bad experiences with reservists, but I have had some with active duty too.

btw, I am not a marine...but I did stay at a holiday inn last night.

well, that was helpful...

and regarding the 'seal' thing... i've had that 'seal' since I was 10 years old. so yes, it is cute indeed

[Jeebs]

Originally Posted by taseal

well from my research, it is now something you pick. MOS0321.... perhaps I got it wrong. but even if, I would gladly try out for it.

and yeah, I did hear that as well. that your chances of being one is much better when enlisted...

You don't select anything except the first 2 numbers in the MOS. This stands for the field that you will be working in. For example, you would select 03 which is infantry. Then when you are at school the powers that be would decide whether or not you were a rifleman (0311), a machine gunner (0331), etc. Yes, 0321 is a recon Marine but you will not get that MOS in your enlistment contract.

[taseal]

Originally Posted by Jeebs

You don't select anything except the first 2 numbers in the MOS. This stands for the field that you will be working in. For example, you would select 03 which is infantry. Then when you are at school the powers that be would decide whether or not you were a rifleman (0311), a machine gunner (0331), etc. Yes, 0321 is a recon Marine but you will not get that MOS in your enlistment contract.

ahhh got it... thx man! that was helpful...

I wonder what they pick rifleman/MG/sniper based on? (of course the range, but what else I wonder)

[Redfactor]

Originally Posted by Jeebs

You don't select anything except the first 2 numbers in the MOS. This stands for the field that you will be working in. For example, you would select 03 which is infantry. Then when you are at school the powers that be would decide whether or not you were a rifleman (0311), a machine gunner (0331), etc. Yes, 0321 is a recon Marine but you will not get that MOS in your enlistment contract.

I know this thread is kind of dead, but this kid isn't getting correct information.

As an enlisted reservist, you will sign up for a specific slot. You will know your MOS and your drill company. It's different than active duty where you'll only know the field they'll place you in.

This is vital because your local recruiting office, or the ones in Alabama, will know every available slot for the 2009 fiscal year (1 OCT - 31 SEP). The only time a reserve slot opens is when someone leaves it (for whatever reason). You local recruiting station will have a sheet showing all regional positions to be opened up within the year and the recruiting stations that designated to fill those slots (so there may be some trading between recruiters needed).

Because of this, I strongly urge you to reconsider preparing on your own. You should be in contact with your local recruiting station and the applicable stations in Alabama figuring out if/when your desired MOS is open.

If you're committed to joining the Marines, you'll be able to sign up under the Delayed Entry Program and your future reservist slot will be considered filled. If you wait to sign up until you're physically prepared, then there's a high probability you'll lose out on the most desireable MOS's.


There. I think I've given you the best info out there without you going to talk with your local recruiters.


On another note, you mentioned that you were considering a position as an officer rather than enlisted. If you decide this is what you'd like to do instead, I highly suggest you contact the Officer Selection Office for your area. The reason I say this is that if you still have one year of undergraduate work to accomplish still, you should qualify as a junior in their consideration. As such, you'd be put into the PLC program rather than OCC.

The PLC program is easier to get into, by a sizable amount. You're talking about a 225 PFT needed for the PLC program vs. a 285+ to even be considered for OCC (even then there's a lot of competition).

The down side is, if you're only at 225 PFT when you go to PLC, you're going to be hurtin' pretty bad and your class rank will reflect it. But hey, at least you've gotten your foot in the door.

In summation, go talk with recruiters. Go talk with the OSO and your local enlisted station. They're going to be able to put you on a path for success. Because if you're only getting your info from online sources or independent research, you're going to be kicking yourself later - I promise.

It's always better to start the process so they can work with you than waiting until you're ready to go to boot only to find out your plan doesn't fit with the Marine Corps' plan.

[jawalterusmc]

I have read this thread for the first time and have to admit I laughed at some of what has been written here...figured I couldn't do any worse. I "served" for 28 years in the USMC in Aviation. I joined up in 73 fresh out of high school with four of my buddies who had joined up earlier under the delayed entry program. I went to their going away party, met the "Gunny" who was their recruiter, and the next thing I know I am on a plane to Parris Island. Anyway, I signed up with the guaranteed MOS of 6111 Helicopter Mechanic. Guaranteed as long as I passed all the required schools, etc. At boot camp they even tried to convince me to change my MOS to Communications, and even apply for the Officer Program...but my four year commitment was already a lot to take in and they wanted a 6-8 yr commitment...little did I know. Anyway long story short I was enlisted for 12 years, recommended for the Warrant Officer program and became an Aviation Maintenance Officer. 8 years later I was selected under the Limited Duty Officer Program and promoted to Captain. As a Major I was sent to Newburgh, NY and served as the Aircraft Maintenance Officer for MALS 49. It was my first time ever serving with Reservists and I was not very happy with my new position. I, like most of my active duty counter parts, did not care much for reservists, the weekend warriors, the ones who "played at being Marine". Reservists came one weekend a month, tore up everything they touched, and then left, leaving us a mess to clean up. They would come back for a two week period during the summer and they would try to find a way to go some place "exotic" for their two weeks...HAWAII. The good news is that I slowly discovered that there were actually dedicated Reservists who took their duties and responsibilities very seriously. Most were very professional in their civilian lives and had higher expectations and wanted change. These select Officers and SNCO's, along with my Officers, Maintenance Chief, and other Senior SNCO's slowly but surely made the changes we could to provide "actual" training, professional and technical, to provide them the tools to be better Marines. As with most of the civilian population..some became TEAM PLAYERS and others continued to "play at being Marines". But for the few Reservists, Officer and Enlisted, that gave 100%, the efforts were worth it. Whatever you decide to do I hope you go in knowing up front that you need to be prepared to give it your all...100%, and not just on the weekends or your two week tour. Reservists and National Guardsman are standing toe to toe, or maybe back to back is more appropriate, with their Active Duty counterparts more so today then at any time in our country's history and possibly for many more years to come. More and more Reservists, at least Marine Reservists, are becoming Active Duty Marines every day. Marine recruitment is up, enlistments are higher, but benefits are changing. Good luck and SEMPER FI.

[jake_0311]

Originally Posted by Jeebs

You don't select anything except the first 2 numbers in the MOS. This stands for the field that you will be working in. For example, you would select 03 which is infantry. Then when you are at school the powers that be would decide whether or not you were a rifleman (0311), a machine gunner (0331), etc. Yes, 0321 is a recon Marine but you will not get that MOS in your enlistment contract.

This may have changed since I joined in 99, but at the time you could sign up with an 0321 opportunity in your contract. This didn't guarantee you the job of course, but it did guarantee you a try out right after SOI. If you washed out, then you would be sent to a line company. A guy I went to boot camp had it in his contract and ended up as a recon reservist in Hawaii.

[dz1087]

What the hell man? You are currently a pilot, one IED, and if you're not dead, you're more than likely gonna receive an injury that will take you off the flight deck permanently. Bombs don't discriminate, neither do bullets. You are already a flyer, why not do that? Much more safer than ground pounding. I go on lots of exercises with the ground pounders around here, but they're just that - exercises. I would never want to go on an actual mission with them, I'd rather just be in my plane.

If you go in as an officer, and want to fly, you'll still have to go through flight school, so I can see you not wanting to do that, but look at the AC you might get to fly.

Also, if you really want to do reserves - the AF Reserves looks at pilot slots like job placement. When they have an opening, they hire for that slot and a lot of times it is someone who just walked in off the street. You'll also know exactly what AC you will be flying before going to school, not competing against all the other guys at school. So, you can actually pick out the AC you want to fly, find a unit with that AC, and apply straight to them - no recruiters.

[Gunbunny]

Originally Posted by dz1087

I would never want to go on an actual mission with them, I'd rather just be in my plane.

And that's the difference between warriors and REMF's

[schitzangiggles]

Have you looked at the National Guard? You should. IMHE if you are in a reserve unit and "Big Army/Marines" go to war and they need 5 11B (light infantry), they come to your reserve unit, take 5 and deploy them where they are needed. So chances are you will be in a very bad place, with people you do not know, who probably care less about you than you do about them, have never trained with and because you "play soldier" on the week ends, looked at with disdain and given every crap detail until you "prove yourself" under fire.

Contrast this with a Guard unit, you train with your unit every month, you buid freindships with the guys in your unit. When your unit gets deployed most all of you go (need to leave some behind to be the RD to keep the floors mopped in the armory, recruit new guys, help out with family problems at home etc) to a very bad place with people you know, trust and can depend on.

Most state National Guards also have better education bennies (GI bill + kickers and bonuses) than the Big Army/Marines.

[groverNH]

You might want to check out this book:

One Bullet Away

It is written by a Marine Corps officer who served in Afghanistan and in Iraq as a member of Force Recon.