Volunteer for Overseas?

[Seeley]

Is there a way to volunteer for overseas duty? Me and one of my buddies want to do that once we get done with SOI.

[dep_baumy]

I asked my recruiter about that recently and he said something that you can request it. But that doesnt mean you will get it.

[tacoman]

i got my ticket to iraq next month

[Seeley]

Yeah one of my buddies got back from Iraq a couple of months ago and now he's going to Korea.

[usmchauer]

lol @ tacoman! i'll be seeing ya in september...
seely, i've been told that you can request to go on a MEU, I would ask whoever is in charge of you when you get to your duty station about it. Good Luck

[jinelson]

Attention on deck poolees, the needs of the Corps will always dictate and prevail as to assignments. But it was this old Marines experience that those needs of the Corps sometimes do request volunteers especially in time of war. Most four year enlistee's will most likely deploy overseas. That was my case when I deployed to FMFPAC WESTPAC during Vietnam and I deployed for a 13 month tour then at the end of my tour the needs of the Corps requested volunteers for another 12 month tour in my MOS 3531 motor T. And you better believe I jumped on it. I have found this current group of poolies to be a highly motivated and educated group. Good Luck to you all.

[LcplStud]

you may or may not have the chance to deploy overseas. while the corps always needs willing Marines to ship out for 6-9 months, there will always be billets which need to filled at different bases. being in a reserve unit, i had the opportunity to volunteer to go to Iraq for an 8 month tour. we still don't know if we'll get too, but either way it'll work out. once you get done with all your training and you go home, you may not want to leave again and your feelings may change

[Lake0300]

To add on to what they've said, a lot depends upon your MOS. You can request, and if the job becomes available you'll probably get it. But theres never a guarantee. I fully understand your wanting to head overseas - I'd love to send a Marine home to his family. Unfortuneatly it just doesnt work like that. Goodluck. -Lake

[Sixguns]

Ask your recruiter about a QEP, Quality Enlistment Program. If you qualify you can get your program guarantee and a geographic assignment guarantee. The recruiter should be able to tell you if qualitfy. Also, you can make assignment choices at your MOS school. No guarantees there. I can say from experience though, if you ask to go overseas, it can happen. If you are going to a combat arms MOS, you will most likely be part of a unit deployment program and will eventually go with your entire unit. Other MOS's don't deploy as a "unit", but there are usually billet vacancies overseas.

Sixguns

[Seeley]

Well I'm sure they could always use another 03 out there :)

[Seeley]

Talked to my NCOIC at the recruiting office and he said all I have to do is let them know at recruit training.

[DevilDog99x]

I also had the same question. I talked to my recruiter about the QEP, Quality Enlistment Program. From my understanding, I was told that the Marine Corps is not doing that right now as of enlistment being up. It requires a 6 year term which the Corps is not offering at this time.