Minimum To Sign?

[Motorola07]

Okay I have heard several things. They signed me for 8 years, and said thats the minimum. The guy at MEPS hes the one that old me, hes a E-8.

Now whats the deal with this. True or not? Doesn't bother me if it is because I plan on making this a career.

Now I have heard 4 years and you can go in for 2 years and then be done. And also heard the min. is 2 years from few other people.

[Echo_Four_Bravo]

I can't really understand what you're saying at the end of your post. But, the standard contract is an 8 year deal. You do four years of active duty or six years of reserve duty and the remainder of the time is spent in the Inactive Ready Reserve (IRR).

There have been plans that you could enlist for longer and shorter periods of time. However, I do not know if they are using any of them at the moment.

[USMCVet1992]

Like E4B stated, you likely are signing a four year active duty w/ a four year IRR obligation or 6 year reserve w/ 2 year IRR. READ YOUR CONTRACT. I have seen many Marines just sign the line and not read anything, then get all pis**ed off when they are assigned an 0311 slot for the next 50 years because they didnt bother to read what they signed. READ YOUR CONTRACT, THEN SIGN IT.... IN THAT ORDER.

[Sgt Leprechaun]

Corrections needed....

First, there is no such animal, vegatable, or mineral, in the Marine Corps, as "an E-8". That Marine is either a Master Sergeant or a First Sergeant of Marines. Try asking the "E-6" Drill instructor for a head call....and see what happens.

Next up...like is being stated above, by Vet92, all contracts are now for 8 (Eight) years. Typically, they are 4 active, the next 4 in some type of reserve status.

There are no two year contracts in the Marine Corps..that's the Army.

Again, though, READ YOUR CONTRACT and make sure you know what it says...

v/r

[USMCVet1992]

Actually there are two grades of E8 which are, as stated, Master Sergeant:http://www.duprel.com/usmcgeocitiespaid/mastersgt.gif
and First Sergeant:
http://www.duprel.com/usmcgeocitiespaid/firstsgt.gif
both are E8.

I think that the point that was trying to be made was that an E8 refers to two different ranks, and the appropriate way of addressing the "E8" is either as First Sergeant or as Master Sergeant and the same applies with the E9 grade, except that there are three E9's; Master Gunnery Sergeant, Sergeant Major and Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, unless you are in the Army then everybody is referred to as Sarge, Corporal, Specialist or Private. If you join the Air Force, just use first names, and for the Navy, the are listed in the yellow pages under Taxi Services....

[Motorola07]

I can scan my enlistment papers and show you that hes an E-8. I did read it, because before I signed I asked him why is it so high, and told him I thought it was a lower signning.

Like I said, doesn't bother me thats its so high, I'm plan on making this a career.

[Echo_Four_Bravo]

While you're saying E-8 we're thinking about a pay grade, not something in your contract.

You will be signing an 8 year contract. However, you will not be on active duty for 8 years with that contract. Four years after you go to boot camp you will either get out or reenlist. (actually it will be done a bit earlier, but that isn't important right now.)

When you hear the news talking about people being recalled to active duty they are talking about people that got out after their four years but were i the IRR, and thus subject to recall.

[Motorola07]

No, it shows Garza Ruben. Pay Grade E-8. USMC REcruiting Station Dallas.]

Think I might be misunderstanding you. But ya I now Understand the 8 year contract.

[USMCVet1992]

motor-- He is an E8, but there are two different E8 ranks, Master and First Sergeant. When you were told there is no such thing as an E8, that is wrong. E8 is a pay grade that holds two ranks within that grade. When you complete Recruit Training you will likely be an E1 (Private) or an E2 (PFC) pay grade. There are those who are contract PFC's that at times attain Meritorious Promotion to E3 (LCpl). The pay grade is correct, E8, but pointless. The answer to your question is likely EXACTLY as stated by E4B. You will sign an 8 year contract. If you sign for active duty, you are committing to 4 years of active duty service and four years of IRR. For IRR you are no longer an active duty Marine and do not have to attend any drill or anything like that, you are essentially considered to be out of the Marine Corps. Where IRR usually comes into play is when there is a NEED for EXPERIENCED Marines in a specific function or Unit, depending on your MOS and individual experience. Dont worry about the pay grade thingy, it doesnt matter for your specific circumstance. If you want 4 years of active duty, you will sign an "8 year contract." For reserves, you will sign 6 years of "active reserves" and 2 years of IRR, for a total of 8 years. Hope this helps.