Question about Joining... Really need Help...

[usmc8467]

Im a senior this year and am going to attend school in the fall to get my associates degree in fire prevention technology to become a firefighter. My question is after i get my degree and am signed to a fire department, Will i be able to, or does the city have to let me have the time if I wanted to join the Marine Corps reserves to complete Bootcamp, SOI, and MOS training and then return back to my job at the fire department as a reservest.I really need help, all answers are helpful... Thank You

[SgtJimc]

Hey Chris,

There are plenty of cops and firemen who are Marine Corps Reservists, so this shouldn't be a problem for you. During your interview process and training with the fire department, I would certainly make them aware of your plans to join the Corps. There are laws that protect the civilian jobs of reservists, so you should be good to go!! Good luck!!

[Zulu 36]

Hey Chris,

There are plenty of cops and firemen who are Marine Corps Reservists, so this shouldn't be a problem for you. During your interview process and training with the fire department, I would certainly make them aware of your plans to join the Corps. There are laws that protect the civilian jobs of reservists, so you should be good to go!! Good luck!!

Personally, I wouldn't mention a word about wanting to join the Marine Corps Reserves at any job interview (except the one with a Marine recruiter). While it is against the law to deny someone a job on the basis of wanting to join the reserves, they can always find some other little "glitch" unrelated to the military to pass him over.

If you are already in the reserves, mentioning that status at an interview is another matter. The employer has a right to know that. They don't have a right to know something that may, or may not, happen in the future.

[SgtJimc]

Personally, I wouldn't mention a word about wanting to join the Marine Corps Reserves at any job interview (except the one with a Marine recruiter). While it is against the law to deny someone a job on the basis of wanting to join the reserves, they can always find some other little "glitch" unrelated to the military to pass him over.

If you are already in the reserves, mentioning that status at an interview is another matter. The employer has a right to know that. They don't have a right to know something that may, or may not, happen in the future.


Since when is telling someone that you are joining the Marine Corps a bad thing? :confused:

[Zulu 36]

Since when is telling someone that you are joining the Marine Corps a bad thing? :confused:

Personally, I don't think it is a bad thing at all. However, having been closely involved in the hiring process of new police officers, I know how some high ranking public safety managers and city managers think.

They know it is harder to reject someone who is already in the reserves, but not as hard to find a reason to bump a young person who expresses a desire join the reserves shortly after starting work for them. They assume you will be gone off to military training for six-months or so soon after getting on the department and they will still have a vacancy that now can't be filled.

Better to surprise them later when they can do zilch about it. Plus, if something personal comes up to preclude joining the Marine Reserves, no one knows and no one thinks you wimped out. On a PD or FD, saving face among your peers is very important.

[Big Jim]

I can't believe that any hiring manager for public or private service would be against any young fire-****er about wanting to join the USMC!! I say let the lad be totally honest and uphold his pride...he'll be rewarded in the end!

Hey usmc8467....more power to you!!! Tell them that you do plan to join and it will not interfere with your duties. But, they all know and understand the commitments of a serviceman....especially a Marine! After 8 years of active duty, I've been working in state service for 16 years and in the USMC reserves for 4 of those years and no member of any management had any problem with it. Matter of fact, I knew some guys and girls who were lifer-reservists and was called back up when 9/11 hit and they were gone on active duty for 2 years!!!! They still had a job when they came home...so you'll get the support you need should you follow through......GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!

[thewookie]

I think he's right, or I agree with Zulu. Why tell them something that MIGHT hurt you. And it's sad that we have to say or think that, but. It's true. Maybe the hiring person hates Marines, or lost a Marine or any number of reasons why someone in that position could be negatively biased. This is all pre-hire. He could tell them and they might think it's honorable and all good, or they could mentally make a note not to hire or approve them. I see both sides but I think hiring personell or HR people tend to look at the x's and o's more then you and I want to admit. Sad but true, why tell them unless they are paying you or you've signed the dotted line already?

[Zulu 36]

It's not necessarily that the hiring and firing guy hates the military, or Marines in particular. They just don't want to hire someone who admits to wanting to start a whole new career in parallel with the one they have for him.

A current reservist is a different animal. They're already through basic training and will only be out for a weekend a month, two-weeks per year. Now-a-days, maybe, an activation. They also have federal (and usually state) law on their side. A wanna-be reservist has little legal job offer protection while civilian job-shopping.

It's like going to the job interview and saying, "Yes, I want to work for you guys at Podunk FD, but as soon as I get on I'm going to try to get hired by Big City FD."

Don't EVER give the interviewers any reason or ammo to reject you. If they don't want to hire you, they will find a legit reason someplace. This is easier in public safety jobs where the background investigations are more involved.

[Big Jim]

to Be Honest, I've Sat On Many A Hiring Committee And What We Look For Is The Fact That The Potential Employee Would Complete His Duties Without Prejudice And Able To Uphold His Word In Confidence With Honor And Dependability. It Is Also Highly Unlikely That Any Hiring Manager Would Dare Utilize Any Discriminating Judgements Or Biasness On An Offical Hiring Process.
i Agree With You In Some Of What You Stated But If You Can't State Your Future Plans With Honesty Like This Young Gentleman Stated About 'he'll Work Under Reserve Status,' If They Reject Him For That Reason Alone, They Weren't Worth Applying To In The First Place!!! I Also Understand About Telling The Interviewers Only What They Need To Know, No More And No Less, But If He Tells Them He Plans To Join The Usmc Under Reserve Status And Still Wants Job With Them, I Believe They'll Snatch Him Up In A Heartbeat Because He Has Discipline, Honor , Determination And Resolve. Those Attributes Are A Part Of Our Code And Are Also What Is So Sought After In The Private Sector. Nothing In The World Teaches That Except Our Beloved Corps. Let's Support This Boy...for Even Thinking Like This...he Deserves It.

[SgtJimc]

I don't claim to be an authority on hiring practices of Fire Departments; however, I do know this......People love hiring Marines!! They know we'll show up every day, we'll do our best, and we won't complain when things get tough! I do realize however that there is always political games to play when trying to get hired for a job. I would just like to think any public safety organization would be proud to have a Marine on their team. Just my opinion! Happy Birthday Marines!!

[sparkie]

You are protected By law to serve, While in the reserves. I wouldn't expect the same protection when applying and announcing your intensions. It doesn't exist.

[Big Jim]

its not about being protected, its about being discriminated against while trying to get a civil service job for being associated with the U.S. Marine Corps....THAT doesn't exist!!!!!!!