Wisdom About When To Enlist
Greetings to all,
I have been a lurker on this site for awhile, but I think it is time that I finally ask a few questions. I've been searching the forums for answers to avoid asking what appear to be routine questions, but I'd like a solid answer from someone in the know. It has been a lifelong dream of mine to become a United States Marine, but I've also got the same desire to become a qualified Gunsmith. With that in mind, I've found an MOS that combines both desires in the form of MOS 2111 (Small Arms Repairer), which ultimately leads to MOS 2112 (Gunsmith).
I also happen to be a college student attending Miami University (Oxford, Ohio), and I will be graduating next May. I understand that when one enlists in the Marines, the desire to be a Marine should come first, and I respect that requirement. However, I also know that those 4 years or more can drag by awfully slow if you choose the wrong MOS, so I'd like to make an organized decision. Since the slots for FY-2012 open up in October, could I maximize my chances of getting a 2111 spot by DEP'ing in this August before I head off to college? Also, if I did go this route, since I am home for the summer, could a future problem arise with me enlisting in a different town than where I will spend the majority of the year (college)?
While I'm at it, if I really had my way, I would also at least attend training for MOS 8152 Security Forces (which means I'd have to be an 0300, I believe), but I do not know of anyone that holds multiple MOS's at the same time, so this and MOS 2161 Machinist are my fallbacks should Small Arms Repairer not work out.
Thank you all for your service, and any future input I receive will be greatly appreciated!
-Kalashnikovkid