Prior service Marine returning to active duty questions
I've read some of the other prior service threads and got some good info, but everyone's situation is a little different, so I thought I'd see what y'all think about mine. I've been wanting to return to active duty for a while - 32 years old, been out for 3 years. I had to lose a helluva lot of weight though.....my USMC max was 176 and when I started this I was 233. I didn't want to see a recruiter until I got close because honestly I didn't want to embarrass myself. I'm currently down to 181, so last week I dropped by the local recruiting office.
The Marines there were very supportive - one of them had broken time, too - but they told me that I have to get going ASAP as more and more MOS are being closed to prior service. My old MOS 5953 is already closed, so I'll have to lat move. I had a high ASVAB score and a RE-1A code, so no problems there. Right now, though, my PFT would suck - probably about 5 pu, 70 crunches, 25-26 min run. They told me, though, don't sweat it, just make weight and pass and I'll be fine. They said they could get me into MEPS as soon as I make weight and I'd probably be set to go in about a month to a month and a half, and that given my situation no one would expect me to be a PT stud right away, so long as I'm showing the extra effort to improve.
OK.....first of all, the Marine Corps I left a few years ago didn't make exceptions for anyone - I find it hard to believe anyone's going to cut me slack for a weak PFT. Especially since I'll be going back to a school command, where they usually cut less slack than in the fleet. Secondly, while I can make weight soon, I'm still not in what I would consider good physical shape. I've heard that the new fatboy rules say that you can get taped even if you make your weight, and right now I'm nowhere near 19%. I checked - I'm currently about 23. The last thing I want to do is get a black mark against me as soon as I get back in. Also, after reading a lot of threads here, it seems this process isn't nearly as quick or easy as they made it seem.
Basically, they're telling me just hurry up and get in now, because in a few months prior service is going to be out of luck. Are they right? Or should I hold out for a while until I'm better prepared? I've been dying to get back in, so I'm worried about the door slamming shut on me, but I want to do this right. I didn't make the most of my first enlistment, not even close - I dragged my feet on MCIs, was satisfied with a 230ish PFT, etc. I don't want to be that guy again, I want to be the outstanding Marine I was always capable of being. But I have to actually get IN first to do that.