Few questions for future reservist

[capitolfire1822]

Hi, I've posted once on here before and all of you Marines were great in responding to my questions. At the time I was considering joining the Marine Corps as a reservist. I am almost 27 and I work full time for a large city fire department. However one of my biggest regrets in life was not joining the Marine Corps.

Well I made my decision and enlisted into the Marine Corps Reserves a couple weeks ago. I couldn't be more excited about my decision to enlist. However I have a few questions if any of you Marines wouldn't mind answering.

I REALLY wanted Infantry. I think that it suits my personality the best. Prior to enlisting my recruiter saw two different LAR units with an 0311 spot available. When it came time to sign my contract, I was told that they were no longer there. I think he mentioned other recruiting stations got first pick of those. I figured I would do Combat Engineer then since there were a ton of those spots before. Well those were gone as well. My choices were narrowed down to Motor T, Cook, Warehouse Clerk and Bulk Fuel Specialist. Motor T was the only one I had any interest in at all. I was briefly able to talk to one person with the job who said he loved it but I don't know anyone else with that MOS.

First question is what are the chances of different jobs becoming available before I leave for boot camp in January? I definitely wouldn't want to push back my date because I'm already fairly old for Marine Corps standards.

Second does Motor T get combat experience? I've researched this to death but the answers seem to be all over the place. I would be attached to a Surgical Battalion. I'd assume that means lots of transporting supplies. However someone mentioned to me that if I were to deploy, it wouldn't exactly be with the entire Surgical Battalion. I could be attached to Infantry or Artillery and get some experience in that. Is that accurate?

Third I have no doubt in my mind that I want to become a United States Marine. At first I was a little unsure since I've already got a lot going for me at the fire department and I'm a bit older. However now the thing I'm questioning is whether or not I should have just went active duty. Some people said don't bother because I'm already set up with a good career. Others said that being a reservist is extremely frustrating and it would be a smart move to go active.

Being a fireman in a large city, I work with many prior military guys but most had other types of jobs. One from the National Guard tried to convince me to join with him where I could for sure get Infantry. However my bigger goal over Infantry is to earn the title of a US Marine. So no matter what happens with my MOS, I am more than honored to be given the opportunity to earn that title.

I know this is a very long post but any advice would be great. Thank you in advance and thank you Marines for your service.

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[chulaivet1966]

Third I have no doubt in my mind that I want to become a United States Marine. At first I was a little unsure since I've already got a lot going for me at the fire department and I'm a bit older. However now the thing I'm questioning is whether or not I should have just went active duty. Some people said don't bother because I'm already set up with a good career. Others said that being a reservist is extremely frustrating and it would be a smart move to go active.

I'll bump you...

You are getting a later start than most but the BOLD are the questions to really consider.
In all my subjectivity, I'd say going active would be the best chance of gaining deployment experience.
BUT....maybe it's really the best decision for you at this juncture to go the reserve route based on the BOLDED comments and the fact you will be in or near your 30's when you get out.

I'm little help but maybe others with chime in with some current perspectives because it's been 45 years since my USMC picnic.

Good luck with whatever you decide and earning the coveted EGA.

Carry on....

[Baker1971]

What did your recruiter say when you asked ? Oh didn't get that far yet again ???

[josephd]

MOS designation really has no bearing on "combat experience" or getting into combat. Example, I am a Bulk Fuel reservist...when I deployed I was attached to a security and route clearance platoon with some MP's and EOD....I've seen more "combat" than many grunts have.

second of all, as a reservist now no matter what your MOS is, the chances of deploying to a combat zone are slim to none even if we went into another conflict somewhere. I am not going to get into specifics but MARFORRES(the reserves) is realigning the whole reserve side of the Corps and with that reserves will get activated more but deploy(to combat zone) less....i know that really doesnt make sense to you at the moment, just trust me.

[Baker1971]

^^^^ Trust him, he knows.

[Blutic]

Experiences in the reserves can vary considerably depending on what unit you affiliate with. A reserve career is really what you make it. You have much more control over what you do than active duty. Some people stay with one unit their whole career and others move around and jump on exercises and deployments. MT often sees combat and has to deal with IEDs.