Can I reenlist?

[Gung-Ho]

Let's get the basics out of the way first. I was an 0311 from 1997 to 2001. I'm 28 years old now and want to reenlist and go for Recon. I'm definitely in shape for it.

I have a few concerns however. First off, how many Marines my age would actually be accepted into that MOS? Do they want someone older and more mature and experienced or would they rather take a Marine who is young and will last there a lot longer? I would like to eventually go for Force and that would take some time.

My other concern is whether or not I would be eligible for a secret clearance. I know they don't hand those out like candy and I don't have a perfect record. I never got NJP or a Page 11. I did get a slap on the wrist a couple of times, I don't remember the name or number that was used but it was less harsh than a Page 11.

Another reason I might not be eligible for a secret clearance is the fact that I was brought in to NCIS and questioned about drugs. I admitted that I had used marijuana on one occasion. That was probably the dumbest thing I have ever done in my life (using, not admitting). They were looking for bigger fish to fry and told me that they weren't going to report it to my unit for a couple of weeks and that I could help myself out if I could find some things out for them during that time. I didn't know what to do, I wasn't into the drug scene. So I just waited for the inevitable, but it never came. I finished the last 2 years of my enlistment without incident. I was honorably discharged and still had my GI Bill to go to school with.

So I wonder, is it on record somewhere or was it thrown out or lost? I would hate to be hindered by a mistake that I made 8 years ago, but I know that's how things work sometimes.

Always Faithful, Semper Fi Marines!

[Eddie Z]

I think what is on your DD214 is what the prior service recruiters will be looking at as far as a reenlistment code. As far as going to recon, you will go through that process after you are back in and you talk to the Battalion Admin.
I'm still in, so I don't know if you get your SRB to take home or not. If you have it, look through it and see what was entered.

[hrscowboy]

Nope your too old for recon try the Army rangers they will take ya..

[Gung-Ho]

Thanks cowboy, you're no help at all. It's Marine Corps Recon or nothing for me. If I'm too old I'm too old. But would you care to elaborate about how you know this for sure?

[3077India]

Since you're only 28 you're still below the max enlistment age for the Marines. GO, RIGHT NOW, TO YOUR NEAREST USMC RECRUITING OFFICE!!!! Waste no more time, find if from them if you can go FORCE Recon. Wish I could tag along.

[rvillac2]

There's no more Force Recon, only MARSOC now.

I don't think a recruiter will have the answers you need. Essentially, you're asking to be let back in and then go for the Indoc. If you pass the indoc, you'll just start serving in a recon battalion. People on this site are telling us that you won't be sent to recon school until you've been deployed at least once. I'm guessing that you would only be able to screen for MARSOC once you've got the MOS and have put in more time at the battallion level as a reconman.

I wouldn't worry too much about your record. Recon isn't filled with a bunch of choir boys.

[rvillac2]

Sorry, didn't finish my thought.

Perhaps your best bet is to talk to a gunny at Recon.
Regardless, if you reenlist, you gotta accept that fact that you may spend your time as 0311 again if you don't pass the indoc.

[Gung-Ho]

Thank you SGT V. Failure is not an option however. There is absolutely no way in hell I'm not going to pass the indoc. Sure, lots of Marines have said that and still failed, but I wouldn't be going back in unless I was 100% sure of myself. As far as deployments, I've done two, six month, deployments on a westpac.

[RLeon]

It's Marine Corps Recon or nothing for me.

I like that.
You should have no problems re-enlisinting, you will have to go through a prior service recruitor...do a search, there's many threads on here on re-enlising after being out for a while with some good info.

[rvillac2]

Thank you SGT V. Failure is not an option however. There is absolutely no way in hell I'm not going to pass the indoc. Sure, lots of Marines have said that and still failed, but I wouldn't be going back in unless I was 100% sure of myself. As far as deployments, I've done two, six month, deployments on a westpac.

Good attitude. Go get them and let us know how you're doing.

[CAS3]

Go here:

http://https://www.manpower.usmc.mil/portal/page?_pageid=278,2533296&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL

Also, Look online for the phone number of the prior service recruiter at the marsch Center Quantico Virginia.

[CAS3]

Go here:

http://https://www.manpower.usmc.mil/portal/page?_pageid=278,2533296&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL

Also, Look online for the phone number of the prior service recruiter at the marsch Center Quantico Virginia.

[hrscowboy]

Yeah the answer to that is ifin i cant get back in then you cant either..

[remy]

i served with 3rd force, and 2nd. And all i can tell ya is this, all the recruiter can promise you is an opportunity to take the recon indoc at gieger. even then what will probably happen is you may or may not get the opportunity to go to a battalion level recon platoon. where alot of us bubbas came from. like 2nd recon battalion in french creek, camp lejuene.
that being said what i would do would be to get the recruiter to write a specific mos code for reconnasaince instead of the enlistment program it falls under(infantry) take the indoc at S.O.I. gieger. and then spend a year or so as recon marine in one of the battalions before you try to go force.
good luck, and semper fidelis.

[Gung-Ho]

Remy, thanks for the input. I figured I would start out at the battalion level and have to move my way up. I did hear something about that MOS code you're talking about. Would that basically make my route to the indoc faster by skipping the part where I'm assigned to the infantry and then try to find my way there?

I spent a small amount of time looking into Force, apparently it's gone? From what I understand it's been phased into MARSOC and not called Force Recon anymore. The Marine Corps is apparently doing away with its own elite special force unit and integrating it into SOCOM. Is that pretty accurate?