Looking for a little help - odd situation regarding joining.

[JNg]

Good morning!

Im looking for some advice and help please;

I am about to turn 25, I will be graduating University with an Honors degree in Civil engineering in May 2013 and when I have graduated I want to join the Marines. Only problem is, I live in Scotland...BUT... I was born in Landing, NJ so I am American! I dont drink or smoke and I have no criminal record and I keep to quite a strict diet/fitness programme. I have 2 tattoos, one on the left of my chest (American flag, can be covered by my hand.) and one on the top of my back (3 letters over a cross, can be covered by my hand, not visible when wearing a tshirt.)

My father still lives in NJ and I was there this summer, even went to Washington 8th and I... WOW! I didnt get in contact with a recruiter as my girlfriend was with me and it was our only holiday this year. Shes not exactly sold on the idea either.

So... My questions are;

Is there anything from the above that could prevent me from joining?

Is there anyway to get in contact with a recruiter apart from returning to America and seeing one face to face?

Is there likely to be a waiting list for Combat Engineer? (My head of course said it would be a huge boost to my engineering career.)

Thanks in advance for any help!

James

[elliscraig12]

Try asking your dad to get the local recruiters e-mail address and e-mail him.

[JNg]

I will try that sir, thank you... although he is not exactly keen on my decision to try to enlist either. The recruiting station is only 11 miles from his place too.

[JNg]

Also to add, how will my honors degree from a Scottish university be seen? Will that allow me to qualify as a tier I or II candidate?

[elliscraig12]

Your best answers will come from a recruiter as I have no idea. Been out almost twenty years so I'm not that up to date. Good luck and keep us up to date on how your experience went. It might help someone else in the future.

[JNg]

Thank you, appreciate the replies, I will keep this thread updated as much as I can, I am going to try to find out from my Course leader what the equivalent of 15 credits would be for me, an honors degree is about 360 credits over here and they dont have graduation or diplomas for finishing high school here either.

[Lisa 23]

Maybe this might help you some to get in contact with a recruiter from NJ.........

New Jersey NJ Marine Corps Recruit Station (RS)

The New Jersey NJ Marine Corps Recruit Station is part of the 1st Marine Corps Recruiting District. The New Jersey RS is comprised of 15 Recruit Sub Stations.

Recruit Sub Stations of RS New Jersey


RS New Jersey Headquarters
201 Highway 34 South – Building C-38
Colts Neck, NJ, 07722
(732) 866-2946

RSS Hackensack
20 Banta Place
Hackensack, NJ 07601
(201) 487-4080

RSS Bloomingdale
88 Main St
Bloomingdale, NJ 07403
(973) 838-3418

RSS Clifton
270 Colfax Avenue
Clifton, NJ 07011
(973)773-0984

RSS Jersey City
2815 Kennedy Blvd. Suite 2B
Jersey City, NJ 07306
(201) 985-8223

RSS Essex
554 Bloomfield Ave
Bloomfield, NJ 07042
(973) 743-1514

RSS Northwest New Jersey
179 Route 46 West
Rockaway, NJ 07834
(973) 983-2586

RSS Elizabeth
65 Jefferson Avenue
Elizabeth, NJ 07201
(908) 355-3009

RSS Middlesex
275 Route 18
East Brunswick, NJ 08816
(732) 238-5810

RSS Monmouth
968 Shrewsbury Ave
Tinton Falls, NJ 07724
(732) 542-5729

RSS Trenton
96 Flock Rd
Mercerville, NJ 08619
(609) 588-0080

RSS Toms River
Sea Court Pavillion
635 Bay Ave
Toms River, NJ 08753
(732) 341-8120

RSS Central Jersey
Church & Greentree Roads
Meetinghouse Square
Marlton, NJ 08053
(856) 596-6613

RSS Somerville
40 W Main St
Somerville, NJ 08876
(908) 704-8681

RSS South Jersey
911 S Broad St
Woodbury, NJ 08096
(856) 845-1240

RSS Atlantic City
563 Tilton Rd
Northfield, NJ 08225
(609) 646-0286

http://marinecorpsrecruit.com/usmc-recruiter/new-jersey-nj-marine-corps-recruit-station-rs/

[JNg]

Thank you sir! RSS middlesex seems to be closest to where he lives now.

[Lisa 23]

Thank you sir!

Is my avatar not big enough for you to see.........and did you even bother to look at my profile?

[JNg]

My apologies ma'am. I did not check your profile.

[Tennessee Top]

Obviously, you're situation is unique and requires an expert in the recruiting field. Somehow/some way, you're going to have to contact a recruiter to get the straight scoop. The only way they can accurately answer any questions about tattoos is to actually see them. At some early point, a face-to-face meeting will be required (no paperwork can be initiated till then). On top of that, you will have to be in the states to take your ASVAB and process through MEPS anyway.

Good luck.

[Zulu 36]

Also to add, how will my honors degree from a Scottish university be seen? Will that allow me to qualify as a tier I or II candidate?

Recruiters periodically deal with folks with foreign education credentials. I'm sure there is a procedure whereby your honors degree can be evaluated and an American equivalent determined. I can say with some certainty that an honors degree in engineering from your university will likely be accepted as a full bachelors degree here. Tier I easily.

There are academic organizations that do the equivalence evaluations here in the States. I'm sure the recruiters have access to them. You may have to pay for it to be done, however.

Good luck.

[JNg]

Good evening Marines,

I thought I would update my progress; I have been in contact with Sgt Minott out of substation Middlesex. He has been incredibly helpful and he has answered all of my questions so far and is getting back to me about another. Things are looking good for me!