Long intro and question

[phillipstains]

As this is my first post i would like to put an intro before getting to my question.

I am 22 years old, a high school graduate and have spent the last four years of my life working construction and various other second jobs.
I was laid off 3 months ago, and used that time to reevaluate what i wanted to do with my life. After alot of thinking i realized that i would like to pursue my childhood dream of being a Marine.
So i went and met with a recruiter and have so far taken my ASVABs and gone through MEPs and enrolled in the DEP program.
When i went to MEPs my intention was to enlist as active duty infantry, but also knew that i may have to take an open DEP contract to get the ball rolling and then switch to an infantry contract when i shipped.
While down at MEPs i was convinced to sign a reserve contract under the assumption that i would be able to easily switch to active duty right after i got to my reserve unit, and i would be able to pick my specific MOS.
After doing more research at home and speaking to several Marines, I now realize that my recruiter sugar coated the whole concept of switching to active duty and that it would be a complicated and drawn out process if i were even allowed to do it.
Reserve duty will not work for me, as i am looking to be a full time Marine.
But now my recruiter is telling me that if i want to have an Active Duty contract i cant ship until April, he knows my financial situation and i believe is trying to use that to leverage me into taking either the reserve contract or a more technical active duty contract, neither of which i want.

So after that long explanation my question is what are my options?
Will another recruiting station have an active duty infantry contract, and can i take theirs?
Is my recruiter really trying to just leverage me into taking something i don't want based on my financial status?
If i join the reserves what are my chances of actually going active duty? and how long of a time frame will that take?


Thank you in advance for any help. And if I have misused this site or offended anyone please let me know so i may change the post. i have had a fair amount of trouble in dealing with members on another forum and am just looking for some help and advice.

[Chumley]

phillipstains,

Your profile is light on info.

If you are not satisfied with your reserve contract, go spend some more time with your recruiter. It may take some effort and persistence, but the ball is in your court to address this situation directly with your recruiter now and make the changes. If it means waiting a couple of extra months to ship to Boot, and it means that you end up in the MOS you would like, then it seems that would be worth the wait. The extra time could be well spent preparing physically. If you need to get a temporary job to hold you over, then do it. Your financial situation is not the recruiter's concern, although it sounds like he may have tried to help you through it by shipping you ASAP??? Maybe? It's your contract and it's up to you to get out of it what you can. Ask all the questions and look at all the options. You can't wait to do this, I understand, but a couple of months will go by VERY fast and will start your USMC tour / career on the right track.

Good luck!
C

As this is my first post i would like to put an intro before getting to my question.

I am 22 years old, a high school graduate and have spent the last four years of my life working construction and various other second jobs.
I was laid off 3 months ago, and used that time to reevaluate what i wanted to do with my life. After alot of thinking i realized that i would like to pursue my childhood dream of being a Marine.
So i went and met with a recruiter and have so far taken my ASVABs and gone through MEPs and enrolled in the DEP program.
When i went to MEPs my intention was to enlist as active duty infantry, but also knew that i may have to take an open DEP contract to get the ball rolling and then switch to an infantry contract when i shipped.
While down at MEPs i was convinced to sign a reserve contract under the assumption that i would be able to easily switch to active duty right after i got to my reserve unit, and i would be able to pick my specific MOS.
After doing more research at home and speaking to several Marines, I now realize that my recruiter sugar coated the whole concept of switching to active duty and that it would be a complicated and drawn out process if i were even allowed to do it.
Reserve duty will not work for me, as i am looking to be a full time Marine.
But now my recruiter is telling me that if i want to have an Active Duty contract i cant ship until April, he knows my financial situation and i believe is trying to use that to leverage me into taking either the reserve contract or a more technical active duty contract, neither of which i want.

So after that long explanation my question is what are my options?
Will another recruiting station have an active duty infantry contract, and can i take theirs?
Is my recruiter really trying to just leverage me into taking something i don't want based on my financial status?
If i join the reserves what are my chances of actually going active duty? and how long of a time frame will that take?


Thank you in advance for any help. And if I have misused this site or offended anyone please let me know so i may change the post. i have had a fair amount of trouble in dealing with members on another forum and am just looking for some help and advice.

[phillipstains]

thanks for your reply.

i am going to speak to my recruiter today about this problem and hopefully can resolve the issue or at least make some progress. i am very wary of leaving with a MOS/contract that i am not completely happy with as that is the cardinal mistake that all the Marines i have spoken to urged i do not make. i know for a fact that the extra months would help me greatly both physically and mentally but i would have to leave the state for that time as i wont have a place to live here in california and do not know how that would work with my current DEP program. (checking in and PT every thursday)

what more information would you suggest i include, i did not spend alot of time on my profile, but will try and make it as complete as possible.

[Marine84]

Haven't I heard this story before?

[mjhpgh]

This is where I was just over 20 years ago.I ended up a Marine Reservist working a s**tty civilian job. I am sure regs have changed since my day .Get what you want out of this not what your Recruiter wants .

[KGunner]

I'm sorry if this post offends anybody, or is completely out of line, I realize I am not a Marine, but have an idea.

I would talk to your recruiter, if he says there is no way to change it, or that he simply won't, tell him you just won't show up when you are supposed to ship out, or better yet respectfully inform him then that you are dropping out of DEP.

Kyle

[Echo_Four_Bravo]

KGunner, that is what I was going to say. Make it monkey simple for the recruiter. Tell him he can get you what you want, in writing, or you're dropping out of the DEP. I'm sure there is an Army recruiter nearby, remind him of that.

[phillipstains]

ok, im engaged in a long discussion with a online friend of mine from a car forum.

hes an 8 year marine veteran and is basically telling me that i will not get my infantry job because i am over qualified.

has anyone ever heard of this?

my ASVAB score was 93.

my line scores
MM GT EL CL
143 135 128 124

[Phantom Blooper]

ok, im engaged in a long discussion with a online friend of mine from a car forum.

hes an 8 year marine veteran and is basically telling me that i will not get my infantry job because i am over qualified.

has anyone ever heard of this?

my ASVAB score was 93.

my line scores
MM GT EL CL
143 135 128 124

Did you go back and see your recruiter?

Tell your on line friend that infantry Marines are not as dumb as they think we is!

There are hundreds upon thousands of infantry Marines through the ages that scored high enough for technical/administrative type MOS's that chose to be a grunt instead of support.

You need to see your recruiter and tell him what you want and work it out with him.It's your life and your career choice.Don't rely on what a pimp my ride expert told you!

[Marine84]

Must....................restrain..............

Ah hell boy, if the Corps won't take you, I will!

Sorry, sometimes when things run through this big head of mine, they come running right out of my mouth and I can't stop it.

[PaidinBlood]

ok, im engaged in a long discussion with a online friend of mine from a car forum.

hes an 8 year marine veteran and is basically telling me that i will not get my infantry job because i am over qualified.

has anyone ever heard of this?

my ASVAB score was 93.

my line scores
MM GT EL CL
143 135 128 124

Horsehockey. No such thing as an overqualified Marine, even if many believe they are. Suggest you tactfully restate your desires, then walk. Just make sure you know what's on the other side before torching the bridge...

[Phantom Blooper]

Must....................restrain..............

Ah hell boy, if the Corps won't take you, I will!

Sorry, sometimes when things run through this big head of mine, they come running right out of my mouth and I can't stop it.

Menopause or horny?

[Marine84]

Menopause................I won't want it in a minute.

Nope...............didn't last that long.

[phillipstains]

i didnt think that you could be over qualified but he continues to insist that i will be asked to pick another job.

he is a field radio operator and is suggesting that.

and to Marine84, if you really want me your gonna have to by me dinner and some flowers

i did not get the chance to get to the recruiting office, but am going tomorrow and am planning to gracefully tell my recruiter that if i have to wait until april for that infantry contract i will.

i have spoken to a SSgt in colorado, as this is where i will be living between christmas and april, and he has agreed to courtesy ship me when i need to go.

i am still unclear on this but am assuming it means that he will send me to boot camp for my recruiter, but still allow my recruiter here to recieve the enlistment credit.

[echo3oscar1833]

I agree with all the Marines here go and talk with you recruiter. However when you go speak with him, be tactful in your approach. As one Marine here said you "don't want to burn any bridges". If it was me this is how I would speak to your recruiter about this issue.

Example:
"Excuse me "rank" and "last name", I wanted to talk to you about my current status in the DEP as a reservist. It was my desire when I started this enlistment process to be Infantry, and Active Duty. It is my choice to enlist in the United States Marine Corps. I have all the qualifications to obtain this particular MOS. I respectfully request that my status in the DEP be changed or I will drop out of the DEP, as I am not currently under any obligation or contract with the USMC at this time.

That is how I would approach it. If he gets upset or tells you that you are wrong. Then I would drop out of the DEP, at this point you are not obligated to do anything. And if you meet all the qualifications on what you want to do in the Corps there is no reason for him to be stopping you. Sounds like to me he is just trying to get a Reserve Contract filled. Also there is no such thing as over qualification on being Infantry in the Corps. You can have a super high ASVAB score and still be infantry. If your recruiter still ignores you on this drop out of the DEP wait a few months and go see another recruiter elseware.

PS: Tell him the Marines over at leatherneck.com sent you lol.