Advice on Switching to Marine OCS?

2021-02-08T19:02:41-05:00

In the past, I wanted to switch from the Guard to Army Active Duty via OCS. But recently, I have come to believe I should join the Marines. I always felt drawn to them, and I want to in the hardest combat force I could get in. I also love their camaraderie, their hard training and discipline (which now the Army pales in comparison these days), and their warrior ethos. I am 25, I got less than 3 years left of my Guard enlistment, and I am about to start online graduate school. I know it is still too early, but by the time I get discharged, I will be 28. Any advice? I was thinking about after I get my Master's and when I am a year away from leaving the Guard, I would go to a Marine recruiter about switching. Basically, I want to do this before I get too old.

Response by Cpl Vic Burk made Feb 8 at 2021 7:17 PM

2021-02-08T19:17:58-05:00

One thing you can say about the Marines is we have the best espirit de corps. Every Marine you will ever meet will say, "Once a Marine, Always a Marine!" We are a proud branch of the United States Military and proud we earned the title. I am not sure of the age limits these days for enlisting the Marines (or military for that matter; times have changed since I was in). If you are serious, now is the time to act just in case you are reaching the maximum age. Best of luck to you. Let us know when you earn the title.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2021 7:45 PM

2021-02-08T19:45:45-05:00

SPC Private RallyPoint Member Below is a post with information that will help. I would talk to a Marine Recruiter now.

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/can-i-switch-from-national-guard-to-marine

Can I switch from National Guard to Marine? | RallyPoint

I enlisted on December 31, 2018. I have been 4 drills weekend at Nation Guard. Next month, on May 8, 2019, I will go to BCT. But I want to switch to Marine before shipping date. My National Guard said: I could not switch to active duty right now, I have to stay in National Guard at least 6 months. Moreover, he also said I only can switch to Army, not Marine. So, Can I switch right now or not? Thanks.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Feb 8 at 2021 9:27 PM

2021-02-08T21:27:12-05:00

I don't understand why you wouldn't talk to a Recruiter now. It doesn't hurt to know your options. No reason to wait when you are against the clock

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2021 1:32 PM

2021-02-09T13:32:19-05:00

Talk to a recruiter now. They'll be able to send you off with a DD368 Conditional Release to route through your leadership. I am currently Active Duty Navy and I'm applying for Army OCS. My conditional release was just approved. It will enable you to stay on your Guard contract until you ship out for USMC OCS. I did this process a couple years ago. I wanted to do USMC OCS and got denied because I have a full sleeve tattoo and several other tattoos that go against their regulation. Go visit a recruiter asap.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Feb 10 at 2021 11:46 AM

2021-02-10T11:46:56-05:00

Everyone has their own opinion of their service, that said. Sounds like you to need to make up your mind. If you go USMC, the odds of having time for Graduate study work will be what? Your thoughts on the Army versus the USMC for discipline...90% of the hazing complaints are coming out of the USMC right now. As the USMC is part of the Navy, my own thoughts are that the Corp does not get the level of support that they should be getting. Their Airframes are mostly left over from Vietnam, their Assault tracks are armed with .50's when the Army is upgrading to 30mm cannons. They also just got rid of all their tanks, so the USMC heavy weapon is based on a gun that was designed in 1918. Not that is a bad thing, but against any third world countries T-55/T-64, kind of like bringing a pop gun to a cannon fight. As my niece is in the Corp, I have gotten to see some of the things that the Corps has done with her, and quite frankly I thought it was moronic. Not that Army hasn't had some fracking genius ideas either.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2021 11:50 AM

2021-02-10T11:50:42-05:00

Look into Navy ROTC or the Marine Platoon Leader course. Though I would recommend Army ROTC. Don't worry about your National Guard contract. Any officer producing program will get you out of that.