Can I move up my boot camp ship date before I turn 18?

Antonio Dozal-Satraitis — Fri, 20 Dec 2019 01:58:49 -0500

Hello My name is Antonio And i am a poolee in the Marines currently i get shipped on July 13th but I want to move it closer And the problem is My mom said she wont allow me to do that because i didnt graduate high school yet. I haven't talked with my recruiter yet about moving it so my question is can i still get it moved closer if all paperwork is put into place or because im a minor do i have to respect her decision and keep pushing boot camp till after i turn 18?

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 20 at 2019 2:05 AM

GySgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Dec 2019 02:05:22 -0500

Talk to your recruiter about it. Your recruiter will know the best and current information. You have to graduate high school first but there also has to be a spot available for you to ship earlier. Most of those space are taken up by others just like you who are up to the challenge to earning the title Marine. There is always some that cannot go for some reason or another. Perhaps they didn't graduate, a medical issue or they cannot make the minimum requirements for the initial strength test to ship to boot camp. If you are 18 by the time you ship, your mother cannot do anything about it. But it's a fine line to walk when it comes to your family. Tread the subject lightly. Make sure you communicate everything with your recruiter and I am confident they will lead you down the correct path. Good luck to you.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025 made Dec 20 at 2019 2:06 AM

CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025 — Fri, 20 Dec 2019 02:06:13 -0500

Antonio Dozal-Satraitis PLEASE, get your high school diploma!!!!

That diploma will positively matter throughout your life!

Listen to your mother!!!!

Response by SN Greg Wright made Dec 20 at 2019 2:31 AM

SN Greg Wright — Fri, 20 Dec 2019 02:31:35 -0500

Well without her signature, you're not going anywhere until you're 18. Or your dad's, maybe.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 20 at 2019 2:44 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Dec 2019 02:44:31 -0500

Probably not a possibility. Almost all the services require you have your diploma, and only a few allow a limited number of GED's to enter the service. If you have neither, you aren't eligible. Plus, being under 18, you are at your parents discretion for their permission.

Response by SGT Robert Pryor made Dec 20 at 2019 2:44 AM

SGT Robert Pryor — Fri, 20 Dec 2019 02:44:34 -0500

There is already some sage advice on this thread from people far more knowledgeable than me. The only thing I would add is more general in nature and applies to anyone entering the military. Consider the seasonal variations in whether at your training site. Try to time it so that you are not having to deal with extreme whether, in addition to all the other changes you will be going through in boot camp.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Dec 20 at 2019 6:15 AM

Lt Col Charlie Brown — Fri, 20 Dec 2019 06:15:53 -0500

As a former recruiter I will tell you, get your HS diploma and no you can't ship before 18 without parental consent.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Dec 20 at 2019 9:53 AM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Fri, 20 Dec 2019 09:53:46 -0500

Antonio Dozal-Satraitis Yes you can go to basic/AIT before you are 18. The only thing you cannot do is go into a war zone when you are still 17. Right before OIF 1 started, in 2BCT, 3ID, we had two 17 year olds that couldn't cross the border into Iraq until they turned 18.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Dec 20 at 2019 10:03 AM

CSM Richard StCyr — Fri, 20 Dec 2019 10:03:55 -0500

Unless you are graduating early and getting your diploma I'd say stick it out. Shipping early without graduating may effect your eligibility, places you in a different recruit category and also jacks up the accessions commands programming of incoming troops for available seats in training. Your Mom is a wise person.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 20 at 2019 10:27 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Dec 2019 10:27:42 -0500

At one time, I thought some services would let you go to boot between your junior and senior year. I don’t know if the Corps still does that, or if they ever did. Services-wide, enlisting before eighteen requires parental consent.

But realize this, and please understand I do not mean this as a challenge. If you give up on your education, you will not meet your potential in uniform. If you challenge your parents’ authority, you will fail to adjust to military discipline.

Turn eighteen, finish school and graduate, then march right down to the recruiting station. The Corps will be waiting, and you will be better prepared. Good luck!

Response by SGT Eric Davis made Dec 20 at 2019 4:15 PM

SGT Eric Davis — Fri, 20 Dec 2019 16:15:27 -0500

Yes just wait you almost there I can’t see if this was about a year or two ago and you want to do the split option program and go while still in high school but you about to graduate so just wait!

Response by SPC Stewart Smith made Dec 20 at 2019 6:06 PM

SPC Stewart Smith — Fri, 20 Dec 2019 18:06:56 -0500

I shipped out at 17. I graduated high school a year early. Both parents had to sign off to let me go at 17.

Response by CPL Gary Pifer made Dec 20 at 2019 7:10 PM

CPL Gary Pifer — Fri, 20 Dec 2019 19:10:18 -0500

Already bucking the system... don't forget to tell your drill instructors.. they're doing it all wrong...