Can you restore cars in the Marine Corps?

LCpl Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 02:08:46 -0400

Hello, I am new to the Marine Corps and trying to figure out if it's worth or even posible to bring my Willys Jeep with me to my first duty station? I know what the Army arts and craft shops are like, but how are the USMC's? I have a rough 54 CJ5 I want to keep working on but will they let me do major restoration projects, body work, engine swap or painting? I am also taking other things into consideration like free time, (E2/E3) pay and storage. With all that is it really feasible?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 31 at 2021 2:15 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 02:15:49 -0400

LCpl Private RallyPoint Member Highly unlikely... especially if it's Basic or A.I.T. ... Ask your Recruiter. Good Luck!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 31 at 2021 2:15 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 02:15:57 -0400

You'll want to find out where you're going first. The USMC only has a handful of locations compared to the Army, but once you know where you're going you can look on their website and FB page. If you're going to Okinawa, there's no way you're getting that thing to Oki and back with your weight limit.

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Aug 31 at 2021 7:44 AM

LtCol Robert Quinter — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 07:44:43 -0400

I'd recommend waiting until you are established at your duty station and have a better idea of your future. All the major Marine Corps bases and most of the Navy bases where you might be assigned have "Auto Hobby Shops" that are well equipped for your project, but you may be assigned to a unit preparing for a deployment or other operational commitments that would limit your free time, Generally, there are open storage lots available collocated with the shops, but if you've got storage available now, it would be better to check things out before moving your project.

Response by COL David Turk made Aug 31 at 2021 9:04 AM

COL David Turk — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 09:04:42 -0400

Some good answers here. In addition, I’d research the alternative scenarios if you do bring it to your current duty station; e.g., sudden deployment, sudden change in duty and/or station, end of current tour reassignment. You should be prepared for unexpected changes.
Biggest concern I would have is securing the vehicle and parts for all the above situations.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Aug 31 at 2021 3:07 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 15:07:59 -0400

It depends mainly on you more than anything else. Is it possible? Sure. Have other people done it? Yes. Is it for everyone? Not at all. You will always find some form of hobby shop on a Marine Corps base and some are better than others. Some offer storage some don't. It just depends. I would wait and see what your situation holds.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 1 at 2021 2:02 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 14:02:54 -0400

Once you PCS, most bases have a Hobby Shop & Garage.

Response by Cpl Vic Burk made Sep 1 at 2021 7:27 PM

Cpl Vic Burk — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 19:27:17 -0400

LCpl Private RallyPoint Member We didn't do a complete restoration but I did repaint my Chevy at the Hobby shop at Camp Lejuene.

Response by LCpl Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 1 at 2021 9:50 PM

LCpl Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 21:50:42 -0400

First thank you for all the feedback. A little bit more info I am almost done with MP school with a k9 follow on school. And I was told camp Pendleton will be my final destination.