Does the Army NG recognize USMC MP training? Am I eligible for the sign-up bonus?

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 22:37:17 -0400

Hello all,

Hoping you knowledgeable people can shed some light and clarify some things. I have been out of the Marine Corps for just about a year now and only have one year left in the IRR. I have been considering joining the national guard and pursuing SF. I spoke to a recruiter who informed me that the best bet would be to reenlist as my previous MOS as an MP. I would be eligible for a $20k bonus that way and then to test for SF when they offer an SFRE. They did advise that i may only get the first half of the bonus and not the second half if i successfully complete sf training. They said that I would not need to go to basic because I was a Marine and that I also would not need to go to MOS school and I could just join the MP unit. This plan sounded good to go.

I unfortunately was screwed by a recruiter before so I opted to fact check with a second recruiter. I was told by them that the National Guard does not recognize the Marine Corps MP training and that I would need to attend their mos training through the ANG. They also stated that because of this, I would not be eligible for the $20k bonus.

So I have heard two completely different scenarios from two different recruiters in the same state. Any clarification out there?

Thanks.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Sep 6 at 2018 11:03 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 23:03:31 -0400

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member You have been thru the Corps! Whom do you trust? BE CAREFUL - Some recruiters have troubles with their personal things. Check, see the station Leader! Get them to put it in writing! Then compare!

Response by CPT Andrew Wright made Sep 6 at 2018 11:06 PM

CPT Andrew Wright — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 23:06:55 -0400

Talk to someone in the nearest SF National Guard unit where you are able to drill. They should tell you the best path to get into the unit. True you would get to skip basic training but are almost always going to an Army MOS producing school. Sometimes its an AIT or attendance at a Regional Training Center for two week sessions. Just because they promise a bonus by the time its spread out over a six year enlistment its really not much money. Go for the job you really want! Best of luck.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Sep 7 at 2018 12:10 AM

SSG Warren Swan — Fri, 07 Sep 2018 00:10:54 -0400

Remember it’s all a numbers game, and to many recruiters you’re that number that will get them to their quota. Maybe you could look across profiles on RP or subscribe to SF related tags to find those who are on here. There’s quite a few. From those I’ve met in real life, they (some) may act like asseholes, but the information given is the absolute truth with no filter. If you don’t want to be a MP, man do yourself a solid and don’t do it. What about the 18X path?

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Sep 7 at 2018 12:37 AM

SPC Erich Guenther — Fri, 07 Sep 2018 00:37:50 -0400

You need to talk with a Special Forces Recruiter. Find the SF unit your interested in and ask them who their Recruiter is. Don't enlist as anything until talking to a SF Recruiter.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Sep 7 at 2018 5:42 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Fri, 07 Sep 2018 05:42:03 -0400

Best bet is to talk to the training NCO at the ARNG armory, he's a lot more knowledgeable on what should be done.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2018 11:37 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Sep 2018 11:37:03 -0400

You would have to attend the USAMPS approved school to receive the 31B MOS.

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Sep 7 at 2018 4:32 PM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Fri, 07 Sep 2018 16:32:28 -0400

Most likely you will not be required to do any retrain in if you stay as an MP. If a reclassification is required (different MOS) then you’ll most likely go back to school at one of the different reserve courses rather than an active duty one. Keep in mind that if you are already trained they will not want to send you to school.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2018 4:37 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Sep 2018 16:37:18 -0400

I reclassed to MP with a couple of people that were Prior Service Marine MPs. It's effectively the same job, but there's differences in Army and Marine Regs.

On the upside of that, the National Guard has school houses across the country that have an abbreviated course, so instead of going to Ft. Leonard wood for 21 weeks, you should only have to do about 8 weeks at a Regional Training Institute.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2018 1:34 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Sep 2018 01:34:02 -0400

Why go 31B if what you really want is 18X? Both will require training... if what you want is SF, then go SF...

Response by PFC Anthony Bruce made Sep 19 at 2018 8:20 PM

PFC Anthony Bruce — Wed, 19 Sep 2018 20:20:41 -0400

I can't give you a 100% answer not being a recruiter or retention nco, however when I went through OSUT for 31B training the school for Marine MPs was right there with us so I don't see why you would need to go through training again.

Response by 1SG Wendy Dorner made Sep 29 at 2018 1:03 AM

1SG Wendy Dorner — Sat, 29 Sep 2018 01:03:01 -0400

Not sure if you found your answer on this or not but I used to teach MP reclass school and actually had a Soldier who was former Marine MP as a student. He was told when he joined that he wouldn’t have to go to school (and yes the Marines do train at the same place for MP School as Army) but NG wouldn’t take his MP School from the Marines. Also, I could be crazy but you can’t enlist into an MP unit and get the bonus for the SF slot because you’re not guaranteed to be accepted. Basically you would need to join another unit with a valid vacancy, get MOS-Q, wait for selections, then try to get with SF. Here in OH our guys who are trying to go SF actually stay in their original unit slots until they actually make it, sometimes holding a position for over a year while they try. It’s not a fast process to go SF in the Guard (at least here). I also think there is a way to go to selections being non-duty MOS-Q if you are in an MP (or whatever) unit but I think you would have to find a CDR willing to take the hit for having someone unqualified sitting on their books. Hope this helps.

Response by SGT Gary Reed made Oct 6 at 2018 10:30 AM

SGT Gary Reed — Sat, 06 Oct 2018 10:30:58 -0400

Contact the 1st at the ANG unit closest to you with an MP unit. They can guide you. Almost certain the Army will want to train you up the Army way.