Posted on Jun 6, 2021
Sgt Squad Leader
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I am a Sergeant in my second enlistment and was pursuing the officer route in the Marines. However, I have been thinking more about the Army. With that being said I have some questions;
1. How long does the transition process take?
2. Biggest challenge(s) faced?
3. Any official/unofficial advise?
4. Any comments or concerns or questions that could help guide me through the process would be greatly appreciated!
Posted in these groups: B04bb539 Marines6f75435 Transfer
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Responses: 5
LTC Program Manager
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It can happen as soon as the next day depending on the situation.

Are you trying to get in the Army enlisted or as an officer?
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Sgt Squad Leader
Sgt (Join to see)
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Well I have two possible COA’s sir, the first being join the Army as enlisted and then pursue being an officer, the second being, acquire my degree prior to transferring to the Army and then commission into it.
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CSM Charles Hayden
CSM Charles Hayden
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Sgt (Join to see) Acquiring your degree is a great COA!
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LTC Program Manager
LTC (Join to see)
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Sgt (Join to see) I recommend getting your degree through ROTC.
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SFC Retention Operations Nco
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You can't be an officer without your degree, so the first thing you have to determine is will you acquire your degree in the Army or the USMC?

You haven't acquired the most basic first step yet, so everything else is just imagination at this point. A few things to consider as you're planning your next steps:
1. A Conditional release is almost never flawless. Unless the USMC currently has a program to release you to another branch for a specific program, then it's not really a conditional release. Conditional releases for enlisted to enlist in another branch mostly stopped after the surge a decade ago.
2. You have to have a degree before you apply to OCS. You can get your degree in the Marines and then apply if the USMC has an agreement with the Army to allow Marines to conditionally release to the Army during their enlistment. You can get a degree and apply to Army OCS after your EAS. You can join the Army, get a degree and then apply to OCS.
3. Unscrupulous Recruiters will hand you a DD368 and tell you that all you need to do is get this Conditional Release signed and you're good to go. It's not their job to know your Branch's policies and regulations. It's never that simple they are usually used for Reserve to Active and Enlisted to Officer in the se branch.

My unofficial advice is to take as many classes as you can, separate from the USMC, enlist as Infantry 11B, finish whatever classes you need an immediately apply for OCS. DO NOT try to enlist for a new MOS. Unless you have your degree already once you separate from the USMC do not hold out for an OCS program or any other program to enlist into. Do not waste any time. Do not waste your time with a conditional release, it doesn't help, unless there's currently a program you're applying to that the USMC supports. I am not aware of the USMC currently supporting the US Army OCS program at this time.
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CWO3 Us Marine
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No transfer to my knowledge. If you rejoin Army soon after separation from Marines, you can lessen "broken time" between the 2 Services. Good luck.
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