Posted on Mar 19, 2019
How Would I Change From Army National Guard To The Marines?
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I finished AIT in December 2018 and have been with my unit since January 2019. I want to join the USMC but not really sure if it is possible considering how little time I've been enlisted. So far I know that I need to get a DD-368 from Marine recruiter that states I want to be conditionally released to transfer branches which ultimately needs to be approved by my unit's commander. I read that there are certain questions about my transfer that I need to answer which I wrote down for myself to have better clarity:
1. WHICH BRANCH ARE YOU TRYING TO JOIN AND WHY?
- I want to join the Marine Corps because I believe my skills would be better suited there and I would like to travel and advance my career in an active duty environment.
2. WHY DO YOU WANT TO LEAVE THIS CURRENT BRANCH?
- I do not feel as though I am reaching my full potential as a soldier if I am only training once a month as a truck driver. I joined the Guard so I could go to college but school is not working out for me. I have nothing going for me in North Carolina so I have no reason to stay.
3. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN?
- 10 months
4. HAVE YOU COMPLETED BASIC AND AIT?
- Yes
5. ARE YOU MOS QUALIFIED?
- I have not yet received a driver's license at my unit, but I graduated AIT as an 88M.
6. HOW MUCH ACTIVE DUTY TIME DO YOU HAVE?
- Aside from BCT and AIT, none
7. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN FLAGGED, RECEIVED AN ARTICLE 15 OR BEEN IN ANY OTHER TROUBLE?
- No
I am aware I will have to go through Boot Camp and I am completely okay with that. If anyone has done this before, please let me know how you reimbursed your Army bonus and if I transfer will I have option for what MOS I go into.
Thank you.
1. WHICH BRANCH ARE YOU TRYING TO JOIN AND WHY?
- I want to join the Marine Corps because I believe my skills would be better suited there and I would like to travel and advance my career in an active duty environment.
2. WHY DO YOU WANT TO LEAVE THIS CURRENT BRANCH?
- I do not feel as though I am reaching my full potential as a soldier if I am only training once a month as a truck driver. I joined the Guard so I could go to college but school is not working out for me. I have nothing going for me in North Carolina so I have no reason to stay.
3. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN?
- 10 months
4. HAVE YOU COMPLETED BASIC AND AIT?
- Yes
5. ARE YOU MOS QUALIFIED?
- I have not yet received a driver's license at my unit, but I graduated AIT as an 88M.
6. HOW MUCH ACTIVE DUTY TIME DO YOU HAVE?
- Aside from BCT and AIT, none
7. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN FLAGGED, RECEIVED AN ARTICLE 15 OR BEEN IN ANY OTHER TROUBLE?
- No
I am aware I will have to go through Boot Camp and I am completely okay with that. If anyone has done this before, please let me know how you reimbursed your Army bonus and if I transfer will I have option for what MOS I go into.
Thank you.
Branch
Marines
Recruiter
Transfer
79S: Career Counselor
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 9
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Strongly suggest you do not join the Marines. " I want to join the Marine Core because I believe my skills would be better suited there "
1. Never join an organization when you do not know how to spell the name when you write to them.
2. What skills do you have that can help the USMC?
3, I am not sure how, but we used to normally join the USMC and get the MOS that was in the "best needs of the Marine Corps."
1. Never join an organization when you do not know how to spell the name when you write to them.
2. What skills do you have that can help the USMC?
3, I am not sure how, but we used to normally join the USMC and get the MOS that was in the "best needs of the Marine Corps."
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PFC (Join to see)
I apologize for the misspelling, it was a careless error and I hope I did not come off as disrespectful. From what I have seen and understand, Marines are held to a higher standard and do a lot more hands-on work as they all are essentially infantrymen (correct me if I am wrong). Since my enlistment, squad/platoon maneuvers and tactics have always been something I feel confident doing. My PT score is above average and I enjoy going to the range. I am also motivated and eager to be in an active duty environment. Thank you for your reply.
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PFC (Join to see)
So far all my energy is focused with my unit. I do my best on PT tests, I volunteer for extra days and ADVON, and show up with a positive attitude. I am refraining from talking negatively about my unit or slander them, but I will say that I am a bit disappointed with it. I wanted to enlist as an infantryman but there were no Infantry units close to where I live, so I enlisted as an 88M because I was told it was easy to switch MOS, obviously a mistake that could have been prevented had I been more informed and more patient. Which is why I am asking people on this website for their insight and opinions, so I can be more informed before I make any other decisions within the military.
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Revise Marine Core to Marine Corps. Why did college not work out? Why do you want to Join the Marine Corps instead of another branch? Talk to a recruiter for the latest information.
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PFC (Join to see)
I apologize for the misspelling, it has been corrected. I did not mean to come off as disrespectful. College is not working out because I am not engaged in the greater picture and I have never done well in a school environment. I want to join the Marines instead of the Air Force or Navy because of the role Marines are expected to carry out as both infantrymen and their MOS job appeals to direction i want to take my career to. Thank you for your answer.
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Only your recruiter can tell you about MOS but generally the Army is the only service that guarantees an MOS to all applicants. Other services may guarantee a career field or nothing at all. Being prior service, I don't you'll get any option.
You'll pay back whatever bonus you've received already.
You'll pay back whatever bonus you've received already.
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PFC (Join to see)
Thank you for your reply, this information helps me understand my options a bit better.
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I did it back in my time. First of all you need to be less than 28 of age. Second, you will have to do the boot camp all over again. With the Marines there's no such thing as a prior service transitioning into the Marines. Visit a recruiter and get informed.
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PFC (Join to see)
I am 20 and am released from my contract at age 25. Which worries me because the only people I know who went from National Guard to the Marine Corps did so towards the end of their contract. I would otherwise wait, but I want to take advantage of the fact that I am young and energetic to do something possibly intense with the Marines. Thank you for your reply.
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SGT Eric Flores
I did it from ANG to USMC within one year of my ANG contract. You are right better do it now that you can take the punishment. :-) Check with your local recruiter. I'm sure you'll get all the answers to your questions.
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You already know what a DD 368, so you are on the right track. However, the approval authority is not your unit commander, it is the state G-1. The unit commander and the next levels of the chain of command can only endorse your request. If you are in an understrength unit, or even if the NC ARNG is understrength, your chances of getting it approved are slim. States have a rule of either 6 or 12 months waiting period after AIT before they will even process a DD368 conditional release. Your reasons for wanting released to go active are also factored into the chain of command's decision to endorse approval, and the ultimate decision by the state. Reasons such as unemployment and severe financial hardship with a family to feed are good reasons. Your reasons however, probably won't generate as much support to let you out of your contract, leaving an unfilled slot on the unit roster, and lost investment on the state funds it took get you fully trained to fill that slot. ARNG to Regular Army may give you a little more favorable consideration because at least you can sell the fact that your exposure in an Army training environment on an Army installation has inspired you to want to be a full time Soldier. Wanting out to join the USMC just gives the impression that you are infatuated with a shiny object and think the grass is greener on the other side.
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PFC (Join to see)
I can see how that could cause a bad impression and the difficulties it would cause. If my first option does not work out for me, Active Duty Army would definitely be my next choice and I would be content in having that fulfilled. Thank you for your insight, it is very helpful and appreciated.
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SFC J Fullerton
PFC (Join to see) - Your only "choice" may be serving out your contract with your ARNG unit. They have no obligation to release you to just because you changed your mind and want to join the Marines. All other "options" you once had disappeared when you signed a contract with the North Carolina Army National Guard. The needs of the service you belong to are more important to them than your wishes to be part of another service branch. Just a reality check for you, young PFC. Nothing personal.
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Elaborate, OK? College so far? Credits? Associates? Bachelors? What are your specific aspirations? Senior enlisted? Warrant? Commissioned? Flight interests, if any? Grades? GPAs? Majors? The more detailed you are, the more specific, incl hobbies, interests, reading tastes, and sports, incl any martial arts, the more that can be suggested, do a really detailed, serious biosketch, take the time to do it right, and send it in here, so we can suggest stuff for you in depth, OK?
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PFC (Join to see)
I am new to the website and not sure how to do stuff like that, but I' can give you a brief summary until I figure out how to send the information. I'm on my second semester as a freshman. I have 26 credits completed and I am taking 15 right now. My intended degree is a bachelor's in Political Science and my GPA is currently a 3.6. My aspiration as of right now is to be a senior enlisted. I hope this was helpful. Thank you for your reply, Sir.
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In MS, you have to be in your unit for a minimum of 6 months before requesting a change in status, such as conditional release or reclassing
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I can’t help but think out loud that if you don’t have the patience to serve in the Guard what makes you think the Marines will treat you any better? Hurry up and wait is a natural part of military service. I’d get all the facts and think long and hard about what you’re wanting to do.
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MSG Frank Kapaun
Me too 1SG Furr! To this type of individual, the grass is always greener on the other side of the pasture. What he does not realize is that he will have to go through what he just went through and his life will be a living hell in USMC boot.
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And what MOS types would you want? Also, have you looked at other services at all? If so, which, and for what fields, OK?
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