I EASed almost a year ago. I'm thinking about going back in but as Marine reserves. Has anyone done this after being out for so long? Advice?

I would echo several of the comments. As an senior enlisted soldier and a Active Guard Reserve (AGR) for the majority of my career, I watched several soldiers come and go. The advice to go and visit one or two different units will give you an idea perspective of the caliber of the unit, the leadership (bottom up) and their professionalism. Being a citizen soldier has its challenges and the ability to balance your success in both lies within you. Prior service active duty soldiers come to reserve units with expectations of everyday day soldiering and measure to that level. You may be surprised on the amount tasks accomplished in a 2-2.5 day period based on the unit. Best of luck to you Marine.

I did reserves first and then active. The reserves can be a good way of getting retirement benefits but it is completely different than active duty depending on the unit. I was aviation helicopters. Tge re is some good times to be had in the Reserves especially if you connect up with some former active duty members.

Choose wisely, the MOS you had when you were active may not be available locally, so that means travelling to a station that has your field or reclassifying. I have spent twice as long in the guard than I have Active. Your first year or two you are in adjustment phase, you will see the reserves in general are not as hard core disciplined as Active units. Keep in mind these folks do this one weekend a month. Once you get past the differences, and understand the why's, the Reserves can be great. I have gotten a deep appreciation out of National Guard Mechanics, why? Many of them are full time federal technicians who work on military vehicles all the time, without the headaches and BS of the Active force. They really now how to fix versus parts swap. Civilian semi truck mechanics are even better wrench turners, they have little time to play BS games, they want the part, and tools, get out of their way. Almost and Reservists who does civilian job as Service Member is usually a good asset. That doesn't mean they will impress you with their PT score, weight control, or marksmanship. Stuff many of them could care less about, they have real jobs, real families, real issues that were taken care of when you and I were regulars.

What service you choose, is just as critical as what you do. I have seen many a Marine join the Guard or Reserve and loose their mind, and shortly there after they are looking to go Marine Reserve. It depends on where you are, and what you want. IF going one weekend a month and doing USMC stuff is what you want, then go after it. If learning about being a flight medic on air evac missions interests then maybe the USAF has something for you. If being involved with community response for hurricanes, fires and floods is your thing the Guard ahs got you covered (Both the Air and National Guards respectively, have a duality of serving the State, and nation).

A year is a short time period in the big scheme of things. You should be able to go into the Reserves easily.

I know many folks that had been out for several years before they went in the Reserves. I had a 19 year break in service, my buddy had a 15 year break in service, and our CMSgt (E-9) also had a 19 year break in service.

Go back in while you are still young, I wish I would have joined the Reserves earlier. But I am very glad that I went back in. It has been a great experience.

Fear of the unknown is the biggest inhibitor of personal courage. Follow the others' reccomendations to visit the unit during a drill weekend. I've drilled with 3 different units when I was in the reserves and, they were all extremely different. The Esprit de Corps was great at one unit but everyone seemed way too lax to me. The motivation was great at one but, most of the NCOs and Jr. Marines didn't seem locked on and, really know their tactics. The reserve unit that was my home during my time in the Corps was a shining example of what the Reserves were meant to be and was locked on in every way. Kudos to the I&I staff there. They made all the difference!

It has been my experience that there are many in the Reserves who are hard chargers. How would you feel about that?

Cpl Raquel Rocha I joined the reserves after 8 years and know alot of other Marines who did the same even with some more time. The reserves has alot of great benefits such as networking, continuing managment/ leadership training, pride of service, deployments, esprit de corps, ect... You can contact a prior service recruiter in your area and try out a drill before commiting. Either way you aren't obligated to the Select Marine Corps Reserves. I know guys who checked in Saturday and decided Sunday this wasn't for them. You wont know until you give it a shot. I told myself Id give it a year before really deciding. Im over 3yrs so far still hooking and jabbing.

Don't wait too long. Missing the Corps and your brothers and sisters never goes away. I have been out since 96 and not a day goes by that I don't wish I was still in. The longer you wait the harder it is to get back in. Semper Fi sister.

Can't speak for anyone else, but I went from Active service, out, then returned to active service. I did think about the reserves, but once I was in that position to consider it, I just realized that for me, it wouldn't have been a good option due to family concerns.
Whatever your decision is, I am sure it will be the right one for you, and from the distance of nearly two decades past my decision at that time... I find that I'm rather envious of you... with all that ahead of you....

Raquel, I gave my "six years" and left active duty in 1972. Almost exactly 10 years later, I came back into the Reserves. I was given my old rank back, the duty weekend once a month was refreshing, and I truly enjoyed the two weeks of active duty annually. During the next 24 years, I completed a career of both active duty and Reserve, earning a comfortable retirement check in the doing. As a Commander, I interviewed numerous individuals wanting to come into our Reserve organization. Each and every one told me the reason for wanting to come back..."I missed the military." The U.S. military, all aspects of it, is a family - with all the same complex interactions as any family living on the block. It offers opportunity, security, growth, and most of all, travel adventure! Hint: I used my civilian job's earned two weeks of vacation to cover my 2 weeks of annual military duty = full pay from my job as well as 2 weeks of full pay from the military - BONUS! And don't doubt for a moment that 2 weeks was fun and cleared my mind from any stress I had on the job back home! Come back in...you won't regret it.