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 went reserves after about a year... it was National Guard and nothing like the Corps. If you have any desire to own your own business I suggest you go that route. NaVOBA has a great website that gives you what you need to get started and the camaraderie of veteran business owners maybe a good fit. WomanOwned Veteran business owners have great resources to help get things started. Looks like your MOS will be great foundation for business ownership.
Greatest thing that helped me getting over the "empty" feeling is my church has a bunch of old and young vets...

It will help but be mindful of future deployment 's

I think I would take my Marine Corps skills and go and see an Army National Guard recruiter- You may have to go to some schooling but I believe you can come over and not lose stripes? Good luck with your difficult choice and may your future be bright and glorious!

I did exactly the same think you're talking about...i was active, stated out awhile came back in the reserves. It is an entirely different thing. The reserve side as a totally separate mindset than active. Granted I would not change my choice the military is a part of me and I understand how you feel. Just don't re enlist in the reserves thinking it's going to be like active.

Most reserve units will give you the Try One option which means you only have to commit to one year. I have been in the National Guard and now the Army Reserves with a couple of deployments and AGR thrown in. It is good pay and great experience for a part time job.

Was active duty Army for almost half a career when I made the decision to leave. Regretted every year I was out. After 12 years at the age of 40 I went into the Az Guard to complete my time. Trust me, it doesn't get any easier the longer you wait to go back. Just be prepared to accept and understand the Reservers and or Guard are not active units. We have to do the same annual training as active units while still trying to accomplish METL all in about 38 days a year.

Best of luck

Cpl Raquel Rocha, please think about switching to the ARMY reserves by joining a Civil Affair unit, we need more women with your back ground, and yes you will be offered missions in the middle east. Send me a private message.

Contact me I can help SSgt Torres [login to see]

Going from the USMC to the Guard was a huge culture shock, but was nice for me to "ease out" of the service. I did a 1 year contract initially, then reenlisted for 1 more year. If I didn't like it, I could have easily done my 11 drills and left. I eventually left to chase the money, but had a great time in the Guard. It's basically all of the fun stuff without any of the fluff.

Well it is quite different from AD you were raised different from a regular reservist. But after 12 years of war it is very difficult to find a reservist that has not been deployed a couple of times. The biggest thing that I will tell you is that they want you to be the full timer you once were and not understanding that it is a part time obligation. I was mob and deployed 5 times since 9/11 more than my 9 years on AD prior to joining the Reserves.