What advice do you have for a Marine veteran wanting to re-enlist active in the Army?

Sgt Jordan Foster — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 12:12:42 -0400

Prior Marine wanting to join the army. what’s the process of re-enlisting and how do they choose duty station? And will my wife and kids be a problem when it comes to re-enlistment?

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2018 12:38 PM

1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 12:38:05 -0400

Best go talk to a recruiter at your local recruiting substation.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2018 1:11 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 13:11:04 -0400

you will not get to pick your duty station. You will go to mos school (AIT) and get sent from there. Pretty easy process and if you have been out for less than a certain amount of time, then you dont have to do medical at MEPS. That is new as of September of last year.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2018 2:15 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 14:15:36 -0400

Feel free to call me I'm an active duty recruiter [login to see]

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2018 8:03 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 20:03:19 -0400

I see you have been out for 2 1/2 years, if you are going through with this process I would move quickly as I have seen a guys with over 3 year breaks in service be sent back to day 0 of BCT.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2018 9:56 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 21:56:25 -0400

Check it out bro, I too am prior Marine... first things first. Get used to the crayon eating jokes. I hear at least one a day. No joke. The route I went was enlisted, no issues (family shouldn’t be one either) I went straight to Fort Leonard Wood to inprocess at the basic training reception unit. I didn’t do any dumb shit, strictly in processing (shots, paperwork, etc) once all that was said and done I shipped straight to my unit which was Korea at the time. Idk your MOS but I was 0311 and went 11B.

Response by Cpl John DeConti made Jul 18 at 2018 6:05 PM

Cpl John DeConti — Wed, 18 Jul 2018 18:05:53 -0400

Personally... I thought about it... But couldn't be bothered after I saw the shape of our local reserve unit (This is not a diss to the Army this is unit specific..) Sgt, depending on your job you could still do a lot of good and make a metric fk ton of money out in the private sector. If you need anything let me know. I'm your brother and I've got your 6.

Response by SGT Timothy Stuart made Jul 18 at 2018 9:52 PM

SGT Timothy Stuart — Wed, 18 Jul 2018 21:52:33 -0400

Went from Marine to Soldier myself. Very short break in service so I didn’t have to redo any crazy stuff. Went straight from MEPS to “A” school at Ft Gordon. In processed there, uniforms, and everything. Picked up with a new class of IET soldiers, but couldn’t do anything with them outside of school house due to fraternization rules. Graduated then on to duty station. Of course make sure everything you and the recruiter agree to is IN WRITING on the contract, otherwise it never happened.

Response by CW3 Michael Bodnar made Jul 19 at 2018 8:17 AM

CW3 Michael Bodnar — Thu, 19 Jul 2018 08:17:49 -0400

I am a prior service Marine with over 10 years of active duty time. I joined the National Guard in 2010 and became a Warrant Officer - by far the best decision that I've made. It allows me to remain technical in my field and be that middle person between the O grades and my troops. When I made the transition, I was floored. No joke....it was like going from a full sprint to a slow crawl. I've never seen NCO's so afraid to take charge and get things done (this is strictly from a NG perspective). I ran circles around my fellow NCO's and was often told to slow down and take it easy. I brought that Marine Corps mentality to the Guard and I still use it today. My section is highly trained, taken care of, and has the highest success rate within the ACE. I empower my NCO's to make decisions and mentor them when they don't get something right because after all, we cannot learn unless we make the mistakes and move on from them. It's not a bad idea to make the transition but I caution you to not become the lesser standard and go with the flow.

As for the process, talk with a recruiter and assess all of your options. Your family shouldn't be an issue. You will have duty assignments similar to the Marine Corps and depending on your MOS, you may not have to attend AIT (i.e. I was an 0241 in the Marines and did not have to go through 35G training). I was also able to waive some of the leadership schools (BLC) because I went through Corporal's and Sergeant's course. Keep that in mind when you are chatting with the recruiters.

I hope this helps you out.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 19 at 2018 9:20 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Jul 2018 09:20:24 -0400

Sgt Foster Im a prior service Marine who transfer into the Army 11 years ago. I have some input for you on your transition.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2018 10:53 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 17 Nov 2018 10:53:15 -0500

Sgt Jordan Foster ,
Have you made any progress yet?

I'm in the same boat as you. Got out as a Sgt in 8/2016, started talking to the recruiter a couple months ago, and went to MEPS last week for my physical. From what I've heard and what their PS Business Rules says, you and I should retain rank.

Prior Service Business Rules: https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/current-and-prior-service/continue-serving/return-to-active-duty/prior-service-business-rules.html

Prior Service Business Rules

The Prior Service Business Rules acts as a guide for Soldiers who are interested in reenlisting in the regular Army.

Response by Sgt Jordan Foster made Nov 19 at 2018 4:01 PM

Sgt Jordan Foster — Mon, 19 Nov 2018 16:01:26 -0500

To all, Since I’ve made this post life has turned completely around Follow your passions I thought the army was a good choice but god truly has a plan for you. I’ve gotten a good job running my own motor pool and I couldn’t be happier, not everybody has the same situation as me and I assure you that every marine has what it takes to make it as a civilian it took a lot of convincing my self of that but it is true. Remember Marines we are the 1% of the 1% dont let anybody tell you what your worth!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2020 1:32 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 13:32:15 -0400

Reenlisting is easy man, took me three months to get back in vs 18 months that it would’ve taken to go back in the Marines... wife and kids (as long as it’s no more than 2) for a total of 3 dependents shouldn’t be an issue. You don’t get to chose your duty station, HRC chooses that for you and you’ll find out about half way through school. I’m not sure if you choose to come in as a 88M with the same as motor t if you have to go to the school again... anyways, once a Marine always a Marine brother! Best of luck in whatever path you choose