Why has my Marine Corps OSO stopped responding to my emails or phone calls?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 17 Feb 2018 11:50:25 -0500

A little background information:
1) About to graduate with a B.S. in Biochemistry from a respectable state flagship university.
2) I'm currently enlisted as a sergeant, E5, in the USAR as a 68W (Healthcare Specialist)

Situation: I had previously contacted all the branches in regards to commissioning after graduation, and received a lot of interest from the Marine Corps. In December of 2017, an OSO had contacted me via phone and we had a good conversation in which he expressed that I sounded like a viable candidate. He sent me the "Marine Officer Questionnaire", I filled it out, and responded as he instructed. This is when it went downhill, as he never responded to my phone calls or called me back in response to my voice mails. He hasn't responded to my emails as well. I waited until this past week, and again sent him an email requesting some form of contact/information from him in regards to my potential application.
What makes it even weirder is that I routinely get emails from the Marine Corps where I'm clearly listed as a poolee, and am invited to attend officer recruitment events.
Why would my OSO be ignoring me? Is there any way I can remedy this? I recently turned down pursuing the Air Force due to a two year waiting period between swearing in and shipping out, so I'd like to see this issue resolved.

Response by Maj John Bell made Feb 17 at 2018 12:30 PM

Maj John Bell — Sat, 17 Feb 2018 12:30:13 -0500

I am not saying there is a valid reason for turning you down or breaking contact, but even if there was; there is no reason for not calling you and telling you personally. It shows a lack of moral courage and reflects badly upon the Marine Corps.

If there is no valid reason, that also reflects badly on the Marine Corps. It is simply unacceptable.

My sincere apology and a buck won't buy you a loaf of bread, but I do offer my apology on behalf of the Officers of the Marine Corps.

Send one more message, explain that you do not understand the lack of communication, but that you will be happy to take up your package with your OSO's reporting senior. Give the OSO a timeline for when you will by-pass, make it long enough to account for the possibility of leave or a family emergency that has removed the OSO temporarily from the lines of communication. Then by-pass the OSO, on the date you said you would.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2018 1:23 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 17 Feb 2018 13:23:28 -0500

Contact USMC Recruiting and make an inquiry. They should let you know status. You are owed at least that. You should understand that OSO's are on the road a lot, making trips to colleges and elsewhere. Their big rush season is coming with graduations. Not making excuses, just saying to be patient and make proper inquiries. There are many potential reasons why OSO is not responding - emergency, he's been relieved and more. If he's been replaced it will take time for his replacement to get up to speed. Maj Bell offers the proper COA. As to contacts, locate their web presence for info and go from there. Good luck.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2018 1:28 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 17 Feb 2018 13:28:08 -0500

SGT Private RallyPoint Member Great advice from Maj John Bell and CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member. Good luck. Keep us posted on the situation.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Feb 17 at 2018 2:28 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Sat, 17 Feb 2018 14:28:10 -0500

If you've already committed to USMC, or are absolutely certain you want it, or one of the other conventional services, tpthen obvioisly what I was gonna suggest might not be something you can do at this point. However. If, and please note, I said if, you haven't yet decided or committed absolutely, I'm gonna suggest something. Since you've quite clearly got a clinical bent anyway, OK? I've been where youre clearly seeking to go, maybe not quite in the same fashion, however, trust me, been there, done that (BTDT), as one of my younger brothers loves to say. So, look at what I'm gonna send, they have a toll free, call them, and look at the rest of what I'm gonna send, I dont know how far you wanna go clinical beyond what you are now, you want advice, glad to help, anytime, however, trust me, I went in impulsively, and wound up where I hadn't expected, I'm glad I did it. I just wish I'd known more to do it better back then. Had I known of what I'm gonna send, I'd have done that I was to have gone ArmymROTzc, I wound up going USAF OTE line engineering, as I just simply didn't know what to ask for. So if I can, let me try to help you, OK? Send more, much more, elaborate so far as you can, GPS if ypyoud wanna say, grad level inclinations, ultimate objectives, clinical care level if any you'd want research bent, publishing thus far, must it ne USMC, what other services, med lab tech possibly, PA, MD (allopathic), DO (osteopathic), give me more hobbies, interests, reading, family constraints so far as you'd care to elaborate that might influence your preferences, etc., etc., etc., OK? The more you give, the more I or others here can suggest, that-0's all I'm saying, honest, so look at what I'm gonna send, tell me ifmyour heard of it at alp, give me your thoughts and/or impressions, OK? I'll try to not overwhelm, however, your circumstances clearly interest me, I'd like to try to give you some useful info and/or advice, OK?

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Feb 17 at 2018 2:28 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Sat, 17 Feb 2018 14:28:32 -0500

https://www.usphs.gov/apply/apply.aspx

Trust me, get the toll free and call them, honest, OK?

How to Apply for a Commission with the USPHS Commissioned Corps

Application process for USPHS Commissioned Corps. How to apply for a commission.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Feb 17 at 2018 2:56 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Sat, 17 Feb 2018 14:56:23 -0500

https://www.usuhs.edu/graded/doctoral

Look into this for the PhD in biochem and/or molecular bio, maybe also micro bio and infectious disease or possibly pathology, it can ne done as civil servant, enlisted I'm uncertain if direct commission or some sort of OIS an indoc program might exist, ifmtou went USPHS I'm fairly sure their programs are done in that fashion, the thing is you'd have to find a gaining unit or orgnztn to prepick you up in advance, just look at it, they have a toll free, there's also a page for nursing, ipup through MSN or NP, I'm fairly certain there's also a PhdpD in nursing there as well you'll have to find the page trust me, I've seen it let me send this now, then I'll try to send more also....

Uniformed Services University

The mission of the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences is to educate, train, and comprehensively prepare uniformed services health professionals, scientists, and leaders to support the Military and Public Health Systems, the National Security and National Defense Strategies of the United States, and the readiness of our Uniformed Services.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Feb 17 at 2018 2:58 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Sat, 17 Feb 2018 14:58:21 -0500

https://www.thebalance.com/physician-assistant-in-military-2356512

You might want this also, I'm sure you know of it, the school is in TX, at Ft Sam Houston or Brooks AFB somewhere near San Antonio, this is an info site....

Learn How to Become a Physician Assistant for Free in the U.S. Military

Becoming a physician assistant requires years of schooling, but the U.S. military might foot the bill if you meet certain qualifications.

Response by A1C Ian Williams made Feb 17 at 2018 4:38 PM

A1C Ian Williams — Sat, 17 Feb 2018 16:38:12 -0500

Congratulations, SGT Private RallyPoint Member I will expect great things from you in service of the branch you commission into. There are alot of things that go behind the scenes. A part of being an officer is learning to stand up to enlisted. There is a point where they are not your peers. They are your subordinates. You can conduct yourself in a calm, respectful man AND you can get in someone's face to inspire action. That's a skill that is very necessary as an officer. We're not meek. Are we, Sergeant Kulow?

Response by Capt Walter Miller made Feb 17 at 2018 5:01 PM

Capt Walter Miller — Sat, 17 Feb 2018 17:01:37 -0500

Unfortunately, they may have had a change in the number of boat spaces that were available. That can see-saw wildly. Don't they still set up on campuses? That is how I talked to my first OSO.

Response by SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint made Feb 17 at 2018 7:08 PM

SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint — Sat, 17 Feb 2018 19:08:19 -0500

There are a couple of possibilities.
1. You are not qualified? (If you are already in the USAR, maybe the branches of service are not competing with each other? As a taxpayer, I think that is a waste of time until you are 90 days close to your ETS. Also, your USAR MOS does not convert to USMC Marines have no health care or Docs....because we never get hurt....or at least that is what I believed. )
2. Could be your OSO deployed....got wounded or worst. Yes, there should be someone who takes over...if the notes are good. Think about how well we pass the word during PCS or transitions.

Good luck. Perseverance is important. What is your next step if you can not be a Marine? Always plan...and plan when for the following option.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2018 8:27 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Feb 2018 08:27:44 -0500

SGT-Like everyone else, I think you are owed an explanation. There must certainly be a way to check if you are "in the system" or not. If yes, then you should be able to pursue getting a status...if no, then I know I'd want to know the reason. I will say (from personal experience) that it is possible the person you spoke with has transferred, and may not have had the good grace to "tie up loose ends" with every applicant he spoke with prior to doing so. Another very probable issue is that it has been a pretty "dry" last ten to fifteen years for officer accessions-It doesn't excuse leaving folks in a lurch...but the wheels do turn very slowly. Being currently active duty makes things challenging in one aspect; that you have certain limitations to what you can "safely" do to drive from the back seat. That said (and this will certainly follow you in your future career), the one person most responsible for managing your career is you. I wish you the best of fortunes...and hope you update us on RP as you find out more information.