Posted on May 20, 2016
1px xxx
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When I got out of the Guard in 2015, I immediately contacted the USMC. I wanted to join a disciplined environment, because I needed it (and still need it).

My first recruiter expressed interest and said I met all of the qualifications to join. I shook hands with him, then departed. I followed up with emails and phone calls. He was ignoring me.

A friend of a 'senior' USMC recruiter said he would help. This senior recruiter said that it was weird that a recruiter would fall off the face of the earth like that, and that he would help. 3 months later, after realizing he wasn't responding to calls/emails either, I lost patience and joined the Reserves.

Of course, THE DAY AFTER I signed for the Reserves, he calls me back.

What gives? What could possibly distract recruiters months at a time from actually recruiting? I ask because I'm thinking about inquire again in 2018.

Apologies if I sound like a nagging hag, it's been a chip on my shoulder for a while.
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Responses: 66
LCpl Motor Vehicle Operator
Wow, I commented before reading the other comments and read many that "dogged" the recruiter as being lazy FIRST and many didn't even ask about the SPC's history as if there could be nothing wrong! I took the behavior of the second Marine as an indication the recruiter had a good reason. Are you saying there were 2 "lazy" Marines?
LCpl Motor Vehicle Operator
LCpl (Join to see)
>1 y
SPC (Verify To See) - Sorry , I didn't explain my comment better, I was addressing the other people not you bro.
SFC J Fullerton
SFC J Fullerton
>1 y
SPC Corbin Sayi - Just trying to help you understand- The Re-code on your DD214 absolutely matters, if the service is even accepting PS in the first place. The USAR and ARNG place a big emphasis on recruiting prior service and can waive a RE 3. You would likely have a difficult time going back to the regular Army with an RE 3, that is, if PS is open at the time.
1px xxx
Suspended Profile
>1 y
SFC J Fullerton - Thanks for the info. My old unit explained that I would need a waiver to join any branch, but would not be allowed to join the NG (hate to say it, but I didn't mind the latter).

I'm curious though, wouldn't having a passing APFT void my RE 3 code? I was under the impression that this RE 3 code was on my NGB 22 form, and not DD 214 (looking for the NGB form now...). I don't believe Marines acknowledge the NGB since it's National Guard-specific.
SFC J Fullerton
SFC J Fullerton
>1 y
SPC Corbin Sayi - Trying to understand your case. You were never active duty, just ARNG? Your latest discharge was from the ARNG, with an RE-3? If that is the case, your RE-3 on an NGB 22 would be a factor for a Regular Army enlistment. It would require an RE Code waiver to be approved, same as if it was on a DD 214 from an active component. In addition, PS would have to be an open category. Even the Regular Army closes the PS category from time to time. Honestly, the Regular Army has been tougher on approving RE-code waivers, especially with all the early separations in the draw down and lowered recruiting/retention quotas. The only way to "void" or change an RE Code is to submit for a correction, for the ARNG that would be through the state HQ that issued the NGB 22. The fact is the RE Code 3 sticks unless your NGB 22 is amended. All prior service regardless of active, reserve or NG must be documented. For you to be eligible for the Marines, they would likely have waive the RE code (as the Army would require) AND, be accepting Prior Service. I don't find it plausible that they would not "acknowledge" ARNG service in terms of Prior Service eligibility requirements. Obviously, if they were currently accepting PS, you would go boot camp, regardless.
LCpl Motor Vehicle Operator
Not a lot of info, but what was your re-enlistment code? What was your Pro&Con's (they still have them?) Last but not least, I don't know if this is a written or unwritten rule, but they have a limited number of prior service they can recruit. A, shall we say, a lackluster history in the Guard doesn't lend itself to being Marine material. Did you advance your education? Was there anything in the Guard you did to shine? What was your MOS? Yyou know critical MOS's have a priority in the pecking order for enlisting prior service if there is a quota or cap. Second, whatever the first recruiter said to the second as to WHY he hasn't followed up, the second recruiter must have thought was valid or maybe the second recruiter didn't really have any "juice" to begin with . There are a lot of questions but did you ever try having a "come to Jesus" talk and just ask " what has made me second rate and how can I improve it".
SSG Max Geitner
Because you're not a high school senior or you have issues. They want easy recruits. They are on production, numbers are power.
1px xxx
Suspended Profile
Edited >1 y ago
Just to tell you now, you can still request conditional release and sign up for Marines although it might take a while. I was in your situation as well. I tried to join Marines right while I was still going through my second enlistment. I never got the chance to go because I wanted to be 311 series, but lo and behold they had nothing available besides one slot for LAV crew member.

Also I know someone who is in her late 20s now (tried to join at 25 years old), but had diversion when she was 16 years old for possession of weed. She tried to join Air Force first. Did practice ASVAB with them, went through application process, then recruiter stopped talking to her for about three weeks and later when she called, he told her, her diversion 10 years ago disqualifies her. She then tried ARNG and they also told her they'll call her later. They never called her back, but Navy called her about one month afterwards and said ARNG said the DQed her as well, but they could get her waiver if she okay with joining Navy. She is now Sailor.
1px xxx
Suspended Profile
>1 y
I certainly could try, but I've yet to hear a successful conditional release these days. Commanders usually sit on the paperwork. I still don't have my TA-50 and I've been in the reserve for over a year. With less than 2 years to go, I doubt they'll release me.
SSG Edward Joy
You can transfer any time you want
LCpl Douglas Landrith Jr
LCpl Douglas Landrith Jr
>1 y
It is not as easy as you would think SSG. The Corps is going to be even more picky and it would also depend if there is an open slot. With the Corps being as small as we are that "open spot" is going to be a killer.
MSG Financial Management Technician
There is more than one recruiting station that you could have went to. If he said that you were qualified, then you could have went to another recruiter after not hearing from the original one.
1px xxx
Suspended Profile
>1 y
I did. I even called the next city's recruiter (Portland). But, I coulda/shoulda/woulda waited longer or shown up in person more than the 2 times that I did. I'm not placing blame, I was just curious about the process.

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