Army or Marine Corps Reserve

[vel525]

Just wanted to get some input from my local military / former military folks. I am currently considering joining the Army Reserves or Marine Corp. Reserves as an officer. I am 32 (I know I would have to get an age waiver for the Marines), have a masters degree, and am in good shape. I have always regretted not serving right out of college and am at a point in my life I just want to do it and not regret it the rest of my life.

I've been in contact with many people (through friends) and one Army guy recommended PSYOPS after talking to me about what I'm looking for. The more I research, the more I like it. I was wondering if any of you guys can provide some insight? I know there is a PSYOP battalion in MD and will try to get in touch with them at some point as well.

I am meeting with a Marine reserve officer recruiter next week so I will get more info on opportunities on that side.

Sorry for the long post, but appreciate any help/feedback/suggestions.

[platoonDaddy]

I salute you!

Food for thought

1. if you do sign on the dotted line will your current employer (and your family) give you a leave of absence for Basic|AIT|OCS?

2. as you are aware the reserves have been to the sandBox numerous times, therefore more time away from work & family.

3. if you join now, you will retire with 20 years of service when you are 52 and when you reach 60 the pensions starts. Take this from an oldMan, you can never retire with enough monies, therefore the additional monies from the retirement will certainly help.

Wish you all the success with the recruiters, don't stop at the Marines also check out the Army and weight the options they presented.

Again I salute you!

[vel525]

Thanks, but I have not done anything yet.

1. I thought employers had to by law allow reservist to go serve their time. Either way, pretty sure my employer would be supportive.

2. Yes, I know especially in PSYOP that they deploy and am good with that. My wife has already deployed twice through her work and we have no kids so deploying is not an issue.

3. Have not thought beyond the 6 years of service as a reservist. Something to consider.

[Caeser25]

1. There is a federal law that they have to hold your job for a certain amount of time, I believe its 2 years, maybe 3. there are plenmty of ways around this, depending on how much bad press your employer cares about. A guy in my unit came home to his job that was no longer there. The company got rid of that entire department and won in court.

The company he worked for was the Unniversity of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

[Caeser25]

They also didn't accept Tricare after I first got back from the sandbox until all three local news stations somehow heard about it

[variablebinary]

Given your age, and if you have a family or not, I'd go National Guard, and take advantage of the state OCS program.

Neither will wreck your personal life, and you might be able to hold on to your job, and not freak your wife out too much. You'll get your butter bar the same at the end.

The 8 week guys get smoked pretty good too, which is half the fun. If you aren't disciplined, you'll want to motor through for sure.

Another thing about the Guard is the deployment situation. Your unit wont get deployed as much as the reserve, but you can volunteer to go almost as much as you want if you are a thrill seeker.


State OCS (Traditional)
• Where: Your state’s Regional Training Institute, or RTI
• When: Weekends only—16-18 months of one weekend a month, plus 2 two-week periods

National Guard Bureau Accelerated OCS
• Where: School locations vary by season and state
• When: Eight weeks straight, seven days a week, winter or summer session

Once your Guard commitment is over, you can jump to active duty. Though, there are a metric ton of active duty positions open right now, even if you have a Guard contract. You can easily get a gig and be gone for a couple of years doing something highspeed if that is what you are looking for

[William B.]

In the Marine Corps you'll have to attend TBS as well as OCS and MOS school. TBS is 6 months long and you attend it in between OCS and your MOS school. Every Marine officer has to pass TBS. I believe that in the other branches you just attend OCS and MOS school.

Sorry if I'm coming off like a downer, but 6 months is a long time. TBS is also very physically demanding, so if you get hurt you may get dropped back in training and spend more time there. If time is an issue to you then TBS may not be the right answer for you. I am an enlisted instructor at TBS, so please let me know if you have any questions about it.

[vel525]

Guys,

Appreciate all the immediate feedback. I will also take into consideration the National Guard option. Lucky for me my wife is supportive and has already deployed twice so she understands. And we have no kids so that's good.

Did not know about the TBS for the Marines Corps, thought it was just basic and OCS. I actually think my firm would understand if I told them I wanted to do this. I work at a small finance shop and the bosses are very patriotic and we have a few former marines working at the firm as well.

I'm sure I will have more questions and will reach out Colt LE6920. Thank you.

[Ak44]

1, 2, 3, 4...UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

[120mm]

Also, as an officer, there are more pure leadership positions in the Army National Guard than in the Army Reserves.

You have a much better chance of being developed professionally that way, imo.