Thread: Sapper

Originally Posted by MSG Glenn

The saying that the Marines need a few good men. Is that all they can get?

I had about 7 or 8 former Marines under me that came into the Army. Most were fairly happy in the Corps but it wasn't until after they were in the Army that they understood what a dirty deal they got. Not every one. About 2 years a go a young man in our Judo club joined the USMC. A five year enlistment, not one shred of a bonus, no choice in MOS, or any incentives like Recon, Sniper, etc. My son (Army Ranger) & I checked & found that if he would have enlisted in the Army he could have gotten Infantry, Airborne School, Ranger Indoc & a fair bonus to go with each on a 4 year enlistment. He's a sharp Marine, Honor Graduate from boot, got Sniper School & right after his deployment he will be going to Force Recon training. None of this was guaranteed however. He realizes what a crap shoot it was & now wants to reup in the Army when his time comes. It's a bigger branch of the military so of course there are more options. That's the nature of the beast.

Ok, let me break it down to you like this. Plain and simple, remember I use the KISS Method...

When a person joins the MC, it is not for any sort of bonus, money or MOS. It is merely for the honorable, and highly saught after Title of United States Marine.(At least that's what the Recruiter told me.)

There area few MOS's that have signing bonuses, but that goes towards all branches. Some branches need more ppl, so they entice the Recruits/Crossers.

And of course, you have to be paid a lot more in bonuses just to wear that uniform... J/K, J/K!!!

I do recal being guarenteed an MOS, but then again, I scored a 99 on the ASVAB, all three times. Yes, three times. I took it in HS, at MEPS when I was signing up for the MC, and again at Boot Camp, because the DI's thought I cheated somehow...

I was trying to get CI, but the MC doesn't allow anyone to come right off the streets to go directly into CI. You have to enlist, reach a minimum E-4/Cpl rank and then upon your re-enlistment, do a Lat-Move into that field. And if you are in the Intel field, you can not go into the CI field either. So, I joined as a 3521, Diesel Mechanic, did my time and started cross training into the CI 0211 CI/HUMMINT MOS.

Now, as for your friend, he should have gotten everything in writing, because the MC DOES guarentee an Oc Field, but not always a specific MOS.

As for Recon Indoc, that is open to all Marines at a specific time and grade. So, no, not one person is going to get that in their contract. You need a UZ blah, blah, blah. Go here, and it is all explained...

Force Recon Association : Frequently Asked Questions About Recon

I was not there when your friend enlisted, but maybe he should have asked, or done a little more research first.