I can answer questions...let em rip.

[Gunny_D]

If you don't want them to be viewed in a public forum, feel free to send me a private message.

[The Universal Curmudgeon_guest]

If you don't want them to be viewed in a public forum, feel free to send me a private message.And if you don't want to have your responses reviewed, feel free to reply privately as well.

[lilreeves]

I'm a Solider down range looking to change branches once I redeploy.I was told that I can change branches and loose rank.My questions is do I qualify for the DEP program?.This is my 2nd deployment and 3yrs.I also would like to know if I could join the Marines can I go active duty?.How does your deployments work,how long are they?.

[Flores1989]

I am highly interested in the Marine Corp and I want to join but I want to know how many push and sit ups do I need to be able to do and how fast do I have to be able to run a mile or 2

[soldiermedic]

I want to change branches and be a Corpseman with the Marine Reserves. Does the Navy provide Corpsemen from the Naval Reserve for Marine Reserve units when they are not deployed?

[The Universal Curmudgeon_guest]

I am highly interested in the Marine Corp and I want to join but I want to know how many push and sit ups do I need to be able to do and how fast do I have to be able to run a mile or 2You can find the Height and Weight Standards HERE (Female) (http://usmilitary.about.com/od/marinejoin/l/blrecweightfem.htm) and HERE (Male) (http://usmilitary.about.com/od/marinejoin/l/blintweightmale.htm)

If you will have to take Basic Training you will need to pass the USMC Initial Strength Test. You can find out about the IST HERE (http://usmilitary.about.com/od/marinejoin/l/blist.htm). (The IST covers your specific question.)

For general information on Enlistment Standards for all 10 divisions of the US military (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard [both Regular and Reserve]) you can look HERE (http://usmilitary.about.com/od/joiningthemilitary/a/enlstandards.htm)

[The Universal Curmudgeon_guest]

I want to change branches and be a Corpseman with the Marine Reserves. Does the Navy provide Corpsemen from the Naval Reserve for Marine Reserve units when they are not deployed?Provided that the Table of Organization calls for one, that would be where they would get them.

You don't say what your MOS is right now, but a "Corpsman" is an 8404 and there is no such MOS in the USMC. USMC Corpsman slots are filled by USN HM-8404s.

Now if you really want to be a Corpseman, you should check out the prerequisites and duties HERE (http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/marineenjobs/bl9051.htm).

[KrashKatz]

If you will have to take Basic Training you will need to pass the USMC Initial Strength Test. You can find out about the IST HERE (http://usmilitary.about.com/od/marinejoin/l/blist.htm). (The IST covers your specific question.)

My bad....I missed that when I posted before.

[The Universal Curmudgeon_guest]

3 Pullups, 55 Crunches, and 1.5 miles in 13:30 to join.

Once you are in, then refer to the standards that Universal has linked in his/her post above.
Sorry, but the minimum is 2 and 35 for the IST. The 13:30 is correct.

The MINIMUM for people who have graduated from Basic is HERE (http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/blmarinefitness.htm) and the more detailed chart is HERE (http://usmilitary.about.com/od/marines/l/blfitmale.htm).

[KrashKatz]

It appears you would be right, I never actually read it. It would seem I've been giving bad info on that for the last few years. When I took a mock IST before I joined, those were the standards I was told. At least I got 1 out of 3 right.

[The Universal Curmudgeon_guest]

It appears you would be right, I never actually read it. It would seem I've been giving bad info on that for the last few years. When I took a mock IST before I joined, those were the standards I was told. At least I got 1 out of 3 right.You should have followed the link. I'm not always right about the details of the inner workings of other countries' militaries (nor do I pretent to have worked with members of every country's military), but I do try to be.

I'm not sure if 33.3% would have been good enough for the USMC, but you did improve your score.

[KrashKatz]

This is where I try to throw people off the trail of my stupidity.....

So Gunny_D...you haven't answered any questions yet.

[soldiermedic]

Provided that the Table of Organization calls for one, that would be where they would get them.

You don't say what your MOS is right now, but a "Corpsman" is an 8404 and there is no such MOS in the USMC. USMC Corpsman slots are filled by USN HM-8404s.

Now if you really want to be a Corpseman, you should check out the prerequisites and duties HERE (http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/marineenjobs/bl9051.htm).

Thanks. I'm already a 68W (Medic) with the Army, so I just want to change things up and try what I'm doing with a differant branch.

[bluedevildude22]

I have a bachelor's degree in information sciences & technology from a 4-year university. I'm 23, in really good shape and while I'm young I'd like to keep from sitting behind a desk from 9 to 5. I've read that most people with a degree apply to OCS, but as someone with zero military experience that may not be the best idea for me. I assume most applicants to OCS have gone through some kind of basic training or ROTC program? Anyway, my main questions are:

1) Would it be possible for me to go to Parris Island with an agreement that, if I pass, I could be guaranteed to go to OCS? If I couldn't have that guarantee, what would my options be?

2) More importantly, what kind of commitments are required to participate at PI? When I considered joining ROTC in college the main 'selling point' was that the service would pay for my education and my enlistment would be paying them back for that cost. As it stands, I have no student debts so would I be in a position to set the number of years I would be in the Marines? Also, I've heard that some tours of duty are being extended--might I be at risk for this too?

3) Assuming I did well on the aptitude battery tests or enrolled in OCS, what are the chances I would be forced into a 'desk' job? Most importantly, how much control over what kind of job I take would I have before signing up, ie when discussing the terms with the recruiter?

I realize I may come off luke-warm in terms of commitment, but I would hate to sign away a few years of my life only to land at a desk job--I can already do that as a civilian! Much appreciation for taking the time to read this and, hopefully, giving some advice!

Mike
bluedevildude22@yahoo.com

[fmrldylthrnk]

I have a bachelor's degree in information sciences & technology from a 4-year university. I'm 23, in really good shape and while I'm young I'd like to keep from sitting behind a desk from 9 to 5. I've read that most people with a degree apply to OCS, but as someone with zero military experience that may not be the best idea for me. I assume most applicants to OCS have gone through some kind of basic training or ROTC program? Anyway, my main questions are:

1) Would it be possible for me to go to Parris Island with an agreement that, if I pass, I could be guaranteed to go to OCS? If I couldn't have that guarantee, what would my options be?

2) More importantly, what kind of commitments are required to participate at PI? When I considered joining ROTC in college the main 'selling point' was that the service would pay for my education and my enlistment would be paying them back for that cost. As it stands, I have no student debts so would I be in a position to set the number of years I would be in the Marines? Also, I've heard that some tours of duty are being extended--might I be at risk for this too?

3) Assuming I did well on the aptitude battery tests or enrolled in OCS, what are the chances I would be forced into a 'desk' job? Most importantly, how much control over what kind of job I take would I have before signing up, ie when discussing the terms with the recruiter?

I realize I may come off luke-warm in terms of commitment, but I would hate to sign away a few years of my life only to land at a desk job--I can already do that as a civilian! Much appreciation for taking the time to read this and, hopefully, giving some advice!

Mike
bluedevildude22@yahoo.com

If you got through OCS, you don't need PI. OCS is a basic training designed specifically for officers--you'll also be going through TBS--The Basic School. Don't worry, you'll gain plenty of knowledge before you are sent out into the ranks. As far as choosing a job, not many are non-combat related, and your choice is based on how well you do at TBS. You'll number your choices, and then get your choice based on your ranking in your group (different from class, they'll divide you up and then the top in each group gets to choose, then the top 2, etc). Really though, a "desk job" in the Marine Corps Is NOTHING like a desk job in the civilian world.
As far as number of years, I'm not sure how it works on the officers side of the house--someone else will have to answer that for you, but as far a tours of duty (meaning deployments I assume) your guess is as good as mine!
Hope that helped a bit.

[CVal]

This is where I try to throw people off the trail of my stupidity.....

So Gunny_D...you haven't answered any questions yet.

Krash,
Gunny_D is like a guy who promises to call the day after the date ~ but never does. I checked his profile; he hasn't logged on here since Dec. 19.

[KrashKatz]

Krash,
Gunny_D is like a guy who promises to call the day after the date ~ but never does. I checked his profile; he hasn't logged on here since Dec. 19.

I've been stood up. :mad:

[CVal]

I've been stood up. :mad:

That is for sure! http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd171/telechaser/Smileys/frowny.gif