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Old 12-03-2014, 11:39   #1
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Marine Reserves to Active Army 18X question

Hello all,

I am a USMC 0321 Reconnaissance Marine at 4th Recon, the reserve Bn. I am currently in the process of getting a conditional release/inter-service transfer. I am hoping to go into the 18X program. Now, I am still in the baby stages of things, awaiting word on my package from MARFORRES. My question is, will I be sent straight to SFAS? I am already Airborne qualified, and I am prior Infantry. My recruiter said I would not have to go to basic (I'm assuming he's referring to OSUT) because I am 1.still in and 2. already infantry. Will there be some sort of a inter-service transfer course I will go to, to learn Army Rules/Regs?

Thank you gentlemen.

Respectfully posted,

fc3s
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Old 12-03-2014, 13:59   #2
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Originally Posted by fc3s View Post
Hello all,

I am a USMC 0321 Reconnaissance Marine at 4th Recon, the reserve Bn. I am currently in the process of getting a conditional release/inter-service transfer. I am hoping to go into the 18X program. Now, I am still in the baby stages of things, awaiting word on my package from MARFORRES. My question is, will I be sent straight to SFAS? I am already Airborne qualified, and I am prior Infantry. My recruiter said I would not have to go to basic (I'm assuming he's referring to OSUT) because I am 1.still in and 2. already infantry. Will there be some sort of a inter-service transfer course I will go to, to learn Army Rules/Regs?

Thank you gentlemen.

Respectfully posted,

fc3s
I hope I'm not stepping out of line by answering this but we have a similar situation. I received a conditional release from the Army National Guard and am an Infantry who is also Airborne qualified. I signed an 18X contract on 26 Nov. The way my contract is set up, I'll have to go to the last 6 weeks of OSUT and then on to Ft. Bragg to attend SFPC. Also since infantry is open on the prior service business the counselor had to submit an exception to policy so I could get an 18x contract. Hope this information helps.
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Old 12-05-2014, 19:56   #3
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Originally Posted by FL1025 View Post
I hope I'm not stepping out of line by answering this but we have a similar situation. I received a conditional release from the Army National Guard and am an Infantry who is also Airborne qualified. I signed an 18X contract on 26 Nov. The way my contract is set up, I'll have to go to the last 6 weeks of OSUT and then on to Ft. Bragg to attend SFPC. Also since infantry is open on the prior service business the counselor had to submit an exception to policy so I could get an 18x contract. Hope this information helps.
Good to know. All I am waiting on at the moment is for the USMC to release me, so I assume that is probably why I haven't heard too much yet. I'm hoping to find someone who has done something similar to my situation.
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Old 12-06-2014, 10:12   #4
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I went from being a prior service Marine (0341) to being an 18E, but I took a little different route. I had ETS'd from the Marines and was going to college and joined 12th group which was a Reserve Group disbanded around 1994. Since I was filling a vacant slot on a team, I knew from the beginning I was going to be an 18E.

My first stop was Ft. Benning. I was told that I would inprocess at Benning, then go to Jump school, then on to Ft. Gordon for the 31 C course which was some kind of requirement for 18E's in the reserve (but not AD) and then to Bragg for SFAS and SFQC.

Kind of a funny story now, but not so funny at the time. I knew going in that I was not there for basic, but nobody else seem to know that at first. I ended up on the same bus as a bunch of Army recruits reporting for basic. When we arrived at Benning, we were all put in a room and given our last chance for "amnesty." I had just opened a brand new can of Copenhagen and was a little reluctant to throw it away, lol. I went up to the E-4 who was in charge for some reason (I didn't know what a Specialist was then. ) He tried to play hard ass with me which pissed me off so in true Marine Corps fashion, I told him to go &@!^ himself because I was not there to go to Army Boot Camp and I wasn't going to throw away a brand new can of Copenhagen. He turns all red and goes and gets the NCOIC /SSG and we go back into an office. He looks at my paperwork and makes some phone calls. Eventually we get it sorted out and the SSG lets me know that, even though I am not there for Basic training, I will be following along or shadowing the group of recruits for "Zero Week" or whatever they called it, to complete the medical inprocessing, shots, get my uniform issue, etc.

I tell you that, because my guess is, you might have to do something similar. To my knowledge there is no transition course from other services to the Army. Unless something has changed, only Marines are exempt from Army Basic and I believe it is only if you have completed boot camp within 5 years, so any other prior service would have to complete Army Basic so the numbers are low. You are just going to have to figure it out. Have fun lol. The ranks are not that much different, but some of the Customs and Courtesies are. You might get laughed at once in a while, but you will live.

For some reason, after completing the week of inprocessing at Benning, my orders got changed to go to FT. Gordon for 31C school. I think there was an issue with the school dates. I ended up doing 31C, then back to Benning for Airborne, than SFAS, and then the Q course. Gordon was an experience. I was still mentally a "jarhead" only having been in the Army a week at Benning when I found myself thrown in with a bunch of "non-infantry" dumbass Army privates who were fresh out of basic training. It was an experience.

I am pretty sure that Bragg/SFAS will not be your first stop. You will need to complete some administrative and medical in-processing with the Army and receive an initial issue of Army uniforms. I don't see them doing that at Bragg. My guess would be Benning.

BTW-Words of advice from an old timer. Don't go into this thinking "I am a big bad Marine, this is going to be easy." It won't be. I am sure SFAS and SFQC has gotten much easier since I went through in 1990 (isn't that the way it is for every course), but SFAS is still one of the toughest courses to complete and then you still have to be selected. It doesn't get easier after SFAS. I know of at least two other former Marines that did not make it through SFAS because their ego got in the way of common sense. I think I made it because I was too stupid to quit. I broke my ankle halfway through the last day of SFAS. At the finish line I was hauled over to Womack and put in a cast. I was certain I wasn't selected. When I got back to the code room where everyone else was, one of the TACs checked my roster number and told me I had made it. The best reason I can tell you is that because I did not quit. I was young and inexperienced compared to most of the others in my class. Luckily I was a Commo guy, so I was able to continue on with AIMC while I was on crutches, but it killed me when I got to Phase 1 because of not being able to do PT.

Last edited by Bushmaster; 12-06-2014 at 10:44.
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Old 12-06-2014, 15:55   #5
Remington Raidr
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GREAT STORY

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bushmaster View Post
I went from being a prior service Marine (0341) to being an 18E, but I took a little different route. I had ETS'd from the Marines and was going to college and joined 12th group which was a Reserve Group disbanded around 1994. Since I was filling a vacant slot on a team, I knew from the beginning I was going to be an 18E.

My first stop was Ft. Benning. I was told that I would inprocess at Benning, then go to Jump school, then on to Ft. Gordon for the 31 C course which was some kind of requirement for 18E's in the reserve (but not AD) and then to Bragg for SFAS and SFQC.

Kind of a funny story now, but not so funny at the time. I knew going in that I was not there for basic, but nobody else seem to know that at first. I ended up on the same bus as a bunch of Army recruits reporting for basic. When we arrived at Benning, we were all put in a room and given our last chance for "amnesty." I had just opened a brand new can of Copenhagen and was a little reluctant to throw it away, lol. I went up to the E-4 who was in charge for some reason (I didn't know what a Specialist was then. ) He tried to play hard ass with me which pissed me off so in true Marine Corps fashion, I told him to go &@!^ himself because I was not there to go to Army Boot Camp and I wasn't going to throw away a brand new can of Copenhagen. He turns all red and goes and gets the NCOIC /SSG and we go back into an office. He looks at my paperwork and makes some phone calls. Eventually we get it sorted out and the SSG lets me know that, even though I am not there for Basic training, I will be following along or shadowing the group of recruits for "Zero Week" or whatever they called it, to complete the medical inprocessing, shots, get my uniform issue, etc.

I tell you that, because my guess is, you might have to do something similar. To my knowledge there is no transition course from other services to the Army. Unless something has changed, only Marines are exempt from Army Basic and I believe it is only if you have completed boot camp within 5 years, so any other prior service would have to complete Army Basic so the numbers are low. You are just going to have to figure it out. Have fun lol. The ranks are not that much different, but some of the Customs and Courtesies are. You might get laughed at once in a while, but you will live.

For some reason, after completing the week of inprocessing at Benning, my orders got changed to go to FT. Gordon for 31C school. I think there was an issue with the school dates. I ended up doing 31C, then back to Benning for Airborne, than SFAS, and then the Q course. Gordon was an experience. I was still mentally a "jarhead" only having been in the Army a week at Benning when I found myself thrown in with a bunch of "non-infantry" dumbass Army privates who were fresh out of basic training. It was an experience.

I am pretty sure that Bragg/SFAS will not be your first stop. You will need to complete some administrative and medical in-processing with the Army and receive an initial issue of Army uniforms. I don't see them doing that at Bragg. My guess would be Benning.

BTW-Words of advice from an old timer. Don't go into this thinking "I am a big bad Marine, this is going to be easy." It won't be. I am sure SFAS and SFQC has gotten much easier since I went through in 1990 (isn't that the way it is for every course), but SFAS is still one of the toughest courses to complete and then you still have to be selected. It doesn't get easier after SFAS. I know of at least two other former Marines that did not make it through SFAS because their ego got in the way of common sense. I think I made it because I was too stupid to quit. I broke my ankle halfway through the last day of SFAS. At the finish line I was hauled over to Womack and put in a cast. I was certain I wasn't selected. When I got back to the code room where everyone else was, one of the TACs checked my roster number and told me I had made it. The best reason I can tell you is that because I did not quit. I was young and inexperienced compared to most of the others in my class. Luckily I was a Commo guy, so I was able to continue on with AIMC while I was on crutches, but it killed me when I got to Phase 1 because of not being able to do PT.
But did they let you keep your dip???
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Old 12-06-2014, 20:40   #6
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But did they let you keep your dip???
Yes they did.
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Old 12-08-2014, 11:36   #7
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Thank you very much Bushmaster. You definitely gave me something to think about, and now it makes sense, I probably will have to do something similar.

The reminder to stay humble is well received also. I know that is a problem us marines definitely have by nature of our culture.

Now, I just have to wait wait wait, and hope the Marine Corps will give me my transfer.
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Old 12-10-2014, 09:25   #8
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I did something very similar quite recently. I went from Marine Corps reserves to the Army NG... yeah I know, im a nasty girl. I was an 0311 so I went straight in. No bootcamp, no OSUT.
I was let go on a conditional release, went to the 20th GRP tryout, and made it. I then went back to my unit, did my check out and signed my contract over to the Army.
I then shipped off to selection and got selected.
Now Im awaiting Airborne, and the Q.
Hope this helps.
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Old 01-23-2015, 23:23   #9
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Originally Posted by FL1025 View Post
I hope I'm not stepping out of line by answering this but we have a similar situation. I received a conditional release from the Army National Guard and am an Infantry who is also Airborne qualified. I signed an 18X contract on 26 Nov. The way my contract is set up, I'll have to go to the last 6 weeks of OSUT and then on to Ft. Bragg to attend SFPC. Also since infantry is open on the prior service business the counselor had to submit an exception to policy so I could get an 18x contract. Hope this information helps.


I'm also 11B (No Airborne) NG in the process to go AD 18X.

I thought you skip OSUT if you are already infantry. Why would you repeat OSUT if you're already 11B qualified? Is this the rule for all PS/NG 11B's going 18X?
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Old 01-31-2015, 21:07   #10
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Cool

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Originally Posted by fc3s View Post
Hello all,

I am a USMC 0321 Reconnaissance Marine at 4th Recon, the reserve Bn. I am currently in the process of getting a conditional release/inter-service transfer. I am hoping to go into the 18X program. Now, I am still in the baby stages of things, awaiting word on my package from MARFORRES. My question is, will I be sent straight to SFAS? I am already Airborne qualified, and I am prior Infantry. My recruiter said I would not have to go to basic (I'm assuming he's referring to OSUT) because I am 1.still in and 2. already infantry. Will there be some sort of a inter-service transfer course I will go to, to learn Army Rules/Regs?

Thank you gentlemen.

Respectfully posted,

fc3s
Quick question if you wouldn't mind indulging a poolee: why did you decided to leave Recon? And did you consider trying out for MARSOC? Just curious to know more about your reasoning process as a Recon Marine.

Thanks in advance.
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Last edited by Talo; 02-03-2015 at 23:46.
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Old 03-24-2015, 20:53   #11
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Well that's a very simple question that has a complicated answer. I'll try to be brief.

The reconnaissance community seems to be in the midst of an identity crisis. Our mission is not clearly defined and or understood by command in general.

We lack funding.

I have worked with MARSOC, great dudes, but I have been told by many marines, including one who has made the switch, to stay away from such a new organization and just go to SF.

The biggest reason is that the marsocians seem to lack something that both recon marines and quiet professionals seem to be brimming with: professional pride and heart. I really want to be a part of a community that does not feel they are due a bill of respect. I have found that in the recon community and as an outsider looking in I see that amongst the quiet professionals. I'm a reservist and I'm giving up a $100k a year stable government civilian job, because I'd rather be with a group of like minded individuals.

On a side note, my admin says my package should be complete in a month.
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Old 03-25-2015, 13:52   #12
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Originally Posted by fc3s View Post
Well that's a very simple question that has a complicated answer. I'll try to be brief.

The reconnaissance community seems to be in the midst of an identity crisis. Our mission is not clearly defined and or understood by command in general.

We lack funding.

I have worked with MARSOC, great dudes, but I have been told by many marines, including one who has made the switch, to stay away from such a new organization and just go to SF.

The biggest reason is that the marsocians seem to lack something that both recon marines and quiet professionals seem to be brimming with: professional pride and heart. I really want to be a part of a community that does not feel they are due a bill of respect. I have found that in the recon community and as an outsider looking in I see that amongst the quiet professionals. I'm a reservist and I'm giving up a $100k a year stable government civilian job, because I'd rather be with a group of like minded individuals.

On a side note, my admin says my package should be complete in a month.
I have never served in MARSOC. I have served in active duty and reserve Marine Recon and Force Recon. I have never once encountered a Recon Marine that was not brimming with pride, professionalism and heart. Nor one that didn't understand that respect must be earned. But perhaps in the last 24 years that has all changed.... Though I kind of doubt it.


I am the unofficial FRA "liaison" with 3d Force Recon Co.
I will give you this: 4th PLT of 3d Force was attached to the TX Co. of 4th Recon Bn. in about 2010, IIRC. They had a horrible experience, but it was strictly due to the command element, not the Recon Marines.

Good luck with your transfer. And be sure to bring every ounce of pride, professionalism and heart that you can muster. And recall, you start earning your respect and reputation on day one of SFAS.
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Old 03-30-2015, 20:05   #13
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I have never served in MARSOC. I have served in active duty and reserve Marine Recon and Force Recon. I have never once encountered a Recon Marine that was not brimming with pride, professionalism and heart. Nor one that didn't understand that respect must be earned. But perhaps in the last 24 years that has all changed.... Though I kind of doubt it.


I am the unofficial FRA "liaison" with 3d Force Recon Co.
I will give you this: 4th PLT of 3d Force was attached to the TX Co. of 4th Recon Bn. in about 2010, IIRC. They had a horrible experience, but it was strictly due to the command element, not the Recon Marines.

Good luck with your transfer. And be sure to bring every ounce of pride, professionalism and heart that you can muster. And recall, you start earning your respect and reputation on day one of SFAS.
With all due respect, I believe you misunderstood me. I believe whole heartedly that Recon Marines as a whole embody professional pride and heart. It was marsoc that I saw did not. I want to further my career, but with likeminded individuals.

I know of the deployment you speak of. I was not there so I cannot speak on it but I've heard the same rumors.
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Old 07-05-2015, 08:22   #14
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Not sure if its ok to bring back a dead thread but i figured doing this rather than start a new one with the same subject of this one. well here it goes. 2013 i EAS'd from the Marines, tried being a civilian but something was missing. Since then i would stop by recruiting stations and talk to the other branches. All but one told me either, "we dont take prior service", "you have out of reg tattoos", "you have to be e-4 to transfer". The only ones that would give me a chance was the Army so i started moving forward with them. first recruiter i went to told me my tattoos was out of regs, so i told him what if i have it removed, he said that he was not allowed to push a possible candidate to have a tattoo removed. I went ahead and took it on my own and had two sessions of the laser removal. 4 months go by and the tattoo does not seem to be fading or going away completely. Then i heard the good news of the Army saying the tattoo policy will now allow me to join the army with my tattoos with no issues. At this point I looked up a recruiter in a neighboring city, and have been working with him since April of this year. Which leads me to some of my questions that I could not find an answer that relates to my situation neither online, through friends, or my recruiter. My first question is: will i have to do the Army's Basic training (only reason i ask is because some people tell me no, recruiter says yes, some say you may only have to do the last few weeks).
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Old 07-05-2015, 11:01   #15
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Orod,

This is covered by reg
350-1
Reg 3-28

This reg has changed many times since 2011.

The reason you're not getting a clear answer, is because it will require a USAREC Station Commander to send an official info request to their MEPS to clarify current reg, and their immediate thought is likely, "why does it matter if you need to redo Basic".

However, generally the reg has read that, a break from the Marines that is less than 3 years does not require a PS applicant to attend all of Army Basic, and will generally get you 3-6 weeks at a Warrior Transition Course instead (Mini Basic Training) or simply the 3 weeks od infnatry AIT.

If you have a good reason to need to know, ask your recruiter for a formal reg read from their MEPS. Recruiters (and sales reps in general) get whats called "Passing Questions" all the time, (questions that are just "buyers" thinking out loud), generally its a digression from the sales process, and the questions is "fobbed".

HTH

S
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