Marine Boot Camp Frequently Asked Questions:
How are MOSs selected in the Marine Corps? How doI get infantry?
You select your MOS from your Recruiter. Prior to going to MEPS, you will select your MOS. Your Recruiter will show you a list of options, based on what is currently available at the time as well as your ASVAB score. The higher you score on the ASVAB, the more options you will have available to you as far as MOS's go. The score required for Infantry is one of the lower ones. If you want infantry, you just need to let your Recruiter know that is what you want, and if they have slots available you will get it. If you are Active Duty, you will be able to select 03XX, which is the infantry occupational field. That means that your specific MOS i.e 0311, 0331, 0341, 0351, 0352 will be assigned when you get to the School of Infantry. If you are a Reservist, you can be assigned a specific infantry MOS (one of the ones listed above) prior to shipping to boot camp.
What is the DEP? Can you become an officer from the DEP? Will my recruiter try to persuade me to keep in the DEP and not become an officer?
You can be in the Delayed Entry Program for up to a year. You cannot become an officer from the DEP. You can get out of the DEP whenever you want. You can get out of the DEP and join ROTC and become an officer. Your recruiter will likely try to persuade you to stay in the DEP since if you leave, they lose a quota and have to replace you. You are not a Marine while in the DEP and you do not get paid.
Is PCS Leave and Annual Leave the same thing?
PCS leave is annual leave that is taken in conjunction with a PCS move. It is counted against your annual leave days. When you PCS, you will also get what is called "travel and proceed", which does not count against your leave balance. Depending on how far you are moving will dictate how many days travel and proceed you rate. I believe cross country is 10 days. You will also rate 10 days of PTAD, which is basically house hunting leave, and that does not count against your annual leave either.
What time do you wake up in boot camp? What time do you go to sleep? What do you eat? Do females get their period? How often can I write home? How much money will I make? Should I cut my hair?
You will wake up every morning at 0500 (5:00 a.m.) except on Sundays when they let you sleep in until 0600. You will go to sleep each night at 2100 or 2200 depending on the training schedule. You will eat foods that are similar to a cafeteria type environment. Chicken, beef, other meats, vegetables, pastas, and salads. Most females do not have their period while they are in boot camp due to the increased stress levels and hormonal changes. You will have the opportunity to write letters usually daily, but sometimes the training schedule does not permit. Most of the time there is at least 30 - 45 minutes of prep time at the end of each day where you can either get your gear ready for the next day, square away your foot locker, or write letters home. You will be issues all the uniforms you need to complete training, to include utilities, dress blues, and service greens. You will be able to bring all you uniforms home with you when you leave boot camp. You will be responsible for maintaining them on your own. You will not keep the gear you are issued in boot camp such as your pack, sleeping system, etc. You also do not get to keep your weapon. You will turn that back in before you leave. You will have between $1000 - $2000 in your account when you leave boot camp depending on your pay grade. You will get your hair cut when you arrive at MCRD, so there is no need to cut it before going. If you choose to cut it, the
regulation states that it cannot touch the collar of your uniform.
What’s the difference between Active Duty and Inactive Ready Reserve?
Active duty means that you go to work each day and report in to your unit. Inactive Ready Reserves (IRR) means that you do not go in to work each day with your unit, but you are on the recall roster and they can call you back whenever they need to augment the active duty force. IRR members typically do not get called back unless the country is at war, like it is now, or there is some conflict that requires support from the reserves. Those who get recalled from the IRR usually get issues orders for one year of active duty. Most contracts have an IRR portion associated with them. For example, you might serve 4 years on active duty with 4 years IRR, for a total of eight years obligated service.
How do you become a Marine Officer?
In order to become a Marine Officer, your first step is to contact a Marine Officer Selection Officer (OSO) and they will sign you up. You will go to OCS, after which you will be commissioned as a 2ndLt and go to The Basic School.
How does prior service as a Marine affect MECEP?
If you get selected for MECEP you will retain your rank. You will still get paid as an active duty Marine at your current pay grade and you will still accrue time in grade and time in service. It is essentially like still being on active duty but your daily appointed place of duty is at your college, going to class. You will still rate to wear your same uniforms, rank, ribbons/medals, and badges. The Marine Corps recently changed their policy on Marine Officer Commissioning Programs and MECEP and now you have to complete OCS before receiving orders to go to college. Google "MARADMIN 415/11" for "MAJOR CHANGES TO THE ENLISTED TO OFFICER COMMISSIONING PROGRAMS" and more information on becoming a Marine Officer.
How are MOSs selected in the Marine Corps? How doI get infantry?
You select your MOS from your Recruiter. Prior to going to MEPS, you will select your MOS. Your Recruiter will show you a list of options, based on what is currently available at the time as well as your ASVAB score. The higher you score on the ASVAB, the more options you will have available to you as far as MOS's go. The score required for Infantry is one of the lower ones. If you want infantry, you just need to let your Recruiter know that is what you want, and if they have slots available you will get it. If you are Active Duty, you will be able to select 03XX, which is the infantry occupational field. That means that your specific MOS i.e 0311, 0331, 0341, 0351, 0352 will be assigned when you get to the School of Infantry. If you are a Reservist, you can be assigned a specific infantry MOS (one of the ones listed above) prior to shipping to boot camp.
What is the DEP? Can you become an officer from the DEP? Will my recruiter try to persuade me to keep in the DEP and not become an officer?
You can be in the Delayed Entry Program for up to a year. You cannot become an officer from the DEP. You can get out of the DEP whenever you want. You can get out of the DEP and join ROTC and become an officer. Your recruiter will likely try to persuade you to stay in the DEP since if you leave, they lose a quota and have to replace you. You are not a Marine while in the DEP and you do not get paid.
Is PCS Leave and Annual Leave the same thing?
PCS leave is annual leave that is taken in conjunction with a PCS move. It is counted against your annual leave days. When you PCS, you will also get what is called "travel and proceed", which does not count against your leave balance. Depending on how far you are moving will dictate how many days travel and proceed you rate. I believe cross country is 10 days. You will also rate 10 days of PTAD, which is basically house hunting leave, and that does not count against your annual leave either.
What time do you wake up in boot camp? What time do you go to sleep? What do you eat? Do females get their period? How often can I write home? How much money will I make? Should I cut my hair?
You will wake up every morning at 0500 (5:00 a.m.) except on Sundays when they let you sleep in until 0600. You will go to sleep each night at 2100 or 2200 depending on the training schedule. You will eat foods that are similar to a cafeteria type environment. Chicken, beef, other meats, vegetables, pastas, and salads. Most females do not have their period while they are in boot camp due to the increased stress levels and hormonal changes. You will have the opportunity to write letters usually daily, but sometimes the training schedule does not permit. Most of the time there is at least 30 - 45 minutes of prep time at the end of each day where you can either get your gear ready for the next day, square away your foot locker, or write letters home. You will be issues all the uniforms you need to complete training, to include utilities, dress blues, and service greens. You will be able to bring all you uniforms home with you when you leave boot camp. You will be responsible for maintaining them on your own. You will not keep the gear you are issued in boot camp such as your pack, sleeping system, etc. You also do not get to keep your weapon. You will turn that back in before you leave. You will have between $1000 - $2000 in your account when you leave boot camp depending on your pay grade. You will get your hair cut when you arrive at MCRD, so there is no need to cut it before going. If you choose to cut it, the
regulation states that it cannot touch the collar of your uniform.
What’s the difference between Active Duty and Inactive Ready Reserve?
Active duty means that you go to work each day and report in to your unit. Inactive Ready Reserves (IRR) means that you do not go in to work each day with your unit, but you are on the recall roster and they can call you back whenever they need to augment the active duty force. IRR members typically do not get called back unless the country is at war, like it is now, or there is some conflict that requires support from the reserves. Those who get recalled from the IRR usually get issues orders for one year of active duty. Most contracts have an IRR portion associated with them. For example, you might serve 4 years on active duty with 4 years IRR, for a total of eight years obligated service.
How do you become a Marine Officer?
In order to become a Marine Officer, your first step is to contact a Marine Officer Selection Officer (OSO) and they will sign you up. You will go to OCS, after which you will be commissioned as a 2ndLt and go to The Basic School.
How does prior service as a Marine affect MECEP?
If you get selected for MECEP you will retain your rank. You will still get paid as an active duty Marine at your current pay grade and you will still accrue time in grade and time in service. It is essentially like still being on active duty but your daily appointed place of duty is at your college, going to class. You will still rate to wear your same uniforms, rank, ribbons/medals, and badges. The Marine Corps recently changed their policy on Marine Officer Commissioning Programs and MECEP and now you have to complete OCS before receiving orders to go to college. Google "MARADMIN 415/11" for "MAJOR CHANGES TO THE ENLISTED TO OFFICER COMMISSIONING PROGRAMS" and more information on becoming a Marine Officer.
|
|