Posted on May 30, 2015
Stay an enlisted Marine or go officer in another branch???
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I have proudly served in the Marine Corps Reserve for over 13-years. I currently possess a Bachelor's degree and will be receiving a Master's degree in December 2015.
At this point in my military career, I don't know if I should stay an enlisted Marine or go officer in another branch. I'm 35 in September and the Marine Corps will not commission anyone over 35 years of age. I can choose to go Warrant Officer but reserve billets are scarce.
I would like to hear your opinion on my situation.
At this point in my military career, I don't know if I should stay an enlisted Marine or go officer in another branch. I'm 35 in September and the Marine Corps will not commission anyone over 35 years of age. I can choose to go Warrant Officer but reserve billets are scarce.
I would like to hear your opinion on my situation.
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 38
It might be too late at 13 years, you have to look into it most services have a maximum of 10 years federal service as an enlisted person. However I would seize the opportunity to get my commission of it presented itself. I served 10 years as a Marine and I'm an armor officer in the Army and I love it. It's a different world and has its own set of duties and responsibilities. If you don't comission seek Warrant Officer of you can.
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Which do you want? Which would you find more satisfying? Which can you make a career of? Your answer lies there.
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If another branch offers it, I would take it. Even if you could commission in the Marine reserve I would think there would be fewer pay billets available for both commisioned as well as warrant officers in the USMC. The Army has the best chance to get promoted and stay in paid billets more frequently. You can choose between National Guard or reserves and you can even transfer back and forth between the two. I've worked with many former Marines that have gone Army and had a very satisfiying career and they never lose the title of Marine as you know once a Marine always a Marine. One more piece of advice: officers have more administrative and management responsibilities; while they definitely have opportunities to exercise leadership it's usually more indirect. I know many NCOs with bachelor's degrees or higher that prefer to remain an NCO because they prefer pushing troops to being a "desk jockey". so therefore you want to look at both lifestyle and benefits; good luck to you!
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