How Would I Change From Army National Guard To The Marines?

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Mar 2019 19:17:05 -0400

I finished AIT in December 2018 and have been with my unit since January 2019. I want to join the USMC but not really sure if it is possible considering how little time I've been enlisted. So far I know that I need to get a DD-368 from Marine recruiter that states I want to be conditionally released to transfer branches which ultimately needs to be approved by my unit's commander. I read that there are certain questions about my transfer that I need to answer which I wrote down for myself to have better clarity:
1. WHICH BRANCH ARE YOU TRYING TO JOIN AND WHY?
- I want to join the Marine Corps because I believe my skills would be better suited there and I would like to travel and advance my career in an active duty environment.
2. WHY DO YOU WANT TO LEAVE THIS CURRENT BRANCH?
- I do not feel as though I am reaching my full potential as a soldier if I am only training once a month as a truck driver. I joined the Guard so I could go to college but school is not working out for me. I have nothing going for me in North Carolina so I have no reason to stay.
3. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN?
- 10 months
4. HAVE YOU COMPLETED BASIC AND AIT?
- Yes
5. ARE YOU MOS QUALIFIED?
- I have not yet received a driver's license at my unit, but I graduated AIT as an 88M.
6. HOW MUCH ACTIVE DUTY TIME DO YOU HAVE?
- Aside from BCT and AIT, none
7. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN FLAGGED, RECEIVED AN ARTICLE 15 OR BEEN IN ANY OTHER TROUBLE?
- No
I am aware I will have to go through Boot Camp and I am completely okay with that. If anyone has done this before, please let me know how you reimbursed your Army bonus and if I transfer will I have option for what MOS I go into.

Thank you.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 19 at 2019 7:51 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Mar 2019 19:51:23 -0400

Only your recruiter can tell you about MOS but generally the Army is the only service that guarantees an MOS to all applicants. Other services may guarantee a career field or nothing at all. Being prior service, I don't you'll get any option.
You'll pay back whatever bonus you've received already.

Response by SGT Eric Flores made Mar 19 at 2019 7:52 PM

SGT Eric Flores — Tue, 19 Mar 2019 19:52:28 -0400

I did it back in my time. First of all you need to be less than 28 of age. Second, you will have to do the boot camp all over again. With the Marines there's no such thing as a prior service transitioning into the Marines. Visit a recruiter and get informed.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 19 at 2019 7:56 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Mar 2019 19:56:26 -0400

Revise Marine Core to Marine Corps. Why did college not work out? Why do you want to Join the Marine Corps instead of another branch? Talk to a recruiter for the latest information.

Response by SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint made Mar 19 at 2019 8:03 PM

SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint — Tue, 19 Mar 2019 20:03:03 -0400

Strongly suggest you do not join the Marines. " I want to join the Marine Core because I believe my skills would be better suited there "
1. Never join an organization when you do not know how to spell the name when you write to them.
2. What skills do you have that can help the USMC?
3, I am not sure how, but we used to normally join the USMC and get the MOS that was in the "best needs of the Marine Corps."

Response by LTC John Mohor made Mar 19 at 2019 9:35 PM

LTC John Mohor — Tue, 19 Mar 2019 21:35:58 -0400

I can’t help but think out loud that if you don’t have the patience to serve in the Guard what makes you think the Marines will treat you any better? Hurry up and wait is a natural part of military service. I’d get all the facts and think long and hard about what you’re wanting to do.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 19 at 2019 9:56 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Mar 2019 21:56:50 -0400

In MS, you have to be in your unit for a minimum of 6 months before requesting a change in status, such as conditional release or reclassing

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 20 at 2019 12:44 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Wed, 20 Mar 2019 00:44:22 -0400

Elaborate, OK? College so far? Credits? Associates? Bachelors? What are your specific aspirations? Senior enlisted? Warrant? Commissioned? Flight interests, if any? Grades? GPAs? Majors? The more detailed you are, the more specific, incl hobbies, interests, reading tastes, and sports, incl any martial arts, the more that can be suggested, do a really detailed, serious biosketch, take the time to do it right, and send it in here, so we can suggest stuff for you in depth, OK?

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 20 at 2019 12:45 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Wed, 20 Mar 2019 00:45:10 -0400

And what MOS types would you want? Also, have you looked at other services at all? If so, which, and for what fields, OK?

Response by SFC J Fullerton made Mar 20 at 2019 11:25 AM

SFC J Fullerton — Wed, 20 Mar 2019 11:25:11 -0400

You already know what a DD 368, so you are on the right track. However, the approval authority is not your unit commander, it is the state G-1. The unit commander and the next levels of the chain of command can only endorse your request. If you are in an understrength unit, or even if the NC ARNG is understrength, your chances of getting it approved are slim. States have a rule of either 6 or 12 months waiting period after AIT before they will even process a DD368 conditional release. Your reasons for wanting released to go active are also factored into the chain of command's decision to endorse approval, and the ultimate decision by the state. Reasons such as unemployment and severe financial hardship with a family to feed are good reasons. Your reasons however, probably won't generate as much support to let you out of your contract, leaving an unfilled slot on the unit roster, and lost investment on the state funds it took get you fully trained to fill that slot. ARNG to Regular Army may give you a little more favorable consideration because at least you can sell the fact that your exposure in an Army training environment on an Army installation has inspired you to want to be a full time Soldier. Wanting out to join the USMC just gives the impression that you are infatuated with a shiny object and think the grass is greener on the other side.