Is it possible to go from Army to the Marine Corps?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 28 Dec 2014 14:51:44 -0500

Long story short-

My husband was active duty Marine Corps, got out & hated civilian life. Army was taking prior-service, so he got a conditional release from IRR & enlisted in Army.

He misses the traditions & respect in the Marine Corps. He is not happy at all. He would do anything to get back to his beloved Corps... Any recruiters/career counselors have any insight on how to make this happen? Is it even possible?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2014 3:11 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 28 Dec 2014 15:11:02 -0500

I know the Marines have a special recruiter that deals with prior service. But it is near impossible to get into the Marines if you are prior service. You really have to have skill in need. I have never met anyone that was able to get back into the Marines. I would call the Marine Recruiter if he has some contact info for a prior service recruiter.

I would also look into other options in the Army. 75th RGR REGT is a great place to go if you want tradition and respect. It is a very elite group of soldiers. I have a feeling he would have a better chance doing that.

Response by PO2 Corey Ferretti made Dec 28 at 2014 3:48 PM

PO2 Corey Ferretti — Sun, 28 Dec 2014 15:48:08 -0500

Sorry to hear that. Hope your husband can find a way back into the Corps. All else fails join the Navy to be a Corpsmen and go FMF.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2014 3:59 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 28 Dec 2014 15:59:26 -0500

In my short experience, I've found a bit of difference in culture and what a unit feels like even within a battalion. I he can move, he should try that option.

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Dec 31 at 2014 8:20 PM

CMSgt James Nolan — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 20:20:34 -0500

SPC Private RallyPoint Member Have him keep in mind the requirement to make SSgt in 12 years total service. This can be a game ender for many.

Years back, I was talking with a USMC Reserve unit about switching back to Corps from Air Force. They were good with it, but I was an E-5 with 10.5 years of service. I would have to make SSgt E-6 in less than a year and half. Had an HONEST conversation with the unit I would be going to and we both realized that would not likely happen. So, I stayed where I was and am very happy with my service. Still love and miss the Corps for all that it is. But have a home in the Air Guard, where I will happily and proudly retire.

Response by Sgt Adam Jennings made Dec 31 at 2014 10:00 PM

Sgt Adam Jennings — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 22:00:57 -0500

My situation is a little different, but I have a class 1A re-enlistment classification, or something like that. The recruiter told me he'd love to have me back in the Corps but they won't let them enlist ANY prior enlisted right now. It's basically going to be impossible for him to go back into the Corps while they're being cut in manpower. He'll be lucky, before it's all said and done, if he gets to continue to be a Soldier if the cuts keep coming.

Response by SFC A.M. Drake made Dec 31 at 2014 11:49 PM

SFC A.M. Drake — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 23:49:06 -0500

Ok everyone, the marines are not taking back prior service Marines period, especially not on active duty. The Army is the best spot currently as we have the most personnel, Talk to the 79V in your unit to see if you can transfer to a PsyOps unit, But I know for sure Marines will not take you back because in their way of thinking if you loved the Corp that much then you would have never left to begin with, they would rather train a brand new recruit instead. Now the only way that can change is:
1. You must get a skill set that the military needs

2. Stop the thinking that because I'm prior service someone owes you something.(I'm not saying this is you)

3. If you're looking for the military to train you in something then you'll never be what you want to be, so reserve that and follow rule 1.

Response by SFC A.M. Drake made Dec 31 at 2014 11:59 PM

SFC A.M. Drake — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 23:59:17 -0500

Here another question Spc Linville, let's say he gets back in the Marines active duty....you're in the Army and he Marines now how you think that's going to work as far as tall being together, God forbid if there are kids involved. Last time I checked the only active duty bases for marines in U.S. is Quantico, San Diego, and SC limited choices for sure....but if you guys stay reserves it should be ok. What are you gonna do, Go Marines as well? Ijs

Response by Sgt Adam Jennings made Jan 1 at 2015 12:00 AM

Sgt Adam Jennings — Thu, 01 Jan 2015 00:00:27 -0500

If active duty in the Marine Corps I this now SSgt at 10 years. We always thought it was funny that they called it being tenured out and it was done at ten years. Saw it happen to a Sgt that was a real doucher.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 1 at 2015 12:30 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Jan 2015 12:30:12 -0500

I am a prior service Marine and now on active duty Army. I feel your husbands pain, but for him to get out now and try to get back into the Corps would pretty much be a career ender. The best thing for him is to accept the hard truth that I had to that the Marine feeling is lost forever the best thing he can do is try to affect change from his level. In my company alone there are 3 other prior service Marines and we sit around sometimes and reminisce about the good old days, but we have all accepted that part of our lives is over.

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2015 10:24 AM

GySgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 10:24:04 -0500

SPC Private RallyPoint Member There's a possibility of "active reserve." He should follow U.S. Marine Corps Forces Reserve on Facebook. He can also check out this site: http://www.marforres.marines.mil/About/ReserveCareerBillets.aspx

While it may not be the "active duty" he's looking for, there are full-time reserve positions available.

U.S. Marine Corps Forces Reserve - Reserve Career / Billets

Marine Corps Forces Reserves

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2015 10:34 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 10:34:55 -0500

I would say these options may work

1. He can try to instill traditions into his new Soldiers. Read up on any FM/TMs to his MOS and teach it to his guys. I believe you said 11B in one of the responses so it may be possible to find an instructor position depending on his rank. As a WLC instructor it felt like I could actually change the military since those students will eventually work their way up the ranks.

2. Once he finishes his military tour, I know a few Soldiers who went into the Marine Reserve.

3. Is his unit worse then being a Civilian?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2015 6:58 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 06:58:48 -0400

SPC Private RallyPoint Member I know how he feels. Trust me, I know. After retiring from the AF Reserve in 2006, I missed serving. The AF wasn't taking prior service so, on a whim, I visited the MC Recruiter. They said yes. (Hook set, attention front...). I could re-enlist in the Corps. The caveat was this: I had to return to the last rank and MOS held. I retired as an AF MSgt so this meant taking off not 1, not 2 but 3 stripes. I also had 25 years service and the HYT to SSG was, at that time, 12 years, I believe. So, in order to "go out as a Marine" I would raise my hand and on the next day be processed for discharge because of HYT. This obviously wan't going to happen. Heck, he couldn't even begin the paperwork it was so far-fetched.

I walked across the hall and talked to the Army. Tried to join the Army Guard and my retired status threw them a curve. A year later an Army Reserve Special Assessions recruiter called me and I received a Direct Commission into a Rigger Unit as a 2LT in 2008 and went to Jump School at 43. As the saying goes, Here I are and loving it.

For what's it's worth, please remind your Marine that traditions are what they are - he is still a Marine and can enjoy all the traditions of the Corps - and Respect is a lot about what you make it. Set the example for showing respect both up and down the chain and he may be surprised at the change for good he can be in his unit. But he should also make the effort to meld with this new family. Heck, I'm a Marine, Airman and Soldier - and I've got so many traditions to remember I confuse myself sometimes. (And, NO, I'm not joining the Navy! I already served in the Men's Department of the Navy, Uncle Sam's Misguided Children - with all respect to my Sea Service family).

Semper Fi

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2015 7:49 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 07:49:11 -0400

Sounds like he fell into the trap of believing all units are equal. He may look to a different unit. If he is active he is stuck and in Guard find another unit. Either way he can start by being the change he wants.

Response by 1LT A. Uribe made May 18 at 2015 12:13 AM

1LT A. Uribe — Mon, 18 May 2015 00:13:48 -0400

My cousin got of the marines and went back in his wife was a recruiter so that helped a lot since she was able to go through marine COC channels to make it happen.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made May 10 at 2016 2:38 PM

SGT Ben Keen — Tue, 10 May 2016 14:38:35 -0400

SPC Private RallyPoint Member - I have made a small edit to the title of your question so that it works with the search engine for the site in case someone comes here looking for the same answer.

Response by SSgt Dan Montague made May 10 at 2016 6:26 PM

SSgt Dan Montague — Tue, 10 May 2016 18:26:06 -0400

Regulations change all the time. with the draw down I can only assume no he cannot. However, you never know. Have him contact the prior service recruiter aboard a Marine base. They will know for sure.
Semper Fi