Under what conditions would a conditional release be approved for an enlisted Marine trying to become an Officer in the Navy?

2016-04-11T08:23:19-04:00

By the time I have my degree I will have been in the Marine Corps for 6 years (1 year into second enlistment) and would likely not be attending Navy OCS until what would otherwise be my 7th year. Basically, what are my chances of the Marine Corps letting me go?

Response by Cpl Jon Westbrook made Apr 11 at 2016 8:34 AM

2016-04-11T08:34:22-04:00

Your best bet is NAPS. But honestly I don't see it happening. The only time I've ever seen or heard of the Marine Corps letting people go is say an Inactive Reserve guy joining the National Guard.

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 11 at 2016 9:47 AM

2016-04-11T09:47:11-04:00

I am reading that your desired end result is to be released from your active duty US Marine Corps contract in order to attend US Navy OCS. If that is the case, if you do not try the answer is, unequivocally, NO. If you apply, the answer may be YES. Give them an opportunity to say yes and submit the request.

Response by SSG Ed Mikus made Apr 11 at 2016 3:07 PM

2016-04-11T15:07:45-04:00

Apply to the Naval Academy

Response by SCPO Stephen Ibanez made Apr 12 at 2016 6:14 AM

2016-04-12T06:14:01-04:00

What do you have to lose by submitting the application? The worst thing that can happen is that they'll disapprove it.

Response by LT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 12 at 2016 6:38 AM

2016-04-12T06:38:21-04:00

I had a conditional release approved from MECEP to attend USUHS to earn my PhD and serve commissioned in the Navy. It's definitely possible. You will need good command support and a clear reason for transition.

Response by CW2 Thomas Randall made Apr 12 at 2016 6:50 AM

2016-04-12T06:50:20-04:00

I left the USN and went US Army CWO in 1987. Check first to see if the DOD reg has changed BUT that DOD regulation stated any enlisted personnel that has been approved for a commission in any other branch of the service is to be release from their enlisted obligation for the purpose of attending their officer candidate school. As I said CHECK FiRST. The USN was NOT happy, gave me an honorable discharge ("At the convenience of the government") with an RE-3 re-enlistment code per regulation (RE-3=never to return) and I became an Army Warrant for the next 10 years. You also want to ensure your enlisted records and pay records are current and up to date. That can affect your officer's pay later on. For instance, my sea pay in the Navy counted towards my Army sea pay and I maxed that out as an officer since I had three years consecutive. (DOD reg for sea pay).

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 12 at 2016 9:32 AM

2016-04-12T09:32:07-04:00

Can I ask why you want to commission into the Navy? You have already done Boot Camp, and having done both USMC boot camp and OCS I can tell you that if you have completed one, you can do the other. Unless you are pursuing a unique job in the Navy (i.e. medical services) IMHO it would be better for you to go into the Marine Corps as an officer. The Marine Corps has many programs that allow for direct commissioning, and as a Sergeant, you already have the troop leading characteristics that make a good officer great. The Marines will look to you as someone they can trust and respect - and it is your duty to MAINTAIN that! Additionally, as a Navy Officer you will always carry that USMC pride with you. This works as a double edged sword as we as a service are taught mission accomplishment and troop welfare go hand in hand whereas others are not. Having spent almost two years aboard ship and seeing this first hand it will often cause internal strife between what is right, what is expected and the limitations on what you can do.
I read that you have a wife and kids, so you also need to think about time away from family. Navy deploys for a long time and often. At least the Commandant has recognized this as a problem and is working hard to increase dwell time between deployments.
Regardless your reasons, I applaud you for having the discipline and determination to take time out of an already overwhelming work and family schedule to get your degree. Your dedication will carry you far in this world - God Bless and Semper Fi!

Response by Lt Col Paul Maxwell made Apr 12 at 2016 10:43 AM

2016-04-12T10:43:19-04:00

Years ago, transferred from AD Army, into ANG, then found a option to branch transfer to USAFR. The ANG wasn't thrilled, but they got 3 yrs out of me, and did indeed release me. The CG signing off "got it" that it was in the ultimate best interest of the government/ country, and I moved on, served 15+ in USAFR... HOPEFULLY, whoever in the USMC/ DEPT of Navy food chain takes similar "big picture" perspective on your request.

Response by FN Charlie Spivey made Apr 12 at 2016 11:17 AM

2016-04-12T11:17:14-04:00

That is an interesting question. When they attend the Academy, they are ALL midshipmen until graduation. I don't know when they are designated for the Navy or the Corps, but they are all one in the Academy. I can't really see a problem with a lateral ( more or less ). Thay are both under the same Department.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 12 at 2016 11:27 AM

2016-04-12T11:27:42-04:00

(This was intended to be a response for a different comment)

Response by LCpl Timothy McCain made Apr 12 at 2016 12:37 PM

2016-04-12T12:37:14-04:00

I don't know. However I would like to talk about something else that has the ability to positively affect all veterans. That is the "American Heroes COLA Act of 2015" this bill will make the Cost of living adjustment automatic based upon the consumer price index increase. However it has been hard to get it passed because not enough veterans are paying attention and voicing their support for the bill. So you may be wondering how can you make a difference in passing the bill? Veterans are the most powerful voting block and when they come together in support of an issue the house and Senate listens. So what is the disposition of the bill? At the moment it sitting in the Veterans oversight committee in the Senate awaiting for them to take it up. So can you do? We every veteran to call, write, and email the members of the oversight committee. I've done it and have had great discussionofficeSenator Tillis about it. However it seems that more pressure is needed to get the committee chairs to bring the bill up for a vote that's why we need you to make your voices heard. Once we get it out of committee then what? While you contact the committee members we want you to contact your Senator office by calling, writing, and email to ask that they support the bill and they offer three amendments to the bill once it's brought to the floor. The first would give veterans a 25% pay increase unrelated to Cost of living. The second one would allow the VA to pay Quality Of life payments to veterans who are 60% or more disabled by using the secondary disability scale making awards proportional to the veterans disability rating. The final amendment would allow the VA to make maximum pension payments to any veteran that a service connected disability rating of 100% or permanent and total disabled that not receiving any military retirement. Back dated to the original award date of 100% for maximum of three years. After the bill passes the Senate is it over? No, it will go to the house for final approval. So what then? Each veteran would need to contact their Congressman ask them to support the bill and all its amendments. How long will it take to get to the President's desk? If we work together on this we can get their before the month end. Can any of the amendments take immediate effect after the President signs the bill into law? Yes, but you have to request they be written that way.

Response by LT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 12 at 2016 12:45 PM

2016-04-12T12:45:16-04:00

Look into the Medical Service Corps Inter-service Procurement Program (MSC-IPP) or the Medical Enlisted Commissioning Program (MECEP). Once accepted in either program the Marine will have to release you because the Marine Corps is part of the Department of the Navy and it's a SECNAV Instruction.

Response by CWO4 Robert J. Perry MBA made Apr 12 at 2016 1:16 PM

2016-04-12T13:16:48-04:00

Not sure....are you in a critical mos? do you want to go to a critical navy Mos?
You could always become a Marine Corps Officer....

Response by LT Louis McKellar made Apr 12 at 2016 2:06 PM

2016-04-12T14:06:54-04:00

It is my understanding that you have to be released to attend ANY OCS if you're enlisted.

Response by LT Louis McKellar made Apr 12 at 2016 2:07 PM

2016-04-12T14:07:56-04:00

it is my understanding you must be released from any enlistment contract to attend OCS in any branch of the services.

Response by LTJG Rodger Morris made Apr 12 at 2016 2:16 PM

2016-04-12T14:16:41-04:00

It boils doen to "needs of the service". I suspect that your request will be approved for two reasons:

1) The Marine Corps has been downsuzing in the wake of the Afghanistan surge.

2) The Marine Corps traditionally has taken pride in the fact that it has the highest proportion of Mustang officers of any of the armed srrvices.

I hasten to add that that there is no guarantee I am right in your particular case.

In 1979, I was in my second year of Navy enlisted service. I was in Naval Nuclear Propulsion School at Orlando, Florida. "Nuke School" was such a high priority for the U.S. Navy that "Navy Nukes" were forbidden to apply for any other enlisted program.

I applied for and was accepted for Aviation Officer Candidate School (AOCS) in Pensacola, Florida. I was tokd at the time that officer programs trumped enlisted programs. I subsequently received my commission as an Ensign on 30 NOV 79 and my "Wings of Gold" as a Naval Flight Officer on 18 DEC 80.

Best,

Rodger Morris

Response by PO1 Tony Peters made Apr 12 at 2016 2:18 PM

2016-04-12T14:18:59-04:00

since the Marines are part of the Navy it is likely less on an issue than if you were to choose anther service like Army or AirForce

Response by MAJ David Parr made Apr 12 at 2016 3:25 PM

2016-04-12T15:25:16-04:00

I believe that you have an excellent chance of being released to attend OCS. I left the Air Force, early, in order to attend Army OCS. I eventually graduated, received my commission, and later retired as a Major, O-4. I also managed to be selected to attend Army Officer Flight Training. Give it a shot!

Response by SPC Rob Robinson made Apr 12 at 2016 6:13 PM

2016-04-12T18:13:48-04:00

You would have to clear the Psych folks first.

Response by MSgt Bill Loveli made Apr 13 at 2016 7:57 AM

2016-04-13T07:57:08-04:00

Comply with your contract. As long as you a Marine ACT like one

Response by MSG Melvin Heinsbergen made Apr 13 at 2016 10:56 AM

2016-04-13T10:56:31-04:00

Greetings, Drive on with your goals, years ago when I wanted to switch fields my paper work kept getting Lost". I found out a few years later that it was because my old unit didn't want me to leave because they liked my work and didn't want to lose me, but I was in a billet/( MOS for the Army Reserve) and I stayed with and got to where I wanted to be it just took longer than I expected. And I retired with 30 + year's.

Response by SgtMaj Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 13 at 2016 9:42 PM

2016-04-13T21:42:26-04:00

There is only one way I can think of and if that is if you apply to for a nursing degree through the Navy ROTC program... When I was ROTC DUTY I had a SSgt join the ROTC UNIT and when he graduated I gave him first salute in navy whites as an Ensign.

Response by PO3 Jamie Richter made Apr 14 at 2016 8:06 PM

2016-04-14T20:06:21-04:00

i would think if you show promise! and for the betterment of the navy, the marines would allow you to transfer, however, you do have an obligation to HONOR, a value that is shared in the marines and the navy. tough call.

Response by SGT Stanley Bass made Apr 15 at 2016 9:29 AM

2016-04-15T09:29:54-04:00

I am Army Veteran so not sure if this will help. The Army has a program called green to gold. Where you go from Enlisted to Officer and go to OCS. I would imagin since the Marines fall under the Department of the Navy, there is soemthing out there where you can do it. I have met people that have served in 4 or even all 5 Branches. I am sure it can be looked into. You might have to finish your current enlistment. But i would talk to the folks, like retntion NCO's/Officers. And ask them to makes sure that after your enlistment ended there are going to be openigns to do that

Response by MSG John Wirts made May 10 at 2016 1:12 AM

2016-05-10T01:12:34-04:00

I joined the Army in June 1963, ETS'd in June 1965 into the Army IRR, In march of 1966 I applied for and got a conditional release to join the California Air National Guard, I served for 6 years, In Mar 1972 I took a conditional release to join the California Army National Guard. Imn March of 1974 I took a conditional release to join the Army Reserves, where I stayed til the draw down in March of 1993. If you have a unit willing to accept you, normally they will release you. If however you are a productive member of your unit, don't be surprised if they offer you a position in another unit in the Corps as an officer.