Posted: 4/4/2007 3:19:04 PM EDT
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I have an appointment to sit down with a recruiter next week, more of an informational session than anything. I'm a former Marine looking to give something back, step up to the plate, and possible finish off my time towards a retirment. I'm 41, with 8 years active duty service. How does the points towards retirement thing work? What types of MOS are generally available at Guard Unit's. I was previously Avionics, and my civilian career is pretty much the same. What are my actual chances of being accepted? I'm currently a bit over weight, but I'm actively working on that. Thanks in advance for any information. Semper Fi |
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Hey Devil Dog: I had 11 active USMC and 10 OhArNG. It is very different from the Corps. It is their game and their rules. You will know and use first names  . Many Marines run aground trying to USMC-ize the Guard. You will not win. I spent 7.5 of my 11 on Navy Bases so was used to a different service.Avionics slots can be had at any Helo unit. We had an avionics shop at my unit with the Cavalry. There were 3 ground troops (Cavalry equivalent of company) and 3 Air troops. 2 Air troops had Cobra's, not Whiskeys but what the hell, and one Air troop was the support and maintenance unit for the Helo's Retirement points are bases on time served. You have one point for every day you served active duty(365 or 366 for leap years). You get 4 or 5 points for drill and one point a day for Annual Training or active duty for training (Schools). You also get a certain number of points for being a member of a Selected Reserve Unit. I foget how many but I think it was 15 points. Also the Army has classes just like MCI's that give a number of points for completion. You can only get so many points per year with out active duty orders IIRC 70. Retirement is at 60 not at separation after retirement. That is where I sit now at 48 and not even PX privileges. There is a formula you find out what your retirement will be. I will get 28% of a Sergeant E-5 base pay when I retire. |
Where ya at in NC? There is alot of different MOS's and If im not mistaken there is an aviation unit near charlotte. |
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Type56, I'm in Asheville. Charlotte wouldn't be that big a deal. I'm not necessarily locked into avionics, but I figured it's were I could make the largest contribution. I talked to the recruiter briefly today, we had to reschedule our appointment till next Friday....................we'll see what they say.............. |
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DanishM1Garand, I here ya. It's taken me quite a few years to get over (although not completely) my USMC superiority complex. I attended the Gathering of Eagles in DC last month, and figured out branch doesn't matter................just the contribution. Looking forward to getting back into the game, even if it's just a part time gig. Thanks for the answers & Semper Fi |
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There are plenty of former USMC in the NG, you'll fit right in.|
So I met with the NG Recruiter (former Marine), and except for the weight issue it looks like I'm pretty much good to go. I can't quite tape out, but I'm close. Get to keep my stripes. The jobs available in the semi-immediate area are MP, Combat Engineers, Avionics, Cook, Suupply, and Motor T. So what's it like in Combat Engineers or MP's in the NG? What kind of training could I look forward to? What's a typical drill weekend? Two week summer dril I may be Avionics qualified (they are checking), which would me pretty much show up and go to work, plus a potential bonus. (Avionics was my MOS in the Corps, and is pretty much what I make a living at doing today) I guess I'm trying to decide if I want to do something new & different, or keep doing what I'm good at. Any input? Thanks in advance, Semper Fi |
The Army is a little stupid when it comes to USMC/Navy fields. We had two CH53 people join my aviation unit. One a Marine and the other a Sailor. They had attended the SAME Class in the same school at Memphis Millington Air Station. They were partnered together for the school. Same class, same school, same instructors same amount of training. Her "Navy" MOS translated to an MOSQ slot in the guard. His "USMC" MOS did not. I put both services in quotes as this was a Naval (Not Navy) Avaition class that both took at the same time. As to the tape....find a Gym with a nautilus neck machine. I had a buddy when I was on active duty that couldn't loose that little pot belly he had so he made his neck bigger. 3 hours a week on the neck machine made the Tape work. |
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When I finally got the MEPS people to stop screwing me around and let me back in I had a final last minute brain fart and asked if I should just go back in as an MP and save myself the trouble of attending another school. Everybody in the office looked at me like I had three heads and they were all talking jibber jabber. Here's my take on your short list of jobs: Combat engineer = grunt with a shovel Military poilce = grunt with a badge I can only offer advice from the perspective of another 40+ old E-5. If you can stay in avionics that's the way I'd go. The Army is using everybody as a grunt this time around, but Soldiers with hight tech skills are less likley to get stuck on convoy escort duty. The choice is yours, but if I had a high tech skill I's sure be using it instead of the duo of death MOS's I'm currently qualified in.
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