Posted: 4/16/2007 1:54:13 PM EDT
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Well, I went down to MEPS and signed the forms today, and currently am in the DEP for the USMC. The only think that has me worrying is that when I signed the contract, it was for an open enlistment, as they didn't have any infantry slots open. My recruiter promised me that within five days I'll have a spot in the infantry, all he has to do is bargain with another recruiting district to get some slots switched around. So basically, am I going to get an infantry slot as promised by my recruiters, or should I start practicing how to peel potatoes? |
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start practicing how to peel potatoes. You signed a contract. That contract doesn't list the job you wanted. You signed it anyway. You MAY get the job you want. But you are not guaranteed to get it. You should have walked. Sometimes recruiters are like used car salesmen. 
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Give your recruiter a week or 2 to get the slot. |
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yup give him time, if he doesn't deliver let him know you won't be going to basic. His supervisor will call you and you can explain how your recruiter promised something he couldn't deliver and that you will refuse to enter the service unless they honor his verbal commitment or a new contract is drawn up. There is nothing the Corps or the recruiter can do. Regs are very clear that an individual has a right to withdraw from DEP. It might affect your ability to enlist later so I would think carefully about actually doing it, but if you play your cards right you can use it as a bargaining point. Get the best deal you can now, once you take the actual oath of enlistment they own you. Till then, you're your own man. I had my recruiter try and dick with me, he wound up getting a reprimand in his jacket and was out of the navy shortly after I went to bootcamp. Not saying that is the case here, but you will know shortly. |
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my best friend was in the USMC dep program. He "stopped" DEP when he kept getting the run around about when he was to go to boot camp. As far as it affecting your ability to enlist, he just joined the army reserves and got back from basic recently. Wait and see what happens, but understand your options |
I agree with all this. It's exactly right. Tell him you want an infantry contract or no dice, u'll go to the Army. The Army gives u a specific job contract and none of this "open contract" BS the Marines pull. You have no obligation to the Corps until you actually step foot on those little yellow foot prints at Boot. But also, some administrative Marines I know told me that you have up to 6 months to tell them that you "cannot adjust to the military lifestyle" and they'll let you out. Another buddy of mine that was USMCR got out early that way. My recruiter pulled all this BS and had me lie at MEPS and I got flagged at a poolee scrub when the SGTMAJ noticed my scar. I had quit my job b/c I was supposed to ship in two weeks...this was in January. Now I'm sitting on the sidelines with my d**k in my hand. I did hear that my recruiter got fired. Not sure if they booted him from The Corps but his BS caught up with him. You have more power over your recruiter than you believe. The Marines in the Northeast are having recruiting issues. The Marine Corps pulls hard lines because they are supposed to be tough and your supposed to WANT it bad enough. They don't call it the suck because it's easy. Anyway, GOOD LUCK with whatever u decide to do. |
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First, I'd like to thank you for being willing to volunteer for the military. As far as your contract, you hold all the cards for that. Give your recruiter a little time to meet his end. I've found most recruiters are pretty decent guys. However, it's your life and your career. Be ready to do whatever is necessary to get the job you want. A Marine or Soldier who isn't at least generally happy with their job is a burden to their unit and the service. Be prepared to join the Army Infantry or another branch if necessary. Once you make your decision and sign a contract your OK with though, it's time to be ready to make sacrafices. In the end, once your IN your at the needs of the military. |
| Worst case scenario you tell 'em to piss up a rope and you have to wait 6 months to go back to MEPS. More likely scenario walk over to the Army enlist for an Airborne Ranger contract, you'll get it in writing and have completed 2 schools in your first 2 years in the Army, that most Marines will never get a chance to go to. I was an Army grunt for 4 years got promoted faster than my Marine buddies and lived ALOT better lifestyle, plus I had chances to go to schools that Marines dream about. When I reenlisted and decided I didn't want to be a Grunt for 20 years, there were a ton of jobs open to me. I now teach BNCOC to Apache mechanic's. The Army has oppurtunities the Marines just can't guarentee. |
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I work in one of the Marine Corps recruiting regions. First thing is give your recruiter a chance to make good on his promise. The recruiter probably has filled all of his infantry slots for the month. He will get another quota next month. He should be able to get you that spot next month. He is also correct in saying that he can swap a spot with another area. He will just owe a favor to that other recruiter. Believe it or not, Infantry is our most requested MOS in the Marine Corps. Last resort! If you really want infantry. You can tell your recruiter I'm not going to ship until I get an infantry slot. It's that simple. You can always leave the DEP by requesting it. If you request the Dep Discharge by law they have to let you go. No RS Commanding Officer is going to accept from one of his recruiters. I had to DEP discharge someone because, "we couldn't get him Infantry." Remember it's your life and make them understand you will not become a Marine unless you get what you want. Good Luck, RS |
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Former 8411 Centurian here... Open contract DOES not guarantee you the UH progam (infantry). Silly question but do you QUALIFY to be infantry? Yes I know and I can already read the responses....QUALIFY for infantry??? Yes there are criteria. If your Recruiter is a REAL Marine his word is GOLD! If you want email me for more info / insight. I STILL have connections in operations both the RS, District, and region. OUT |
| There will be a lot of opened up jobs come high school graduation time. Guys that slacked off at the end of high school thinking they did not need to study because they were going to bootcamp instead of college. All the jobs they held for those guys will be up for grabs if the do not graduate. Hang in there, your job will come. |
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Unless things have changed, and open contract will NOT get you into the infantry. Odds are good that you can get a new contract, but if you go open, you won't be going to the 03 field. Someone else mentioned failure to adapt discharges. Such things do exist, but they are a means to rid the Marine Corps of undesireable members. Entry level seperation for FTA will get you a bad RE code and likely bar you from military service in the future. ELS is generally used to seperate new Marines and recruits with discipline issues and previously undiagnosed mental problems. It is also occaisionally used to seperate those who are unfit for service for other reasons, such as inability to cope with the military lifestyle. It is not voluntary and it is not something that can be requested. |