looking for any insight on branch changes from Marine (reserve) to Army (reserve) Newly enlisted and will have to get MOS traing etc... Any info on tuition asst, awards eligibility, promotions etc would be greatly appreciated!

First of all, good choice for switching over ... I hear that the best Soldiers are former Marines!

You get to keep all your awards, but you cannot wear your marksmanship badge.

I'm active, so I cannot answer many of the questions intelligently.

Thanks for the welcome. I've been told the trans from the Corps is "interesting" to say the least. I will need MOS training and wondering how difficult it is to get a school slot? In the Corps it was almost impossible for reserves. I'll be getting into the MI field. CI to be exact.

I did the "transformation" myself when I joined the US Army from the US Marines. Your Army Reserve unit will find a school slot for Counter Intelligence Analyst in the school system called ATARS. Once you get a school slot you'll go to FT Huchucua, Arizona for MOS training. Since you are prior Marine you will be placed with other Soldiers who are re-classing. So you won't be doing any of the "f-f" games that the AIT Soldier go through. You'll be issued a new full issue of Army uniforms depending if they in-process you at the Reserve unit or send you to a place like FT Jackson for Army in-processing. Anyway, you'll be waiting for your TS/SCI security clearance to go through. You can get an interium clearance from your unit commander (I think, subject to changes depending on his/her rank). Anyway, get use to a lot of different drill commands and remember not to bring back stories of the differences between the Army and the Corps (I know a few former Marines who did that and it just made tension among other Soldiers when there was no reason to create issues). Anyway, congrats on the move and enjoy the new job. Military intelligence is a fast track MOS so promotions are a lot faster than it was in the USMC.

Take care
SFC Mac'

Many thanks! Any idea on how long school will be? I've been fortunate enough to have worked with all branches of service in my time with the Corps, and seen how detrimental(sp?) comparisons are. I'm just looking forward to serving again. Oh, and promotions will be nice too! I was an E-5 in a closed field from 1998-2005. Got out before I went high time.

I am not sure how long the training for CI is, I would say around 3 months I think the course last, maybe less time than that but expect at least 12 weeks or so.

Thanks again for the info. Seems like i'm in for some fun. Anyone who has info about looking into possible past awards from the Corps, and how to get even a response without actually having to go to a unit and deal with the admin people would be great too.

You can contact Marine Corps Headquarters and request a copy of your schools and awards records (DD-214). They will provide you with the most recent copy of such information. it make take a few weeks before you get it but it will be sealed and you'll have official copies to give to your unit's PAC clerk. That will be entered on your Army (2-1) file. You can wear all of your awards and unit citations except for marksmanship badges. Also, any Marine Corps courses (formal courses like CPL & SGT course) Marine Corps Institue courses will count for Army promotional points. Pull all of your previous citations and USMC paperwork and let your PAC clerk or S1 persons take a look.

OK, another one for you. There have been some awards messages while I was on the IRR that I think I rate. I have tried to contact HQMC and National Archives without hearing back. I'm at the point of chalking them up as a loss. Or walk into a USMC unit and get the runaround in person. Insight?

I am surprised that HeadQuarters Marine Corps would not respond? I would call there personnel section and request a POC that you could personally correspond with. If you go into any USMC unit they will put your needs on the back-burner because you are no longer in the USMC and you are not even in the unit. They may be able to point you into the right direction but I would seek higher. Don't settle. You are screwing yourself out of potential promotion points and possible waivers for specific training and classes that you did in the Marine Corps. Example: if you attend the active duty Marine Corps NCO course (CPL/SGT Course) and have certification to prove it, you can qualify to meet the US Army WLC requirement. You would not have to attend. I did that. I also went to the senior NCO course but the Army refused to count it for BNCOC. Some things the Army will accept and others they will not allow. But submit everything that you have paperwork on.

I'll get on it once I settle into my unit. Drilling this weekend, so maybe some answers will come. There are a few former marines there, hopefully they can steer me in the right direction.

OK, I've been very proactive over the last week to get my info in the system etc. Had to order ALL of my records, DD214's, college transcripts etc. Have to deal with my birth date somehow being incorrect in the system too. Been told that once my info is submitted, E-6 is a definite. So, trying to get a school slot, interview for 35L, any extra training. My clearance will transfer over and will need to upgrade. The SFC at my unit is telling me to "pump the brakes" and slow it down. While a former marine who has a direct comission is telling me just get it done and push, and it will happen. What to do? The marine in me says keep pushing, but don't want to p/off the SFC. I am more than willing to put in active duty time, which will help me assimilate into the army way. Can anyone translate?

As a former marine, I delt with everything you now or have already delt with during your transition to the Army. With the reserves you have to keep in mind that alot of the soldiers have never been active, or have been regular TPU so long, that they choose to be a little "lazier" than those active guys. Listen to the zero and push, but remember, you can push in a nice way without pissin' people off. Don't get them MAD, just get them irritated. Semper Fi!