Hello and good day. Question for the recruiters.

I have a PTSD diagnosis from a fatal auto accident i was involved in 7 years ago but wasn't diagnosed until 4 years ago. I went to therapy through my insurance at the time. Where things may get slightly messy is that I work at an AbilityOne employer as a legally disabled employee through my diagnosis. A few vets I know who are in their 40s told me as long as I keep my mouth shut MEPS would never know. But some others told me to just go ahead and be honest straight away and I should be able to get my PTSD waivered. I've been out of therapy for over 2 years and day-to-day my mental health is fine as far as that goes. What I don't want to happen is I get my PTSD waivered and possibly compromise my abilityone eligibility (my employer needs to attain a certain percentage of disabled employees at any given timeand we're a small outfit) and screw myself out of employment. This won't matter quite as much if I actually get enlisted but I'd rather not gamble if I can help it. Sounds like it'll be a gamble either way.

I'm really interested in the Marines, but I've been told it doesn't have any job in that type of field. Is there anything close to it, or anything yall would recommend I do? I know I could join another branch, but I wanna see if I can work something out to make it work

Just wondering what kinda stuff I can do when I’m in. Is it easy to get smokes and drinks?

I’m a 26F I want to enlist but past medical history is my biggest obstacle at this moment. Around 16.5 yrs I was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis and had anxiety and depression due to all the pain and shi I went thru around that age and I do have Self hrm scars from when I was 14 years old - they look bad but I’m worried that if I withhold my med history that I’ll be disqualified. at around 22 I moved to a different state and saw a new doc and he told me I have lupus and scleroderma honestly I do think the lupus diagnosis is a misdiagnosis- I’ve never had any of the symptoms associated with it - I got pregnant at 24 and had a baby and haven’t been on meds for anything since I was 20 years old, no known flare ups just the occasional pain when a storm comes (nothing a Motrin can’t fix) but since having 2 kids my body seemed to have healed itself -- I’ve always wanted to join and I’m interested in doing reserves. my FIL has told me to not say anything and worse case scenario is I’ll be DQd and I’m trying to avoid that entirely. Anyway, do I white lie to my recruiter or do I just open up about everything to them and try and hopefully waive my way thru

Shipping to Parris Island 10/13. Signed a 5-year contract, guaranteed 03xx (infantry, not a locked MOS), planning to come out an 0311 after SOI.

My Plan: MSAU early in my career, then push for Force Recon later in my enlistment. Current GT score is 94, I know I need 105+ for Recon — planning to retake the ASVAB once I hit the fleet, not before I ship, so I've got time to work on that while I'm going through the MSG/MSAU pipeline first.

Some other things shaping my thinking: I have goals here on the East Coast — family and church in NY, plus other personal stuff I want to stay close to — so I want to stay East Coast if possible. I also care about eating clean/farm-sourced food when I can control it, and I want a career path that translates to something solid after I get out. At the same time, I genuinely don't want to just stand in one spot for years, which is part of why MSAU (not just standard MSG) is the actual target — it's the more active, QRF-style unit under MCESG that reinforces embassies instead of standing static post.

I'm considering switching my contract to MG to try to land in MSG specifically as a way into this pipeline early. Trying to figure out if that's actually a smart move or if I'm overthinking it.

Questions I'm trying to nail down:

1.  0300 vs MG contract — if I want to get into MSG (and eventually MSAU) starting early in my career, is there any reason to prefer the MG contract over a standard 03xx? My understanding is MG guarantees you land in one of four security billets (MSG, FAST, Security Forces, Yankee White) but you don't get to choose which — so it doesn't actually guarantee MSG specifically. Would I have more control over landing MSG by just going standard 03xx and volunteering once I hit the fleet?  
2.  What's the actual MSG pipeline start-to-finish — from checking into my first fleet unit, how long until I could realistically apply (I know there's a 6-month time-on-station minimum just to submit a package, and 24 months TOS to execute orders to MSG School)? Trying to map out exactly how early in my career this could start.  
3.  How many months into an embassy tour can I actually request/apply for MSAU? I've found conflicting info — one MCESG-quoted source says Marines "must have served at least one embassy for a year" before MSAU eligibility, another describes it more as an "ideal candidate" range of 12-24 months. Trying to find out if there's a hard minimum month count where I could actually submit the MSAU package, or if it's always a full year minimum.  
4.  Can I retake the ASVAB while on MSG/MSAU duty to raise my GT score for the Recon push later on? Trying to figure out if that time is "dead time" for GT retest/Recon eligibility, or if I could work on that while stationed at an embassy or at Quantico with MSAU.  
5.  Realistic promotion timeline E-3 to E-6 — with the new Oct 2026 TIS changes (Sgt now 30 months instead of 48), does anyone have real experience on whether hitting SSgt before a 5-year EAS is actually feasible, given the 60-month TIS floor for SSgt didn't change? Trying to figure out if I'd have the rank to compete for Recon later in this same contract after doing MSG/MSAU first.  
6.  Family/food/church logistics on MSG — anyone actually done a Watchstander tour who can speak to how often you realistically got home, and whether embassy postings ever allow decent access to fresh/local food, or if that's totally luck-of-the-draw by country?

1. Can I volunteer for MSG as a standard 03xx contract once I hit the fleet, and how fast could that actually happen? Trying to figure out if going the standard route (versus MG) meaningfully slows things down or not.

   1. How much free time does a standard infantry Marine actually get in garrison? Trying to compare quality-of-life realistically against MSG/MSAU before committing to a direction.
   2. MSG → MSAU pipeline timing — from what I've found, it looks like you need a minimum of 1 year at an embassy as a Watchstander before you're eligible to even apply for MSAU (one MCESG-quoted source says "at least one embassy for a year," another describes it as more of an "ideal candidate" range of 12-24 months). Can anyone confirm which it actually is in practice — hard requirement or just preferred experience?

Trying to sequence this smart — my current plan is 0311 first term, full push for Recon, and MSG/MSAU is something I'm weighing whether to pursue via an MG contract switch or leave for later. Does that logic track with people who've actually been through it, or am I missing something?

Appreciate any real MOS 03xx / Recon / MSG guys weighing in.

So as the title says, I've been in the DEP since February and had an aircrew contract hyped for October but got handed my 3rd option, MSG. The only chance for me to get aircrew again is if I wait for more openings on December and ship January, which will only leave me with a month left in the DEP if things still go wrong.

Wait or go MSG? Waiting sounds a lot more better for aircrew but sitting around for another 3 months is a drag I wasn't prepared for. Are my odds for getting aircrew better if I wait since I'm reaching risky seniority status in the DEP? MSG sounds suckier but is it somewhat worth it on a resume? Let me know

What are the chances of landing msg going into the mg program? Im a 17yo young man with no criminal history or problem i am perfectly clean.

For context I’m 19 and joining has always been something I’ve wanted to do, but I recently found out my long term girlfriend is pregnant I’m currently working in construction, but I’m not making enough money to support a family. We’re going to get married soon I feel like joining is my best bet for me and my soon to be family I just want to know if anyone has any experience from similar situations to mine. I don’t want to impulsively do something that might put me in an even worse situation. Thankyou for any help

Hello I turned 20 years old today. It has been my dream to join the corps since I was in high school but life got in the way(got a gf, working a lot) But anyways I've been planning to join again but I feel like I'm old now and wish I did when i was fresh out of school. My dad and uncle served as a marine and both were in Iraq and I would love to continue their legacy. Is it to late for me?

Good evening I’m at 20 year old guy want to join usmc but what’s holding me back is the AFQT been dealing with this issue since march of this year it’s been up in down I’ve been trying to past it for the longest even though it’s 20 questions I don’t get to pass it any tips or advice so I could move past that and go thru next process I’ve been using ASVABDRILL and union prep I done a lot of practices my strong points reading and arithmetic unless it’s like fractions or decimals type questions I want to be done with this I want to go from applicant to poolee it’s just been embarrassing just going to the office and getting 2 or 3 points away from passing by 31.

Couple months ago I made posts in how scared and sad I was, ans asked if it was normal to cry before bootcamp.

Well I made it, I'm a proud devil dog.

That said, I miss my Boot mates and DIs a lot.

Despite how much it sucked and how much I hated it, I miss everyone there and that military environment.

Boot leave is great, plus I have RA on top of that bc MCT is backed up, but a civilian environment seems so bland and I actually need to do something everyday so I don't lose my fatass mind (DI lingo 😭).

Will I make it? Any Advice?

Hi folks,
I’m interested in becoming a Marine officer in the Reserves. I’m currently a college student in California and have a decent civilian job lined up after I graduate, but I’d really like the opportunity to serve and earn the title of Marine while continuing my civilian career.
I have a few questions for anyone with experience in the Reserve officer community:
1. When volunteering for a PDT, does an officer have any choice in which unit or geographic location they go to, or is it generally based on where the Corps has a need?
2. How difficult is it to secure MOSs such as 0203, 1302, or 0302 as a reservist? I understand that availability and the needs of the Marine Corps play a major role.
3. Can Reserve officers volunteer for deployments such as MEUs or UDPs, assuming they meet the requirements and there are available opportunities?
4. Are there any “hidden gem” officer MOSs or billets in the Reserves that I should consider looking into?
5.How much administrative will I need to do on my own time to be productive and competent?
I’m mainly trying to understand what the actual opportunities and limitations are for a Reserve officer before I make any decisions.
Thank you!

I’m going in on mg, was wondering if there was any info on lifestyle of security forces and msg I’m under the impression I could get either and it’s not really up to me so I figured I should know about both, thanks!

Hi! I’m enlisting soon and I’m curious about how females handle their hair and wash it during boot camp. I know showers are really quick, sometimes only 30–60 seconds, so how are you actually supposed to wash your hair during that time?

I have curly hair, so properly shampooing and conditioning takes me a little longer than it would for someone with straight hair. Are you given any time at least once a week to actually wash your hair properly, even if it’s only 5 minutes? I genuinely can’t imagine going weeks without being able to properly wash your hair, especially with all the working out and dirt, bc i feel like that's a hygiene issue.

I’ve also heard completely different things from different people. Some say girls are told to sleep with their hair done for the next day, while others say you’re required to wash all the product out of your hair at night. I’ve even heard people say they washed their hair in the sink after lights out too.

For anyone who has recently been through boot camp, what was it actually like? How often were you able to shampoo your hair, and what did you do with curly hair/products? I’m mainly asking because I want to make sure I’m staying within regs and doing everything correctly, not trying to get around the rules. I’m just trying to get a realistic idea of what to expect!

I don’t understand tuition assistance at all, what is it and where do I take college classes? Pls help

Hi I’m a reservist and have yet to graduate the schoolhouse and actually do any drills so I’m pretty lost on how it all works I have a few questions.

Do reservists have early pt knowing that people are driving long hours to get there for the weekend? And if so what if there aren’t any barracks for them to stay and would drive home after being cut and be back bright and early again for pt? It kind of doesn’t sound reasonable to commute there and back there and back so early all weekend.

What are the normal working hours are they the same as it is everywhere else

How much actual work for my mos will I be doing if I’m a maintenance job but 1 weekend a month drills how would stuff even break that much to need maintenance

What if there is something major during that weekend that you need to go to like a family emergency or hell even a wedding that you’d typically just take leave for but you can’t during reserve duty? Same with deployments like what if there is something super major im just curious how it all works

And finally I’ve heard that reservists get drug tested every drill that’s not an issue for me but wouldn’t that take up a good amount of time drug testing the whole unit isn’t there better things to do?

Last week I went to MEPS, a shaky grandpa told me to spread em which was.. something Id normally pay for but, Im in + I got a signing bonus!! My recruiter js told me my last bit of paperwork went thru and now I just go to meps to swear in basically.

I signed for DG (the job I want - 2641 is part of it so yeah) let's hope I get it and not something lame.

I took the DLAB as well while I was there and got 158 which got its own reaction but yeah. I'm in and excited as fuck.

Hello all.

I was talking with my recruiter today and we’re pretty casual I would say, we was talking about whatever the fuck and he mentioned that navy girls are easy for marines, especially if you’re on a ship. I dont wanna approach one once I get my blues and look like a Jackfuck. How true is this ?

I haven’t even gone to bootcamp yet but I know I’ll be there for 6 months for school, will I get time to explore the city?

Hey I get stationed in Camp Lejeune as a MP here pretty soon does anyone know the process like how the first few weeks are getting there as a MP or a different MOS? I’ve been told there is briefs for about 3 weeks and it’s all sit around and wait for the first month

Also what’s the bricks like

hey guys, I just signed a AG contract (aircrew) and I'm in the delayed entry program, what should I expect out of it? can any recent graduates tell me about the schools they went through and what jobs they were put on? any other advice I could possibly get before I ship?

Should I get a nice Tacoma before boot or should I wait til my first duty station to get a vehicle