Distance Waiver, MOS selections and MEPS for USMCR

[alphasquirrel]

I live in a state with horrible selection as far as drilling stations are concerned. Because I'm a female I can't drill at the closest Drilling Station due to the fact that it is an infantry unit.

The next two stations have some interesting MOSes available. However, there is a third drilling station in the next state over with an Air Station and a great selection of MOSes. It is twelve miles further than the other two drilling stations.

My recruiter tells me I need a distance waiver to go even to the two stations within my state. When I asked him if I could get a waiver for the third he was very ambiguous.

Most of the MOSes I've been interested in are up at that third drilling station and upon taken the sample my recruiter assured me I won't have a problem getting any MOS I should want. However, I have not taken the actual test. I'm also determined that if I'm going to be traveling to drilling it might as well be to a job that I want. I really want to hold out for the third (and most distant) drilling station.

My recruiter called today and wants me to go to MEPS this week and be sworn into the DEP by the first of December.

I tried getting a straight answer from him as far as whether I could get that third drilling station and again he couldn't seem to give me a clear answer.

After taking the ASVAB at MEPS is when we would be going to work on my MOS package and I'm a bit hazy as to the process and my options. If I have the scores and the willingness to travel to my desired MOS is there any reason I wouldn't be able to get it? Is there a way I can be assured of my desired drilling station before I even go to MEPS? How can I get a clear answer out of my recruiter? I don't want to get stuck in an MOS I'm not crazy about only to find out there was an option to get the one I wanted. Also, if I do go active it would be nice to already have the MOS of my original desire even though I'm aware I could possibly do a lat move.

And to answer those who will ask why I'm not just going straight into active duty so that I can get the MOS I want without all of the work-around... it's because I'm married to a man with a great job and have a one-year-old son. My husband and I have agreed that I will do the reserves until my son is in school and until my husband can get a few more years in this job. If, when my son goes to school, I want to go active he has agreed to leave his job to follow me to active duty. It's a compromise we have made and that I'm happy to honor.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[gunga55]

Well I was going to say it is simple go Active, till I read the last little bit.
A distance waiver should not be to big of a deal really. Of course your "real job" would have to accommodate your missing Friday work. In Michigan I know a lot of people drive pretty far. Not really sure on the Marine end but I know that the Air national guard a lot of guys drove from out of state when I lived in Battle Creek. They moved the fighter wing over by Detroit ( about 150 miles away) and most just drive there on the weekend now.

[DearMilSpouse]

The real job has to accommodate it whether they like it or not. They cant fire her for going to drill :)

I don't know how the whole reserves side works. I know my ex husband when he was active duty but worked with a reserve unit. And most of those reservists lived so far away they had to fly in, and this was in Texas with plenty of bases.

[kmarier2001]

How about not signing anything, unless you have it on paper that you can go to that drilling station? Not sure if that is an option, but if it's what you want, I'd stick to your guns about it. If it's on paper, there is no doubt about it. If it's not, they can and just may send you to the other one. Good luck. I hope this works out for you.

[grunt0311]

i have to agree with kmarier on that. the corps is not the place you want to be if you don't have the job you want. its one thing to get the job and learn its not for you but to be persuaded into one you don't want and not like it is even worse. if you cant get an answer then go up the chain and get one. your not a marine yet there is nothing to be afraid of. if your not getting the answers you want then go to someone and find them. right now that Sgt or Major or Capt or Ssgt is working for you. get what you want. if they don't have it then tell them you'll be back in 6 months or a year tell them you'll sign but its going to be on your terms. don't be afraid of pissing someone off if they cant deal with it then go to the next in the chain. this is a big decision and it effects everyone. lol i don't know that's my 2 cents.

[proudmom957]

i have to agree with kmarier on that. the corps is not the place you want to be if you don't have the job you want. its one thing to get the job and learn its not for you but to be persuaded into one you don't want and not like it is even worse. if you cant get an answer then go up the chain and get one. your not a marine yet there is nothing to be afraid of. if your not getting the answers you want then go to someone and find them. right now that Sgt or Major or Capt or Ssgt is working for you. get what you want. if they don't have it then tell them you'll be back in 6 months or a year tell them you'll sign but its going to be on your terms. don't be afraid of pissing someone off if they cant deal with it then go to the next in the chain. this is a big decision and it effects everyone. lol i don't know that's my 2 cents.

Hey Billy, great to see you on here. Missed you!

[grunt0311]

ya im on everyday, just dont post all the time.