My son is in Marine boot camp. I told him to go reserves, he wouldn’t. Now he wishes he had. Is there anyway that he can switch to reserves?

Answer 1

If he signed a contract for four years active duty and then four years inactive reserves then they probably will hold him to that.   There is no reason for them to change the contract.  

Answer 2

What are you talking about?  There are five military services - Army, Air Force, Navy Marines and Coast Guard.  Each has a Reserve Corps.

Answer 3

Once he entered active duty, he's screwed for the term of his enlistment. The Air Force has a program like you are asking about, but not the other services.

Answer 4

He can only go reserve after his active duty obligation is successfully completed

Besides boot camp is the same for everyone

There hasn't been a separate boot camp for reservists in any branch since the Navy did away with the old 2x6 program in the early 1970s

Answer 5

No he can’t change period! 

That is the way he feels now while in MCRD, he would be saying all sorts of things in a letter or phone call about he hates it, wanting out and then next week says he’s in for life. He is an ADULT so he has to be the one to make the decisions and not interfere. He needs to learn, which he will definitely do while in the military. 

Answer 6

Recruit Training is EXACTLY the same for Active Duty and reserves. If he is regretting enlisting before graduating from what you call boot camp, what he WANTS is called an entry level separation, not transition to the reserves.

Answer 7

he needs to ask about it where hes at

Answer 8

I am not sure if there's a process for him to go to the reserves when he enlisted for active duty, but it is possible for him to ask for an entry level separation if he's been enlisted less than 180 days, maybe citing that he is unable to adapt to the marine corps environment. This normally results in an uncharacterized discharge. I would recommend that he talk to a chaplain at his base; in addition to listening to your son's troubles and offering encouragement, chaplains can sometimes advise recruits on how best to approach the chain of command 

Answer 9

Too late.  Guess he’ll just have that GIBill to fall back on when he gets out

Answer 10

Wow, I don't know but I think if he were able to, it might have a lifetime negative effect on him, his career, etc.  Not good.  Stay the course, and do what you promised to do.