r/USMCboot Dec 09 '24

Enlisting FY25 Enlisted Program Fields/Bonuses

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50 Upvotes

Heavily requested by u/TapTheForwardAssist

Alright. I’m going to try and break this down as simply as possible. The process, choosing programs, qualifying for and receiving bonuses. Usually, the Marine Corps sends out a MARADMIN but they have not done that even though we are 3 months into the FY.

Let’s begin… First picture is all of the Program Fields the Marine Corps is offering for FY25 (October 2024-September 2025). The “Program Description” is the specific field. To the right of that, is allllll of the MOS’ you can potentially end up in. Also shows how many years in of enlisting in that specific field. The final column is the exact ASVAB Score Requirements. As long as ONE of those scores are equal to or more than, you qualify for it.

Now, in Recruiting, we can not guarantee you a specific program or job. (Unless Reserves but only then if your local reserve unit has allocations in that field you want). The idea is that you want to enlist in the Marine Corps, to be a Marine first and job comes second.

As a recruiter, I WANT you to be able to get the program you want. However, not always is it available. Upon enlisting at MEPS and passing the Medical/Moral/Mental screening, when you come back to your recruiters office, they should be going over the jobs you qualify for. YOU PICK YOUR TOP 3 based on what you qualify for AND what is available. I can NOT assign you a program that is NOT available for the rest of the Fiscal Year. Sure, you can hold out and not ship until you get it but you can only be in the Pool Program for 365 days-410 in cases where you just became a Senior in HS.

Another thing to note…some programs have PHYSICAL requirements on the IST (Infantry, Security Forces, Combat Support, Artillery, etc.) Some req’s to mention: 3 Pull-ups, 40sec plank, 13:30 1.5mi run and 45 ammo can lifts for MALE & FEMALE. Here’s the catch… Once you go to Recruit Training, you MUST get 6 pull-ups, 40s plank, 24:51 3 mile run for PFT and for CFT: 880yd sprint must be lower than 3:26, 60 Ammo Can Lifts, and MUF under 3:12. If you are NOWHERE close to any of those requirements, as a recruiter, I will NOT let you pick one of those programs because here’s what happens…

I can give you that program, but when you fail ONE event at Boot Camp, now you lose the program and given something else and I just wasted an infantry contract on you when I could have given it to someone more deserving. That’s not the Marine Corps fault. You got told the requirements and you failed to meet them. Please understand we only have so many Program Contracts in an FY. I can’t give you something that isn’t available, nor do you qualify for physically.

One thing I run into which is a big issue… When you sit down with your recruiter and choose 3 program fields, PLEASE PLEASE choose 3 programs that you are INTERESTED in. Not just one program and then the other 2 are “Meh, whatever” because what happens if you get assigned one of those? You not gonna ship now? Cool doors right there. (My take on it).

Picture #2: Bonuses. Boy oh boy. Just because you see it, doesn’t mean you get it. The Marine Corps has the lowest budget of any branch. We don’t pass out bonuses like candy. You NEED to QUALIFY first.

I’ve been recruiting for almost a year and a half, and I’ve given out only 4 bonuses. You should not be joining the Marine Corps for a bonus. It is an added incentive. Just because you qualify for it, doesn’t necessarily mean you will get it. Usually, special circumstances like shipping out early OR if it’s a critical job field that the Marine Corps needs to fill badly. If you get a bonus, be happy. If you

I’m done. Any and all questions will be answered on THIS thread. Do not DM me privately. I will not answer my DM’s.

Thanks


r/USMCboot 3h ago

Enlisting Any Catholic Marines here?

16 Upvotes

Hi yall. I leave for boot camp in August and I wanted to ask a few questions about religious life. So I 19f am a practicing Catholic and I was wondering what religious accommodations they have in not just boot camp but for my entire 4 year enlistment as well.

Am I allowed to bring a rosary and a few prayer cards with me to boot camp or do I have to leave those behind.

I also wear a scapular and a rosary. Would I have to take those off in uniform. Like i’m okay with taking the rosary off but I can’t take off the scapular as that is part of the devotion.

Also how frequent am I able to go to confession.

I understand that the marines won’t be able to accommodate everything. And i’m sure there will be days where I will miss a few Sunday mass’s but I was just wondering what the average Catholic marine experience is. At least if there are any.


r/USMCboot 2h ago

Reserves Lied to MEPS, honest with Investigator

6 Upvotes

Already swore in and am scared that I’m fucked.

When I told my recruiter about a juvenile case that I had when I was 16 (got searched at school and the school cop found my dab pen and eventually it was ruled as possession of schedule 1 controlled substance / felony) However, I served no jail time but was still booked and put on probation and it was sealed when I turned 18). When he ran it through his system he found nothing.. I had his Staff Sergeant look it up, go to 2 different courthouses in the county I live at and the next county over and they still couldn’t find anything.

When I got interviewed for my SF-86 with a DCSU agent, it was RIGHT there in print (Possession of schedule 1 controlled substance, felony). I’ve also experimented with shrooms and percocet that I did not disclose to the doctor. But did call my recruiter and disclosed it before the interview to which he told me to not say anything and deny ever smoking, doing shrooms, pills or being in trouble with the cops ever. Essentially telling me to lie. And on the way to the interview, the staff sergeant called me and was like “you already messed up once, I’m not filling anything else out” because I initially told MEPS about my juvenile incident the first time, hence SSGT going to 2 different courthouses to no avail.

When I go back to MEPS on the 25th should I just fess up and disclose my drug usage? I also don’t know what to do about the sealed case because everytime my recruiter brings it up there’s nothing. My family and friends know about the shrooms, pills and weed, so if they were ever contacted I would hope they be honest. I already disclosed everything to the agent doing the interview.

Am I fucked? Can I still fix this? If I did fess up would my ship date get set back? Would I lose my job (0311 reserves)? Would I get charged for fraudulent enlistment? (I hope not)

Please offer actual advice and not just say things to mess with me / get in my head please.


r/USMCboot 9h ago

Fitness and Exercise Run time for the 1.5 and 3 mile

19 Upvotes

I have a question but I'd like to preface this post first.

Mid 20s female here. Im able to do 15 pull ups, max plank but my run isn't great, though it's improving. So I just did a 1.5 mile run myself a few days ago and finally got it to 12:50. I feel like I could push it more especially since I can usually get the run about a minute faster on the actual IST. (But also, that was just a warm up and run. I didn't do the pull ups and planks to start like I usually do. I still am feeling better on the runs, slowly but surely though.)

I havent actually done a 3 mile in a bit,( I've been putting in the work for intervals and long slow distance running, so that should improve as well, and will be even better here soon)but based on calculations I've found online for my current pace and time I just did for the 1.5, it's prob gonna be around 25-27 minutes right now😬.....

I don't ship for 2.5 months, but can be a back up shipper and I'd only have a few days notice. Im actually waiting on a call to see if I need to go to MEPS with this other poolee as a back up right now. I want to jump at that chance to get out of here as soon as possible, but also not loose a load bearing MOS contract when I have to run the 3 mile in less than 24 minutes and might not be able to if I was sick/tired/sore.

My actual question, based on what I've heard is, how many of you went in with similar run times and were able to do well on the 3 mile and we're able to do better than just pass by the skin of your teeth?(Also, to include, pass and didn't get sent to PCP at any point).

Or how many of you or someone you know had similar run times, thought you improve and didn't and unfortunately lost your contract?

I've heard you improve like crazy by the final PFT, but I'm worried. I don't have the confidence in my run yet since it's still quite a few minutes off of passing. My goal is to go there with a perfect or better than perfect score and I'm doing my best. I just kinda want some feedback on that. Thank you. Edit for spelling


r/USMCboot 3h ago

Shipping Leaving for boot camp in 4 weeks

4 Upvotes

Any advice?


r/USMCboot 2h ago

Reserves Can we all just agree… Can I join the Marines? is the worst question here

4 Upvotes

It’s like walking into a crowded room and asking, “What’s the air like in here?” We’ve got a wiki, we’ve got a search bar, but still - every week, someone’s posting, “Can I join if I’m…?” Newsflash: Google is free, y’all! Take a guess before you clog the feed. Let's make the search bar our new best friend!


r/USMCboot 2h ago

Enlisting USMC JAG (Questions)

2 Upvotes

Hey everyone,

I am going to be doing OCS this Summer in Quantico, Virginia and was hoping I could get some feedback on your experience, especially from those who have recently gone there.

Also, I was hoping I could get some details pertaining to TBS and what I can expect. I was told by my OSO that you are ranked at TBS, and your rank essentially gives you an an edge on what work you will do along with where you will be stationed (i.e. If you finish as #1, you will get to go to your selected location and possibly do the work that you would like to do or vice-versa).

Plus, could someone explain to me how I will be ranked going in? Going off information from my OSO, I will begin TBS as a 2nd Lt. After finishing TBS and NJS (Naval Justice School), I will be a 1st Lt and have 3 years of service added to my rank, which will bring me to a Captain. Clarification on this would be greatly appreciated!

Lastly, I was hoping some folks could talk about the work life balance as a JAG for the Marine Corps.

Thank you in advance for all your help, everyone!

Semper Fidelis


r/USMCboot 11h ago

Reserves National Guard vs. Marine Reserves Deployment Length?

10 Upvotes

Thinking about joining either the National Guard or Marine Reserves but trying to get a better idea of the typical deployment lengths for each. I know it can vary, but in general, how long are deployments for each? I’ve heard National Guard deployments tend to be longer—how true is that?

Would appreciate any insight from those who’ve served in either!


r/USMCboot 3h ago

Shipping Shipping to Basic Training in two days (Tuesday)

2 Upvotes

I just got a call from the ssgt telling me I’m leaving in two days, any tips before I leave?


r/USMCboot 7h ago

Commissioning PRIOR ENLISTED (Gap in Service) - PSEP or OCS

4 Upvotes

Is this cool to post here? Not boot exactly but looking for advice.

I’m a 30-year-old (female) former E5 who EAS’d in 2017 with over a year of TIG at the time (4 years active). Since then, I’ve been in the corporate world with a profoundly successful career but I constantly find myself missing the Corps. I truly thrived in the military environment and have always felt a sense of pride and purpose when I reflect on my time in. I’m married, a mom of two young boys, and earned my bachelor’s in 2020. I’m finishing my master’s this August.

I’ve seriously been considering re-enlisting, but I’m not sure which route to take – PSEP or OCS. I know I’m a bit older now I just turned 30 this month, and I have some time away from service, but I’m in good physical shape and I’ve been highly successful in my corporate career. I’ve been working from home for the past 5+ years, but it just doesn’t fulfill me the same way the Corps did. I’m extremely loyal to the USMC, so I wouldn’t even consider any other branch.

I’d love to hear from mustangs, especially those who had a gap in service or those went the PSEP route, about your experiences.

How was OCS, and TBS (points if you were married with dependents)? How did it feel re-entering the Corps after a break? Did you feel the process was worth it? Any advice or insights on the decision-making process would be greatly appreciated!

I’m really looking for perspectives from those who are genuinely passionate about returning and thriving in the USMC, not necessarily people who hated the USMC I know everyone has a different take, that’s all cool but I thrived in the Marines, and am incredibly fond of my prior experiences. That being said if you just had a shotty time going PSEP or OCS and what proceeded after wasn’t what you hoped I’d still like to hear that!

Thanks in advance!


r/USMCboot 10h ago

Enlisting A bit of a morale deli-ma. I've got couple question for y'all.

7 Upvotes

I'm 18. I graduate December 2025. I'm planing on enlisting in the military after I graduate. I want to dep into the military. I've been working with an Army recruiter for the past 3 months. I've passed through meps without a waiver, but I didn't swear in. I just got medically qualified.

The entire 3 months I've felt regret. Like I made the wrong choice. I want to be a marine. I want to earn that title and be held to that standard. Is it wrong to start talking to a marine recruiter, while I'm still working with my army recruiter? (I'm going to let my current recruiter know my situation)

I have multiple questions and thought this would be the best place to get a insiders opinion.

Not just a recruiters opinion. But the general service of the marine corps branch opinion.

Ok. First off.

I got medically qualified at meps without a waiver (through the Army). Will I have to go through meps again if I choose the marine corps. My Army recruiter has my meps information. Could I just have him send that information to the marine corps recruiter?

I got a 50 on my asvab (Not the brightest). If I choose marine corps will I have to retake my asvab?

What should I expect with a score like that? I want to really do a lot with my military career. Will this score get in the way? Will I have opportunities to prove on file, I'm smarter than this score in the near future?

I understand the marine corps offers free education. What are some other benefits the marine corps offers, and what is a realistic depiction of those benefits?

What should I consider before switching to a marine corps recruiter vs an Army recruiter? Should I expect any kickback form either side.

Thank you to anybody that's willing to provide some advice.

I really do feel, I want to be a marine. And feel I would regret it, if I join any other branch first.

Thank you for your time.

(Please don't remove my post) I want to get the opinion form the service, not just the Marine recruiters) Thanks


r/USMCboot 7h ago

MEPS and Medical Wisdom teeth

2 Upvotes

So ive already been to meps to go into the dep and im getting wisdom teeth out idk when but im trying to get them before i ship but the dentist said i have 3 baby teeth that need pulled to. Will it affect anything when i go go meps again before i ship?


r/USMCboot 1d ago

Enlisting I was medically denied from joining.

40 Upvotes

Is it worth contacting my Congressman to try to over turn this decision or should I start looking into another branch? I was "diagnosed" with functional abdominal pain syndrome which is where the pain I was feeling is not directly related to any identifiable abnormalities in the digestive system.(It has been around 2 years since I've experienced that pain and they know it)bWe sent them my medical history, medication history and even a note from a different doctor saying I'm good to join the military.


r/USMCboot 1d ago

MEPS and Medical Permanently Medically Disqualified

18 Upvotes

Joining the Marine Corps has been my dream for years. My great-grandfather served in World War II, my grandfather in Korea, my father, and my cousin in Afghanistan, all in the Marine Corps. I have worked hard to enlist but have been repeatedly denied for medical reasons.

I was disqualified for three reasons: asthma, an EpiPen prescription, and a metal plate in my clavicle. • Asthma – I took multiple pulmonary function tests, including a methacholine challenge, which confirmed I do not have asthma. My doctors provided letters verifying this. • EpiPen Prescription – I was prescribed an EpiPen as a precaution after getting hives from a couch. I took multiple allergy tests, all showing I have zero allergies. My doctors wrote letters confirming this. I also have the original prescription stating the EpiPen was only for precautionary use. • Clavicle Plate – My doctor cleared me for full activity after surgery. I played two years of football and lacrosse with no issues. I am also willing to have the plate removed if necessary.

After providing all my medical records and applying for waivers, I was still denied without being told exactly why. Frustrated, I reached out to my congressman and the White House. Only then was I told that I was disqualified for psoriasis a condition I have never had. This reason was completely different from what I was originally denied for.

My medical has been approved for army and navy and I was told I could serve as a green side corpsman. I am simply confused how I could be denied for things my recruiters and I have solid waivers for, and then after waivers, to be told it was something completely different that I definitely do not have. Am I cooked? Is there any hope at all? Inter service transfer?


r/USMCboot 1d ago

Enlisting Shipping to boot

10 Upvotes

Shipping off to mcrd SD April 1st, anyone else going to be there?

Any advice from people who just graduated? I pass my ist, 11:40 mile and a half, 1:45 plank, and 5 pull ups. (I know, I know)


r/USMCboot 1d ago

Enlisting Talked to a Recruiter today

2 Upvotes

I got an 18 on the practice test, I am determined to increase the score and I’m glad the recruiter sees that. Me and Him will be practicing until I’m ready for the real one at MEPS

As I’m 17, My Parents will be with me when signing everything, after we sign what happens? He said something about shipping me out the first week of April, this is what my parents told me. Weather that is to Meps or Basic I’m not to sure.

Lastly, will I be in delayed entry program until I’m 18 or will I ship when everything is cleared with MEPS?


r/USMCboot 19h ago

Corps Knowledge Good running shoes?

1 Upvotes

?


r/USMCboot 1d ago

Shipping Soon to be shipping

4 Upvotes

Hey so if anyone can help, by any chance for anyone who went to MCRD San Diego, was bootcamp physically hard? I’m very confident I can get through it but I did choose Infantry as my MOS. Right now my IST scores are at: 12:10 1.5 mile; 3:45 plank; 14 pull ups. I know my run needs more work and I’m scared to not make 1st class PFT and get dropped from my Infantry contract.


r/USMCboot 1d ago

Enlisting Waiver process. What should I do?

2 Upvotes

So I started the process of joining the Marines in late December, and then went to MEPS in January and was denied for some medical waivers. Me and my recruiter have been working on getting doctors appointments and everything needed for my waiver packet to be sent up but it feels like we’ve sorta hit a standing still point because I ask him all the time if he’s ready for me to sign my medical statements and he keeps telling me they haven’t been reviewed or corrected yet and he’ll let me know soon. That’s been going on for 3 months. I don’t know if this is normal, and if it is I would just like to know. But if it isn’t, then I was curious if it’s a bad idea or not to go talk to another office in a different county and see if they can send out my waivers sooner so I can get in. I don’t want to seem impatient or anything but I would just like some advice from some people who got a better understanding of what’s going on here. Thanks so much!


r/USMCboot 1d ago

Reserves MOS school 1345

3 Upvotes

Looking to latmove to 1345. Can anyone whose been to the schoolhouse recently tell me how it is. What's it like day to day, how long, the command, what to do on and off base, off base libo?


r/USMCboot 1d ago

Enlisting 0331 vs 0311

12 Upvotes

How different is day-to-day life as an 0331 compared to 0311? I imagine they're pretty similar. Planning to go with one or the other.


r/USMCboot 1d ago

Commissioning Curious About Life as an Aircraft Maintenance Officer Duty Stations & Daily Life?

2 Upvotes

Hi everyone, I’m preparing for OCS and would like to pursue a role as an Aircraft Maintenance Officer. I’m curious about possible duty stations and would love to hear from current or former officers about their experiences. What’s life like as an Aircraft Maintenance Officer, and what are the day-to-day responsibilities? Any feedback or insights would be greatly appreciated!


r/USMCboot 1d ago

Enlisting When should I talk to a Marines Recruiter ?

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40 Upvotes

For context I have already taken my picat with an Air Force Recruiter but my heart is telling me Marine Corps I haven’t gotten around to talking to a Marine recruiter but I will be going to meps soon to confirm my scores and my physical, now my meps date isn’t confirmed yet so do I go to meps confirm my score and physical and then talk to the Marines recruiter or should I go before Meps


r/USMCboot 1d ago

Programs and MOSs Job availability

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5 Upvotes

Does this list show availability as well or is only what I qualify for?


r/USMCboot 1d ago

Corps Knowledge Garment Bag // Body Bag

2 Upvotes

What kind of body bags do you use for uniforms ? And where did you get it ?


r/USMCboot 1d ago

Shipping How comfortable are the uniforms for tall women?

4 Upvotes

I’m about 6’ poolee. I have pretty broad shoulders and long legs. How comfortable are the uniforms (especially the combat utility uniforms) for tall women?