Re-enlistment getting tougher for Marines

[unhappycamper]

Good Marines getting shut out
Fewer slots as Corps nears a post-202K world


Re-enlistment getting tougher for Marines
By Dan Lamothe - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Feb 16, 2009 13:59:21 EST

In late December, a former NCO decided to rejoin the Corps.

He told his recruiter he wanted to return to duty as a rifleman, checked in at a military entrance processing station and waited for his shipping date.

A month later, his recruiter told him he was out of luck. His previous 0311 military occupational specialty was full-up, and if he wanted to rejoin the infantry, it’d have to be as an anti-tank missileman, which had about 36 slots left at the time, he said.

“It is still my intention to join back up,” said the former Marine, who served with 7th Marine Regiment in Iraq in 2005 and left the Corps in 2007. “I am not going to stop without somewhat of a fight. … I am trying to just find out why the Corps would do this to (their) own, but like (always), there are higher forces (than) myself at work.”

If his story sounds surprising, it’s time to adjust fire.


Rest of article at: http://marinecorpstimes.com/news/2009/02/marine_reenlistment_021609w/%2e