More about recruiting, Marine Corps specific

Chuckman

Chuckman

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Their take on sign-on bonuses is interesting, but I do see a lot of merit in retention through creative means like staying at one base for several years. etc.

www.marinecorpstimes.com

Being a Marine is enough of a bonus, No. 2 Marine Corps general says

"Your bonus is that you get to call yourself a Marine."
www.marinecorpstimes.com www.marinecorpstimes.com

Edited to add, here are some army fixes:

www.stripes.com

Promotions, new ribbon, choice of station among Army’s incentives to boost recruiting

Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Grinston warned the service can’t afford to repeat the lackluster performance of last year — when the Army missed its active-duty enlistment goal of 60,000 by 15,000 recruits.
www.stripes.com www.stripes.com

The promotion to an extra grade for recruiting a buddy, I thought they had done that before.
 
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"Pentagon data has shown fewer than 25% of all young Americans between the ages of 17 and 24 qualify for military service academically and physically."

WTF???
 
Dan0311 said:
"Pentagon data has shown fewer than 25% of all young Americans between the ages of 17 and 24 qualify for military service academically and physically."

WTF???
Click to expand...
Must not be a very concerning stat, as its more important to teach wokeism, crt, and sexualization rather than stem and physical fitness.
 
Dan0311 said:
"Pentagon data has shown fewer than 25% of all young Americans between the ages of 17 and 24 qualify for military service academically and physically."

WTF???
Click to expand...
I think this is just another way to say that 75% of Americans between the ages of 17 and 24 partake of the devil’s weed from time to time.
 
JimB said:
I think this is just another way to say that 75% of Americans between the ages of 17 and 24 partake of the devil’s weed from time to time.
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Yeah, but having had previously smoked pot doesn't preclude you from joining the Corps.
 
Dan0311 said:
Yeah, but having had previously smoked pot doesn't preclude you from joining the Corps.
Click to expand...
It doesn’t? I thought a positive test would fail an applicant. Learn something new every day.
 
JimB said:
It doesn’t? I thought a positive test would fail an applicant. Learn something new every day.
Click to expand...

I do not know if while joining and waiting to go to boot camp a recruiter gives a urinalysis, but it wasn't that way when I went in. A friend also joined at the same time, smoked pot from time to time, told them, got a waiver, no issues.
 
xtp308 said:
I thought they’d bump you from PVT to PFC if you recruited a buddy already.
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Education or special achievement (eagle scout), are the only way i know you're getting guaranteed rank like that.

Only thing i got was free time off during recruiters assistance, which was really nice. 👌
 
Diablos said:
Education or special achievement (eagle scout), are the only way i know you're getting guaranteed rank like that.

Only thing i got was free time off during recruiters assistance, which was really nice. 👌
Click to expand...

Eagle scout, there were equivalent ranks in the sea scouts and Civil Air patrol that would get you E3,. I don't want to say it was at least one year of college? I don't remember that. If you recruited a buddy you would pick up E3.

The Navy reserve had a couple of special programs that would bring you in at E4 or E5.
 
Chuckman said:
Eagle scout, there were equivalent ranks in the sea scouts and Civil Air patrol that would get you E3,. I don't want to say it was at least one year of college? I don't remember that. If you recruited a buddy you would pick up E3.

The Navy reserve had a couple of special programs that would bring you in at E4 or E5.
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I had most of my associates an got e3 in the AF
 
Since I'm enrolled in college I get these quite regularly from all the branches....

Hey Joshua my name is......with Marine Officer Programs in Charlotte. We are looking for leaders at WCU to participate in summer training. This comes with tuition assistance, leadership experience, summer employment, and a job offer in the United States Marine Corps upon graduation if you choose to accept. Does any of this interest you?

I used message them back with something like "I'm going to be 41 this year, I'm fat and out of shape"...


I kid you not some of them have simply messaged back and are like... "so you'll need some waivers..." 😂
 
Back in the Old Corps (1965) there were none of these incentives for joining. Remember the USMC Recruiting poster of the DI screaming at a recruit "We Never Promised You a Rose Garden"? The only thing my recruiter promised me was a free bus ticket from Raleigh to Parris Island and 13 weeks of getting my ass kicked. If I survived that I'd get a free trip to some exotic land, meet new people and kill them. I convinced my mom and dad to sign for me anyway (was only 17). I did make PFC out of boot since I was the Right Guide for the whole time. The Honor Man got a free set of Dress Blues. Now they give everyone dress blues before graduation.

edit to add usmc poster
www.bing.com

USMC Rose Garden Poster - Bing

Intelligent search from Bing makes it easier to quickly find what you’re looking for and rewards you.
www.bing.com www.bing.com
 
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NCMedic said:
Since I'm enrolled in college I get these quite regularly from all the branches....

Hey Joshua my name is......with Marine Officer Programs in Charlotte. We are looking for leaders at WCU to participate in summer training. This comes with tuition assistance, leadership experience, summer employment, and a job offer in the United States Marine Corps upon graduation if you choose to accept. Does any of this interest you?

I used message them back with something like "I'm going to be 41 this year, I'm fat and out of shape"...


I kid you not some of them have simply messaged back and are like... "so you'll need some waivers..." 😂
Click to expand...

I usually reply with, "Sir, I don't want to be in the Marines, but I'd like the Marines to be in me 😉."
 
If the military was better at retention they wouldn’t need big numbers for new enlisted. Pay the enlisted a real living wage and a fat bonus for another contract.
 
I see bonuses as a band-aid over the real issues that affect military recruitment and retention. We should improve living standards so that service members aren't tempted to marry strippers to move out of mold-infested barracks, for one. If the military wants to take a mandatory cut from people's paychecks for food, it shouldn't be a 50/50 chance for food poisoning if you decide to eat there. Toxicity, hazing and bullying shouldn't be tolerated. There shouldn't be a culture of hiding physical and mental injuries to the point where someone who stayed quiet eventually ends up crippled or suicidal. Leadership should be based on merit and skill, not PT score, time in service or whoever can huff the farts of their superiors the most. People who get out shouldn't be neglected even though they accepted the risks and took the oath to protect and serve the nation.

I am trying to say that the military wants people to join without actually being willing to treat them like people. Of course none of these are easy fixes and I'd argue that we've come a long way, but throwing money at an issue until it goes away rarely works.
 
SSgt75 said:
Back in the Old Corps (1965) there were none of these incentives for joining. Remember the USMC Recruiting poster of the DI screaming at a recruit "We Never Promised You a Rose Garden"? The only thing my recruiter promised me was a free bus ticket from Raleigh to Parris Island and 13 weeks of getting my ass kicked. If I survived that I'd get a free trip to some exotic land, meet new people and kill them. I convinced my mom and dad to sign for me anyway (was only 17). I did make PFC out of boot since I was the Right Guide for the whole time. The Honor Man got a free set of Dress Blues. Now they give everyone dress blues before graduation.

edit to add usmc poster
www.bing.com

USMC Rose Garden Poster - Bing

Intelligent search from Bing makes it easier to quickly find what you’re looking for and rewards you.
www.bing.com www.bing.com
Click to expand...

1965? I think that was right after my dad finished his tour of recruiting in Raleigh. That would have been a hoot, if he had recruited you. In 1965 there were a bunch of reasons the Marines did not need incentives: the draft was filling up all the other branches, and not a small percentage of men were given the option of Marines or prison.

BlackGun said:
If the military was better at retention they wouldn’t need big numbers for new enlisted. Pay the enlisted a real living wage and a fat bonus for another contract.
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Yep, definitely. That's why the Corps is targeting mid-level retention over new enlistee signing bonuses now. They met quota last year, we'll see if they can stay there.

halorocks22 said:
I see bonuses as a band-aid over the real issues that affect military recruitment and retention. We should improve living standards so that service members aren't tempted to marry strippers to move out of mold-infested barracks, for one. If the military wants to take a mandatory cut from people's paychecks for food, it shouldn't be a 50/50 chance for food poisoning if you decide to eat there. Toxicity, hazing and bullying shouldn't be tolerated. There shouldn't be a culture of hiding physical and mental injuries to the point where someone who stayed quiet eventually ends up crippled or suicidal. Leadership should be based on merit and skill, not PT score, time in service or whoever can huff the farts of their superiors the most. People who get out shouldn't be neglected even though they accepted the risks and took the oath to protect and serve the nation.

I am trying to say that the military wants people to join without actually being willing to treat them like people. Of course none of these are easy fixes and I'd argue that we've come a long way, but throwing money at an issue until it goes away rarely works.
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I agree with all of this. I do see that some MOSs need bonuses because why would I want to do job 'A' for this in the Corps (or army or wherever) when I can make double as a civilian for a lot less trouble? And some MOSs are perpetually undermanned for a variety of reasons (high attrition, disinterest, etc,). But simply throwing money at it is not the end-all-be-all solution for sure.
 
Chuckman said:
1965? I think that was right after my dad finished his tour of recruiting in Raleigh. That would have been a hoot, if he had recruited you. In 1965 there were a bunch of reasons the Marines did not need incentives: the draft was filling up all the other branches, and not a small percentage of men were given the option of Marines or prison.



Yep, definitely. That's why the Corps is targeting mid-level retention over new enlistee signing bonuses now. They met quota last year, we'll see if they can stay there.



I agree with all of this. I do see that some MOSs need bonuses because why would I want to do job 'A' for this in the Corps (or army or wherever) when I can make double as a civilian for a lot less trouble? And some MOSs are perpetually undermanned for a variety of reasons (high attrition, disinterest, etc,). But simply throwing money at it is not the end-all-be-all solution for sure.
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About the Mos reenlistment bonus, in 2.5 years, I saw zero 17C's reenlist. I think they were offering 6year contracts at $45k one of my sgts said, and you'd just so happen to be in the fast track to go up a grade.

Only person I saw reup was two(Sgt and Sgt 1st class) 17Cs transition to 170A's.

Just no real incentive worth it
 
The opportunity to stay at the same base is a big plus. My son has moved 4 times in 4 years and two months. That’s just crazy with a family. I get that he is an officer and BOLC and Captain school were 2 moves but you would think they would have allowed his family to stay put until 5 months of school. The cost for all those moves was stupid expensive for him and the Army. The stress of those moves and the kids not being able to follow an educational structure is weighing on them.

I also have seen how the military is never available to much needed answer questions and even slower to resolve pay issues as well as reimbursement. Even in theNational Guard my friend has not been paid for his deployment in Kuwait since 2019. They give him nothing but excuses. Even I waited 13 months for a payment on an A/C repair. I finally called the central office and stated if I didn’t get a check in 1 week I would let the news station help me. Check was overnighted after two days.
 
Diablos said:
Must not be a very concerning stat, as its more important to teach wokeism, crt, and sexualization rather than stem and physical fitness.
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I went and looked it up, and I bet I couldn't have passed at 21. I was a skinny computer geek that played racquetball all the time, mountain biked and did 50 mile street rides. High endurance and speed but no way I'm doing deadlifts and throwing a medicine ball around.

Ironically today at 50 I'm pretty sure I could pass the 17-21 year old standard, if not it wouldn't take much to train up. Mostly about that ball toss, I tried doing one fo those 'casandra drills' where you toss the kettle bell and then shoot from that position, toss again, shoot, etc. I sucked, my back isn't happy with that motion.
 
BlackGun said:
The opportunity to stay at the same base is a big plus. My son has moved 4 times in 4 years and two months. That’s just crazy with a family. I get that he is an officer and BOLC and Captain school were 2 moves but you would think they would have allowed his family to stay put until 5 months of school. The cost for all those moves was stupid expensive for him and the Army. The stress of those moves and the kids not being able to follow an educational structure is weighing on them.

I also have seen how the military is never available to much needed answer questions and even slower to resolve pay issues as well as reimbursement. Even in theNational Guard my friend has not been paid for his deployment in Kuwait since 2019. They give him nothing but excuses. Even I waited 13 months for a payment on an A/C repair. I finally called the central office and stated if I didn’t get a check in 1 week I would let the news station help me. Check was overnighted after two days.
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047F5F96-AE97-4509-9068-28432700EE22.png
 
Jayne said:
I went and looked it up, and I bet I couldn't have passed at 21. I was a skinny computer geek that played racquetball all the time, mountain biked and did 50 mile street rides. High endurance and speed but no way I'm doing deadlifts and throwing a medicine ball around.

Ironically today at 50 I'm pretty sure I could pass the 17-21 year old standard, if not it wouldn't take much to train up. Mostly about that ball toss, I tried doing one fo those 'casandra drills' where you toss the kettle bell and then shoot from that position, toss again, shoot, etc. I sucked, my back isn't happy with that motion.
Click to expand...

full-metal-jacket-drill-instructor.gif
 
BlackGun said:
The opportunity to stay at the same base is a big plus. My son has moved 4 times in 4 years and two months. That’s just crazy with a family. I get that he is an officer and BOLC and Captain school were 2 moves but you would think they would have allowed his family to stay put until 5 months of school. The cost for all those moves was stupid expensive for him and the Army. The stress of those moves and the kids not being able to follow an educational structure is weighing on them.

I also have seen how the military is never available to much needed answer questions and even slower to resolve pay issues as well as reimbursement. Even in theNational Guard my friend has not been paid for his deployment in Kuwait since 2019. They give him nothing but excuses. Even I waited 13 months for a payment on an A/C repair. I finally called the central office and stated if I didn’t get a check in 1 week I would let the news station help me. Check was overnighted after two days.
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My dad was a career Marine, we never lived anywhere but Camp Lejeune and eastern NC. He was gone a lot given his MOS and did multiple deployments and floats, but my family stayed in eastern NC. When he retired he was E9 select, but would have moved us to the west coast and sent him to Okinawa, so my mom put a 'nope' on that.

halorocks22 said:
View attachment 586598
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One of the best pieces of advice I ever got was to save every document and scrap of paper when I joined. I had moved from one unit to another and got a letter saying they were going to garnish my wages for >$1,000 because I never turned in my deuce gear (782 gear, ahhh, LBE/ruck, etc.). I sweated looking through a 6" stack of paperwork but found the receipt which got them off my back, but they were very insistent, at first, that I owed and was going to pay.

A buddy of mine was injured and medically discharged; 'they' had him as AWOL and withheld all of his pay until all of that got resolved, several months later.

The military/government will straight up screw you if they can.
 
Chuckman said:
My dad was a career Marine, we never lived anywhere but Camp Lejeune and eastern NC. He was gone a lot given his MOS and did multiple deployments and floats, but my family stayed in eastern NC. When he retired he was E9 select, but would have moved us to the west coast and sent him to Okinawa, so my mom put a 'nope' on that.



One of the best pieces of advice I ever got was to save every document and scrap of paper when I joined. I had moved from one unit to another and got a letter saying they were going to garnish my wages for >$1,000 because I never turned in my deuce gear (782 gear, ahhh, LBE/ruck, etc.). I sweated looking through a 6" stack of paperwork but found the receipt which got them off my back, but they were very insistent, at first, that I owed and was going to pay.

A buddy of mine was injured and medically discharged; 'they' had him as AWOL and withheld all of his pay until all of that got resolved, several months later.

The military/government will straight up screw you if they can.
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Still have most of that stack, made it very easy for my vso
 
Diablos said:
Still have most of that stack, made it very easy for my vso
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I have most of my paperwork, too. I also have a crap-load of my dad's, trying to figure out what to keep because it's cool historical documentation vs what just needs to be shredded.

One thing I did get rid of and wish I had not was duty rosters and alpha rosters. I am having conversations with old buddies and we're trying to recall certain people and names and just can't with the passage of time.
 
Chuckman said:
I have most of my paperwork, too. I also have a crap-load of my dad's, trying to figure out what to keep because it's cool historical documentation vs what just needs to be shredded.

One thing I did get rid of and wish I had not was duty rosters and alpha rosters. I am having conversations with old buddies and we're trying to recall certain people and names and just can't with the passage of time.
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Those duty/alpha rosters can be important proof in va claims (think camp lejeune)
 
Diablos said:
Those duty/alpha rosters can be important proof in va claims (think camp lejeune)
Click to expand...

I lived there as a kid (and have proof), but not stationed there during the 'water thing' (was there after). I DO have all of my orders proving I was where I was and when I was there. But, boy, I'd love to have those rosters.
 
Chuckman said:
I lived there as a kid (and have proof), but not stationed there during the 'water thing' (was there after). I DO have all of my orders proving I was where I was and when I was there. But, boy, I'd love to have those rosters.
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CL water exposure covers family members that were there too

Camp Lejeune Family Member Program

www.clfamilymembers.fsc.va.gov
 
Diablos said:
Education or special achievement (eagle scout), are the only way i know you're getting guaranteed rank like that.

Only thing i got was free time off during recruiters assistance, which was really nice. 👌
Click to expand...

I don't think it is/was that way in the Marine Corps. We had a few prior service (Army and Air Force) recruits in boot camp. All graduated as Privates only, while several of us got a stripe.

SSgt75 said:
Back in the Old Corps (1965) there were none of these incentives for joining. Remember the USMC Recruiting poster of the DI screaming at a recruit "We Never Promised You a Rose Garden"? The only thing my recruiter promised me was a free bus ticket from Raleigh to Parris Island and 13 weeks of getting my ass kicked. If I survived that I'd get a free trip to some exotic land, meet new people and kill them. I convinced my mom and dad to sign for me anyway (was only 17). I did make PFC out of boot since I was the Right Guide for the whole time. The Honor Man got a free set of Dress Blues. Now they give everyone dress blues before graduation.

edit to add usmc poster
www.bing.com

USMC Rose Garden Poster - Bing

Intelligent search from Bing makes it easier to quickly find what you’re looking for and rewards you.
www.bing.com www.bing.com
Click to expand...

I got two of my buddies to join, so after graduation (1986) I was given a chit and sent to a part of Parris Island I had never seen - got me a new set of Dress Blues for free for getting two guys to join.
 
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Dan0311 said:
I got two of my buddies to join, so after graduation (1986) I was given a chit and sent to a part of Parris Island I had never seen - got me a new set of Dress Blues for free for getting two guys to join.
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I read a story of a group of buddies who joined at the same time, like four or five of them. I tried to find it but I can't. I wonder if any of them claimed the others to get a promotion?

I DID come across this story, about triplets who joined.

www.patriotledger.com

Through a mother's eyes: Marshfield triplets, high school seniors join the US Marine Corps

Michelle Wehr, mother of Marshfield triplets Griffin, Matthew and Connor, reflects on her sons' decision to join the Marine Corps.
www.patriotledger.com

I had a coworker who joined with his twin brother; he went into avionics (A-6), his brother into infantry.
 
I joined the crotch in 68 right when the tet offensive started. Did my 4 years with 2 tours in Nam. Career planner offered me 2yrs in Harrisburg, Pa at a AFEE's duty station (whatever that is), thought about it real hard for a minute, and gave him my short answer NOPE.
 
Troutmaster13 said:
I joined the crotch in 68 right when the tet offensive started. Did my 4 years with 2 tours in Nam. Career planner offered me 2yrs in Harrisburg, Pa at a AFEE's duty station (whatever that is), thought about it real hard for a minute, and gave him my short answer NOPE.
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Two tours in four years? Wow. That's either great, or awful, depending on your perspective.
 
Troutmaster13 said:
I joined the crotch in 68 right when the tet offensive started. Did my 4 years with 2 tours in Nam. Career planner offered me 2yrs in Harrisburg, Pa at a AFEE's duty station (whatever that is), thought about it real hard for a minute, and gave him my short answer NOPE.
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AFEES was acronym for the Armed Forces Entrance and Examination Stations. You probably went through one in '68 when you joined for physical/swearing in, etc. They changed the name to Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS) sometime in early '80s.
 
Jim C. said:
AFEES was acronym for the Armed Forces Entrance and Examination Stations. You probably went through one in '68 when you joined for physical/swearing in, etc. They changed the name to Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS) sometime in early '80s.
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See afees as point of entry on many dd14's from that era
 
Chuckman said:
Two tours in four years? Wow. That's either great, or awful, depending on your perspective.
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I went straight from "A" school to Vietnam in late 66. Came back to the States in early 68 and was stationed at Cherry Point, NC. VOLUNTEERED to go back to Vietnam in 1969 after my wife left me and I HATED CPNC. So, back to Nam for a second tour.
 
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