The Reserve of the United States Marine Corps, since its establishment by law in 1916, has been responsible for providing trained units and qualified individuals to be mobilized for active duty in time of war, national emergency or contingency operations.
Over the past eight decades, Reserve Marines have regularly operated alongside the active component in the two World Wars, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Shield/Storm and Enduring Freedom.
Guidelines
If you are interested in enlisting in the Marine Corps Reserve, you must:
* Be a U.S. citizen or a resident alien.
* Meet exacting physical, mental, and moral standards.
* Be between the ages of 17-29. Seventeen-year olds need parental consent. Prior service age limits differ.
* Have a high school diploma.
* Take and pass the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test. For tips on doing well on the ASVAB, see the Ace the ASVAB section.
* Pass a Military Entrance Processing Station medical exam.
* Women are eligible to enlist in all occupational fields, with the exception of combat arms specialties: infantry, artillery, and tank and amphibian tractor crew members.
Education Benefits and Skills Training
Montgomery G.I. Bill – The Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserve program may be available to you if you are a member of the Selected Reserve. The Selected Reserve includes the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve and Coast Guard Reserve, and the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard.
Tuition Assistance – The Marine Corps Reserve offers you tuition assistance. You can be reimbursed up to 75% of tuition costs for up to 15 credit hours per fiscal year.
The Armed Forces Tuition Assistance (TA) Program is a benefit paid to eligible members of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard. Congress has authorized each service to pay up to 100 percent of the tuition expenses of its members.
Credits for Experience – Members of the Reserve can also take advantage of free College Level Examination Program tests (CLEP). For every test you pass on a particular subject, you earn three transferable college credits.
DANTES – You can also pursue college and university independent study courses through the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Educational Support (DANTES) as a member of the Reserve. The program is comprised of over 1200 colleges and universities nationwide which help sevicemembers transfer credits from school to school and get college credits for military training and experience.
As a Marine Reservist, you earn your regular pay and qualify for G.I. Bill educational benefits while attending college. As a college student and a Marine Reservist, you attend one weekend drill per month. Depending on your Military Occupational Specialty (MOS), you will attend one or two summer training sessions to complete your MOS training, then continue your summer training with two week drills. This program is ideal for college students.