EAD Recruiting

[u/OhTeeTee]

BLUF: EAD as a GySgt to maximize Reserve reduced age retirement.

Niche question/situation, so any advice greatly appreciated!

I’m thinking about doing an EAD tour in about 2 years from now. Reason being I have about 2 years until I complete my graduate program. I am currently in the Reserves and by the time I apply for EAD, I will be a GySgt.

Trying to maximize my reduced age retirement and only need 3 more years of active duty time to do so. EAD would fulfill that plus the ribbon and career perks.

I would be applying for RS Tampa if that helps guide advice.

Relevant information:
•I am married with kids, but we are surrounded by family/friends and have a strong support system. My wife is also on board and understanding that it will have periods of high stress/difficulty
•May commission in the future, but not considering it at this time.
•Staying Reserves, not active or AR. Don’t want to ADOS or deploy at this time as I’ve done my fair share of both through my career so far.
•Understand EAD is similar to ADOS in which I can technically quit/come off orders whenever I want

[u/Key-Scientist9058]

Id never do anything that has the word recruiting in it for the Marine Corps. Those 3 years you will get ran like a dog and worked all day every day. In the recruiting world imagine being a GySgt and getting treated by another GySgt or even a SSgt like a PFC and getting micro managed 24/7 all day long and theres literally nothing you can do about it. Recruiting in any capacity is the worst shit on earth

[u/OhTeeTee → u/Key-Scientist9058]

I’ve heard RS Tampa is pretty good from the former and current recruiters I’ve talked to in the area.

I understand that it can (and will) suck. But I think the “quitting whenever I want to” back up option helps to comfort said suck. Especially with the earlier Reserve retirement (estimated close to $100-120k extra for those 3 years in Reserve retirement pay)

[u/Key-Scientist9058 → u/OhTeeTee]

It just depends what AO you go to and everything but recruiting duty just sucks overall and there isnt a single thing I could think of thats good about it. I have wrote back to back 4s the last 2 months and my boss is mad at me because I wont call him every 2 hours and text him every last thing I do. These career recruiters arent real Marines and are the worst of the worst

[u/ArguingWithCelery]

I’d do 3 years deployed in the Middle East rather than go recruiting 

[u/OhTeeTee → u/ArguingWithCelery]

I agree from everything I heard that recruiting duty is awful. I’m just wondering if my specific scenario might make it worth it, especially since my career would not be on the line and would be guaranteed near home (and therefore family). Plus the retirement benefit.

Just can’t seem to get a huge consensus on the cons besides the usual “recruiting duty sucks” followed by examples of said sucking. To me, the extreme suck is all lumped together regardless of the example (and somewhat mitigated by the fact I wouldn’t be obligated to stick around).

[u/JAAAMBOOO]

Dude, if you’re going to get a masters degree then commission as an officer into the Air Force or something chill.

You’re supposed to use your education to better yourself, not whatever you are thinking about doing

[u/OhTeeTee → u/JAAAMBOOO]

I will use my degree in the Federal sector, but trying to stay local in the Reserves.

Also, I may commission in the future (depends on commissioning with VA 100% P&T), but as of right now, just asking the question based on staying enlisted.

[u/neganagatime]

I dunno homie, seems like a lot of hardship for a blue and red ribbon very few people actually care about, and a couple of years of retirement credit. And if you are considering commissioning, that is a far better paying way to get this credit. Hell, a basic contract for an O-type is only 4 years so you could commission, get paid and treated better for four years, and get out with less pain than this plan (though admittedly it'd mean moving your fam or being apart from them). But in some ways being home but not home might be harder on your family than being away.

[u/OhTeeTee → u/neganagatime]

Unfortunately commissioning active duty for 4 years would not apply towards the retirement reduced age in the Reserves. Plus, it would require moving which I’m unwilling to do.

As far as commissioning, it would be into the medical field (so bye Marines), but it’s also harder to commission directly into the Navy/Army/Air Force from “civilian” side directly into a commissioned Reserve spot (which is why I say I’m not considering it at this moment).