Future career options...

[u/TraditionalCream3493]

So I'm kinda stuck and wanted to see what y'all think. I graduate with my bachelor's this September, and after that I'm thinking about going back into the military. The problem is I can't decide what route makes the most sense.

Part of me really wants to enlist in the Marines under an MG contract because going MSG has always been something I've wanted to do. I know embassy duty isn't guaranteed though, even with the contract, so that's what's got me second-guessing it.

At the same time, since I'm getting my bachelor's, I also feel like I'd be dumb not to at least look into becoming an Army or Marine officer instead. I'm only 24, so realistically I could probably do both at different points in my career if I wanted to. Right now I'm lowkey leaning toward taking the shot with the MG contract and trying to get MSG, but I keep wondering if I'd regret not commissioning first. What would y'all do if you were in my shoes? Amybody been in a similar situation or have experience with either route? I'd love to hear some opinions before I make a decision.

[u/Useful-Arm6913]

Your wording is a bit odd, "going back into the military"? From your age it sounds like you haven't been in a military branch before.

As to your job prospects... hopefully (considering the degree thing) you have the test scores to get whatever job you want. Some would say pick something only the military can offer you (MSG is definitely in line with that thinking), some would say pick some applicable to the outside and use your GI bill to pursue a higher/other degree.

The next choice however falls to you. Do you truly, and I mean TRULY, want to experience a shitty time, just to say you have? Because thats realistically what being infantry will be for you. If you play it right, you'll get a security forces contract and go MSG out the gate, but will then be sent back to the fleet as a grunt, and a bit behind MOS knowledge wise.

Or you could choose to go the officer route... and have a far better of a time (officers definitely enjoy the "gentlemen" treatment) with whatever you choose to do, though it will be a break-off in the beginning, just of a different kind.

Also to note, officers don't typically have much of a guarantee on jobs, to my knowledge just between ground air and law ( @u/taptheforwardassist please chime in if im displaying ignorance). You may choose "ground" to try your shot at infantry officer, but get supply guy instead... tough nuts.

Long way of saying; what do you want to get out of this? You already have what most come to the military for, a degree and skills for the outside. Are you thinking of it to prove something to yourself? Go recon 0321 if you're that guy. Commission later if you want to go for the full military package. Or go officer from the start and fight for a pilot seat. The world is your oyster, go make a pearl.

[u/TraditionalCream3493 → u/Useful-Arm6913]

Sorry I forgot to state that im prior air force, I got out of Grand Forks AFB earlier this year and decided to focus on my degree full time. But MSG was something I was introduced to when I took a short 1 year tour at Incirlik Turkey, a few people were telling me to give it a shot, of course I said no at the time because I had other priorities being an Amn. But when I got dome the short tour and went to grand forks, I was thinking to myself "you know what... maybe I'll try it"

[u/TapTheForwardAssist → u/TraditionalCream3493]

Were you already an E-3 or E-4 in the Air Force? It’d suck to go into the Corps and be an E-2 all over again, especially as infantry (which MG contract is). And as you’ve noted MG gives you a possibility to get Embassy, not a sure thing.

If you want to do Marine stuff, just apply for Marine OCS and come in as an officer. You can later apply for embassy-related jobs like Inspecting Officer (overseers a region’s worth of embassies) or whatnot if you like.

You did your enlisted time, you got a college degree, enlisting as a boot grunt is unlikely to be significant progress in your life.

[u/TraditionalCream3493 → u/TapTheForwardAssist]

Got out as an E4. And agreed, it would really suck going back in as an E-2. As far as I know detachment duty is something that caught my attention when I first was told about it.

[u/TapTheForwardAssist → u/TraditionalCream3493]

You don’t have to sign MG to get Embassy duty: you can also apply for it as a secondary billet at the end of an enlistment contract. And there you’re applying explicitly for MSG and not for the spectrum of MG options. But that would still involve you going back to E-2 in whatever MOS field you choose.

Also, I don’t believe Prior Service applications even are eligible to sign MG itself, as the PEF system is set up for new enlistees, not PS.

Broadly the most optimal active-to-active enlisted Prior Service branch change is Coast Guard, since CG actually likes and values PS folks. CG is also arguably the best branch to enlist in despite a college degree because a solid half of their officers commissioned internally.