Marine Forces Reserve - Enlistment

Enlistment

Enlistment in the Marine Forces Reserve occurs through a process similar to that for enlistment in the regular active Marine Corps. Recruits must take the ASVAB, pass a comprehensive physical exam, and be sworn in. They may enter through a billet in the Delayed Entry Program (DEP). Reserve Recruits attend recruit training along with active duty recruits, earning the title United States Marine upon successful completion of the training. They then have a mandatory leave of 10 days (up to 24 if they volunteer for and are assigned to recruiter's assistance) before further training at the School of Infantry (SOI) and their designated Military Occupational Specialty (MOS). Only after completing the training program(s) does a Reserve Marine's enlistment begin to differ from that of an active duty Marine.

There is a program called the Select Reserve Incentive Program (SRIP), which provides enlistment bonuses for Reservists enlisting for needed MOSs. Half is payable upon completion of training and the other half is spread out over the term of enlistment.

For those who have earned a college degree, the Reserve Officer Commissioning Program (ROCP) provides a direct commission into the Marine Corps Reserve as company grade officers. Upon selection from a regional Officer Selection Office (OSO), applicants attend Officer Candidate School (OCS). Upon successful completion of OCS, candidates are commissioned Second Lieutenant and subsequently attend The Basic School (TBS). Following graduation of TBS and follow on MOS training, officers report to their reserve unit where they will serve their Reserve drills and Annual Training requirements.