What Are the Requirements to Be a Marine Corps Reservist?
The Reserve of the United States Marine Corps, or Marine Corps Reserve, was founded in 1916. As the name suggests, it is a reserve force of the U.S. Marines. It is entrusted with the task of providing security to the nation in times of emergency, war and other contingencies.
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Who Makes up the Marine Corps Reserves
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The Marine Corps Reserves consists entirely of ordinary civilians. The Marine Corps Reserve staff are often pursuing active careers elsewhere, when they are not performing reserve duties. The Marine Corps Reserves consists of people from all the states who work in many professions ranging from catering to teaching. As of 2009, the Marine Corps Reserves consists of more than 40,000 people who answer to the call of duty. From the World Wars up to the Gulf War, the Marine Corps Reserves have pitched in their mite for national security. Women can enroll in any of the Marine Corps Reserve occupations, except those that require combat arms specializations, such as artillery, tank, infantry and amphibian tractor crew.
Requirements
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To get recruited into the Marine Corps Reserve, several minimum requirements must be met. First, you must be a U.S. citizen or a resident alien. You also must be between 17 and 28 years old. Parental consent is needed for those who are 17 years old; those aged 18 years and above do not need parental consent. You must meet demanding physical endurance requirements and pass the medical examination done by the Military Entrance Processing Station. Finally, you must have a high school diploma and pass the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) Test.
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ASVAB Test
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The ASVAB Test is a critical component for getting recruited into the Marine Corps Reserve. A score of at least 32 is needed to get in. The ASVAB test is an aptitude test that determines a candidate's suitability for taking up a career in the Marine Corps Reserve. It consists of arithmetic, reasoning, math knowledge and verbal knowledge. The test is administered in three formats, depending on the grade the recruit wants to get into.
Grades
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The Marine Corps Reserves is composed of Ready Reserve; Standby Reserve and the Retired Reserve. These are different in the following ways: while the Ready Reserve is immediately available on call, the Standby Reserve consists of those recruits who are designated key civilian responsibilities or those with physical disability. Finally, the Retired Reserve consists of those between 20 and 30 years of service and are on retainer pay. They are called up to make logistical decisions when needed.
Basic Training Requirements
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All perspective applicants to the Marine Corps Reserve must make it through an intense training program designed to demonstrate their physical stamina, mental strength, courage and ability to meet the requirements and guidelines necessary to be a marine. The training is 12 weeks long and takes place in either San Diego, California, or Parris Island, South Carolina. The process emphasizes the three core values of the marines: courage, commitment and honor. Successful completion of this training program is a prerequisite to becoming a marine corps reservist.
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