How to Get Out of the Marine Corps

Joining any branch of the military is a difficult decision and one not to be taken lightly. However, some service members join the military only to find that they made the decision too quickly or without enough information. These service members are looking for an easy way out. Unfortunately, there is no easy way out of the military, but there are ways to get out or change your situation. This article will explain how to get out of a military service commitment to the Marine Corps.

Instructions

1. Finish your service commitment. This is the most obvious step--finish your military service commitment to the Marine Corps. This is also has the fewest negative consequences down the road.

2. Request a transfer. Many times, dissatisfaction with a military career is not because the member hates the military but because the member is unhappy with a supervisor, a job or a duty location. This can be remedied by requesting a transfer to another base. Speak with your commander to find out your options.

3. Explore your options with the Marine Corps Reserve. If you are currently serving on active duty with the Marine Corps, it may be possible to end your active-duty service commitment early by transferring to the Marine Corps Reserve. You can find out if this is an option by talking to your nearest Marine Corps Reserve recruiter. You can then serve on a part-time basis with the Marine Corps, with a commitment of one weekend per month and two weeks in the summer, or you can serve as an active Marine Reservist, working full-time at a Marine Corps Reserve Center. This is a great alternative to active duty service in the Marines.

4. Explore your options with the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program. This program allows enlisted Marines, both regular and active Reserve, to pursue a bachelor's degree at the expense of the Marine Corps and then become commissioned officers once the degree has been completed. If you are accepted into the program, you are taken from your current duty location and sent to college while still receiving pay and allowances from the Marine Corps.

5. Resign your commission. If you are a commissioned officer, you may have the option to resign your commission and leave the Marine Corps. Speak with your Commanding Officer to determine what your options are.

Tips & Warnings

• Do things the right way. Don't try to just leave (absent without leave, or AWOL, is a crime and punishable by jail time, dishonorable discharge and forfeiture of pay, allowances and military rank) or commit a fraudulent act to get out of the Marine Corps. Lying about sexual orientation or mental status will only result in jail time and a criminal record if you are caught, not to mention the added stress. There are options to fix your situation--make sure you don't ruin the rest of your life to fix a temporary situation.