RESERVE 101
Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James F. Amos and Lt. Gen. Steven A. Hummer, the commander of Marine Forces Reserve, speak after Hummer’s assumption of command ceremony August 6, 2011. “As a Total Force, we believe servicing the Reserve provides an incredible environment to develop personally and professionally for those Marines who continue to serve with the Marine Corps but still look to the private sector for their future,” said Hummer. (Photo by Cpl. Jad Sleiman).
Transitioning from the Active Component to the Reserve Component Story by Lance Cpl. Marcin Platek and Lance Cpl. Jessica DeRose
“Many Marines find that after leaving active service they miss the camaraderie of their fellow Marines and the challenges of being a Marine. The Reserve is a great way to stay Marine while pursuing a civilian career or educational goals.” - Maj. Andrew Dausman
“Education and mentoring by commanders, senior enlisted and career planners will preclude the Individual Ready Reserve from being the default choics,” said Maj. Andrew Dausman, a Reserve Active Status List appointments officer, Reserve Continuation and Transition Branch, Reserve Affairs Division.
NEW ORLEANS – There has been a gap in educating and mentoring the transitioning Marines on Reserve opportunities, said Ferguson. As a result, most Marines who leave active duty shift to the Individual Ready Reserve and overlook the Selected Reserve even when they have years remaining on their military obligation.
“Frequently, Marines are not educated on the Reserve portion of their eight-year contract”, he said. “There are some misconceptions about the obligations of a Marine in the Individual Ready Reserve. We encourage Marines to keep their options open by investigating opportunities to serve in the Selected Reserve.”
www.marines.mil/unit/marforres Continental Marines www.marines.mil/unit/marforres