Questions about Force Recon

Jayonhavok · 05-06-2006, 11:20 AM

Hey everyone, this is my first post. I'm a Cpl stationed on Miramar and was really looking into trying out for the Force Recon Screening. I was on the swim team for 10 years before I joined, I just received a 298 on my PFT and plan on getting those last two points soon(I've never been a great runner). I have a few questions about life in Recon, most importantly Married life in Force Recon.

1. How much time will I have for family?
2. How often will I be deployed and for how long?
3. How often are leave requests canked, and during the 1 1/2 plus year of training how often will I be able to come home to see my wife?
4. Do you have any advice for preparation for the screening and what to expect out of BRC and the rest of the training?

Thank you all for your time...

USMCRET6391 · 05-06-2006, 12:49 PM

First off what is your current MOS?

Jayonhavok · 05-06-2006, 03:16 PM

6317. Avionics Tech. I have a Secret Clearance.

USMCRET6391 · 05-06-2006, 03:58 PM

you might check with your career planner, but 6317 is probably not a real good MOS to be trying to get into Force Recon from. In fact I would think it would be damn near impossible. BTW, I am a retired Avionics Chief (6391)....is 6317 still Com Nav?

Jayonhavok · 05-06-2006, 10:02 PM

Hahahaha, yes it is still Com/Nav... That's very cool. My father was an AVO on EA-6Bs up on Whidbey. He retired in '97 as a CWO-5.
It is possible for me to LatMov from Com/Nav, my Career Planner is helping me out, and my Command doesn't have a problem with it as long as I'm reenlisting. Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of hurdles for me to jump but I think it will be very much worth the journey. My biggest problem is whether or not I am willing to put my wife through all of this. She is very supportive, but only because she sees how much I want it. I just want a clearer picture of what married life will be like.

USMCRET6391 · 05-06-2006, 10:41 PM

I was an AE (6336) on F-4s (VMFA-531 and 323), with MAG-11 when it was at Toro in the 70s. Spent some time at MCAS Beaufort in the early 80s (VMFA-115 and 251) and MCAS Kaneohe Bay (VMFA-235) in the mid 80s. Also worked the East Coast F-18 training sqd (VFA-106) in the late 80s. Retired in 91 after 3 years of Embassy Duty.

Post Script: Those were just the line outfits, did a stint with VMFAT-201 at MCAS Cherry Point before I joined MAG-11 in Nam in 1969.

Jayonhavok · 05-06-2006, 10:56 PM

Wow, thats a long list, but I should expect a long and distinguished career from a MSgt. I'm presently at VMFAT-101 the training squadron on Miramar. I was sent there in January 2005 from VMFA-121, just down the road. They found me unable to deploy because of my Father's passing a month earlier on December 7 2004. During my time at 121 I did go to Al Asad as a security detail volunteer. That was the high-light of my 5 years in. I know I was never even close to being in as much danger as the grunts but we had over a hundred rockets tossed our way.

Spitfire101 · 05-06-2006, 11:54 PM

Jayonhavok, I wouldn't downplay what you did - instead be proud of it. Fact of the matter is that you did your part and came back safe and sound. That's always the important thing. Thank you for your service!

Jayonhavok · 05-07-2006, 12:55 AM

Thank you Spitfire, I didn't mean to downplay it. I have no regrets about any decisions I've made, and I am proud to be seen as smart enough to be an Avionics Marine, but at the same time I think of myself as very capable. More straight to the point, I love physically and mentally testing myself. I think if I can pass Recon Screening, BRC, and the rest of the training, then I have a duty to at least consider making that leap. Does that make sense? I don't know how else to say it. Kind of a moral duty. If I saw someone who needed help and I knew I was capable of helping them, then you wouldn't find me just standing there...

Spitfire101 · 05-07-2006, 01:01 AM

That's what I wanted to hear...It's always good to thrive for more in life. That's what keeps all of us going.

**Vulture6** · 05-08-2006, 09:20 PM

Is it possible for you to do, sure. It is much more than just the physical fitness part though. There will be many long hours of work and training. Keep in mind, you're stepping outside of your MOS and into something much more than what you did in SOI. Espeically as an NCO -- not only will your infantry skills need to be top notch, but you'll also have to pick up the leadership responsibilities.

Can you do it? No doubt.

But realize the cost in time and commitment. It needs to be a joint decision with your wife, because she'll be equally involved, especially if you two have kids, or are planning on it.

As far as leave time or weekly time at home, it'll be at a premium. As far as deployment, same thing goes. We're at war, and our Force Recon companies are actively deployed, and not just to Iraq or Afghanistan. They are in a lot of other places that you don't read about, as well as out on the MEU(SOC)s.

You're taking the right step by researching it. Make sure that you go to many sources, as well as maybe talking with the career planner with the 1st Force Recon Company.

Good luck!

milooffenbach · 07-28-2006, 04:17 AM

Hello Comrades,

greetings to the 2nd Recon BN. I worked with you in Afghanistan, Faizabad in November 2004. I hope someone will read this and repeat.

Greetings

Milovanovic
Lieutenant and Platoon Leade
Close Protection Cell GEMP

**cincymarsdad** · 07-28-2006, 07:44 AM

Whatever your decision, thanks for sharing your thoughts and character with us/me. You sound like a "squared away Marine". Keep us posted.

Thank you also for your service.