Meu

[LCpl Lamm]

I am intrested in applying for MEU training when I complete PLC, TBC, and IOC? Does anyone know what the requirements are and what the training is like and how long?
Thanks.
Lamm

[LCpl Lamm]

Thats TBS..not TBC...my mistake.

MEU training? Well, someone else may be better equipped to answer this, but you are usually asked or told to join a MEU. I don't exactly know how it would work for you because you would probably be a platoon commander at the time you are talking about going on a MEU. You wouldn't exactly be able to raise your hand and volunteer when they ask,"Give me three Marines who want to go on the 26th MEU!" or something of that nature. Your unit would have to go, and that would be a decision made by someone higher than yourself. As always, you can make your wish know to others and eventually someone may be able to help you out I suppose, but that's generally the way I've seen it work.

[LCpl Lamm]

Thanks, I appreciatr your help.
Lamm

[Vulture6]

That's pretty much it...

If you are an infantry officer, you will be assigned to an infantry battalion once you complete IOC (Infantry Officer's Course). Currently, MEUs are being drawn from all three Marine Divisions, though each with it's own geographic areas of responsibility. The Ground Combat Element of a MEU is a Battalion Landing Team, or BLT. This consists of a reinforced infantry battalion. As a new infantry lieutenant, you will be given an opportunity to express your choice for assignment, but it really isn't more than FMF East or FMF West. You will be able to learn in TBS which regiments are in the rotation to provide BLTs for the MEUs on each coast. The best that you can hope for is to try and request that regiment (8th Marines, 1st Marines, etc... though you may be able to request a specific battalion -- 1st Battalion, 8th Marines), but don't sweat it. You will get your time in the slot pretty much with any battalion, though not necessarily with a MEU.

DO NOT, waste your selection on requesting a specific MEU. As a brand new infantry lieutenant, you won't be assigned to the MEU command element. If you have the chance to talk with the ground monitor, you can request assignment to a battalion slated for a MEU in the next 18 months... but remember, as a new 2nd Lieutenant, your preferences don't really mean shit to the Corps. You will be assigned where you are needed... don't take it personal.

[LCpl Lamm]

sniff sniff, you make me cry..lol.
Thanks for the info, you're straight to the point. If you don't mind and if you have the time I would like to ask you a few questions about PLC and TBS.....
I don't know if you've been to PLC before but..what should I bring? Alot of people say ziplog bags are gold in PLC/OCS.
What elements determine my rank in my class in TBS? I know my PFT score is one of them, what are the others?
Also, if I get..ahh..lets say 3rd in of the top third of the class....do you think I will get my prefered MOS?
I'm really anxious to get infantry. But I know how they assign you your MOS in TBS.
Correct me if I'm mistaken..they divide the class into thirds. Top third, middle, bottom. They assign the top guy in the top third his 1st choice, then the 1st guy in the 2nd third his 1st choice, then the 1st guy in the bottom third his first choice and so on. I know they only have so many billets for each MOS, but they usually have alot of billets for infantry, correct?
The only thing that would hinder me from going to PLC then to TBS is the assigning of your MOS. I don't want to be anything else but an infantryman.
You're probably thinking..oh geez...here's another kid that thinks he's rambo. I know war is not a video game. I just can't see myself in any other MOS.
Thanks.
Lamm

There are a lot of good training opportunities (a lot of great opportunities period) on a MEU, but the place where you should be focusing all your energy on right now is in Iraq. I know it was a big deal for the marines in my unit. Back in June they came and needed nine Zodiac cockswains for a MEU that was supposed to go on a Med float, but of course no one would volunteer because we were right in the middle of our six month work-up for Iraq and we were so tight no one would volunteer. They had to be "voluntold" to go. Just when they got used to the idea, they were told the beginning of this month that they were going to Iraq after all.

That's an idea of how uncertain all of that kind of stuff is in the Marine Corps in wartime. If you are joining the Corps as a career, you could get a chance to go on a MEU in the first few years. But if you're as moto as you seem (and you seem pretty moto) you'd turn down the opportunity if the MEU wasn't eventually going to spit you out in Iraq. By the way, I love your convictions about going for infantry. I was the same way and I couldn't imagine any other MOS. Trust me, Lamm. You'll get a sh*%load of training opportunities in the infantry.

[LCpl Lamm]

I've heard that word before, "moto"..I may sound dumb,but whats that mean?
Oh ok, I was just wondering about MEU. Obviously I haven't been there done that yet, so I didin't know. Thank you sir.
Lamm

Motivated!!!!!

[Vulture6]

The MEUs out there right now are on the ground in Afghanistan and Iraq -- so they are in the thick of it all just like the rest of the battalions in the Division -- they just have a different mode of transportation to the battlefield and a different command structure.

Lamm - I'll try to get to your TBS/PLC/MOS questions in the next couple of days... there is a lot going on.

[LCpl Lamm]

Don't worry about Vulture, I'm know you got other things to do.
Thanks prekenaya..I didn't know what it meant. Yes I am extremely motivated to be a Marine Infantry Officer.
Semper Fi.
Lamm

[USMCRET6391]

MEU stands for Marine Expeditionary Unit.....each MEU is made up of many sub units and billets....there is no Specific training for beloning to a MEU.............

[LCpl Lamm]

Thanks.
Lamm