I am a long time lurker of this site and am finally saying hi! I am in the process of joining the reserves and have used the forum to answer tons of my questions. I will be going to MEPS in a couple of weeks. Thanks for all the info!

Glad to see you are no longer lurking in the shadows...welcome aboard and enjoy the journey.

Hi Magnetik! Welcome and do come back with updates. Best of luck!

Magnetik - where do you live? Do you have to lose any weight before MEPS? Myself and cb1918 (maybe...) are going to DEPOT in about 30 days. Let us know what you're doing!

My weight is fine I am waiting for a review of my medical history. I have sent over all my documents already. I'm located in the Baltimore area.I'm hoping to get into depot in September!

Good luck to you! I'll be at DEPOT in July - getting sworn-in tomorrow!

Congrats! I read in another post that you are skipping "A" school. How is that?

September is looking like the new DEPOT possibility for me Magnetik. Although at this point, I am not getting my hopes up anymore. What rate are you looking to get into?

I am hoping for MK, I have 13 years of mechanical background. I would take almost any rate to have the opportunity to be in the Reserves! I have heard that it is possible to strike a rate is that true?

I "skip" A-school because of my experience in the field. Of course I have to take an exam within 2 years of my basic training to make sure that I know what I say I know. I would assume you are both going Reserve in DEPOT, correct?

Ya, going Reserve. 

Yes reserves for me as well. I am hoping for September DEPOT but I understand this is a long process.

Finally got my MEPS date!!! Hopefully I have studied enough!

You will do great!

"Striking" is when you are a Seaman and you learn the skills for the rate you want to be on the job.  So a Seaman can "strike" Boatswain's Mate while he's on a cutter and learning the skills to do so.  I'm not sure if it means you "skip" A-school, though.

If you end up as a reservist in Sector Baltimore and you go as MK you'll probably have to learn everything there is to know about the 25 RB-S (Honda outboards) and the 45' RB-M (turbo diesel jet drives, a real beast!) as that makes up the majority of small boats in the area. There's still a couple of 41' UTB's in Sector (one at St. Inigoes, I serve on that one) but Station Curtis Bay has a 45 and so does Annapolis. Most everyone else has 25's and a dog's breakfast of other boats. There's also a couple of cutters at Curtis Bay and there's always the possibility that you'll score high in some area that puts you into port security. There's a big need for that duty in the Chesapeake Bay AOR but I have no idea what billets are being made available. If you have LOTS of experience with Marine propulsion you could even end up at acquisitions at CG HQ at Buzzard Point in D. C. although that's unlikely for reserve duty. Good luck whatever the case. Don't be afraid to ask an Aux. for a hand if you need one.

Wow that is a ton of great info! Thank you, I hope I could get a port security position. I have just passed my asvab with a 94. I was told I will be eligible for all rates!

Hey Magnetik - I recently met with the recruiter in Baltimore but at the time was looking at active duty/OCS. Now I'm leaning towards the Reserves again. Can I ask your age and experience since you're looking at DEPOT?

Posted By ebee on 26 Aug 2011 03:30 PM
Hey Magnetik - I recently met with the recruiter in Baltimore but at the time was looking at active duty/OCS. Now I'm leaning towards the Reserves again. Can I ask your age and experience since you're looking at DEPOT?

I am 30 years old, have an associates in automotive sciences, and 13 years of mechanical/managerial experience.

Finally going back to MEPS to complete my medical on Thursday!!!! I am told I will be meeting with my recruiter to fill out more paperwork afterwards!

I wish you all the best at MEPS.

Got through MEPS! Now it's time to talk about boot camp dates and station choices!

That is awesome...one huge hurdle down!

Thank you capt!! I submitted my final paperwork and sent the request for my station and rate today. I am so excited!

I saw your other post about Annapolis or Baltimore... nice choices. I lived in Fredericksburg, VA for a while before my divorce, then I went to NJ. We would go to Annapolis quite often when I spent weekends down that way with Colin. Good luck with your choice!

Thanks Old Guard, my number one is MK in Annapolis but I would be happy with MK in Baltimore or BM at either!

Got my station!! I will be an MK @ Station Curtis Bay!!

Enjoy...

Nice Magnetik!! I am excited for you! Have they told you if you're doing DEPOT or the 8 week boot camp? Congratulations

I will be going DEPOT on Jan 8. To say I'm excited would be an understatement!