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Thanks. As soon as I saw ‘reserve’ I wondered how he managed a four year-long stint. It’s kind of crazy to go Marine Reserve, to me. If you don’t want a full bite, then don’t assume the misery of Marine boot camp in the first place. Also, I thought reserve enlistment was for a minimum of six years. But that’s just me.

My son signed up for USMC Reserves as a senior in high school. Off to MCRD in July 2001 for boot camp. That's where he was when the 9-11 WTC attack occurred. Off to School of Infantry at Pendleton, then Ft Leonard Wood for his MOS training. April 18, 2003 he was landing in Kuwait City. Hopped into his Hummer with 50 cal on top. Running rescue missions over the Iraq border to remove wounded and spending days at camp working with the doctors. Starting IVs, doing transports of the more critical patients for evac to Kuwait City by helicopter. After 6 months, he returned to San Diego. Weekend warrior after that. Finished his enlistment as a Corporal.

He did some extra simulation/training/adversary work at Ft Irwin and special hand-to-hand combat training. Very good at Aikido prior to enlistment. Finished high school with a 4.33 GPA and all "5" scores on his AP exams.

Today he has a BA in Business Administration and another BA in Physics. He's also a licensed real estate broker in 5 states, has a Class A CDL with 6 months driving flatbeds for TMC. Not a bad net outcome.