So You Have a New Marine…. Now What?

Your Marine has just graduated from bootcamp! How exciting that you persevered through such a challenging time with them! Graduating bootcamp is arguably one of the most memorable moments that our Marines will have. But, what the heck happens now? How long will they be home for? When do they have to leave again, and where are they going? When will they get to come home next? Just as one challenge is completed, another begins. Keep reading to get an understanding of what is to come after your Marine’s graduation from bootcamp.

There are two classifications of Military Occupational Specialties (MOS)- Infantry and non-infantry. Marines with an infantry MOS will go to the School of Infantry (SOI) after their graduation leave, and will complete training at Infantry Training Battalion (ITB). ITB lasts roughly 59 days, but ask your Marine for specifics. Marines with a non-infantry MOS will also go to the School of Infantry (SOI), but will complete Marine Combat Training, also known as MCT. MCT is slightly shorter, around 39 days.

From the School of Infantry, all infantry Marines will then be assigned their Permanent Duty Station (PDS). All non-infantry Marines will attend their MOS school. MOS school can range from a few weeks to a year for some of the more complicated MOS’. After MOS school is complete, all non-infantry Marines will then be assigned their Permanent Duty Station. They will then spend the majority of their enlistment at their PDS, and things will start to normalize. They will have regular freedoms and liberties, and everything won’t feel so foreign and restricted. You can kind of think of it like sending them off to college! But, it’s also important to know that once they reach their Permanent Duty Station, they will be deployable.

So that’s it! The first few months can be harder until the dust settles. Just stay flexible (Semper Gumby) and hang in there! Lean on your support system and you will be a pro before you know it!