How to get Reserve FMF Deployment

[reservedoc]

I need some help on getting mobilized with an FMF unit. I am a reserve HM3 with the 8404 NEC. I have talked to my command and the reserve POC in New Orleans to no avail. I dont understand how the manning level is critical for 8404 corpsman when the dont want to mobilize any. I have exhausted all of my immediate resources and I am hoping someone can help a motivated corpsman out.

[HMC-FMF-PJ]

I will assume you are within Body Composition standards and scored well on your Fall07 PRT.

What Zip do you live in and what NOSC are you assigned to?

Are you currently with a FMF unit slated to deploy withing the next 12 months? What is the timeframe you're looking at to deploy?

[HMC-FMF-PJ]

There are several MFR units slated to mobilize/deploy in the coming months. If you really want to jump on board and don't care where, start working the phones. Use the contact info provided on the MFR website and play 20 questions with every unit listed until you get the answers you want...

http://www.mfr.usmc.mil/Units/index.asp

Is your unit mobilizing to deploy soon? Do you need Doc's? How can I interview for the position and get orders to go with you? Is there someone else in the office who might be able to help me? Here's all my contact info so you can reach me. Do you know any units mobilizing in the next few months to deploy? Do you know if they need Doc's? Do you have a phone number or point-of-contact where I might reach them?

Remember that not everyone at a command knows what is going on and the subject matter expert will vary from unit to unit. You may need to speak to more than one person (I&I HM, SelRes HM, Admin Sgt, Co SgtMaj, Co 1stSgt, etc.) to find all the answers to your questions.

Since you will basically be an unsolicited caller asking about deployment info, you might also run across people with OPSEC concerns so you should have a .mil email address or other means of verifying your identity as a Corpsman.

[reservedoc]

I am out of NOSC Greensboro, NC but I have a blue side gaining command NMSC Rapid Response Unit out of D.C.

Just finished my Spring PRT cycle, good to go.

I didnt have any POCs on the green side as my NOSC does not have any Program 9 billets. So is it advisable to start cold calling any unit I can get into contact with?

I dont care when just that I want to go ASAP

[HMC-FMF-PJ]

If your chain of command is kept informed, I would say go ahead and start cold calling MFR units for info and advice. I sent you a PM earlier that you might want to try.

[HMC-FMF-PJ]

Your desire to leave may ruffle some feathers at your unit though. Didn't you have to sign a Page 13 or give some sort of a guarantee when you joined NMSC RRU? If memory serves me right, I believe they like to maintain a higher level of readiness for no notice orders to cover declared emergencies and don't like early turnovers. With all that FEMA training, I would think they would want to keep sailors for a full tour once that sailor signs on.

[reservedoc]

I just got the billet off of CMS. I have not signed anything yet so it should not be a problem. My COC knows that I want to go, so I will start right away. Thanks for the POC. I will let you know how it goes.

[HMC-FMF-PJ]

I sent you a PM with info for your immediate action.

When things happen, they sometimes happen real fast! Do not delay!

[reservedoc]

Thanks for all your help everyone. I came very close to getting mobilized in June. But the unit I was to go with decided to leave without the full loadout of corpsman. If anyone has any other advice on how to get deployed, I would appreciate it.

[HMC-FMF-PJ]

Did you contact the person listed in the PM? I know he has additional deployment opportunities in the very near future.

He also has AT opportunities from Marine units requesting additional Corpsman coverage.

[reservedoc]

I am still in touch with him but there is nothing headed out anytime soon. The next time frame is somewhere near the end of this year, and I went ahead and used up my AT at NHCL in anticipation of the MOB order. I don't want to get back into school just to be pulled out by a MOB order, thats just a waste of my time.