Same thing as DEP is just a stage in going on active duty.

Delayed Entry Program is a reserve program that enlists you in the reserves at home where you only do stuff like PT and attend classes given by a recruiter to get you ready for active duty. No uniforms or pay, but you get some pre-training.

On the day you ship to boot camp, you enlist in the active USMC.

You basically can't enlist into the active USMC without going through DEP as the military uses it as an official waiting list to ship to boot.

Other service use it for the same purpose with variations.

As far as I understood it, as a DEP, you have more options when you pick your job. Your choices will always be determined by your ASVAB scores and their projected needs when you will actually be starting active duty.

If you want to enlist and go active immediately, your choices will be limited to their immediate needs.

When I was an Army DEP, there were some benefits. We'd have "Army Nights" where our recruiters would take us out for pizza, They once chartered a bus to take us to Milwaukee to see a Brewer game--it was about a 6 hour bus ride. All we had to do was each chip in 5 bucks, which covered the two-way bus ride and the game ticket. We had to pay for our own meals and concessions at the game. We were put up in an Army Reserve facility overnight. We had to sleep on a gym floor in sleeping bags that we were required to bring, but we were all young, and weren't bothered by it.

We had a blast. And considering what little money it cost us, it was a helluva deal...Couldn't beat it with a stick.

That was a long time ago (the '80s). I wouldn't know any if the branches still do those sorts of things today. Perhaps there's some Marines here with more accurate information.

Either way, if you decide to join up, good luck!

DEP will see you in boot camp shortly after graduating high school. Enlisting at 18 will see you attending boot camp well after you turn 19. At least that is the way things are now. It all depends on when you want to go. I enlisted at the age of 20 in 1989. It took one week from the time I contacted the recruiter until I was sworn in. They were going to send me to boot camp the next day, but I requested a week to get my affairs in order and my request was granted. But I enlisted on open contract. Big difference there. Try for a guaranteed whatever and you have to do the dog and pony show in all its glory. Having said that, your best bet is to do the DEP now and get what you want immediately after graduation. Just don't screw up in the interim.

EDIT: Forgot to mention your time in rank benefits from DEP.

DEP gives YOU the time to take the ASVAB see what you qual for and then go in when they will have enough bodies to fill the classroom or cover wait time till there is a opening or need.

No one walks into the recruiter's office, signs the enlistment paperwork, and then ships off to training the very next day. The Delayed Entry Program is the limbo between signing your contract and shipping for boot camp, no matter how old you are.

Ok thanks a lot!!!!! Sounds like I'm doing DEP!!