Military Careers, commissioning programs - Marine Corps Times

Voluntary Activation

Reservists can volunteer for activation. Volunteers often are needed for positions in active-duty and reserve units that are deploying. In many cases, these units are filled by members of the reserve units and Individual Mobilization Augmentees.

With the approval of their commanding officer, qualified reservists can apply for vacant slots. Sometimes those in non-deploying units with needed skills will be contacted through their chain of command and offered a call-up position.