United States Marine Corps.

anyone on these boards a US Marine? I've been greatly deliberating on joining the corps. this past week. I've talked a lot with a recruitment officer, Staff Sgt. Jackson, and even though everything seems to be benefitial, i myself seem to be leaning away from joining... There is no doubt in my mind that joining would only be a plus in my life, but... there is something in my head stopping me, and i still don't know what.

Basically, I'd like to talk to some of you who've served. Talking to the Staff Sgt. is like talking to a salseman.

I served in the US Navy in the 70's. I was a Navy Corpsman. We are the field medics for the Marines. If I had to hit the beach anywhere, I can think of no finer group to have to go into battle with. I think that's still true today. Every Jarhead I met was salt of the earth. Good people. Committed to the mission and to each other.

Just remember, the mission of the Corps is to fight wars. Period. Get it all in writing, and check it all out. If you wanna do it for real, go for it. Just do it with yer eyes open. The recruiter's job is to sell the Corps, but I can honestly say my Navy recruiters did not lie to me.

Don't know how true that is today, but I believe in military service.

as of lately with recruitment numbers falling, the recruiters have been lying to our boys, promising them things that they can never give you like girls, vacations, guarantees to nice, safe areas, stuff like that. so if it's what you want, go for it. but please, please be careful and make sure this is an honest recruiter who's not trying to scam you simply to up his quota.

Damn, I wish matada was still around. He'd have given you all the info you need.

as of lately with recruitment numbers falling, the recruiters have been lying to our boys, promising them things that they can never give you like girls, vacations, guarantees to nice, safe areas, stuff like that. so if it's what you want, go for it. but please, please be careful and make sure this is an honest recruiter who's not trying to scam you simply to up his quota.

What kind of recruiters do you talk to?

All of the recruiters around here havent ever promised girls, lots of vacations, or guarantees to safe areas, they said its hard, but yet fun and to me that sounds good enough.

What I say is the best thing to do before joining is talking to different people who have been in the marines or are in it to get a good idea what its like, eventually you'll get the truth, it doesnt really matter if they are Marines because all the branches are almost alike, only some get different/more benefits than the others.. I cant remember exactly but I think the Marines are the ones that get the least benefits.

my cousin was in the marines, he seved for 4 years, went to iraq for a year or so but never saw combat. i don't know what you would like to know but i know he got like 2 or 3 college diplomas for free and got free training for the boston fire department and EMT's n stuff like that.

Damn, I wish matada was still around. He'd have given you all the info you need.

Yeah where the hell'd he go, he was cool.

Vinny I know what you mean, I've prolonged signing up because it's a very larg commitment. But I do know what's keeping me around and that's my girlfriend. It's really hard to leave her. But I'm going into the Navy, and I've narrowed it down to three options that my recruiter told me. 1) Aircraft Mechanic 2) Nuclear Engineer 3) S.E.A.L.

The only thing I don't like about number 3 is that he said many of the guys that do that have to go through extensive therapy. I don't think I would have to because killing someone, especially a terrorist, isn't a big problem for me. Fucking terrorists. But I'm still not sure, I could become one of those 60 year old crazy guys or something and I dont' want that to happen.

yeah danielle, this recruiter is legit. He's gotten runner up for top recruiter in NYS for the past two years, which is a big deal. it shows he not only is able to sign people up, but stay with them through training for boot camp, and, follow through with promises, because its those corpsmen who tell the next wave of recruits about their recruiter, if he's talking shit or if he's speaking the truth. Staff Sgt. told me basically that "hey listen, i ain't gonna lie to u, but you're thinking about the marines, then you better know that the marines are the first guys on the field, they're the first guys that take a wave of fire, and they're the first guys to drop down. There are jobs that avoid much grunt work, but in any war zone, there's no safe haven."

I'm gonna need to still think on this, i'm really excited, i'd like to join, but something's keeping me back, n i'm not sure if it'll be the right thing to listen to my hesitance or disregard it. I was hoping i could talk to a marine who's just signed up recently or something.

Listen to your gut.

Viper: I imagine the therapy would be conditioning and training to deal with the stresses of a close-in, personal combat situation.

Or something. I don't have the first clue what being a SEAL involves.

No one is holding a gun to your head to sign up for any of the US Armed Forces. It is strictly voluntary and your choice. Serving your country is one thing but if you are not willing to die for it then look elsewhere. At least your recruiter has been forthcoming.

My son wanted to enlist in the Marines after graduating from high school but after he took the entrance exams and received higher scores than expected he went with the US Air Force instead. He is a jet engine mechanic on F16s. If you sign up be sure to get a military occupational specialty that will provide experience and education in a trade or technical field. That way if you decide to get out after your committment you will be able to find a good paying job. There are not that many jobs for an ex Marine Infantryman.

Good luck in your decision.

I've been thinking of going into the army for a while to. I want to go to RMC (royal military college of canada) where they pay you to go to university ($800 per month but you get free room and board and free uniforms n stuff like that) and then you have to do 5 years as an officer (second leutenant, $40,000+ per year, even more if you specialize). the only things that are holding me back are my parents, my mom doesn't want me to go in the military and i don't want to put alot of stress on her, and although i really want to go in the military now, am I going to want to in 4 years.

right now i really want to do it and i don't think i'd be even close to the front lines, i'd be a mechanical engineer so i could be a combat engineer as well as a leutenant so i'd be behind the lines building bridges and stuff like that.

but if you really want to go in the military and know the risks, because an awful lot of soldiers are coming back in body bags, and are still interested despite that, i'd say go for it. SEALs are very intense, you'd be seeing close combat action where you're not killing someone from a distance, you're seeing them face to face and killing them there. that can be really tough on the mind, and it's really dangerous work. not only that but it's incredibly difficult to get in. they only accept something like 4% or 10% of the applicants (i can't remember the exact number but it's someting really low) so even if you want to get in don't get your hopes up because there are alot of very qualified people who get turned away.

mechanics and engineers won't really see action so it's a pretty "safe" military job. you'll also get paid more so that's a big plus, i'd go for one of those.

That way if you decide to get out after your committment you will be able to find a good paying job. There are not that many jobs for an ex Marine Infantryman.
there might not be any jobs for an ex infantryman but he can get a free college degree. they'll pay for you education for something like 10 years after you finish so he can save like $40k per year (i don't know how much college costs there but i heard something like that.)

I've been thinking of going into the army for a while to. I want to go to RMC (royal military college of canada) where they pay you to go to university ($800 per month but you get free room and board and free uniforms n stuff like that) and then you have to do 5 years as an officer (second leutenant, $40,000+ per year, even more if you specialize). the only things that are holding me back are my parents, my mom doesn't want me to go in the military and i don't want to put alot of stress on her, and although i really want to go in the military now, am I going to want to in 4 years.

Regardless of whether your parents agree that is an excellent military academy. It is the equivalent of our West Point (Army). Getting into a service academy is easier said than done. You have to qualify both academically, mentally and physically. It will put more stress on you than you parents even though they will share it until you graduate. Academy life is not easy.

I speak from experience as a West Point parent. My oldest son is in his third year (Cow) at West Point, NY. When he graduates he will be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and must serve 5 years active duty and 3 years reserves. Similar to what Canada has he gets free room and board and a $880 a month stipend not too mention a quality college education. Plus all that important military training to be a sucessful leader in the Army.

BTW - The Canadians won the Sandhurst competition held at West Point this year beating out all of our service academies and the British.


there might not be any jobs for an ex infantryman but he can get a free college degree. they'll pay for you education for something like 10 years after you finish so he can save like $40k per year (i don't know how much college costs there but i heard something like that.)


That is correct and there are a lot of other benefits not mentioned. But if you are going to enlist into the service just to get a free college education that is a big mistake. :2cents:

For anyone interested here is a link to the US Military Academy at West Point:

http://www.usma.edu/

Regardless of whether your parents agree that is an excellent military academy. It is the equivalent of our West Point (Army). Getting into a service academy is easier said than done. You have to qualify both academically, mentally and physically. It will put more stress on you than you parents even though they will share it until you graduate. Academy life is not easy.

I have no doubt that i CAN make it in, it's just a question of military service for me, whether or not i want to. at the moment i really want to but you can change alot in 4 years, and i probably will. so i've just got to debate that with myself.

That is correct and there are a lot of other benefits not mentioned. But if you are going to enlist into the service just to get a free college education that is a big mistake. :2cents:
very true, i was just clarifying that although an ex infantryman might not have many options for work, there are alot of options for free education.

I have no doubt that i CAN make it in, it's just a question of military service for me, whether or not i want to. at the moment i really want to but you can change alot in 4 years, and i probably will. so i've just got to debate that with myself.

What have you got to lose? You have a lot to gain. You probably won't have to worry about being shipped out to Iraq or Afghanistan after you graduate like Americans but you never know. :dunno:

Also, I don't know about the rules for admissions in Canada but there is a minimum and maximum age limit here. For example at all of the US Service Academies:

You must be a United States citizen, at least 17 and not yet 23 years of age on July 1 of your year of admission.

Therefore, you may not be able to wait forever but good luck in whatever you decide to do. It will probably be one of the most important decisions you will ever make in your life.

What have you got to lose? You have a lot to gain. You probably won't have to worry about being shipped out to Iraq or Afghanistan after you graduate like Americans but you never know. :dunno:
well i might be shipped out to afganistan but not iraq, we aren't involved with that.

Also, I don't know about the rules for admissions in Canada but there is a minimum and maximum age limit here. For example at all of the US Service Academies:

You must be a United States citizen, at least 17 and not yet 23 years of age on July 1 of your year of admission.
the rules for admission are probably about the same, but i'm 18 right now, i'll be 19 when i apply (i didn't apply to rmc when i was applying to university cause i both forgot and wasn't as interested) so i'll be perfectly fine.

But i was just looking at the recruiting website that has career outlines and stuff like that. I'll probably be a military engineer since i'm going into mechanical engineering, but the military engineering stuff is just so me, it got me so pumped, i'm going to talk to my parents but i'm pretty sure if i can make it in i'll be going.

Well, as stated by vinny, first to fight. EVERY Marine is first and foremost, a combat infantryman, regardless of their MOS. Some MOS's will reduce the risk [or opportunity, if you see it that way] for actual combat involvement, but when it hits hard, every Marine is expected to grab their weapon and join in.

Beyond that, "3 hots and a cot", limited medical and post privilege benefits, a retirement program for 20 years active, free educational opportunities, funding and opportunities for college education [civilian-style].

You'll find out fast what you, personally, are made of, Marine boots are subjected to rather great physical and mental hardships, somewhat moreso than other services [excluding the specialized combat-oriented areas of the different services, e.g., SEALS, Rangers, Berets, etc.]

Consider the fields you wish to be part of, the length of enlistment, the chance [pretty certain today] of deployment away from home/family/friends for long periods of time, what you think service will do for you in later civilian life, whether you want to go active or Reserve [not much difference, really, today], whether your MOS will give you fast-track rank advancement.

In the military, rank "ranks" supreme, but the responsibility increases in proportion to the authority your rank provides. So does the pay and privileges. A PFC doesn't get the pay or privleges of an officer or top-sergeant, but then a PFC isn't expected to carry the responsibility either. Can you carry responsibility and follow superior's orders? Can you get others to carry out those orders? Not an easy question.

Are you in reasonable physical shape, with reasonably steady mental outlook? Are you capable of adjusting to a switch in your MOS? It's hapened, and you will have a hard time getting back to original MOS. The military is one of the most fundamental bureacracies in the U.S. If you find service isn't right for you, it is almost impossible to get out of your enlistment [although it can be done].

Certain civilian or more likely, government, jobs will give point preference to military service in the application [thus, interview] process. May be an advantage in certain areas.

HTH

USAF, capt. [ret]

^^^ Fascinating post :thumbsup:

Good thread on the whole, actually.

The only thing I don't like about number 3 is that he said many of the guys that do that have to go through extensive therapy. Ever hear of hell week? I talked to a guy who used to be a SEAL. They are allowed a maximum of 5.5 hours of sleep for the whole week. Realistically he said they only get about 3.5 hours. They are the msot elite force in the world and it takes a special someone to do it. Of the small number they allow in only about 20% or less eventually go on to become SEALS. the only things that are holding me back are my parents Same here I want to join the Air Force. I'm already enrolled in the college of my choice so I'm going to get my degree there and since they have a 3 year program I'll be able to enter the Air Force when I'm 21 and go to the academy. I really want to fly jets or do something with computers (which will be what my degree from college will be in). I just feel this calling that I should go and serve my coutnry and protect the freedoms I enjoy. I also think it would be coll to fly jets or some sort of airplane.

As a reservist, I am required to serve 1 weekend per month and 2 weeks during the summer. Is that saying that 1 weekend out of every month, i'll be shipped out somewhere? i don't see how helpful it'd be to be serving for two days out of a month, unless they mean something else by service.

Also, I understand i can get a degree in many available schools that participate with the USMC but will I be attending class at that school? or will it be at base?

thanks for the information thus far.

Also, beef_bourito and cody_e, the way I see it is that I am old enough that i'm paying for my car, my school, and my food, therefore i'm old enough to make this decision whether my parents back me up or not. I'm not saying that I wouldn't be any less enthused if they weren't backing me up, but the decision is on you...

As a reservist, I am required to serve 1 weekend per month and 2 weeks during the summer. Is that saying that 1 weekend out of every month, i'll be shipped out somewhere? i don't see how helpful it'd be to be serving for two days out of a month, unless they mean something else by service.

Also, I understand i can get a degree in many available schools that participate with the USMC but will I be attending class at that school? or will it be at base?

thanks for the information thus far.

Also, beef_bourito and cody_e, the way I see it is that I am old enough that i'm paying for my car, my school, and my food, therefore i'm old enough to make this decision whether my parents back me up or not. I'm not saying that I wouldn't be any less enthused if they weren't backing me up, but the decision is on you...

Can you imagine the cost of shipping people out once a month, every month?

If it's anything like NZ territorials, then you'll just go up for the weekend, do drills and training, then come back.

so i talked to my parents and they're much more supportive then before. i think it's just that i was so excited so they realise it's something i really want and they realised that there's still a very good chance that i won't be on the front line because i'd be 1) canadian, 2) an officer, and 3) an engineer.

Officers go to the front line, just FYI :p

So do engineers...

yes but there's probably not as much of a chance of seeing combat, sorry i should have worded it differently. engineers don't see combat nearly as much as infantrymen.

Also, beef_bourito and cody_e, the way I see it is that I am old enough that i'm paying for my car, my school, and my food, therefore i'm old enough to make this decision whether my parents back me up or not. I'm not saying that I wouldn't be any less enthused if they weren't backing me up, but the decision is on you... The thing is I'm only 17 right now so I'm still under their dictatorship. I think once I get through college I'll see how my life is going and make a decision there. Then they will have minimum influence over the decision.

I would hate to do for a life (not even just a job) something where I felt like a puppet with someone else pulling the strings.

And I think I know what's holding you back Vinny, your president's selfish, immoral war in Iraq sending lots of the corps to the frontline. Oh, and the whole "likely death" thing. And possibly the months away from family, friends and loved ones in hostile environments for long stretches.

But hey, to each his own and that's my opinion. If you want to serve your country in that way, go for it man, and my hat would be off to you.

And I think I know what's holding you back Vinny, your president's selfish, immoral war in Iraq sending lots of the corps to the frontline.

Oz, you are entilted to your opinion but for once can we please keep the politics and Bush bashing out of a thread. This thread was fine until that comment.

It is not like anyone that wishes to serve their country, specifically the US has a choice as to which President to serve under or what war to fight. The President is the Commander in Chief of all the armed forces. But they do change come election time.

I would hate to do for a life (not even just a job) something where I felt like a puppet with someone else pulling the strings.

I had a feeling it'd be you to post this. I know what you mean, but the more I thought about it, civilian life isn't much different; we are still slaves humping the american dream, trying to make ends meet by subjecting ourselves to the very institutionalized way of life

And I think I know what's holding you back Vinny, your president's selfish, immoral war in Iraq sending lots of the corps to the frontline. Oh, and the whole "likely death" thing. And possibly the months away from family, friends and loved ones in hostile environments for long stretches.

In joining, I would hold no reason of patriotism. I love my country simply because it is where I am, it is where i've grown up, and where I have my friends. Politics in America and pretty much everywhere nowadays is so corrupt inside and out, that I would find reluctance in appreciation for them. So, It's not Bush tha'ts holding me back.
Also, Oz, my mindset already is that every morning when I wake up, I figure in the back of my head that today could be the day I die... lets have some fun. Being deployed in a hot zone wil definitely make chances of death more probable, but its nothing i haven't expected. I've gotten mostly what I want out of life, but there's always more, i know.

I'd say that the main reason for joining is not for my country, not for politics, but for myself. I will be conditioned with direction in life, self-confidence, self-respect; things I'll admit i'm lacking. I will be insuring my financial future: My school will be paid for me, I will have life insurance for myself and my future direct family under me, and I will have the greatest edge when I compete for a challanging job with tens of thousands of other men and women of my generation that have graduated from a university... you see? all this is plus in my life for the future. If i don't join, I will have to continue paying back loans for an education that will only put me up to par with everyone else with an education, rather than going above the bar. I will need to start low-man on the totem pole of the career hierarchy and compete my way up to be able to make a decent living if i'm to have a family of my own. I will be doing all this, and still be trying to improve my mindset as i travel through life, looking for direction and confidence not from within myself but rather from others... After this whole argument, it would seem as if the choice is clear, but i'm still unsure.

Staff Sgt. Jackson's given me til teusday 1500 to come to a decision. "Life and death decisions should be smart and thought out... but proportional to time: time can be your undoing." which is why he's given me a deadline for this decision. We'll see. Everytime i think on this, I think how cool it'd be to become a marine, how life would possibly just open itself and my mind would grow arms and be able to climb over walls that I'd encounter... I also get this terrible empty feeling in the pit of my stomach, like i usually do when I know something bad is going to happen.

Whatever decision I reach by today or tomorrow, i know either one is a loss for me. which loss do i want to live with at the moment... and which one do i want to live with in the future. I think this is what I have to work out.

Good luck with your decision. But I'm wondering why the recruiting Sergeant has put a time limit on your responding to him? Do the Marines require you to jump or not within a certain time frame? Is there a need for the MOS you've selected, and if you don't do it by tomorrow you'll miss this training cycle? Not being negative, just raises the question of his motivation. It is after all the 24th of the month, and quotas were mentioned in an earlier post.

If you're set on the Marines, I've heard all the same positive stuff, you never forget it, stays with you, advancement after the service, etc.

I highly doubt that anyone joins the military because there is a good president or not...and that's all I have to say in the political theater.

For the guy talking about SEALS: it's a tough program, good luck getting in, and staying in, if you decide that's where you want to go. To get a lot of the HOO-RAH and less stress, look into EOD. My brother is an EOD Chief, and he's enjoyed most of his time and still gotten to do some fun stuff.

Either way, it's toss-up time. One thing to consider is that there are age-limitations on service acceptance of recruits, so you may have some "wiggle-room" to hold off a service committment for a bit, and go back to it later if you desire.

Your approach, IMO, is what is the lesser of the two evils? Balance out the benefits and risks of military service vs. where you are now. Every choice is a gamble that precludes the other choices, just be as sure as you can be that the choice you make is good for you, and go for it, no-holds-barred.

My service entrance gave me the same initial "remorse" reaction, i.e. "should I REALLY have done this?" Not too different from buying a house or new car, or getting married even [service is somewhat analogous to a marriage, btw]'

As I went into it, I, myself, decided,
1] It was my decision
2] Stick it out
3] Do my damndest to be the best

It worked well for me, but that was my experience, I have NO regrets.

thank you, I'm thinking I'll turn this down... for now. I may still enlist under the Delayed Entry Program after (or if) I feel ready

if you aren't completely sure, that's what i'd suggest. you don't want to find out half way through your 4 year term that you didn't want to do it. I am pretty damn sure i'm gonna go to rmc and do my 5 years of service afterwards.