The Marines...

[iamyagami22]

I wanna join...someday.

Not to escape normal day life or to run away from a problem, it's because I want to gain some self respect and serve my country.

So before anyone says, "airforce" I would like to say NO, I wanna be a marine.

So, if anyone who is/was or knows someone who is a marine, could you explain to me what life is like (normally, not during war time) it would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your time.

 

[melchia]

you become US government property (literally)...the mos you go into will determine what your life is like. for example, an 0311 grunt is in the field almost ALL of the time, while an airframes mech might be out in the field once every two years. a lot of it also depends on the command you are under.

some people hate it. some don't mind it. not many love it.

truth is that a lot of marines bitch about the choice they made, but not all. avoiding negativity is key. it's a good way to get out and experience new things and possibly cultures depending on where you would be stationed, and especially if you get msg duty. if you are good at dealing with authority, you will do well. if you do not handle having continual restrictions placed on you, well, it's probably going to be very tough to cope. unmarried enlisted marines typically have to live in the barracks until they reach the rank of E3 or E4 (lance corporal or corporal). this also depends on how full the barracks are and what the command in charge determines.

 

[SoloFenris]

You job will make your experience or break it. I was in the NAVY and the good thing was that we could choose our job before we even went to basic. At the time, about 12 years ago, the NAVY was the only service that guaranteed your job in contract. I don't know about now, so you may want to see if the Marines will let you pick your job or if they pick it for you.

Jeff

 

[iamyagami22]

you become US government property (literally)...the mos you go into will determine what your life is like. for example, an 0311 grunt is in the field almost ALL of the time, while an airframes mech might be out in the field once every two years. a lot of it also depends on the command you are under.

some people hate it. some don't mind it. not many love it.

truth is that a lot of marines bitch about the choice they made, but not all. avoiding negativity is key. it's a good way to get out and experience new things and possibly cultures depending on where you would be stationed, and especially if you get msg duty. if you are good at dealing with authority, you will do well. if you do not handle having continual restrictions placed on you, well, it's probably going to be very tough to cope. unmarried enlisted marines typically have to live in the barracks until they reach the rank of E3 or E4 (lance corporal or corporal). this also depends on how full the barracks are and what the command in charge determines.

Color me interested. I like being told what to do, makes life go by a lot easier. Im not married(nor do I plan to ever be) so that is no problem for me. How long is the common length of duty? And also what kind of training do you go through?

 

[aria]

Hey man, if there ever was: now's the time to join.

Who knows: You'll see stuff you'll never forget, even if you want to.

If I ever joined the armed services, I wouldn't be joining what amounts to light infantry. AF or Army all the way. I'd say Navy, but I'm not into boats (besides, the Marines are just a glorified division of the Navy)

 

[Lagduf]

Hey man, if there ever was: now's the time to join.

Who knows: You'll see stuff you'll never forget, even if you want to.

If I ever joined the armed services, I wouldn't be joining what amounts to light infantry. AF or Army all the way. I'd say Navy, but I'm not into boats (besides, the Marines are just a glorified division of the Navy)

I wouldn't join the air force unless I got to fly. I don't see a point otherwise. Of course there are ample oppurtunities to fly for the Army too.

Have you talked to a recruiter yet? Sure he'll shape it out to only good, but who knows you might actually learn something useful?

Oh, and one more thing: The marine band kicks ass.

 

[Andy Is A Bastard]

Edit: Whoa. like 5 posts since I started typing...so, I guess ask any questions that stand out in your mind?

 

[genjiglove]

Hey man, if there ever was: now's the time to join.

You mean with a war going on?

 

[iamyagami22]

Hey man, if there ever was: now's the time to join.

Who knows: You'll see stuff you'll never forget, even if you want to.

If I ever joined the armed services, I wouldn't be joining what amounts to light infantry. AF or Army all the way. I'd say Navy, but I'm not into boats (besides, the Marines are just a glorified division of the Navy)

Yay! Bobak is here!

I wanna join now, but I have school and I already took a loan and payed for this semester so, I'll wait and see how it goes.

I really think I'll like it, after all I like physical training and daily excersize, I rarely kill a person, but I could get used to that...I think.

As for choosing the marines, it's more for pride than anything else, since it's very difficult to assertain a high rank and keep yourself happy.

 

[melchia]

Color me interested. I like being told what to do, makes life go by a lot easier. Im not married(nor do I plan to ever be) so that is no problem for me. How long is the common length of duty? And also what kind of training do you go through?

well, married marines can live off base or in campus housing and are not subject to the random or weekly inspections that those living in the bachelor barracks often have to deal with. so since you never plan on being married, prepare to deal with tons more mind games and people going through your personal shit. of course, the degree to which they fuck with you is determined mainly by your command, typically the ranking staff nco.

length of enlistments vary from four years to as long as six, again depending on mos...a grunt typically signs up for four years, whereas airwingers almost always have to sign up for five years (some do a six year enlistment, but i wouldn't recommend it).

training also varies considerably. every marine will go through boot camp (which usually lasts three months), and most go through mct (can't remember the exact length of this one, but it's not any more than two months). the mos you choose will also determine what other training you will go through. i've seen airwingers spend more than a year in various training classes, learning their jobs.

 

[Lagduf]

I rarely kill a person, but I could get used to that...I think. .

Hah, now I can't tell if you're serious.

 

[iamyagami22]

Edit: Whoa. like 5 posts since I started typing...so, I guess ask any questions that stand out in your mind?

Well Im not married.

I don't mind being told what to do as long as I get a few mins to myself every so often.

I have never been in the military before, but most of my immediate family has.

As for questions, Could you quickly outline an average day for you?

EDIT: lagduf - I AM VERY SERIOUS.

 

[Gameoz]

Color me interested. I like being told what to do, makes life go by a lot easier. Im not married(nor do I plan to ever be) so that is no problem for me. How long is the common length of duty? And also what kind of training do you go through?

If you are not married, then it may be a good choice. I was married when I joined the Army. It was tough being away for four months at the start.

As mentioned, it really depends on what job you end up with. I joined the Army because I wanted my job in writing. Some of the services do not promise in writing what you will be doing after basic.

I was an investigator for the Army, so I never wore a uniform and worked M-Th, ten hour shifts. I had a house (free rent) and had a three day weekend every week. So for me it was pretty good. (Being in Utah wasn't too bad either)

Just keep in mind, there are some real low lifes that join up. Some people join as part of a plea. (Criminal Charges) It will end up being what you make of it. Also...if you have plans to go to college make sure you sign up for the GI Bill. (I am guessing that they still offer this?)

 

[melchia]

You job will make your experience or break it. I was in the NAVY and the good thing was that we could choose our job before we even went to basic. At the time, about 12 years ago, the NAVY was the only service that guaranteed your job in contract. I don't know about now, so you may want to see if the Marines will let you pick your job or if they pick it for you.

Jeff

the mos you choose is determined by your asvab scores (the higher the score, the more options you get), the mos's that are available (every so often an mos will fill up), and what you decide. typically, you choose your mos before boot camp, but the marine corp ultimately determines where you will be stationed. you will get some say in your duty station, but not as much as you'd like.

 

[Lagduf]

EDIT: lagduf - I AM VERY SERIOUS.

Maybe it's just me, but the thought of ever getting used to killing is a little disturbing. I think if you were in long enough and you started to feel like that then it would be time to get out...Just me though, and hey what can I say - i've never been in the military but have often considered it. I just thought it was a weird thing for you to say, perhaps i'm misinterpreting you.

 

[iamyagami22]

Maybe it's just me, but the thought of ever getting used to killing is a little disturbing. I think if you were in long enough and you started to feel like that then it would be time to get out...Just me though, and hey what can I say - i've never been in the military but have often considered it. I just thought it was a weird thing for you to say, perhaps i'm misinterpreting you.

I didn't mean to sound crazy, I meant to say if it's part of the job then it's something I would have to get used to. Now you probably think I'm insane.

As for a job, I don't care what I do, anything is fine, I am a fairly smart person but I like having a lot of direction, since I am easily distracted when I am given lots of options.

 

[SoloFenris]

the mos you choose is determined by your asvab scores (the higher the score, the more options you get), the mos's that are available (every so often an mos will fill up), and what you decide. typically, you choose your mos before boot camp, but the marine corp ultimately determines where you will be stationed. you will get some say in your duty station, but not as much as you'd like.

Gotcha. Just to add on. If the particular job you have your heart set on, is indeed at the time full, tell the recruiter you want to wait until it is open. If you qualify, they will indeed call you when a slot opens. Don't sign up for a job you don't really want.

Jeff

 

[melchia]

Just keep in mind, there are some real low lifes that join up. Some people join as part of a plea. (Criminal Charges) It will end up being what you make of it. Also...if you have plans to go to college make sure you sign up for the GI Bill. (I am guessing that they still offer this?)

while there are some real low lifes that join, the military did not allow plea bargains the last time i checked (about two years ago). i'm not sure when they ended that practice...

 

[chris1]

My One Brother In law was a Marine,now he's a Fireman Captain,(plus is brother was a Marine and is a Fireman too..)..
He is one rough,strict dude now....(Being a Marines has changed his life..but for the good IMO.


My other brother in law was thrown out of Marines for Smoking Pot..( (well that's the story as we all know it)

 

[Gameoz]

while there are some real low lifes that join, the military did not allow plea bargains the last time i checked (about two years ago). i'm not sure when they ended that practice...

That was probably a good idea.

 

[shirt]

As someone who has considered and considered, forget it.

I wanted tactical, hand to hand, etc training as much as you but there are better ways to get it. Studying on my own, I've developed my own preference in weapons and shit, however much I realize the Marines no doubt have excellent training.

Don't get me wrong, I would and will enlist in a second should there be a just reason to do so. But I would have no part in any of the current interests.

 

[SoloFenris]

Maybe it's just me, but the thought of ever getting used to killing is a little disturbing. I think if you were in long enough and you started to feel like that then it would be time to get out...Just me though, and hey what can I say - i've never been in the military but have often considered it. I just thought it was a weird thing for you to say, perhaps i'm misinterpreting you.

All the stuff you have heard about the job of the military being "To uphold freedom" and "Support Democracy" is a bunch of gas. The job of the military is to kill people and blow shit up, on command. If you can't get used to doing those things then you can't do your job. One month after I got stationed in Florida we were doing six months in the Adriatic in support of the "conflict" in Bosnia. I didn't think about who those rockets were hitting 30 miles away, I just kept doing my job.

Jeff

 

[Andy Is A Bastard]

Well Im not married.

I don't mind being told what to do as long as I get a few mins to myself every so often.

I have never been in the military before, but most of my immediate family has.

As for questions, Could you quickly outline an average day for you?

Well, being in the 3rd Airwing, Work starts at 0700. Some have to show up as early as 0600, some 0700...depends on your shop/division. Your shop may/may not PT (exercise) in the morning before work (it may also take place at noon chow/lunch). Basically, the morning maintenance meeting (passdown of the work done the night before) goes at 0700 and then we work straight through the day, take 30 min to an hour to eat lunch, work until 1630 (evening maintenance meeting takes place), and then we either finish up and night crew takes over, or we continue working until as late as 2000. Night Crew comes in at 1600, and works as long as necessary, sometimes up until we come in in the morning.

That's Mon-Fri, all year long (not counting 72-or-96 hour holidays, and only government sanctioned holidays). Also not couting leave, of course.

Keep in mind that even the federal holidays aren't guarenteed, either, as "Liberty is a privilege, not a right". Our SgtMaj Swears by that mantra.

In Iraq, we worked 12-hour days seven days a week, no Holidays (In 2004, I worked Through Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years). THAT can start to take a toll, but given rotations, that's only 7 months at the most. You can expect 2 of those trips on average as a new "first term" Marine, I'm going back in March.

Also, Field day every thursday. That pretty much means you'll be providing your own maid service right after work, and the room will be inspected with varying degrees of thoroughness depending on who's inspecting.

 

[Lagduf]

All the stuff you have heard about the job of the military being "To uphold freedom" and "Support Democracy" is a bunch of gas.

Oh, I guess the military is just a bunch of thugs for hire at the whim of the President? :chimp:

The job of the military is to kill people and blow shit up, on command. If you can't get used to doing those things then you can't do your job. One month after I got stationed in Florida we were doing six months in the Adriatic in support of the "conflict" in Bosnia. I didn't think about who those rockets were hitting 30 miles away, I just kept doing my job.

Jeff

Hah, you've read me wrong sir. I'm not trying to place myself on some moral high ground where I condemn killing and say i'm above it.

I am well aware of what the job of line infantry is. But lets face the fact that killing someone in battle is fucked up - You just can't deny that. Would I kill someone if I was in battle though? Hell yes, and i expect I would do it well (giving the excellence in training the American Armed Forces provide.

Does that mean I would have to like it? Hell no. But i'd do it to save my buddies and myself. I guess you just have to push those thoughts away to survive though. So I suppose with that respect I could get "used" to it. But getting used to it doesn't mean i'd like it.

I just found iamyagami22's sentence kinda odd. The way i read it seemed like he might actually like killing in battle. Obviously that is not what he meant.

Edit: Thanks to Andy for posting that insightful info. Always interesting to here how it really is from someone on the ground. Anyway, thanks for serving for our country man. I really mean that, I've got a lot of respect for the military.

 

[Andy Is A Bastard]

As for a job, I don't care what I do, anything is fine, I am a fairly smart person but I like having a lot of direction, since I am easily distracted when I am given lots of options.

Don't say that, man...seriously, check out EVERYTHING the recruiter has to offer you until you come upon something that you think you can stand/accept for at least four years. From my experience(and as was mentioned earlier) what you do in The Corps can make or break the experience. For instance, I've never met a "Sanitation Specialist" who's really glad they got that MOS. Now, if you're really uncertain, going "Open Contract" isn't necessarily all that bad, especially if your ASVAB and ACT or SAT scores are high. I myself went open contract and ended up a 6042, and it's not a bad job; fairly laid back, I basically answer to myself on a daily basis, but I work around aircraft and I don't directly work on them, it gives kinda a hollow feeling, like buying parts for a car and then only getting to watch people put it together and drive it. Am I enjoying my MOS, yeah, I am. Do I wish I weighed my options and asked more questions before signing on? Yeah.