The Marines...

[Shawn Carr2o]

Once you enlist in the Marines you become the US government's property.

The Marine Corp recruiter sent me some papers in the mail back in 1998 to see if I wanted to join the Marine Corp but I told them that I am disabled and can't join.

I got a Marine Corp metal thingy for free though.

I would never join the Marine Corp.

Btw: My sister's husband is in the Marine Corp and that's all I know. He has to check in or he will get in trouble and it must be hard to be told what to do I bet.

 

[iamyagami22]

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.

Thank you for all of your help, I will begin researching the possibilities throughout this semester. I'm actually pretty excited to do something useful with myself.

 

[Lagduf]

Does the GI Bill apply to marines as well?

Something you might want to look into as well. If you have student loans already perhaps the military can help you pay them off. Be a nice perk at least.

 

[iamyagami22]

Does the GI Bill apply to marines as well?

Something you might want to look into as well. If you have student loans already perhaps the military can help you pay them off. Be a nice perk at least.

Unfortunatly (considering the context of the matter), I already paid off all my loans (with the exception of this semester), since I go to SUNY Buffalo the tuition is cheap as hell.

 

[SoloFenris]

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.

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.

Now now Duffy, let's not make each others statements out to be more than they are. I didn't see you as placing yourself on a moral pedestal at all. I was simply going on and responding to the statement of "getting used to it" which doesn't in any way contain the concepts of "liking it" or "bloodlust." But at the end of the day, the job of the military will always remain the same.

Jeff

 

[Andy Is A Bastard]

Yeah, Marines can get the GI Bill

Free 100% Tuition assistance for education while on Active duty, too.

Plus some MOS training and even some of the training in Boot Camp and MCT/SOI can be applied as accrued credits at some schools

The Marines work closely with Central Texas College for schooling while active.

 

[aria]

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...

Well, now there have been a lot of articles in the past year about how, due to the war and the problems it causes with recruiting, all branches of the service have been really stretching their belts to let in enough troops --many are being let in now that would've never been a few years ago: people with overlooked drug and alcohol issues, not-passing test scores, etc. This has actually caused a problem with retention and later issues in the field.

Of course, this problem is squarely placed on the combination of under-trained recruiters and more pressure from top brass to make a quota or lose your position, but there's some shady recruiters in the mix as well.

 

[aria]

Unfortunatly (considering the context of the matter), I already paid off all my loans (with the exception of this semester), since I go to SUNY Buffalo the tuition is cheap as hell.

Well, if you go through with it, you'll have an excuse for Uncle Sam to pay for grad school.


Oh, and here's a slightly out-of-left-field suggestion: finish school, go to law school and [highlight]join the JAG corp[/highlight]; or be like my friend and serve a few years (he was an Army paratrooper) and then, as soon as you can, get the military to pay for law school.

If I ended up joining the military, I'd be a JAG. All I'd have to do is take an extra year of military law classes (all branches' use the JAG school set up next to UVA), go to "salute school" and then I'd automatically be an officer when I enter and have a very low chance of getting in the line of fire as I sit on a base (for the record, if you decide to be a Marine JAG, despite being a part of the Navy, it remains the only JAG corp that has to do basic training). I had a few good friends join, seems like it could be fun --and they really, really recruit hard for JAG.

As I mentioned, my Army friend was going right back into the military after he graduated, and he mentioned the three basic things JAG Corp do (it's pretty much a crap-shoot to what you're assigned) : (1) criminal and civil matters done by military personel (i.e. what you'd think they do); (2) go and procure supplies for a base (making all the sales contracts with locals, etc); (3) help negotiate with other governments entities (i.e. Rules of Engagement, etc).

Anyway, just keep that one in mind as an option.

 

[iamyagami22]

Well, if you go through with it, you'll have an excuse for Uncle Sam to pay for grad school.


Oh, and here's a slightly out-of-left-field suggestion: finish school, go to law school and [highlight]join the JAG corp[/highlight]; or be like my friend and serve a few years (he was an Army paratrooper) and then, as soon as you can, get the military to pay for law school.

If I ended up joining the military, I'd be a JAG. All I'd have to do is take an extra year of military law classes (all branches' use the JAG school set up next to UVA), go to "salute school" and then I'd automatically be an officer when I enter and have a very low chance of getting in the line of fire as I sit on a base (for the record, if you decide to be a Marine JAG, despite being a part of the Navy, it remains the only JAG corp that has to do basic training). I had a few good friends join, seems like it could be fun --and they really, really recruit hard for JAG.

As I mentioned, my Army friend was going right back into the military after he graduated, and he mentioned the three basic things JAG Corp do (it's pretty much a crap-shoot to what you're assigned) : (1) criminal and civil matters done by military personel (i.e. what you'd think they do); (2) go and procure supplies for a base (making all the sales contracts with locals, etc); (3) help negotiate with other governments entities (i.e. Rules of Engagement, etc).

Anyway, just keep that one in mind as an option.

An intersting idea to become a JAG, however I don't much care for law, I'm more of a science guy, in which case I'd finish my engineering degree and then enlist. Thank you for your information and help, as you said, I will make sure to finish school before going in.

 

[RAINBOW PONY]

one of my friends joined the army, he went into special forces training. he was big as a fucking truck and I always asked him why not the marines, cause he kinda looked like one of those bad ass marines, anyway he always use to tell me "Join the marines if you wanna get shot at, join the army if you want a career".

 

[iamyagami22]

one of my friends joined the army, he went into special forces training. he was big as a fucking truck and I always asked him why not the marines, cause he kinda looked like one of those bad ass marines, anyway he always use to tell me "Join the marines if you wanna get shot at, join the army if you want a career".

You know what army stands for right?

Aint Ready to be a Marine Yet.

 

[RAINBOW PONY]

You know what army stands for right?

Aint Ready to be a Marine Yet.

 

[BoriquaSNK]

My best friends are all Marines.

You will be subjected to some of the most cruel, grueling, punishing training in the world.

You'll be beaten to a pulp, spit on, cursed at, ridiculed, humiliated, and mercilessly hardened.


You'll come out of it all with a love for your country. They will turn you into a great person.

The Marines are hands down the strongest fighting force in the world. There are no tiers, every Marine is trained to be the best sailor and rifleman he can be. The only exceptions are the SS, of which there are very, very, very, very few.

You'll get to train with the Royal Marines as well, odds are one of your Gunnery Seargents (Don't call them Gunny's) will be RM. They are even crazier than the American Marines and just as tough...do not fuck with them.

Marines can fly jets and helicopters, as well as armor. Anything that isn't infantry will be hard to get into.

 

[aria]

You know what army stands for right?

Aint Ready to be a Marine Yet.

Y'know though, there's a thought that seems credible that the main reason the Marine Corp is so over-the-top on demonstrating its tradition-rich (as opposed to the other branches?) and unique is because it's always under risk of being absorbed completely by another branch. They're survival as a branch is dependent on having a strong veteran base that emphasizes their history and tradition of being different and important, otherwise they'd be absorbed quickly.

A had a friend put it to me this way: what exactly do the Marines do that the other 3 major branches don't, other than train differently? Speaking from a purely strategic standpoint, they're used as a light infantry (i.e. can move faster than an armor unit) and placed in areas where the US can't move heavier units fast enough, or where they don't want to expend those resources (removing diplomatic personel from problem zones, etc). Couldn't this just be a part of another branch?

Again, I have no qualms with the Marines, but those ideas made a lot of sense to me from a practical standpoint.

[Joining a branch that serves to keep the enemy occupied until the big guns arrive also isn't very appealing to me.]

 

[Andy Is A Bastard]

Anything that isn't infantry will be hard to get into.

^^^^
Is bullshit lie. Seriously, it's a myth. If anything, infantry and related MOS have exploded since 9/11, and unless you're seriously not qualified for anything else, you may have to request it. You have almost equal chaces of being a "Supply Administration and Operations Clerk", aka red tag fag.

Given your level of education, I highly doubt you'd be thrown to either just to "fill the quota". Speaking of which, do you have a degree already? If so, have you thought about getting a commision and becoming an officer?

 

[iamyagami22]

^^^^
Is bullshit lie. Seriously, it's a myth. If anything, infantry and related MOS have exploded since 9/11, and unless you're seriously not qualified for anything else, you may have to request it. You have almost equal chaces of being a "Supply Administration and Operations Clerk", aka red tag fag.

Given your level of education, I highly doubt you'd be thrown to either just to "fill the quota". Speaking of which, do you have a degree already? If so, have you thought about getting a commision and becoming an officer?

I don't have a degree yet, so I think I'll probably wait till I do, so I can become an officer like you said. Most of my family members who joined went in with no degree, but I'm already in college so theres no point in leaving until I have something to show for it.

 

[aria]

I don't have a degree yet, so I think I'll probably wait till I do, so I can become an officer like you said. Most of my family members who joined went in with no degree, but I'm already in college so theres no point in leaving until I have something to show for it.

No doubt, one of the best things about going into the services is that they don't hesitate to throw someone into a field that exploits their training (for example, the JAG Corp pitch is that a fresh graduate will get to try cases immediately instead of waiting for the firm to let them). If you're an engineer/science major, I imagine you'll be valuable.

You may want to consider marketing yourself to several of the branches and see which one is willing too give you the most interesting job suitable to your work. I mean, if you're going to go into the military you might as well get experience that will help you get a job if you decide not to make it a life-long career.

 

[Hidden Character]

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

Say it again!

 

[Kevin Paul]

I don't think the Marine Corps will ever have to worry about being absorbed by a service. America wants a Marine Corps. We have a very positive image (with war contributions, President's military escort and Toys4Tots).

Also, the Marine Corps is used as a rapid deployment force in readiness, used primarily to conquer/secure areas, whereas the Army is more of an occupying force.

If you look at Iraq after the initial invasion, it was the Army that was being used primarily as a peace-keeping force. It wasn't until the DOD realized they had bitten off more than they could chew, that we were sent back in.

Also look at Haiti in the 90s, Somalia, etc.

And the statistics right now clearly show more U.S. Soldiers dying "over there".

And whoever the thread starter was, make a careful and thoughtful decision as to what job you're going to do.

Some good/easy jobs are Public Affairs, IT, admin (cake for the most part), counter intelligence, EOD, the mechanic/air crew jobs are good if you get and get hired by Rolls Royce, Boeing, etc.

Ask the recruiter about a signing bonus (they won't mention it).

If you have 12 credits of college, make sure he/she gives you a guaranteed Private First Class.

If you have second thoughts, you can back out everytime you swear (that's the key). You have to swear before you set off for bootcamp, and that's your last chance to back out.

The Marine Corps is like the tale of two cities. It's the best of times, and the worst of times. The comraderie, travel, training are all great. Running through the O-Course, shooting a pistol and rifle without any recriminations, punching a friend in a stomach during martial arts training, camping out, etc are some examples. It's the bullshit they subject you to like Chinese Field Days (where you have to remove all the furniture out of your room), securing your libbo or not being able to voice your opinion or being put on a crappy working party.

As you go up in rank, you're subjected to less b.s. (but it's still there).

If at all possible, go officer.

The best duty stations are MCAS Miramar, MCAS Iwakuni, Camp Pendleton (as long as you're not a grunt, as they go through the most b.s.), Mt. Fuji, the base in New Orleans and a few Naval and Air Force bases.

And every service has its benefits and purposes. Definitely do your research.

Make sure you're in good shape and can pass the Initial Strength Test. And homesickness is bound to happen.

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.

 

[norton9478]

Just rememeber to never belive a word that the recruiter says...

They are hype monkey scumbags.

 

[YO-YO-Boy]

so like which force has the least amount of running in the training?

 

[Lagduf]

Now now Duffy, let's not make each others statements out to be more than they are.

e-battle

But at the end of the day, the job of the military will always remain the same.

Jeff

Yeah, I agree. It's a nasty business, has to be done though (well some would argue otherwise...).

 

[neobuyer]

If you join the Marines- you join the team of R. Lee 'Gunner' Ermey.

You hear me maggots?

That guy is living proof you can get bad tattoos on your forearms and look like a badass later in life after you retire- and not like an ex-biker or something.

Mail Call is one of the best shows on cable TV.

Army- a mixed bag. Safer than being a leatherneck.

Navy- 75% gay, 25% fat guys who play D&D

AirForce- Never touch the enemy and get laughed at by your grandkids unless you're a fighter pilot.

Marines- Semper FUCKING Fi.

Not the thinking man's branch- but a thinking man who lives through his career in the marines will be so badass than Bobak would forget his branch of law if he so much looked that man in the face for more than 15 seconds

I hate to overuse 'badass' but it's a real commodity in the realm of older men who need more than $$$ or a hundred and one grandchildren to show their former worth as a man.

 

[Stinky-Dinkins]

Sarcasm

If you join the Marines- you join the team of R. Lee 'Gunner' Ermey.

You hear me maggots?

That guy is living proof you can get bad tattoos on your forearms and look like a badass later in life after you retire- and not like an ex-biker or something.

Mail Call is one of the best shows on cable TV.

Army- a mixed bag. Safer than being a leatherneck.

Navy- 75% gay, 25% fat guys who play D&D

AirForce- Never touch the enemy and get laughed at by your grandkids unless you're a fighter pilot.

Marines- Semper FUCKING Fi.

Not the thinking man's branch- but a thinking man who lives through his career in the marines will be so badass than Bobak would forget his branch of law if he so much looked that man in the face for more than 15 seconds

I hate to overuse 'badass' but it's a real commodity in the realm of older men who need more than $$$ or a hundred and one grandchildren to show their former worth as a man.

Were you in the military?

It's good to know you're also an expert on all things armed forces.

 

[rarehero]

not that it's related in anyway other than key word marines,

I had a friend that after 9/11 totally was gung ho and was all about
joining the marines, the guy was your typical gun/knife nut.
we all know one. and his dream was to be a sniper and he was dumb
enough to go to a marine recruiter and believe them telling him
that he would be one.
now, being a military brat and all, i figure i know a little bit about this shit.
i'm like, fuck man, not the marines. they'll fuck you up man,
he's a scrawny guy.
dude. join the airforce, they'll take care of you, or the navy, they're okay too.
or even the fucking army, because marines are fucking insane.
you'll be on the fucking front lines of iraq.
he's like. no man. gotta join the marines, plus i'm going to be a sniper!
so he joins.
and comes back from leave.
i'm totally impressed. he's clean cut from being the long haired hippee gun nut he was
and he even looks a little built from his scrawnyself.
really. i was pretty proud of him and told him this.
i honestly didn't think he would make it through boot camp.
so anyways, he goes back. and in a month he's back again for leave during the
holidays, which he surprises me with a K bar. i was like fuck man. thanks!
i mean, that's a fucking man's knife and all, wooden handle and a nice scary black blade.
marine issue and all that shit.
so the last night he's around i buy the man dinner, all of my friends and him
just kind of bullshit around and then wish him well on the day he'll go back to
where he was stationed.
fast forward two weeks.
one of my friends is like, yea, he didn't go back.
so he basically was awol.
i call him up, dude. wtf are you doing?
i dont want to go back, it sucks.
wtf.
dude, you signed up for 4 years. at least go back and get discharged or something
naw man, people always do it.
so since there was no talking to him i just talked to him on the weekends
when i worked at the shop and whatever.
after a couple more weeks he went back and they threw him in the brig.
well he tries to get discharged, tries hitting on his co.
tries hitting his co.
can't get out of service.
so he goes awol again to which he remained for a couple months out side of it all.
i talk to him and tell him that they'll catch up with him eventually,
they'll track him down, hell if he wants a job they'll figure things out through his ssn
he worked at a gamestop for a little while and last i heard he's been in prison
for desertion or whatever the fuck it is.
i really don't blame him in some respects because i don't believe in the war
that's going on, but he never should have signed up in the first place is the way i see it.
so that's it.
no moral to the story really.
just my marine story.