Marine Corps

[Jive Nation]

Hey me and my friend are in the same boat. I have wanted to be A Marine since about 8th grade. I have talked to the recruiter a couple of times and I have decided to change my mind, im not totally sure but I think im going Army. What MOS do you want to join? Im all ears, God Bless you in your enlistment decision!

My advice is to disregard all the hype like " The Few, the Proud, The Marines", " An Army of One", the "Oo Rah!"s and "Hoo-Ahs!". Don't buy into it just yet.

Speak to people of both branches who have actually served, both positive and negative. Don't rely on a recruiter for squat that doesn't involve your contract. Find out as much as you can about the day to day life, becuase thats what really counts. Yea, Graduateing basic training is neat and all that, but if your quality of life sucks, you have to put up with it.

Since your all ears, I'll give you a ear full.

My experince is this: Marines have a "espri de corp" or a High moral. Most Marines I've met truly take pride in their service and see it as a career more then just a stint for college money you see more often in Army or Air Force. Dress Blues beat out Army Greens in display.

On the flip side, If you go Marine grunt and wanna go high speed, be prepared to go to Army schools, like Airborne ( Basic and Advanced), Ranger, SEER, Master Fitness and Combatives. Not to mention, Army guys can always try for Special Forces Selection or CAG ( Delta Force ).

As for quality of training? In Pouge jobs ( Non-Infantry ) I'd give the edge to Marines, given how much they stress discpline and all that more so then the Army.

As far as combat training goes (Infantry), I'd go Army. I think our training is more realistic when I compare the two. You have easier accsess to schools that count. The only instance where I saw Marine training surpass the Army's is in Sniper school, where Marines get a chance to shoot threw glass.

Take it for what it's worth.

 

[Jive Nation]

Sounds to me if I may, you made a mistake and you weren't really willing to fight for your country. Did you NOT know that they were going to ridicule you? Yell in your face, tell you what to do? People cheaping out for money for college is bologne, that is the biggest farse ever. I don't see why people complain so damn much about the military. Yes its hard, because you have to be ELITE.

You don't know how it is. It's one thing to be treated like Trash in Basic Training, it's another thing to get to your unit then live it for another year and half until you get some rank. It wears on the soul.

 

[desi]

You don't know how it is. It's one thing to be treated like Trash in Basic Training, it's another thing to get to your unit then live it for another year and half until you get some rank. It wears on the soul.

It also depends on the unit and how they mess with you. Some are tougher than others, and sometimes someone in authority may take a dislike to you for whatever silly reason. Maybe you remind him of the principal who kicked him out of normal Jr. High into the naughty boys school.

 

[Jive Nation]

... The one thing about the Marines which stands out most is when I was a new Corporal in charge of a dozen or so Privates and Lance Corporals. The instand obediance, respect, and, yes, fear they had towards me was a power reserved for Gods, kings, and Marine Corporals. I miss it.

Typical Military Power Trip, the ability for Juinor NCOs to get off of treating new Privates like trash.

God help any Spec-Nazis I find terrorizeing Private Snap Link becuase he wants to play Drill Sergeant for a bit.

SOrry if I mistook the meaning out of your words, but that was my reaction.

 

[Jive Nation]

It also depends on the unit and how they mess with you. Some are tougher than others, and sometimes someone in authority may take a dislike to you for whatever silly reason. Maybe you remind him of the principal who kicked him out of normal Jr. High into the naughty boys school.

This is true. Line units tend to be kinda harsh, but it was the mind frame I hated.

 

[desi]

Typical Military Power Trip, the ability for Juinor NCOs to get off of treating new Privates like trash.

God help any Spec-Nazis I find terrorizeing Private Snap Link becuase he wants to play Drill Sergeant for a bit.

SOrry if I mistook the meaning out of your words, but that was my reaction.

With some Corporals stuff like that happened. With me it was different. I didn't have the time or inclination to screw with people. As a Corporal I coordinated transportation for large troop movements and heavy lift transport from battalion deployments to tank hauling. When I got to work there was much to do and I answered to a Master Sergeant. When I gathered my Marines around in the morning and layed out the plans for the day they knew we had work to do and I knew the work would be done right and on time. They were as professional as I was, yet my rank as a Corporal placed me in the lead and they respected it. I never mopped or swept as a Marine Corporal.

The Army Guard was quite a different story. The soldiers were average joes who did half hearted work versus Marines who did a great job with enthusiasm.

 

[CZzyzx41]

Preparation is the key. If I had properly prepared I wouldn't feel like I was such a disgrace. Train yourself physically. They will break you down mentally and emotionally so expect that but keep yourself trained to see the bigger picture and you will get through it. Remeber these Sergeants are your teachers, your guides, and your coaches. They are there to help turn you into a marine. Do not look for compassion. Just look to be instructed and trust their every word. Do read some of those same books you'll be given during your training. Learn to disassemble and reassemble that M-16...believe there's an AR-something or other right? Didnt' someone already post that? Test yourself physically and push yourself way past the bounds. Look perhaps at the Navy SEALS workout routine and give that a shot? I have friends in the Marines but I went through Navy training at the RTC in Great Lakes which is COMPLETELY different...and MUCH easier (which I think makes you not as tough..but that's my perception) So some of my advice could have been better applied to Navy training than Marine Boot Camp.

 

[desi]

It would appear Marines are exempt from getting decapitated too!

 

[CZzyzx41]

If it's true that he is safe and alive, then this is a great day for all Americans but most importantly that soldier and his family.