Marine Corps

[HeatherJay]

My husband was Marine Corps Reserves for 4 years before going active duty in the Army...only because, at the time, the Marines did not accept prior service. He told me over and over again that he would have gone to war any day with his fellow Marines and felt confident, but that if he had gone to war while in the Army, he'd have been constantly worried that his men were doing what they were supposed to do. Thank goodness he never had to go to war. He was a grunt in both the Marines and the Army...he's since gotten out of service and finished college. He's a computer geek now, God bless him

My little brother was/is also a Marine. He loved it. He was stationed in Okinawa most of his time but finished up in Camp Pendleton. He did a lot of travelling, and, thankfully, never had to go to war, either.

Also, my husband's brother was a Marine for 12 years. He loved it, as well. He was involved in Desert Storm.

LOL, but I also have a sister in law and 2 brother's in law that are in the Army. One of whom is currently in Iraq, but due to be home in the next month or two.

If you're having trouble deciding on a branch, I personally have always thought that Marines looked the best in their uniforms...dress blues *drool*

Love, Heather

 

[RubyRose]

Semper Fi! and OOOOOOOHH RAHHHHHHHHHH !!


Congratulations on wanting to be one of the finest men in the world!

My husband is retiring from the Corps this year. It will be such a different life. It can be hard, but it is so worth it!

God bless you for wanting to serve our country with the few, the proud!!

 

[rock-man73]

I was in the marine corp in the early 90's and it is not all that hard. If you pay attention and do as your told you will do just fine. If you could find some of the same books they use in boot camp and read them over several times, it will make boot camp a lot easier. You wont have to be learning all that stuff, you will know most of it and wont be so stressfull. Also if you know of anyone who owns an ar-15 which is the same as a m16. And see if you could borrow it from them, if not practice taking it apart in front of them. If you learn how to disassemble it and put it back together fairly fast you also wont have to learn that in the corp and it will make your life a lot easier there. Just what I noticed when I was there.

 

[fieldsofwind]

going to have to take issue with the comment of

Officers: lead
Enlisted: are led

----------------

Your inexperienced enlisted man is going to be like a deer in the headlights... as will your inexperienced butter-bar 2nd Lt.

Your experienced enlisted man (NCO) will indeed lead... in fact, he will do most of the hands-on leading... your experienced officer will assist in leading inasmuch as he sees fit (without micro-managing) but will be more of an overseer for the task at hand-- In essence... he will have a broader leadership responsibility...

I'm graduating from The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, in 2 months and could easily have taken a commission as an (O-1) ensign in the Navy. However, I'm enlisting instead so as to guarantee myself a shot at BUD/S. If I still want a commission later, its mine. However, life in the military isn't going to be good if you're making your decisions based on the petty conditions of officer vs. enlisted life.

take care

FOW

 

[Lucent]

I am an air traffic controller in the Marine Reserves. I think it's the best job in the world for an enlisted man(or woman), since our duty is to sit around and tell pilot/officers what to do.

Another thing that I thought was hilarious: Apparently during Desert Storm I, Saddam wanted to get his Republican Guard to get really angry at the Americans (to make them fight harder). To do this he told his men that in order to join the American elite forces (Marines) that you had to kill a member of your family. (I'm not kidding) Unfortunately for Saddam, instead of angering his men, he scared the daylights out of them, and many of his troops started surrendering to anything that moved.

The reason that I tell this story, is to let you know that people all over the world have their veiws of the Marines, and most of those views make enemies of the US disperse when we move in. If/when you go through boot camp, just remember that when you come out, you will be a man who inspires fear in the hearts of our enemies.

Good luck, Semper Fi, and God Bless

 

[Deacon]

MEDIC!

Actually they shout CORPMAN!

My father was a Marine for almost 25 years, retired as a Master Sgt. He never went to war because he was in a non combatant situtation. He was a Instructor(why he held the rank of Master SGT rather then 1st Sgt). He signed up to kill the North Vietnemese(yes this is the only reason he joined he has told me) But he found that the Corp changed him. He was a communications anylist. Went up through the ranks rather quickly. Was a Gunny by the time he had 8 years under his belt. The Marines have my upmost respect. They are the spearhead of the American Military Machine. They are the first to go, and the last to leave.

@Ruth, My dad went through the same thing, only he was forced to retire or risk getting a divorce from my mother(who later divorced him anyways). He wanted to stay in the Corp and get Master Gunny. He was a year away from getting it too. You're husband will have some quirks you will not like. But thats to be given. Just let him know he is loved, and if he wants to go to the base everyone once in a while...go with him . It could be fun.

 

[Kelly]

Saw a brand new Marines commercial on TV last night. It was inspiring, respectful and beautiful. Marine advertising has been sort of 'nerdy' over the last few years (guys turning into knights, fighting dragons, etc). This looked like something by Spielberg or someone. Great music too. I tried to find a copy on the marines website but have not been successful.

 

[Gunny]

Officer: leads
Enlistee: is led

 

[Deacon]

Aint that the truth Gunny!!!

 

[LordsRanger]

1, 2, 3, 4.......

 

[Michael713]

i just got out the Marines about 4 months ago and i was in for 4 1/2 years stationed in North Cackilaky...active duty...was supposed to go to Kuwait/Iraq, but i messed my knee up and stayed back for surgery

i, personally, disliked it....

it wasnt as hard physically as it was mentally.....im from Houston so its hard to make trips home, when on your 1st enlistment, your only station options are East Coast, West Coast, or overseas....

if u dont like ALOT of people telling u what to do, dont do it...

if u dont like to get yelled at, dont do it....

if u are mentally weak, dont do it...

if u dont like authority figures, dont do it...

if u dont like leaving the U.S. for long periods of time, dont do it....

if u want to grow a beard, goatee, dont do it...

on a positive note.....if u want money for college, want to defend your country, want to run alot, work alot, make money, get a little on the job training, make your family proud, or travel outside the U.S. free (as far as money goes) go for it.....

 

[caero]

We are a Marine Family.

 

[LordsRanger]

I'm a old salty dog Marine and I am proud of your son mam, just by your post!

May God bless your son as he serves his country.

Semper Fi, Do or Die, Hold 'em High at eighth and I! Ooooh-Rah!

I love Marines.

I'll shoot for an officer position in the Corps perhaps if there isn't a draft before I graduate college.

Even if I graduate, I have been bent on SF, and SEALs.

 

[Luponatrix]

I'm a pacifist myself... but I do have many that are dear to me that are in the armed forces. Including the marine corps. A good book to read that was recommended to me by my brother in the marine corps is: "Making the Corps", by Thomas E. Ricks.

I read it, and it helped me to understand more about what the Corps is about and what you can expect. I'm glad I've read it, and I think any marine or future marine will like the book.

My company first sergeant from boot camp was the junior drill instructor in the platoon that Making the Corps follows. 1stSgt Zwayer was and is a great Marine.

 

[God Loving Cowboy]

i just got out the Marines about 4 months ago and i was in for 4 1/2 years stationed in North Cackilaky...active duty...was supposed to go to Kuwait/Iraq, but i messed my knee up and stayed back for surgery

i, personally, disliked it....

it wasnt as hard physically as it was mentally.....im from Houston so its hard to make trips home, when on your 1st enlistment, your only station options are East Coast, West Coast, or overseas....

if u dont like ALOT of people telling u what to do, dont do it...

if u dont like to get yelled at, dont do it....

if u are mentally weak, dont do it...

if u dont like authority figures, dont do it...

if u dont like leaving the U.S. for long periods of time, dont do it....

if u want to grow a beard, goatee, dont do it...

on a positive note.....if u want money for college, want to defend your country, want to run alot, work alot, make money, get a little on the job training, make your family proud, or travel outside the U.S. free (as far as money goes) go for it.....

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.

 

[desi]

I'm a former Marine who married the girl of my dreams and just graduated Pharmacy School. For me I joined the Marines to prove I could do it and after I did it I found myself doing all kinds of amazing things. 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.

 

[fugebabe8819]

i just got out the Marines about 4 months ago and i was in for 4 1/2 years stationed in North Cackilaky...active duty...was supposed to go to Kuwait/Iraq, but i messed my knee up and stayed back for surgery

i, personally, disliked it....

it wasnt as hard physically as it was mentally.....im from Houston so its hard to make trips home, when on your 1st enlistment, your only station options are East Coast, West Coast, or overseas....

if u dont like ALOT of people telling u what to do, dont do it...

if u dont like to get yelled at, dont do it....

if u are mentally weak, dont do it...

if u dont like authority figures, dont do it...

if u dont like leaving the U.S. for long periods of time, dont do it....

if u want to grow a beard, goatee, dont do it...

on a positive note.....if u want money for college, want to defend your country, want to run alot, work alot, make money, get a little on the job training, make your family proud, or travel outside the U.S. free (as far as money goes) go for it.....

Wanting facial hair is no reason not to join the Marines..

 

[Amadeus]

Should I join the Marines?

 

[enjolras]

i think you all have some good points, id love to join the marines - but im australian - i could join our SASR but they wont let me - asthma - and i cant join the air force - again asthma and visibility problems in right eye, but this is about marines. I think they are to be better respected by some people - especially over in aus - im not sure what its like over there.

i think you should join! if you want it to be it can be the best thing thats ever happened to you (my grandpa told me that! he is a WWII vet)

hope you make the right decision!!!

 

[toyotafan]

Same Gig here.... I want to Join thge Air Force Reserve but I might have an asthma history past age 13.... But I think with running I can overcome this and go get it undiagnosed.... But I dunno if that will be enough to pass MEPS....