cbrmike - no offense was taken, just wanted people to knwo that there is nothing wrong with being a grunt.

WS SIKZ - Thank you for volunteering as well.

Good luck, God bless, and thanks a ton, guys! :usa:

my only advice to you is, do the right thing all the time, just because no one is watching, dont think you can get away with something or not doing something. In training, dont think, just do what you're told. When you get to your duty station, offer input suggestions, but still realize you are the low ranking one. Thats how i was/am and already a waiver has been put in for my promotion and the NCOs have all taken notice of my mechanical abilities and knowledge, plus other knowledge.

Thanks all for you kind words and suggestions. I will be heading off to Parris Island and hopefully get my MOS that I signed for. With Recon, I will be heading off to training camps such as Ranger school and Army Airborne school. I am really looking forward to this and I will keep you up to date on my status as it comes in. Semper Fi.:usa:

No one told me this when I joined the Marines. Make sure everything they told you that you are entitled too TO BE PUT IN WRITING AND IN YOUR CONTRACT!!!!!! Dont be fooled into going into open contract or none of that nonsense. If you were told bonuses then it has to be in your contract and in writing. Your jobfield must be in your contract before going in. If not 0311 infantry is what you will become or a 3500 truck driver or mechanic. Dont take no for an answer no matter what that recruiter says. Make sure its in your contract! Other then that its a great thing. Just do what you are told quickly and efficiently and never take anything personal. Its a game till the day you graduate boot camp and when you graduate your job training. Remember your getting paid to learn. Make sure all your bills are paid up completely before going in, and dont be fooled into buying gimmicks off base. Those are all former military people that own shops off base preying on new privates.

That is bad ass dude!! thanks alot!! Im looking into the guard right now...

If you play it smart the military is one of the best things for you if you choose that option. I got my degree while I was in and they paid 75% and now they pay 100% while you are still active duty, and you still get your GI Bill when you come out. Use your Gi bill for like Mechanic schools or your masters things like that. One of the main things is you have to go in mainly debt free because your going to suffer for the 1st couple of years till you pick up rank. And definately do not get married in your 1st 2 to 3 yrs of the military because you just dont make enough. And do not take your wife to live with you at NC Camp Lejuene if you value your relationship. And make sure you quickly do all your educational requirements right away so you can get promoted faster. There called MCI's. I was a Sgt/E5 in 3 yrs when most marines barely make Cpl/E4 in 4 yrs. All because I was tired of getting ***** on by dumb NCO's (Cpl/Sgt) lol. I recommend this for anyone going into any military branch. Its alot of fun and you will gain knowledge you will use forever, and friends for life. Have fun and if anyone has any questions feel free to PM Me. I was pretty much based accross all over the US and Over seas.

If you want to go recon, do everything in your power to ace every testing station. When they walk through the 0311 folks asking if anyone wants to try out for recon or scout sniper, make sure you get on the list, but remember that there may be hundreds with the same aspirations.

A coworker of mine has a nephew who eventually ended up in Recon but went to Iraq first with his Infantry unit. His brother, who was also recon, suggested he get some time in combat first THEN apply for the tryouts. You'll have more experience, and the respect of the acceptance board, if you have a tour under your belt first. The "kids" who make it into Recon right out of bootcamp are treated like absolute crap.

Lastly, remember that you're trying out for a recon betallion. Force Recon is something else entirely, and very hard to get into. You'll spend a few years in a recon betallion first then try out for Force Recon if you're so inclined. I hope you like being cold and wet all day. My coworkers nephew spent months in the Phillipeans training... and decided not to re-up his contract. You REALLY have to want to be there to endure that kind of life.

Good luck!

good luck

Well said!!!!

Thanks and good luck to both of you! :usa:

- Justin

Thanks everyone, it really helps to have people happy about this while I get alot of "Why the hell do you wanna go over there and get killed". I really appreciate knowing there is some people happy about this.

Awesome man, Intel & Recon is a hell of a fun job. You'll enjoy it, but remember to keep a level head. You'll probably be doing some distance shooting too at either Bragg (Army), Lejune (Marines), or Pensacola (Navy). Prepare to learn **** you'd rather not know :lol:

PS- arent they closing Paris Island?

I did a Google search and came up with an article dated 2004 that stated the Department of Defense would close Parris Island (8,000 acres) and move Marine boot camp to the Army base at Fort Jackson, SC (52,000 acres). The article also made mention that the DOD was closing 20 bases nationwide to save money and that new buildings would have to be erected to meet the needs of the USMC.

http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htm.../20041022.aspx

To date, it hasn't happened and I doubt it will. Parris Island's website is up and running strong. Nothing about closing in there.

http://www.mcrdpi.usmc.mil/

Good luck with the Marines. Hopefully, you'll actually get to kill a bad guy. I've fantasized about joining just for the thrill of killing a terrorist, but I've already went through college and I'm now a white-collar professional. But if I had nothing going for me, then I definitely would have joined--just to be a badass.