Marine Corp
 

So I've been debating going to the marines. I've already talked to a recruiter and he gave me alot of information. My family is obviously against the decision since none of them have ever been in the armed services, and I'm the only child, AND the only one that can carry on my last name. My Dad seems to be the most supportive in telling me to do whatever I think is right. Anyway, here's why I'm posting...

I wanna join but don't wanna be any where near battle. I know chances of being deployed are high, but that's cool. The recruiter told me he was an aviation mechanic, and thats what I was kinda thinking about doing anyway. he said he was never even close to getting a scratch on him, and where he was there was never any disturbance. So I'm thinking great. But i'm hearing from friends that's not really the case if thats what I wanna do. They pretty much put it out there, if I join, get ready to fight. Now I would love to believe the recruiter, but at the same time i'm listening to other people. I want the inside scoop from the marines in here, cuz I know there's a few here.

Remember one thing about the Marines, no matter what job you are in or what desk you are sitting at, your primary MSO is and always will be infantryman. You WILL learn how to shoot, keep your head down when needed, and operate under combat conditions. It is true that many Marines spend their whole career in support positions, away from the lines, but the majority will end up in the down and dirty.

Being a Marine is not something you are for a few years either. The Army, Navy, and Air Force are branches that people served in, being a Marine is something that you will be expected to carry with you the rest of your life. Active duty, reserved, or retired from service, once a Marine, always a Marine.

Don't take becoming a Marine lightly and don't take it as a rah rah I get to shoot people opportunity, take it as an honor and an obligation to serve.

BTW, I never served, but have a lot of family and friends that went through the Corps.

Ditto on this. I'm a wannabe that never was. Took the tests and found out that asthma is a no-no for any of our Armed Forces. As such, I've always held the Marines in high esteem and yes: There is no such thing as an ex-Marine.

Having said that, recruiters will say WHATEVER IT TAKES TO GET YOU TO SIGN. You're not going to find one who will promise to keep you out of combat, and despite the upcoming change in a few days, we are at war and will remain at war for some time. Marines are the first into battle, so I would think long and hard (Huh huh) about whether or not this is for you.

If you dont want to be near the war I would stay away from the army and marines.

Yeah. I am physically ineligible for duty from wrecking my knees in high school. It was always amazing the BS that the recruiters that visited college and high school would weave even after I told then I was unfit for service.

Ex Army here, then dont join the Marines for sure...I reccomend the AF or Navy.

This is not the case now. If your asthma is not extreme and can be "controlled" you are still eligible. You should look into it. There were SEVERAL people that I knew in the Army that had asthma.

+1

A technical skill position in the Air Force would keep you the furthest from combat. Air Force bases tend to be remote location to the combat areas they service. Just don't think that means no one is gonna shoot out at you, a base is a base is a target.

Actually in the Navy on the ship would be the furthest. No chance of air strikes( they know better) and no ones touching are navy on water.

Yeah, but then there's that whole problem of actually having to be on a ship for 6 months to a year at a time... lol

That's like saying you wanna have sex, but don't wanna put it in. WTF, over ? :?: :?: :?: :?: :?:

If that's your thinking, don't even bother. One thing the Marines will teach you is that sometimes you might be the one called to make that tough decision....and that you'd give up your life to save the lives of your fellow Marines. "Any clime or place" - that means ANYWHERE. In the 'relative safety' of the U.S. or in some far off war zone. You're expected to hold yourself to the highest accountability.

Its called intestinal fortitude. Some call it guts. Others call it the will to survive. Sounds to me like you just want a paycheck and your college paid for.

Very, very bad reasons to go. Stick with the Coast Guard.....although they deal with drug runners that DO shoot back. In that case, if you don't want to run with the BIG DAWGS, stay under the porch....

That is true, that and me feeling that the Navy was gay :lol: is why I backed out last minute to ship out when I was 19...Few years later I entered the Army and was stationed in Alaska and never looked back.

Yeah, for me, it was, "Well, if your doctor classified you as having ALLERGIES instead of ASTHMA..." Thought about it, then chickened out for fear of a dishonorable discharge after an asthma attack.

Amazing the rules that get changed when a war happens. :mrgreen: I looked into this about 13 years, one wife, two kids, a career and 150 pounds ago. But I'll keep it in mind if the job falls through. Right now, the enemy would probably mistake me for a tank.

lol, you would be surprised what requirements have been "adjusted"... basically, if you are under 43, have a trigger finger, one eye, and can carry your battle load of ammo, they will take you :lol:

If you go in with 'allergies' and have an asthma attack you don't get a dishonorable. If it is enough of an attack to make you unfit for any combat position they will either reclass you to a desk job or discharge you honorably under an undiagnosed medical condition.

I know a few people that have gone in and 'developed' problems with their health that called for moves and discharges. Their was never any blame placed, more of a handshake and a thanks for your efforts and service.

I was a Tactical Network Specialist in the Marines. I did two years in Okinawa Japan and 7 month deployment in Iraq. If you get a job that doesn't involve taking things places or killing people you will be relatively safe in the Corps. If your not a grunt or in Motor Transport and you have real job in the Corps your not going to get into combat unless you want to. Yes band geeks have been known to be put on guard duty for bases, they were guarding the building i was working in. Yes you can be pulled for guard details but they always ask who wants to do it first, because there are plenty of Marines that want to. If you are smart and have a good job (air mechanic is on of them) you will be fine.

Every Marine is a riflemen. I've been a grunt and then moved over to communications. It doesn't matter what MOS you have. What matters is duty station. If you're in the Fleet Marine Force, you can get deployed. If you have orders to a base assignment, then those are not deployable units. But even that's not certain. The needs of the Marine Corps come first. You can choose your MOS but in your first enlistment, you cannot choose your Duty Station (this is for the Active Duty Side, I don't know about the Reserves).

Also, the Marine Corps falls in the Department of the Navy so you could also get to stretch out your sea legs as well on them Gator Freighters (Amphib ships) that stay out at sea just as long. Even during these times, there is a Marine Air Ground Task Force always out at sea.

wtf do you mean by that? grunts and motor t are the two hardest jobs in the Corps. well mechanics atleast, drivers are the laziest sons of bitches i know.

definitely stay away from the Corps if you are just looking for that "oh i was a Marine" bragging rights. we do NOT take just anyone. and all can pick up a weapon and fight.

****, im a HMMWV mechanic, and a machinegunner, oh and gate guard, and everyone does firewatch.

Well, I wouldn't mind kicking someones ass over there. I just was looking for something more in the sense where I wouldn't be FIRST in the line of fire. I should have elaborated more. There's guys that sign up specifically for Infantry, I'll let them take care of it cuz they're gonna be trained how to slap a bitch alot better than I would. Jeez, now you all think I'm a pussy. lol.

im leaving for the army tomorrow. i was thinking marines when i first wanted to join but a few things led me away from them. not to mention my mom and uncle were both in the army as well. my MOS is military police and im going in as an e-3 due to the marine corps jrotc i took in high school. all i can say is make sure you find out what you really want to do and dont take any **** from the recruiters saying you cant do this or that. take the asvab and go from there. if you dont wanna be in the **** directly try going for some kind of mechanic job or other supporting role in which ever service you pick.

theres always reserves and national guard too if you want to take that route

haha, and the army hands out rank like candy which is ********. youll be an e-5 before me and ive been in 3 years.

It's a great incentive :shrug:

i suppose. but the leadership abilities arent there.

i heard they do promote fast but it also depends what your MOS is. if i would went in the marines i woulda been an e-2 which is pfc, but in the army pfc is e-3. but ill be getting paid as an e-3 no matter what the name of the rank is