Please Scroll Down to See Forums Below
napsgear
genezapharmateuticals
domestic-supply
puritysourcelabs
UGL OZ
UGFREAK
napsgeargenezapharmateuticals domestic-supplypuritysourcelabsUGL OZUGFREAK

Joining the Marines.....need some advice.

M

MFMan

New member
I've been thinking about joing the Marines. I'm 27, I know a little old, but I always hated school, have no college and tired of working one shit job after another. So I've been thinking about military service. I'm just looking for some info on the corps. I don't believe much the recruiter says. As far as I'm concerned they are just like car salesmen. I'm curious about what bootcamp is like, just the overall lifestyle. I am hoping to go into something along the lines of IT or communications. Some high tech job. I am a little out of shape, the recruiter told me to start running and watching what I eat or they will put people that are overweight on some kind of diet program. I know there are alot of members on this board so I'm sure there has to be at least one person who was in the Marines or are still active. Also inquiring about the reserves for the Marines. Whats that like? Do you still have the same benefits as active duty? Thanks for any info.
 
Do not enlist. It would be a stupid thing to do. At least go to community college and go to ROTC> its a much better deal if you really want to be in the military. You would owe the military 4 years after you get commissioned and they usually pay for your college. Try it out and see if you like it first then you can decide if you want to do it for sure. I did Army ROTC and then transferred to Air Force ROTC and after getting set to go to flight school I backed out. It wasn't for me after all. The officer route is a better deal. Look here:
http://www.usarotc.com/

Do not believe anything the recruiter say, they are so full of shit! Seriously full of shit! Once an Army recruiter was pestering me at my college and I told him I was already in ROTC and he kept bugging me saying I would get more flight time if I was a warrant and blah blah...well I told my colonel about it and she flipped! She called up the recruiter and tore him a new ass.
 
Only the Few....
I guess that slogan is correct...
As only some can be one of us...a Marine...
Any experience that you choose will be good for you...
Air Force does give more money, but you have to wear those cheesy uniforms...
My M.O.S. was 0331, and I don't care who you are...
when you put your dress blues on for the first time....
You'll know exactly what I'm talking about...
Good Luck!
 
MFman - bootcamp is 13 weeks of physical fitness, learning the history of the Corps, drilling(marching around), and learning to live the life of a United States Marine. it is a definite change of pace, and if you are not willing to acept the change/challenge, it could break you. most usually make it, some either get held back, or just don't make it. just think of it like high school again, because the environment is very controlled, and when someone fucks up, everyone pays for it. another way of putting it, try seeing yourself not lbeing able to laugh for 13 weeks.

if you do decide to join any branch of service, try to pick an MOS or trade that you will be able to transfer over to the civilian world. something technical. anyway, why dont you try for the highway patrol? its just about the same thing, 'cept you wont be flying all over the world.
 
IanStuart said:
Marines? Go airforce.
Click to expand...

airforce. F&cking PUKES. I went on a deployment to South America and we had some flyboys at our camp to run the radio. THey had bunk beds and airconditioned tents. They make me sick.


Your recuiter will relay on the " under the sun " promise. Tell him you know this. They'll promise you everyhing under the sun but will not put a damn thing in solid writting. DO NOT TAKE HIS WORD. Yes he does have a quata to meet are his FirRep will reflect his poor performance.

I don't feel like typing this again. Do a search for MOS or USMC or Marines and my user name. I've posted plenty of info.

BTW your age will be a major problem. I was 19 and a corporal and will be a Ssgt by 26. SO your 13 plus years behind the curve.
 
Go marines if you want the tough guy image but if you are smart you will go AF. People complain that we have airconditioned tents and other luxurys that the other branchs don't have the privelage of experiencing, but why not live better if possible? As far as age is concerned, you are old but that doesn't matter. The age restriction for the AF I know is 36. I'm not sure as far as the other branches. If you are looking into education all the branchs off the MGIB which is probably the best benefit of the military imho and tuition assistance of 75%. If you want any more info on these things please let me know. Good luck in whatever choice you make.
 
I don't know if a 27 year-old can handle the marines. I would think most would be to set in their ways by then. Watch full metal jacket, it's not far off the mark of how it actually is. I couldn't take that shit, someone in my face yelling calling me every name in the book. I'd tell em to fuck off and get booted out.
 
MFMan said:
I've been thinking about joing the Marines. I'm 27, I know a little old, but I always hated school, have no college and tired of working one shit job after another. So I've been thinking about military service. I'm just looking for some info on the corps. I don't believe much the recruiter says. As far as I'm concerned they are just like car salesmen. I'm curious about what bootcamp is like, just the overall lifestyle. I am hoping to go into something along the lines of IT or communications. Some high tech job. I am a little out of shape, the recruiter told me to start running and watching what I eat or they will put people that are overweight on some kind of diet program. I know there are alot of members on this board so I'm sure there has to be at least one person who was in the Marines or are still active. Also inquiring about the reserves for the Marines. Whats that like? Do you still have the same benefits as active duty? Thanks for any info.
Click to expand...

Here's my take on the subject... I did 4 years active, and 4 years reserve in the USAF. The reason I didn't go into the Marines is because my cousin, (who was a recon Marine, this guy is no pussy) told me that if I wanted to learn to kill, go be a marine, but if I wanted to learn an applicable skill that is useful when I got out of the service, go into the AF. You stated in your post that you want to get into some type of tech position. Well, if that's the case, don't go into the marines, because there, you're a grunt first, and your MOS comes second... I was an Airborne Electronic Warfare Technician. I did work in-flight on air to air and surface to air missile jamming systems, and was part of an aircrew that flew on RC-135's. I've been all over the world, seen all types of military bases, and the Air Force gets the best treatment, food, facilities, and resources. If you're going into it just for the uniform, go USMC, but if you care less about the uniform, and more about your future in civilian life, go into the Air Force. In the end, I got 62 college credits towards my EE degree, the GI bill to finish school, 4 years of hands on applied electronics experience, and lots of training of all types. Think about it, if you want to make the military a career, then it really doesn't matter what branch you join, but if you're planning on doing your time and going back into the world, go where it will best serve you in the future... IMO, that's the Air Force... from experience....
 
Get ready to take a bite out of a shit sandwich........boot camp.....then your gonna go over and fight for this country that loves you so much!

Fuck that man....It's not how it used to be.
 
Thanks for the replies. Alot to think about. I'm more concerned about future civilian life. So now I'm leaning more towards the airforce. I got nothin but respect for all branches of the military but am not that gung ho about going to war. More for the reasons of learning a skill.
 
Air Force ROTC! DO it! I am telling you. Do you want to be some under paid enlisted man? Screw that, go into ROTC - Air Force ROTC is so easy, trust me I know. You will get a commission and much better pay. These guys are right about you being a bit old to enlist anyway. However as an officer you are fine being 27. I started at age 26 in ROTC and it was no prob. If you enlist you will be with a bunch of 18-19 year olds. Making around 19k a year as well which sucks. With ROTC you get a college degree, a commission and a much better chance of getting into the field of your choice. If you do well in ROTC you usually get your 1st pick of specialty. Also, remember this: when you are in the Army or Marine's the only guys that get much respect are combat arms- lifers usually. If you do something that is not combat arms and is more for transfering into civ life then you will not promote as quickly. Its a double edge sword. If I was you I would go Air Force. Or just go to tech school. I am going to hairdresser school. 10 months schooling and I will be making 1500 a week. not bad. I am straight too! :)

http://www.afrotc.com/
 
bigredcat can you please explain the cut and dry of ROTC? The official website is confusing and misleading. Is the just of it getting full college, textbook, and 250 a month at a university for attending 2 hours a day at a military training camp? Do they provide housing or anything else or would I still have to get a part time job?
 
Well your options for commission are ROTC or OTC. OTC is usually for people with college degree's already. ROTC is basically while your going to school. I started in my freshman year and yeah you have 1-2 ROTC classes in addition to your regular classes and usually a "lab" which is where you do marching or whatever. The more involved you are with it the better as far as kissing ass up to the officers and getting the field you want. You usually wear your uniform to ROTC class but its only like 1 day a week and 1 day of lab. Its not much of a commitment the first 2 years of college. You can wait until your Junior year to start if you want but then you have to sign an agreement and your locked in, whereas if you start as a feshman or sophmore you can dip out if you dont want to stay in. Junior year is when you need to decide and that is the hardest year in ROTC. Air Force is cake, it really is especially compared to the Army program I was in. The PT is way easier and they dont do field ops like the Army does. Your junior year you go away to a sort of boot camp for officers. Here is some more info that makes more sense:
http://www.wpi.edu/Academics/Depts/AFAS/Cadets/about/answers.html

The Air Force really needs pilots and anyone in engineering right now. They were practically begging me to go to flight school which I wanted to but ended up deciding not to. They only pay for your college if you are on scholarship. You would probably want a part time job while in college anyway for spending money.
 
I already have an AA which is why it is confusing becuase I would *start* most 4 year colleges as a junior not a freshman. I guess this means I have to make a commitment. Also, what is all this scholarship talk? If I sign up for ROTC without applying for an ROTC scholarship what good is ROTC other then the 250 a month spending money. ALSO, rumor has it I might be able to qualify as an officer with an associates of arts degree (2 year degree) is this true ?
 
What good it is is that you get a commission. You usually only owe 4 years to the military unless you go on scholarship or are a pilot(8 years last I checked). If you have a degree(AA) then yeah you might want to go to OTC after you finish college- either way you would need to commit to the program.
read here about OTC:
http://www.af.mil/lib/faqs.shtml
Your best bet is to do ROTC your junior and senior year.

here us UF's ROTC page- pretty good info-there is some info on scholarships- they are fairly easy to get with the Air Force.
http://www.afrotc.ufl.edu/visitors/faqs.html
 
Don't worry too much about your age... I mean, you are going to be surrounded by a bunch of 18 year old kids, but you will get used to it, and have more chances to stand up and be a leader because of your life experience. I had a 32 year old and a 34 year old in boot camp with me, and they did fine. Boot camp was actually fun for me. As long as you don't take things seriously and you love to push yourself to see what you can do, you will be fine. PM me if you want any specific info on training or any questions in general. Good luck & Semper Fi

-Kali
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

F
need your advice on tb500
Replies
6
Views
521
Arabian
Arabian
Resurrected
Approved Log My Comeback Lifestyle Log
Replies
63
Views
7K
the_alcatraz
the_alcatraz
J
less body weight goals
Replies
9
Views
1K
Arabian
Arabian
Dr_Strangelove
Approved Log TRT Training and Lifestyle Journal
Replies
18
Views
845
the_alcatraz
the_alcatraz
L
Pct or cruise advice
Replies
6
Views
2K
the_alcatraz
the_alcatraz
Top Bottom