Wanting to join the Marine Corp ????

Question

I am currently going to college but I am drawn into the Marine Corp ever since I was young I played with little army guys, and use to dress up as a soldier I think I would love it the excitement the thrill the experience the honor one gets the respect I really want to join but something is holding me back. Should I join, Or should I not?

Answer 1

Stick to college and get your degree, then join. The Corps may have a loan repament program.

Your degree will help you in proficiency and in promotion. Finnish School and then join.

Answer 2

Joining the military is a big commitment. It's not like any other job and quit when you don't like it anymore. I spent 4 years in the Marine Corps and loved it. The only reason I didn't reenlist was because I met my wife and I wanted to start a family.

I have had 6 other family members that have joined the Marine Corps and they all still say that the miss it. It's a really hard decision now that the chance of being deployed into a combat zone is guaranteed. The Marine Corps is great if you like to be part of a group that thrives on it's history and traditions. Remember, no matter what job you take in the Marine Corps, you are ALWAYS a rifleman (GRUNT). SEMPER FI

Answer 3

As a reserve Gunnery Sergeant in the Marines, I can speak on this one personally. I used the Marine GI Bill to get both of my degrees, and wouldn't have been given the chance had I not gone into the Corps. I'm to old to be accepted into Officer Candidate School now. However, having said this, the pay and living quarters (BAH) is MUCH better if you're a Commissioned Officer. I would definitely recommend going through the Officer Commisioning program through either the Platoon Leaders Course (done while in college, two 6 week courses) or Officer Candidate School (done when you graduate college, one 10 week course). Afterwards, you'll go to "The Basic School" (TBS) for six months, then to your occupational school (what you choose to "be" in the Corps).

As an aside, there are much easier routes if all you want is military experience. Being a Marine is tough. You'll have to REALLY want to be called a Marine....and you will have to earn it....the hard way.

Good luck with your decision. Hope this helps.
Semper Fidelis.

Answer 4

Talk to a recuiter - see what career fields are available to you. Find other Marines (preferably Officers - since that's what you'd be) to find out what they like and dislike about the Corps.

Search on the web about the Marines - see what you can find out.

Like others have said - finish your schooling. Personally, I think it'd be better to go in as an officer than an enlisted.

Keep in mind that in the Marines, everybody - and I mean everybody, is a rifleman, first and foremost. You might go in as a cook - but you will be expected to be able to pick up a rilfe and go into battle. And, if you go in the Marines, at least in the next year or two (maybe longer) - chances are pretty high that you will end up in Iraq - for at least a year, possibly longer.

However, the Marine Corps is an awesome organization with a lot of pride and respect - and you'll have to do a lot of hard work to accomplish it.

Good luck to you!

Answer 5

Both my sons joined the Marine Corp, my oldest is still in, and in Iraq. Both my kids liked to play soldier too when they were young.
I am very proud of both of my sons, even though I worry about my oldest, I know this is the Life he chose for himself and I support him all the way. I knew at a young age, that he would be a lifer.
Could it be the current situation that we are in right now over seas that is making your decision a little harder.
It is always easier to make this decision when we are at Peace.
You did not say how far you are in school, so maybe you could have an option of joining the Marine Corp now and finishing school later. Take your time and if you have parents, talk this over with them, talk to a recruiter, but I am sure they will try to get you to join, considering that is their job.
Take Care and Good Luck with your decision.
Semper Fi......Hoo Rah!

Answer 6

Well, its a bit disturbing to read what you write. I was in the military and liked it, but I was never in any combat. I think its normal in combat to enjoy killing your enemy; he is trying to kill you, and its a natural human anger reaction. But you have never been in combat, so you seem to have the same mind set as someone who is doing a drive by shooting. Just to shoot someone for entertainment, and you have a plan where you can do it legally. Its not attractive, the way you describe it. Still, if you want to join the military, that's the job they have, finding and killing the enemy. I hope you don't find yourself killing non-combatants. I have an acquaintance who was in the mililary in Vietnam, and he did kill a civilian. He was able to get away with it on a technicality, but he knew that he had commited murder. He became an alcoholic and it ate him up for years and years. He finally got some help and got some resolution about it, but I don't think that he has ever gotten completely free of it. There was a document I read about a Japanese soldier who, when he was in the 2dWW, enjoyed chopping off people's heads. He really quite liked it. After the war he was not prosecuted for it. He never did feel any remorse. The way he talked about it, it was sort of an obsessive compulsive disorger. He joked about it. I am not attracted to such people. If you join the military and go do the Nation's serivce, good on you. But whatever you do over there, you will have to live with it for the rest of your life. Watch that you don't get out of protocol with it; there are soldiers who have gone there and have been prosecuted for murder.

Answer 7

My father is a retired E9, 28 and a half years. I think it would be a great idea for anyone to join. My sons are going into the Corps when they get out of highschool. What year are you in college? Just remember when you go in, it's ALOT of discipline. The thing probably holding you back is the fact that you are actually going to do it for real and it isn't going to be game anymore. Take heed though, when and if you go in....do not call yourself a soldier!! A soldier is in the Army......good luck....Semper Fi!!!

Answer 8

I agree with getting a degree for promotion but you can go to school online now on your own time and they'll pay for it up to so much per credit. there are so many benifits of joining ,housing medical ,dental ,pride ,honor,and after 20 years you can retire as opposed to being 65 still slaving away! my husband was in the marine corp for 8 years before he came to the army. (he got a sign on bonus) definitly I say go the goods out weigh the bads!

Answer 9

On of the best decisions I ever made was joining the Marine Corps when I was 17 years old.
When my hitch was up, I went to college under the G.I. bill, and was successful in life.

Answer 10

Its a hard decision, but if you really want to do it, you should.
At the moment, people say so much crap about the military, I definately see why you are second guessing.

Personally, I think the marines are awesome. Ive been in the 4 major services bases, and I was impressed by the marines more than any of the others.
They had the cleanest base, best weapons(including a 40mm autocannon), most outstanding leadership, and treated each other with much more respect.
Just so you know, once you get out of boot camp, they dont do any of that crazy crap you see in full metal jacket.
I did see several marines mess up drills, and not one of them was yelled at, the nco just walked over and pointed it out quietly.
At the other bases, people got yelled at all the time. I even got yelled at, because I used a "piss only bathroom" for taking a crap. a toilets a toilet. WTF.