trying to decide which branch of military to enlist in...thinking of marines?

Question

Right now i am 23 years old living in PA and trying to decide within the next three months which branch to go into. i have been talking to a marine vet a and i like what i heard . I have a involvement in a lot of cardio exercises such as running, biking, swimming and lifting. i am six feet tall and 150 pounds. i love to do PT and want to go through the toughest boot camp. my recruiter told me that i can take up a career in computers and not have to be actually out on the front lines. i was told by many others not to go into the marines and to join the navy or the air force instead since they are more technical. i do have college credits but not a degree (probably about 60-80).
some reasons that i want to join are the discipline, PT, extend my education and actually finish what i start, learn basic skills in the field, blow **** up, do my part in defending my country and many other reason.
i dunno something about the marines just has me hooked

Answer 1

~Well, pilgrim, me and the Duke just discussed it and we agree the Marines want you. No brains, likes to sweat, believes invading a sovereign nation without cause or justification is a patriotic thing to do and is somehow akin to defending the motherland. You'll probably look good in a butch cut and will give the folks on the other side a worthwhile target to shoot at. By all means, stay away from a "technical" branch that may require foreign concepts like thought and reason and get your butt to Paris Island and start pushing dirt as soon as you can. Bill O'Reilly loves you. Given your reasons for wanting to sign up, I'm sure you'll go far. You could even be our next Bill Calley or Ollie North.

Answer 2

I feel the same about you, except it's hard for me because I also have different ambition.. So I'm torn apart here..

But for you.. It depends what your looking for and what you like..

Do you want to serve in the sea? If so then the Navy is good, do you want to work in both Sea and Land, the Marines are good for that. Do you want to work on the land? The army is good for that, but the Air force also does that if you don't have your wings(pilot).

What kind of gear do you want to work with? Because the technology in the Navy and Air force is very Superior, then there is the Coast Guard which isn't really a "Miltary' but it has a very good technology.

Most importantly, what kind of job do you want? You'll have to choose in branches. The toughest boot camp is the United States Marine Corps.
If you love to do PT, then the Army or the USMC is good for you, but it depends on which kind of PT, Hardcore or just casual? Hardcore - USMC to Casual - Air Force.

Oh talk to many veterans and military wives and such as possible. Especially the CURRENT veterans, those who just went to Iraq and Afghan, because the chances are, you'll be going into the sandbox too so see what it's like, how they treat you.

There are more ways to serve your country then just the military, while it's important to have a military you can always be a Doctor, Teacher.. Etc etc etc..

Don't get persuaded by Recruiters, they sicken me, while some are good and others are bad.. It's impossible to tell because they control your fate and mind with words, and ALWAYS get a promise in WRITING... NEVER LIE DURING MEPS.
Many recruiters will tell you the chances of going to Iraq are slim, in reality almost EVERYONE did their tour in the sandbox, including the Marine Corps Band members... Because EVERY MARINE IS A RIFLEMAN, EVERYTHING ELSE IS SECONDARY.

Oh and if you want to make the military a career, go to college first. Because you can still enlist after college and get out and go do your dreams satisfied that you served your country and become a teacher or something, or you can stay and become an officer or even better AN EDUCATED PERSON. Now I'm not saying the military is uneducated, they are in fact very smart, (some are just plain mean and stupid, but don't let them ruin your trip), just no matter what you should always be educated. The more educated you are the wiser your choices will be.

Oh and those Navy commercials, change the channel when you see them. They sicken me... No where in that commercial it says you'll risk your life to SERVE YOUR COUNTRY, all it is that you'll just have a "funner" life.. Pretty selfish... No where it mentions America or the flag, just that you'll have a better life then buying a minivan and having kids...

Well I forgot what I was going to type next, but good luck.
Oh and by the way, use grammar and spacing please, it kind of hurts my head to read that block...

Answer 3

Your choice should fit into your life goals. Always make sure you are not letting another overlay their goals on your own. The Marines comes with a name of honor and valor and in that appeals to many. If your goal is to simpy do military service out of duty and patriotism the Marines are of course the great branch. However, if you are more technically oriented and if your life goals may include a life out of the military in civilian careers it may not be.
Be honest with yourself about what kind of person you are not what you think you would like to be or what was cool looking in some movie. Because the military will take your mind and bend it to its will and design of combat and duties. The military will tell you one thing while recruiting you , but when they literally and legally own you once in they will put you where the government can make most use of its property -- yes, you become the property of the military/government. Recruiters are masters of finding out what you want to hear and then telling you exactly that-- but the military is no civilian job, they do not have to honor anything told you while in recruitment if they say further testing showed better uses for you, which is often the case.

As far as the toughest boot camps, if that is what you want. The Army Rangers boot camp and Navy Seals boot camp are probably the most difficult, selective of boot camps in the services.. If you want the greatest chance of having a high tech position and training, the Airforce, will almost gaurantee that you are not on the front lines. The whole mode of future warfare and technology is going towards control of the skies and space and training in those areas may be better for your future in the civilian world if you choose to go that route.

Answer 4

Are you absolutely sure the AF and Navy are not taking new recruits? It seems to me that these open up recruiting from time to time, so you should keep track of this. Which branch of the service you choose should depend upon your personality. If you feel that you are strong and courageous, and seek the greatest personal challenges and risks, then the Marines are for you. The training and discipline are the toughest in the services, but the pride is also greatest. The Marines are usually the first unit into a new fight, and so have some of the highest casualties of any branch of the military. Of course, there are elite fighting units in all of the services. If you chose the Army, there are Ranger units which are specially trained and conditioned, even more than average Marines. In the Navy there are the SEALS. I would advise you to ask around about when the AF and Navy might be opening up their recruiting. Possibly they are actively recruiting in other cities. You'll have cleaner and more comfortable conditions in either the Navy or the AF. But if you're a natural born grunt, the Army or Marines are for you.

Answer 5

The Marine Corp has the toughest boot camp, no doubt. And it sounds as if, based on what you say, that you may have a real good head start over someone who enlists without preparing. The amount of "easier" factor is probably slight, my youngest bro was a DI for awhile at "Swamp Le Jeune" before being moved into training the Aussies, he was hard as nails man. There certainly are technical fields available, I wouldn't put a lot of credence into what a recruiter tells you though. They can be...a little vague at times. If you get it in writing, it's probably a sure bet though. I wish you luck, you're opening a door to a whole new world man. :)


By the way, should you really want a challenge, BUDS training is voluntary and tougher than anything you will ever attempt in life.

Answer 6

Well u want the toughest training, so Marines is the way to go. I think he made it sound a little too good, because no matter what job you pick, you are a RIFLEMAN first. Remeber that. I don't care if you choose to be a computer nerd, you will be a fighter first, because every Marine gets trained in Infantry tactics. And the fact is, the Marines won't guarantee you a job, they will guarantee you a field, but not a specific job. Only the Army guarantees jobs.

If u want to be the best, Go Marines. If you are joining just for a job skill, i say join the Air Force. But their training is a JOKE! I don't care what anybody says.lol

Answer 7

I am an officer's Air Force brat, and I married an enlisted Marine. The lifestyle is definitely different, but I wouldn't give up being married to my Marine for anything! The Marines have such a great sense of brotherhood and loyalty that I respect so much. After meting my husband, my little bro ditched his Air Force recruiter and signed with the USMC THAT DAY! We love almost every minute of it. I do have to say that anyone that says you wont have to be deployed is lying to you. unless you get paperwork that says you are not going, you are, and that is in ANY branch, not just the Marines. Good luck with whatever path you choose! OOHRAH!

Answer 8

I would never go to the Marines it's to tough for me. If you work with computers you still can be deployed to Iraq or wherever they want to send you. I believe you have a higher chance of deploying in the Army or Marines. I was in the Army and I personally prefer the Air Force. The Army boot camp wasn't tough for me and maybe the Marines is best for you. Oh, you shouldn't be on the front line in the computer field but expect to deploy.

Good Luck!

Answer 9

Oorah! If you're going to join, I'd recommend the Marine Corps.
*Just some food for thought: I was once watching the Pentagon channel and there were recruiters from all of the branches of the military and the journalist asked each of them, what the bonuses were for joining. Each recruiter went down the line and gave their answer, monetary bonuses. Then the journalist asked the Marine recruiter, "What does the Marine Corps offer for joining?" And the Marine recruiter answered "Your bonus is becoming a Marine!" Hahaha! I love it!

Answer 10

My husband served 13 years in The USMC... ooh-Rah!
It is in my opinion the most rigorous, and physically challenging branch. The few the proud...
However when my son wanted to join the service... my husband tried to talk him into the Air force because it's a higher class outfit, Better quality food, Barracks etc. and since my son's more into computers than PT that would be better for him. Are you pretty proficient in PULL UPS??? Big part of their PFT
Do not believe any recruiter that tells you,, you're guaranteed a computer job and wont see the front line...Were in the middle of a war! We send in more troops every day. Most of which are serving in the trenches, not desk jockeys so as long as you know ahead of time... anything is possible once you enlist your a*s belongs to them. If you do enlist. good luck and thank you in advance for serving our country, best of luck to you...