Get out or become a Marine officer?

Question

I can either get out of the Marine Corps altogether, or continue on as an officer (I am currently enlisted) after going to OCS. I have no desire to remain on the enlisted side, although it was a fun ride while it lasted. I don't really believe in what is going on in the world today politically, but I do not put any blame whatsoever on service men and women, as I feel that these issues stem from our elected officials.

My question is, should I become an officer who can use the knowledge he has gained as an enlisted man to better the Corps, or get out and cease to support a war I am not entirely in agreement with? I know that this should be a personal question that I should answer only after doing some soul-searching, but I would still like to get the opinions of others.

Answer 1

It all depends on the MOS you're looking at. You also have another option. I know it's very hard to consider, but you also have the option of putting on a uniform from another branch. I was in the Corps, and I know that's a very hard decision. I have a friend who's still in the Corps, and that's the choice he's looking at making. If the Corps is going to start you as a 2nd LT grunt, and the Air Force or the Army will start you out as a Major, you know what you have to do. You can always go back to the Corps for retirement.

The other thing to consider is how long we are going to have our current administration (government); and how much time do you have invested now. I really think you would regret dropping out. Everyone I have ever talked to did. Do you think you have the resolve to stick it out. Also remember, that you can resign a commission. Good luck Devil dog.

PS-I also know that if you do a lateral move to another branch, they usually give you a higher pay grade coming from the Corps. This is obviously not true going from another branch to the Corps, because everyone else must go through Marine Boot camp. I've known Marines who started 2 grades higher. After getting out, the Army offered to start my contract 2 grades higher then when I left.

Answer 2

that's actual much less stressful to do the different. Your greatest enemy would be time. once you graduate you would be around 22. you will owe the army a minimum of four years of energetic accountability. you will nonetheless owe 4 extra years interior the inactive waiting reserve or interior the army reserve/take care of. they are going to launch you from irr/take care of to connect the Marines yet you could desire to understand that the Marine Corps might have you ever do all your preparation throughout lower back. this means which you would be around 26. you could desire to end all preparation by the age of 31. the only exception that i'm able to think of of is once you're a JAG officer or have some truly truly expert preparation. notwithstanding if, the army might in all probability settle for you as an officer without lots project. to boot, officer slots are extra durable to get interior the Marine Corps as they don't have as many officers. pay attention to Redleg. He has the journey and is conscious what he's speaking approximately. there is not any logical reason for a thumbs down for his answer.

Answer 3

I was in the Army, made my E-5, and now I am in ROTC. I do not wholheartedly agree with the war but I am going back because I know that at any point this war could get much bigger, or we could be fighting a justified noble war for America at any time. I am also going back because I believe that I can do a better job for our soldiers than many of the officer and NCO's did for me. My prior experience in Iraq will allow me to make better tactical decisions and relate better to the soldiers since I used to be one. I don't support the war either, but I support out troops and believe they deserve the best leadership possible and if you can provide that then go for it. You never know when our next war will be, and even though you do not believe in the war in Iraq I know you believe in America and our troops.

The only thing I would mention is that right now is the Army and Marine Corps are set to grow over the next few years. I would make your decision sooner (next two years) as opposed to later. If the Dems get the Presidency we may be looking at drop in funding for the military. Now is the time to strike. The Army and MC are adding tons of troops to the ranks and it won't be a big stretch to get accepted as it would have been a few years ago.

Lastly, I know one guy on here mentioned about switching services to AF or Army. AF is brutally difficult to get an OCS slot I already checked. Too many applicants for a service that is downsizing, and unless you are a Electrical Engineering major or a Nurse you have less than 10% chance of getting in. Lastly, (and I am sure you alreday know this) the Army will not speed up your promotions or give you preferential treatment for being a Marine. Many Marines (and one of the guys on this post) are under the assumption that Marine rank is more impressive than everyone elses. We had a ton of prior service Marine officers and enlisted in my unit and if anything they lost rank!!! If you do Army OCS you will start off as a 2LT like everyone else and get promoted along with everyone else. Also, if you want to fly look into Army Warrant Officer flight school. We had a few prior service Marines in my unit who got picked up for that and they did well. Also, the acceptance rate for eligible CPT's to Major in the Army right now is like 97% in nearly all branches!!!!! If you want to make it a career you are almost guaranteed field grade rank right now because so many officers are getting out!

Good Luck from someone who is doing what you are thinking about.

Answer 4

with a complete seperation of service you can still go back. I think the USMC will scrutinize your file if you do seperate (the few, the proud, the tightly budgeted), but coming to the service cleanly as a prior enlisted opens much more avenues than reenlisting and submitting requests does. If you are doing soul searching and stuff get out, ETS and stretch your legs, take a few college courses and reassert yourself to viewing all of the different services when considering a career that can easily take you through retirement.
If you are going combat arms, or have been enlisted in a heavily tactically aware MOS and you want to make a career of supporting these people that would be a wise decision for obvious reasons to return to the same branch.
My own soul searching here since the start of this mess has lead me to return to take care of what I consider my people, the NCO corps are the ones that care for their enlisted and watch out for them.

Answer 5

Its a peacekeeping mission now, the war is over, at least for USA against Saddam, mission accomplished ?
It is entirely up to you, but how many service men feel the way that you do about the politics ? They may eventually be used against their own american people if things continue the way that they are, I hope to think that WE THE PEOPLE and the CONSTITUTION are far more important to our soldiers, than politics and government !!
Who will they fight for. A question to think about. Staying in or out is such a personal choice, it would be nice to have some soldiers in that are on the side of the american people and our american constitution, but staying in can get you killed too. I certainly hope that our soldiers understand and know what is going on with the violations to our constitutions by our government. I have wondered if thats why they are there. They are getting killed thousands maimed so that we dont have soldiers for america that are capable to fight and/or protect our borders, WHY ?? THINK long and hard, do research while you are free to do so...I constantly question those whose authorities are being abuse ! I have thoughts, like everyone, and wonder about the soldiers, etc...they have already forcibly taken weapons away from citizens in louisiana, yet did not stay to protect those citizens.Sad thing was that no citizen wanted to fight or hurt their own military personnel and the national guard coomented how surreal it was to do in their own country. There may be a time when the citizens no longer care if the military are no longer citizens ? I fear for the life of our american citizens, military or not over what could happen if they try to do that for the wrong reasons. Citizens and military killing each other,,i I have gone pretty low and pretty high in my thoughts about what and why he (president) is doing this ? He sneaks in some pretty crappy stuff into 300 pages of things that congress misses, or passes bad bills against the people.
Thank you for your service to We The People, (me) and our country. I hope that you will remain safe no matter your choice.

Answer 6

Well being that the reign of Bush is coming to an end I would stay in if I were you and enlist as an officer. The benefits, experience, and education you'll get from being a Marine is unmatched (as you probably already know).

Answer 7

Nobody is ever 100% behind any war. There is much that can't be told out front, so there is always a little doubt.
Go to OCS, if nothing else,a couple years as an officer will look good on your resume.

Answer 8

It's better to get out than remain in the military if you are unhappy or disgruntled. The Marine Corps does not need people who are not of the same mind on the subject of duty and fighting.

Answer 9

Well if you have to get paid stay otherwise get out you right the war is a very big conspiracy the brave men and woman are really just numbers to the government each body represents a possible outcome train them almost like robots. Get out open up your own business I'm sure you have pride and the military can instill that but really dont be pawn in their stupid game use your knowledge to help others.

Answer 10

If you're asking that question you should probably get out. Being an officer takes a lot of time and effort, and you have to actually want to be an officer to be a good one.