who has been or is in the armed forces ?

Question

My bestfriend wants to join the MARINES and asked me what i thought about it. I dont know i mean is it rewarding? is it a good career? Do you think it would make him happy? Are or where you happy? I just want the truth, i know that it is hard as hell. But i have always looked out for him and him for me i just want him to be happy and have one of the best careers possible.

ok i love that you are trying to help by answerin but i would love marines input to

Answer 1

I was in the Marines right out of high school. 1992-1998.

I worked Military Intelligence.

The way I tell people is it's not a slam dunk for a good career, but if you're relatively smart, do well on the ASFAB and GT score, you can get yourself into a technical field. MI was a good MOS to have, but my best friend ended up working telecommunications. And although telcom wasn't near as exciting as MI, he got an honorable discharge after 4 years and pretty much walked right into a $100,000 job with AT&T. He's making about double that now that he's been there a while. I'm not exactly doin badly, but my MOS didn't guarantee me a job outside of trying to go to the FBI, CIA, or even as an independent merc which wasn't really "me".

It's definitely possible. The GI Bill obviously makes it easier to go to school afterwards.

You gain valuable training. It transforms you from a boy into a man. You'll always have a little piece of the Marines in you even once you're a civilian again. Your confidence goes sky high and you believe there's nothing that cannot be accomplished should you put your mind to it.

Bootcamp sucks (13 weeks), Marine Combat Training after boot kinda sucks but it's not too bad (another 4 weeks), then you typically start schooling for your MOS.

If he goes, gets into the more macho side of the Marines and ends up as a grunt, then it's really not worth it if you're just going to advance an outside career. Same with being in mechanized units (like tanks) or artillery.

If he's got some brains, then he'll have a choice of quite a few different fields that can be lucrative when you get out. And no matter what the recruiter might say, he CANNOT guarantee a job; only a field of MOS. That means you end up in such and such field and could end up doing the job of anyone in that field.


heh...thanks for the thumbs down whoever that was. probaby a grunt...i wasn't tryin to put yas down.

Answer 2

I served in the Marines during the Vietnam War and served a tour in the Nam as an Infantry Squad Leader a Grunt for short. The Corps is a very honored branch of the armed forces, we learn our tradition and we strive to uphold it no matter how difficult the situation. I don't know if it would make him happy, chances are that during Boot Camp and infantry school he won't be real happy since it is very demanding but on the other hand upon completion it is very rewarding. I often thought that I made a mistake when I didn't stay in and make it a career. During my tour in the Nam I spent time in a Siege situation and I've not gotten over it yet. You ask if I was happy and I can honestly say that I did have many fine moments in the Corps. Is the Corps hard?? You bet your A-S-S it's hard!!!! Is the Corps all that it's bragged up to be ??? You bet your A-S-S it's all that it's bragged up to be and even more!!!! Once someone has earned the Eagle-Globe and Anchor they are a member of a huge fraternity and we ALWAYS look out for our own !!!!

Answer 3

If it is what he wants , then it's his decision. I spent 6 active, but back then we had the draft, and there wasn't a lot of choice in serving. I joined for the electronics program, I got a good education, saw a lot of places that people spend a fortune on trying to see.

The bad part of this is, the seperation from family and friends. You can be gone for long periods of time, and miss a lot of holidays.

It's a lot to think about, the service will do a lot for you, and offer you a good retirement while you are still young enough to get another job and draw more retirement, when you are ready to hang it up.

You guys need to talk about this together. Chances are, you may wind up breaking up if he is gone for a year or so. If you guys were married, then it will either make or break the relatonship. I have seen it go both ways. Usually it is the girl friends that move on, and a lot of wives stay the course, some of them just drink a lot.

Answer 4

I loved my time in the Marines, and I love being a Marine spouse. My husband, who has been in the Corps for 14+ years now, also loves it.

To make a very long story short, I learned so much about myself when I joined the service. I learned that I am a leader, I have the mental ability to do whatever I want, and I learned that I can survive anything. I do not mean to imply that the Marine are dangerous or scary, but boot camp and being away from home can be difficult. Also, just something about the Corps brings things out in you that are hard to explain.

Aside from the personal benefits, there were other things I really enjoyed about my time in. I got to travel. Meet new people from all over. I got money for college that I have since used to get my B.S. and part of my Masters. I got to spend time in jobs that l liked and jobs that I didn't. I learned just how fortunate I am to have a job that I like or that I can learn if I am truly unhappy.

I know that right now people tend to jump right to thinking about being deployed to Iraq. While that possibility does exist, you also have to understand that training takes time and it does provide you with the means to protect yourself. You are learning to do your job and do it well.

I hope this makes sense and helps you. The bottomline is simple. If your friend wants to be a Marine, then you have to support that decision. It might just turnout to be the best thing he ever does!

Answer 5

I'm no Marine, but, I served in the Brown Water Navy, delivering mail and supplies to those guys, sometimes under fire. I have never seen such a fiercely dedicated, loyal, and caring group of men and women in all of my short 36 years of life. The ones I met hated where they were, but felt they were doing something for the betterment of all, and wanted to do nothing more or less than just that. They felt it was a privilege to be graced with their globes and anchors. I know I certainly have never been more inspired or awed by any other group of Americans, save maybe for the Rangers, in all of my time in the service. I'm glad the Marines are a part of my department. It makes me feel like I have a "cool cousin".

Answer 6

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Answer 7

Sure, it can be a great career, and even if someone decides not to stay in almost anyone who was in any branch will tell you it's the best thing they ever did for themselves. It changes your whole life, your whole outlook on your country, and it teaches you that you CAN do something hard. It's only when you do something difficult that you have any notion of your limitations. Don't try to filter it through YOUR brain, for him, that doesn't provide any usefull thoughts on the subject.

Answer 8

Seriously, joining the military when I was 18 was the best thing ever did. It made a man out of me.

Granted that was over twenty years ago, but it's still a great way to get an education. They will train you & pay for your college.

Good luck

Answer 9

It depends on the person. I loved the infantry and the navy. Some people don't do so well in such a structured and disciplined environment. It is not good for people who want to make trouble or tend to get into personal conflicts with other people mainly because you cannot just change jobs.

Answer 10

Viet Nam vet. Was drafted. Even though it was at times the worst of my life, at other times it was the best in my life. You just have to go with the flow and make the best of the situation.