First of all... it should only take you about 2 years to make it to Lance Corporal, if even that long.
Here's a day in the life of my husband (while not deployed) he's a in the SNCO ranks, but it's not all that different day to day:
Early morning PT three days a week,
Work starts around 9am.
Lunch 11am -12pm or 12-1pm each day.
Do some more work.
Any awards or promotions get done in the afternoon (at least for his unit)
5pm (and often sooner) come home.
Now, that's when they're not deployed, not training to be deployed and what not. When preparing for deployment he often PTs in the morning, barely gets time for lunch and often won't be home until it's dark. And they often stay out in the field or at the range for a week or more at a time.
He usually takes 2 weeks leave each year. You earn 2.5 days of leave each month. It's up to you (and your CO) to decide how to use them. However, post deployment leave is a month.
Deployments used to be 7 months, they are now changing Marine deployments to a year. But, that can all change in a heartbeat again.
I think that's it. There's generally enough time left in the day or week to have a life. And, even though I'm "just a wife" I must say... it's not really all that bad.
Hope it helps!
2007-05-05 14:29:36
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answer #1
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answered by rocknrobin21 4
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After boot you'll have ITB or MCT, depending on if you have an infantry-based MOS or not. From there you'll attend any follow-up schooling that's required. My son left boot as a Private, made Lance Corporal 10 months later while in C school. He was deployed for 7 months his first deployment.
Daily life is like having a regular job... you may work shifts, depending on your MOS... and you'll have PT several times per week, and some duties around the barracks, if you're living on-base in enlisted quarters. A recruiter can give you more specifics, since he'll know what MOS you're looking at.
Check out http://www.marineparents.com
It's the best online resource for all things USMC. Information, support for loved ones, chat rooms, message boards... it's absolutely THE best, and no other branch of the military has anything like it. It's a great way to get a feel for what the Marine Corps Family is all about.
2007-05-05 20:21:59
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answer #2
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answered by Amy S 6
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Depending on your qualifications in the civilian world, you may be able to enlist as a PFC (like having your Eagle Scout)
I'll second the above about picking up rank- it depends on your PT scores, your qualifications, and your MOS; some fields pick up more quickly than others, it depends on the needs of the Corps...then again, everything depends on the needs of the Corps, so you'll get used to that
BUT, you will pick up rank eventually, especially the first few pre-NCO ranks.
As for knowing everything you'll do from the time you sign up to when you get out...darlin' that's just not going to happen. You can plan and plan, but as I said above...the needs of the Corps reign supreme. If you have a specific area of specialization in mind then you can probably get a better picture of what life would entail, but a yearly schedule and certainly tour duties depend on what you choose to do. Best of luck!
Oh, and if you still have questions, I would suggest talking to a Marine that is doing a job you're interested in. He or she could give you a better idea of what you're signing up for.
2007-05-05 16:30:38
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answer #3
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answered by Lizzybeth G 2
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Marines train hard but are entitled to vacations every year even when deployed abroad. Promotions depends upon the merit and performce but it is inevitable year after year because you promotion will surely come.
2007-05-05 12:34:19
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answer #4
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answered by FRAGINAL, JTM 7
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