Should I join the marines?

Question

I'm turning 18 next year and I don't really want to live the average civilian life, I'd like to have a little excitement at least and do something meaningful, you know, be known for something. Anyways, my mom is really anti war and my dad could care less if i joined. So the only thing holding me back really is my mom, I don't want to disrespect her, but I want to do something with my life still.

By the way guys, im not joining for education or anything, im joining for the experience, my dad owns a business that I plan on taking over one day but first I want to explore other things. I want to be respected, I want stories to tell to my grandchildren, I want to live a meaningful life.

Answer 1

You can look at it two ways You can disrespect her by doing what you know deep down inside you you have to do and become the man you could be and she will be proud of you when you become that man.

Or you can do as she feels she wants right now do to her feelings on the situation in the sandbox, and never become the man you could, she'll still be proud of you.

But how will you feel 5, 10, even 20 years down the road?

Vet-USAF 44MMS / Wish I'd done thing differantly

Answer 2

There are only two kinds of people that understand Marines: Marines and the enemy. Everyone else has a second-hand opinion.
Gen. William Thornson, U.S. Army


Freedom is not free, but the U.S. Marine Corps will pay most of your share.
Ned Dolan


We signed up knowing the risk. Those innocent people in New York didn't go to work thinking there was any kind of risk.
Pvt. Mike Armendariz-Clark, USMC; Afghanastan, 20 September 2001
As reported on page 1 of the New York Times


The safest place in Korea was right behind a platoon of Marines. Lord, how they could fight!
MGen. Frank E. Lowe, USA; Korea, 26 January 1952



For all of those that have son's or daughter's at bootcamp let me pass on what I found. Let me give you a little back ground first. When my son left home he had no motivation, he was lazy, slobby, no pride, no self worth. This is the boy that got off the bus March 18th at Parris Island. The man that I met on Thursday for parents day is AWESOME. There is no way I can describe to you all the difference. He looks different, he walks different, he talks different, he has such a sense of bearing and pride all I could do was look at him in awe. Oh yes, the training is hard, what he went through is unimaginable to any one that has not been there. They are definitely taught to be Warriors. Let me tell you the surprise of what else they are taught. My Marine son has better values, better morals, better manners than any one I know. It is so much more than Yes Sir, Yes Mam...so much more. He cares about how he looks, he cares about what he does, and its not a boastful, bad *** thing. He is a true gentleman. I saw patience, and a calmness in him that I have never seen. I could never express my gratitude enough to the Marine Corps for what they have given my son. I know this, I have an 11 year old Devil pup still at home. When the time comes for his turn if I had to I would take him kicking and screaming all the way. Although I'm sure that will not happen. The hero worship I see in my younger sons eyes for his Marine brother tells me I will have two Marines in the family, and I will be one very proud mother.
"Cybil", Mother of a Marine writing to the myMarine Group

Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem.
Ronald Reagan, President of the United States; 1985


Marines I see as two breeds, Rottweilers or Dobermans, because Marines come in two varieties, big and mean, or skinny and mean. They're aggressive on the attack and tenacious on defense. They've got really short hair and they always go for the throat.
RAdm. "Jay" R. Stark, USN; 10 November 1995


They told (us) to open up the Embassy, or "we'll blow you away." And then they looked up and saw the Marines on the roof with these really big guns, and they said in Somali, "Igaralli ahow," which means "Excuse me, I didn't mean it, my mistake".
Karen Aquilar, in the U.S. Embassy; Mogadishu, Somalia, 1991


For over 221 years our Corps has done two things for this great Nation. We make Marines, and we win battles.
Gen. Charles C. Krulak, USMC (CMC); 5 May 1997

Answer 3

First, you are an adult, and unless you like being a momas boy make your own decisions.

Ok, that was far easier said that it would be to do. but if you let the feelings of others unduly effect your decisions then your life could be severely hampered for the rest of your life.

Do what you believe is right for you. In making the decisions that are best for you try to not hurt others to get where you are going. Climbing the ladder at the expense of others is just wrong. Climbing the ladder based on your abilities and achievements is a wonderful thing!

I hope this helps. The core is a great place to grow up and get some real life experience.

Answer 4

Only you can make that decision and if you let anyone else decide for you it is a mistake. If you choose the Corps though you do it for one reason -- to be a Marine. Pay attention next time you see a recruiting commerical. The Marine Corps is the only branch that doesn't try to sweet talk you in. There is never a word mentioned about the GI Bill, short enlistment contracts, signing bonuses or other benifits. While they exisit just like every other branch that isn't what is important. All that is offered is the opportunity to earn the title of a U.S. Marine. As for your mom, remind her that if it wasn't for the freedom provided by the Marines (as well as all of our brothers-in-arms) she would be in prision right now for simply disagreeing with the government.

Semper Fi

"America is NOT at war. The U.S. Marines are at war. America is at the mall."

Answer 5

My husband was in the military and he said it really depends on the type of job you want to do. If you want to do a very basic level job, join the Marines because when you enlist there's only specific options for what you can do. Whereas, in the other military branches, when you enlist, you can pick almost any type of job. You need to really research each branch's website to see the different job options that are available to you as well as talking to a person from each branch of the service - not a recruiter - their job is to sell you on only their branch. Informing yourself, researching all of this - it will all help you win over your Mom. You could join the reserves as another option. The military is a unique career that has many wonderful benefits, especially at your age. You can basically work in the military for 20 years and then retire and get money for the rest of your life. That means retiring at age 38! Not too bad, huh? You can also learn foreign languages and other skills. The military has many specialized schools that all give you something to put on your resume. Goodluck!

Answer 6

There is much you can do to have a meaningful life, but the Marines are a respectable way to do that. I'm anti-war too - most of us combat veterans are. But here's the rub: the warrior does not get to pick his fights. Y'don't like the war, don't blame the soldier. Blame the idiots in charge - your President and the Congress!
Hey, any branch of the service is an honorable way to go. Perhaps you'd consider the Coast Guard - theirs is a vitally important job, and having worked with them, I can tell you they get plenty of excitement from time to time.
A navy pilot has to eject, and winds up in the ocean in a wild storm. Who goes out in weather nobody else would dare risk, in a big helecopter and jumps into that friggin' cold, black water to rescue that guy? The Coast Guard, that's who. Or maybe he's a Marine pilot. Tell ya what - he'll be damned glad to see you if you're the Coast Guardsman coming to save his butt!

Answer 7

Buy your mom this book for her to read. "Keeping Faith: A Father-Son Story About Love and the United States Marine Corps"
Your story is very similar to this true story. Its about a son who is determined and a liberal father who hates the idea but he grows to accept his son's decision and learn to grow from his narrow minded views about the military.

All mothers are the same... they want you to get good grades, go to college, get a good job, buy a house, find a nice woman to marry and have kids. Well that is all very cookie cutter and I was the same way. You join the Marines to be challenged beyond what any other service can do for you. You don't do it for a job or money.... You do it to be one of the few, to be a Marine.
I met a 18yr old guy recently who scored very high on his ASVAB exam. It was so high that the AirForce recruiter said that he could have any job in the AirForce or maybe even get him an appointment to the AirForce Academy after a year of service. The Navy was offering him big money bonuses.
His desire was just to be a Marine. Even the Marine recruiter was trying to get him into a high technical field with a bonus but he wanted to be in the infantry and thats what he got.
People may call him dumb for doing that but he wasn't seeking that out of his life. He wanted a challenge and he wanted to experience his life to the fullest.

Good luck and Semper Fi,
"USMC, We don't suffer from insanity, we enjoy every minute of it"

Answer 8

I would that you should do what YOU feel is right ... if you are in the Marines or the Army, the odds are that you WILL be deployed if this war is still going on ... just know that it ain't like TV, really figure it out for yourself before you sign up... but the military is by no means a bad idea. You will be respected for your choice and willingness to fight, just make sure it's what you really wanna do

Answer 9

Nothing wrong with the Marines, but I'd recommend either the Air Force or Navy in order to gather technical skills at service schools that could be useful in civilian life.

Answer 10

Doing something great in life is meaningful. It's hard to find a job you like and it's boring just to earn money to support living but not on target !