I really need help?

Question

I've been really considering joining the Airforce for a very long time.(SERE program) to be exact. But i've been really thinking about the Marine Corps lately. Everyone i talk to is telling my to join the airforce, even my brother who is a Marine. He says he wouldnt change being one ever, but he doesnt want me to join because of the war. I understand that if i join the Marines that i "Will" go to Iraq. Its that I'm scared of dieing, because i'm not, its just leaving my family and friends behind if i die, is what bothers me. Even knowing this, still, everytime i think about the Marines i think about, Honor,Pride,and being able to belong to such a great thing as the Marine Corps, Sure the comercials are to make you want to join, but everytime i see anything that has to do with the Marines, I get a feeling deep inside, its really weird. Almost like something is telling me to join, I just think about how good it would feel knowing that I'm a Marine. Please leave comments...Thanks, Matt

I thank you all for your comments. Its not the going to Iraq and fighting that scares me, its the hurt on my family if i did happen to die, its what i dont want. I have the upmost respect for the Airforce, so much that i'm consider joining then. Its really hard for me to explain what it is about the Marines whats making me go crazy. I have so much more respect for them though, for some reason. Its hard to explain... sry.. I guess i have in my head that they are the best, and nothing can compare.. But i know thats a bad thing think...Everyone i talk to that is a Marine says its all about the brotherhood and respect they have for fellow marines, courage and just an awesome feeling to be a marine, and i just dont hear those things from people I've talked to in the other branches of the military. I honestly just have no idea what to do. By the way i'm 19.. Thanks once again for all your comments, its helping me alot...

Answer 1

My husband is in the AirForce. I am of course partial to the AirForce but either is a very commendable job. You should feel good either way. I applaud you for considering either one and just by your words, you seem to be an honorable person and you deserve it. However, which ever you choose, you are supporting your country. You are no more a hero if you join the Marines and you are no more a coward if you join the AirForce. I would look into each one and choose the one who has the career feild you would love to work in. That is how my husband made his decision. He wanted to work on cargo planes so he is in the AirForce. If he wanted to work on ships, he would probably be in the Navy Im sure and so on and so forth. I personally think you are going to do great things no matter which you go into. Good Luck and God Bless :) (As for the commercials, do you believe in subliminal messages?) J/K

Answer 2

It's good that you're weighing the pros and cons of joining the military, but don't let a fear of death keep you from doing what you want to do. I respect anyone in the military. My sister served in Iraq and Kuwait for 18 months and came home safe and sound, although she told me while she was over there that she wanted to stay. I have lost friends too but everything happens for a reason. You could just as easily get killed here. When it's your time to go, you go. I lost a very close friend recently in a propane tank explosion. He was only 24 years old and had a 1 year old son. It doesn't matter where you are. If you are being called, then there's a reason. You never know. I don't push my religion on anyone, but if you are a Christian, then you'll understand what I'm saying. If you have faith, you'll do what you feel is right in your heart. Good luck.

Answer 3

Matt, it is great that you are considering your desire to serve our country and even greater that you are concerned for what might happen to affect those around you. Having served in the military I think I should point out just a few more things you have not mentioned in your question.

First of all, joining the military, be it Air Force or Marines, is a decision that you will have to live with for the rest of your life, regardless of how it affects those arround you now. Without doubt the war in Iraq will not be the only time that you put your life on the line in the military. Our military men and women put their lives on the line everyday in service to our country before the war in Iraq and will continue to do so after this war is over.

As to Air Force or Marines?

ANY military member can tell you that "the machine only functions as well as the sum of all its parts".

That is to say that each and every branch of the military service is just as important as the other although they each do different jobs and perform different task. Your desire to become part of the USMC brotherhood is rather short sighted. If you join any branch of the military you become part of the finest fighting force to ever exist on this planet, period.

I personally have a great deal of respect for the corps having served very closely with them in my role in the Navy back during the Lebanon and Grenada days, it is a personal choice you have to make.

I suggest you think more about what will benifit you most as far as education and long term in or out of the military, the training you recieve should you decide not to stay in the military should be of utmost importance. These are the things you need to consider in addition to the potential loss of life and how it will afect others.

We all begin dying the day we are born, I believe the difference we make for others while we are here in this world is whats really important. You may believe differently and thats okay, you have that right thanks to someone who has served. The military is not for everyone, but it is a great experience even for those who choose not to stay in long term.

Frosty

Answer 4

I'm an ex-marine, but I will say that you shouldn't disrespect the Air Force like that. They have as much pride in their jobs as the Marines (well, almost).

Don't join the Marines so you can feel proud of yourself. Bad reason. You join the Marines to serve your country, and perhaps (especially these days), to die for it. When you say that you aren't afraid to die, it just tells me that you don't understand the concept of dying. There's nothing wrong with not wanting to die, and Marines feel fear too. It's just that in the U.S.M.C., you are taught to overcome your fears and do your job.

Speaking of jobs, you may wish to consider that in the Air Force, your job may well entail killing someone, if from a distance. In the Marines, you may well have to kill someone who's looking you in the eye. Completely different thing.
Think long and hard. Make the right decision (for you) for the right reasons.

Answer 5

Matt how old are you your brother is right stay out of service for now. My grandson was a Marine and made three times to Iraq thank god he came home safe the last time. He said he would never go back and he is getting out he has almost ten years in the marines he was gunhoe like you and very proud to be a marine now he is just glad to get out. He said he was
proud of his boys but he hated the war and does not believe it anymore and most of the Marines he knows are going to try and get out when there time is up they hated the stupid way things were going and it is to hard to tell with the Iraq people who is a friend and who isn't Please your mom has a enough worry with your brother in don't make her have to worry about you too.

Answer 6

Sounds like destiny to me...First, there is no shame in admitting you are scared, fear is what drives Marines to perform the way we did and do...There is NO guarantee that you would go to Iraq if you are a Marine, this is a myth, for what Marines are used for, i dont see you in Iraq unless heavy fighting develops, on the other hand, isn't this why we join the Marines??..Good Luck and Semper Fi

Answer 7

I dont want to give you advice on joining or not joining, that is something you will have to personally work out. I joined served honorably, did a great job, and life is great, and I made a bunch of good friends, and priceless experiences.

About SERE, which is Survival, escape, resistance, and evasion specialist. I worked extremely closely with these guys in the Air Force and no many of them, they worked directly with me. We call them bug eaters, because they are out in the outdoors so much that they have to eat bugs to sustain themselves. Its a great job and interestingly enough it is a non combat job. The job entails training, and then teaching Air crew such as pilots, and other air crew, on how to survive and return home if they crashland or are shot down/eject. So if you join SERE, you will not see any combat, unless you ask for it. It is just not the nature of that job.

Actually for your first two years you will be stationed in Spokane, Washington, for training and on the job training, along wit assisting other instructors in teach pilots survival training. So good luck to you and your decision, and remember do whats best for you.

Answer 8

Regardless of what branch of the military you join you will feel real pride about all you accomplishments and what you stand for. And about being scared to go to Iraq it natural but they do train you before you go its not like the shave your head, issue you a uniform , give you a rifle and they sent you to Iraq. So good luck and don't worry about dying the man to you left and right will always have your back.

Answer 9

I would highly recommend the air force for 2 reasons. There are a vast number of career fields one can go into including many very high tech ones. In the air force your chances of being exposed to killer levels of depleted uranium are much smaller as are your chances of being car bombed. Do a little research on what DU exposure did to desert storm veterans.
Don't apologize for wanting to survive this is a very natural human response and you would need some serious psych help if you didn't feel this way.

Answer 10

why all the doubt...................

are you a man?

are you an American?

join up............

I recommend the Navy........better schools

and if you want combat....volunteer...the Navy usually accomodates people that like that kind of duty (there was PBR duty available in my day)

I was in a long time ago 70 to 74

but spent 70 and 71 about 200 yards off shore on a ship doing search and rescue in Viet Nam........a worth while job and honorable

we took rounds and counter battery occasionally, but nothing like the grunts had to endure......our problem was we kept going back for two years......no tour limits in the Navy...thats the down side....

my friend was in the Marines, he was a FO....shooting ditties back at us for NGFS
he had it way worse than most...

anyway...........

join up.........dont live life hiding in the shadows and always wondering "what if"