Planning on joining USMC, Should i buy a rifle to practice?

Question

no, im not one of those kids who plans on joining the military and then gets a good education and goes to college and throws away the idea. im 16 and i want o join the marines, should i get my own ar-15 and practice? or should i go to the marines fresh and let them show me hoe to shoot "the proper way", im scared im going to join and i will have NO idea how to shoot, what do you think?

wow thanks for the feedback, you guys are right i need to run more :-P

to flaget, yeah i know the risks and everything, a lot of teachers and guidance counselers said im a very smart kid and i have a great future, but i rather serve my country

PS the marines are doing the right things, fighting these looney heads

Answer 1

Don't bother with the AR-15. you'd probably teach yourself all sorts of bad habits that would have to be broken. Buy yourself a back pack, load it with bricks and start running.
Your first morning on base will be a whirlwind of processing through medical, dental and issue (clothing etc.). Well before the sun comes up, your drill instructors are going to take you on a little jog around the base (about five miles). You will be heighted and weighed. Those who are found to be over weight will be issued half rations, those who are under, will get double rations at the chow hall.
All I ask is that after a couple of weeks, if you still have an annoying little pain (feet or legs) that's not really noticable -- it's always there, but doesn't stop you... If you notice a swelling in the top of your foot and it REALLY hurts to either jump or pull back on a toe... Or if you get massive and nasty blisters, go to medical! See your company corpsman. Don't screw around with this pain. don't try and be a he man and suck it up. Get it taken care of early.
Have fun! No pain, no gain. Agony is ecstacy!

Answer 2

BAD IDEA! Every one else is right, you will only teach yourself bad habits. The Marines can teach anybody how to shoot, and shoot well. Just remember this "B.R.A.S.S."

B reath
R elax
A im
S queeze
S hoot
Control your breathing and RELAX. Don't anticipate the recoil, a 5.56 mm round doesn't kick that hard anyway. The best thing you can do is stretch and get limber. The easier it is for you do sit comfortably in the different firing positions, the better on the range you will be. Other than that, RUN RUN RUN. If you can work yourself up to three miles by the time you go to boot camp, that's great. If not, at least get used to the idea of running. But the most important thing you can take to boot camp is a positive attitude. Tell yourself you will NOT fail, you WILL earn that EGA, you WILL earn the title MARINE! Good luck to you devil pup, and if you have any more questions, feel free to drop me an e-mail.

Answer 3

I was in the USMC One you do not need a rifle. There are thee things that are important. Your physical been. You need to run 3 miles in 18 mints. that is a 6 mint mile. you need to do 80 push ups in 2 mints 80 set ups in 2 mints and 18 pull ups to max the P.T. test.That is one out of three. Next. In boot camp you are going to classes. Thy will teach you a lot of things All about the corp. There are books in the library that will help you. There are (2) two test multiple choice, study the books. The recruiter can help you by telling you about the test,b.u.t. remember the recruiter is not your best friend. He there to get you in the corp. Its up you what you wont to by come.If you are smart I mean good in school, Put in for OCS . ocs is officer candidate school. To get in you need 4 years of collage. If you wont and it is hard ,but you can become a mustang er .That is you go into the corp as a pvt.E-1 Then if you like it you take collage cruses and when you are a E-5 or E-6 then you will get your 4 year degree you go to OCS. When your in OCS try to be a pilot .If you are not to good in school and don't wont to walk every were you go. Then get into tanks.The bigger the better. Don't go in the corp as a grunt. that is not a life. The corp will teach you how to shoot. Good luck Jarhead.

Answer 4

Finish High school first, then let the Corps teach you marksmanship the right way. The Marines prefer High School grads, as experience has proven that they perform better. The Corps training regimen is tough. Their own statistics show that High School grads are much more likely to be successful in the Corps. Many times those who gave up on high school also give up when the going gets rough in the Corps. Get your diploma and then enlist. Good Luck and Semper Fi.

Answer 5

I agree with the whateverviking. You don't need to be playing around getting bad habits. There are two types of people that learn shooting skills the fastest. People that have handled guns their whole lives, correctly, and those that have never touched one.

The marines are different from the other branches, they really work on marksmanship hard, you'll get plenty of practice when you go through training.

Answer 6

No need to buy one. They will provide you when you go there for the required training. What to do by now is to start building up your agility. How to shoot is just a part of the curriculum, mostly done during the training day in and day out is physical, that is push-ups, pull-ups, rappelling, high or low crawl, running and jumping! There are classroom instructions but you will count the training on building your agility and combat fitness!

Answer 7

Are you in a rural area with a rifle range? Then sure, but not to get ready for the Corps. They will immediately teach you the right way. Every Marine is first and foremost a rifleman.
And they can teach anyone. NO FEAR!!!!!!!!

Answer 8

I have heard that the best things to "practice" before joining the Marines are physical fitness activities. I have heard the physical training is really tough.

Answer 9

Might want to get a .22 and get the basic shooting skills down first. But if not then don't worry the Marines will teach you everything. And at high volume!

Answer 10

I think you should practice distance running and study hard to get good grades. If you want to practice shooting, get a good 22 match pellet rifle - the ammo is cheaper and it shoots the same way. There are NRA shooting programs you can become involved in too.