USMC Boot Camp?

Question

I'll be makin my decision to enlist for the corps at the end of this month. Couple of questions for anyone who has been to Parris Island..
1) Should I go for January or during May. I know about the sand fleas and ticks, but which would be better?
2)I've "experimented" with drugs in the past. Not a hardcore user or anything, and I'm 100% clean now, but i've done my share of them.
3)Probably the most serious...is it really worth it?? I'll come back to college after Parris and MOS, and be in the reserves, but is it really worth it?? Will I be missing out on life for the next 4 years, or can I still enjoy SOME college (understanding i could be deployed)

This is something that i really want to do, and something i know i can do. What do you guys think?

First of all, to the 2nd guy, thats why I mentioned I would enlist in the RESERVES. I'll be able to go to school AND train for the marines at the same time.

To the 2nd guy, I just think some people make decisions and sacrafices that are necessary to make something out of themselves. I respect the hell out of anyone who puts they're life on the line, regardless of politics.
*Plz Don't answer this question unless you are actually a former marine.

Answer 1

1. I would say go in May because I hate cold weather , but you have to decide if you would rather be cold and miserable or sweaty and miserable.
2. I wouldnt mention the drug use to your recruiter if you are not currently using them. Almost everyone has experemented with drugs at least once and if the Marines restricted people from joining for that there would be no Marines. your recruiter knows that you have tried drugs before, he deals with it everyday, but he is required to ask you. Just make sure that you never use drugs again while you are serving the Marines and you will be Ok.
3. Yes it is worth it. If you dont join the Marines you will spend the rest of your life wondering what it would have been like. I can tell you from experience that you will never feel such a great feeling of pride or satisfaction in yourself as you will feel when you graduate from Boot Camp and earn the title Marine. And in the Reserves you wont be missing out on much. In fact you will get to experience military life and college life at the same time.

Answer 2

January for sure unless you’re a glutton for punishment and don’t mind blowing the gnats off the guy in front of you and hope the guy behind you is doing the same for you. Plus the rain can keep the bugs at bay a little. Regardless it’s a tough 12 weeks and the colder it is the better. You will wonder if you made the right decision the first couple of days but then once the platoon starts to become a working unit and you realize you’re going to be a Marine time will fly. Just don’t screw up and call attention to your self, if you want to try hard to be noticed you will if you’re doing well.

I knew a few guys that went from the reserves to active because they wanted more out of the service then the reserves had to offer. Like full medical and getting deployed on cruises (as we called them) to the Caribbean for six months at a time.

Four years will be gone before you know it; I still regret not staying in. The Marine Corps can be very good to you and you can get a lot out of it.

Welcome to something that will be with you for life.

Answer 3

1. Go in January, the weather sucks but is better then the heat of the summer and the sandfleas won't be *** annoying.
2. I believe they still have drug waivers, stop using them altogether, there is no need for them, and using them just shows weakness.
3. Don't go Reservist (aka Tampon to us Active Duty Grunts). If you are going to do it, do it all the way, not half assed. College will still be around when you get out. Real world experience will always outweigh how many books you've read, or studied.
4. Go 0311.
-Sgt. Derieux
USMC 0311, Lima Company 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines 2000-2004

Answer 4

As an active duty Marine who was once a Marine reservist, i can say go for it man. In my opinion, the month is really not as important as two other factors, 1) how physically fit you are and 2) your motivation for being a Marine. Here are some of the facts that you are most looking for.

-Its the Most rewarding endeavor I have ever done in my life. I had college before i enlisted and the brotherhood and identity I have enjoyed over the last 8 years is well worth it.
-In boot camp the DI's dont care if you are a active duty recruit or reservist recruit(like I was), your all the same.
-College money, about $10,000 is what youll get while your in the reserves. Break that down to about $300 dollars a month full time WHILE in school. So doing it for the college money, please join the navy.
-Drugs are waiverable, as long as you dont pop(positive) on a test in recruit training or after. UCMJ applys to you, and all the pain as well if you do.
-To get the money for college, you need to sign up for 8years in the reserve, 6 active reserve, 2 in the IRR.
-From the my lips to your ears, you will deploy(activate) during your time in the reserve and you WILL go to WAR. Bank on it. Depending on your MOS, the frequency and length will depend.
-The DIs will make you sweat, dirty, cold, feel like dirt, not important and make you reevaluate everthing in you life. They will break you down as a human being in order to build you back up as a Marine. Sand fleas or cold weather, it sucks either way. BUT, I have never in my life felt more proud of myself then when those same DI's Placed my "earned" Eagle, Globe and Anchor in my hands and called me "brother".
-Finally, as a favor to the Corps please rethink your motivations as a "What can the Marine Corps do for me?" attitude because frankly if you do go to the MCRD, you'll understand that its "not about you" its about the Marines around you.

I hope i have helped you in someway. If you make the choice to go for it, good luck and Semper Fi.
-

Answer 5

1. Go during January if you are smart, May if you want more of a challenge.

2. You will have to stop using drugs. No questions asked. I suggest you start before you go to a recruiter.

3. If you are in the reserves, how are you going to be missing out on life? It is one weekend a month, two weeks a year. You can still go to college and have three weekends free, unless you get DEPLOYED.

I say go for it. If you really want it you should do it.

Answer 6

comparing boot/elementary is merely stupid. Your up set somebody is dissing Marine Boot and are all out raged approximately it. yet then you definately initiate enhance comprehensive myths approximately military elementary. So merely how are you any diverse than your chum ? What you the two might desire to do, is enhance up Your the two nevertheless wannabes attempting to argue, the guidance your gonna do interior the destiny, is greater confusing than the different adult males. nicely heck, why no longer basically say, im gonna bypass via particular Forces or rigidity Recon guidance in 4 years, its harder. on condition that neither of you have actually finished something yet !!!!!!!!

Answer 7

If you're enlisting in the Reserves, you won't have to worry about missing life or classes or anything. Legally, you can't lose a university placement or job because of military service. Whether or not you get deployed.

Answer 8

Your preference, its either to hot or too cold. If any drug use is behind you, its OK. But once your in any use will destroy you life, there's no tolerance there. If you are thinking about it, joining will be good for you. I was not that enthusiastic when I joined but I'm glad I did. Like most Marines, it make me what I am today, 40 years later.

Answer 9

It's easier to goto college straight out of highschool.....But the Marine corps is good as well.

Go in January, the heat in the summer will be horrible.

Carefully decide on your MOS, and watch out for recruiters....they are scum....NO OPEN CONTRACT!!!

Answer 10

Definately go for it. Go die for rich bastards who don't give a damn about you. Anything so their kids don't have to go. Someone's gotta keep the power out of the hands of the people! Let them throw a pathetic paycheck at you and some college money that's nothing more than pocket change to them, not that you'll end up using it with anger and paranoia issues. Ignore all of the studies about the psychosocial condition of former marines and their inability to reintegrate into society. I think the US military is a great idea right now in our modern age of Imperialism, Command and Conquer! Regardless of your political beliefs you've got to admit one thing: if you've always wanted to be shot in the chest or have your head blown off by someone you've never met for a cause most of your countrymen don't believe in NOW IS DEFINATELY YOUR CHANCE!