I am 15 years old and I want to join the marines. Any tips?

Question

I am in decent physical shape. The doctors say my BMI is too high but I can out bench, out push and out run almost all of the "normal size" kids. I am 180 lbs and 5' 10". I have the intelligence to join for sure but I just want to know some tips to get prepared since I have 3 years to go.

Answer 1

That's the problem - bench pressing makes you heavier and can drag down your scores for other fitness events. You're better off doing more exercises that will benefit you more in the military - if you're ordered to do any exercise in the military, chances are it'll be push ups or pull ups, not bench pressing. It's a question of muscular endurance, not brute strength.

The three events in a Marine physical test are pull ups, crunches and a run. Work on those for the time being, but don't neglect push ups - they're not strictly on the test, but you'll end up doing lots of them in any military career. And be careful - if you're classed as too heavy for the Marines, that's it.

To prepare yourself for the mental side of boot camp, get a job in the meantime. Even a simple after school job will go a long way in making your training more bearable.

Answer 2

Start talking to the Marine recruiter. He will need the permission to do so from your parents. He will also be able to give you all the info you will need about BMI don't listen to a civilian doctor, the military has it's own standards. As a former active duty Marine let me say Semper Fi to you. It means always faithful and is the Marine Corps motto.

Answer 3

Well what I would do is first before you do anything physical is make sure you can
A. Pass the ASVAB with flying colors
B. since you have 3 years trust me take college classes in high school and yes it can be done if you want it and become an officer and not an enlisted cause you will beat your self up because in the future you will have known that you had time when you were younger but just stupid not to do it.
C. Wouldnt hurt to take the ACT/SAT
D. Just get some marine work out book from the library.
E. GET GET RANK RANK Early, find people that want to join
F. Go into JROTC

If I were you though I would rather go into the Navy. because for starters in the marines you will not have that much time for college, they tax the hell out of that bonous, and what good is anything if your dead. Think about that. Navy -- advance your career. Marines -- Kill peoples familys, kids, dogs, kill kids infront of their fathers man I don't know about you but the navy is the way to go.

Answer 4

You're just a larger teen (stocky build). I wouldn't worry about it too much. I've had to get tape tested for body fat the past 10 years in the Army. As long as I meet standards, I could care less. I'm about 5'11" and 210 lbs, and prefer lifting weights to cardio. I'm an Infantryman. I'm not too worried about being able to run 8 miles. I'm more interested in being able to hump my share of the load and handle myself physically if need be. As long as you stay in shape, it doesn't matter. Not every service member is (or wants to have) a typical "runners build". My advice is to keep in shape and stay out of trouble for the next three years. Study hard so that you can do well on your ASVAB test once you decide to join. Good luck to you.

Answer 5

You've got lots of great advice here... focus more on cardio... endurance training (running) will probably help more than anything, since you'll spend the first month of boot marching (like HOURS on the parade deck) so your feet and knees will need to be in really good shape. Also, some light lifting for upper body strength (without a lot of excess mass) will be great.

As for planning and enlisting... In the next year, take an online career guidance test... figure out what jobs you are most suited for. Focus on your studies... and during your junior year, meet with a recruiter to look at Military Occupational Specialties (MOS's) If you are looking at a more technical MOS, you may need to enlist via the Delayed Entry Program, to assure you have a seat in the school you want to attend. If you don't join early, you may have to wait another year to enlist, to get a seat. (Each district is only allocated so many seats in every class, per year.. so you just need to plan ahead on that!) Also, each MOS has it's own requirements... like you'll have to score a 60+ on the ASVAB and pass a certain level math class in order to get into some MOS's. The recruiter will help you figure out MOS's and requirements so you don't get stuck not qualifying for the job you want!

Also, have your folks help you when you're looking at potential MOS's. You can find a listing of MOS's on ask.com and at the marineparents.com REview them carefully and ask your parents for their opinions about what you're best suited for, what jobs you would excel in, and which will probably give you skills that will be more marketable once your enlistment is up. Then, with their advice and the results of that online career guidance eval I recommended, you'll be ready to talk turkey with your recruiter, the summer following your junior year. You can DEP at that point and have all year to work out with the recruiter, take part in DEP "Pool events, etc...

Good luck to you! And thanks for choosing to serve your country, devil pup!!

Answer 6

being in the military takes more then just physical strength, it takes emotional strength too, possibly more. unless your family is a military family and people in your family talk to you about it, you have no idea what to expect. you think its gunna be hard, but its a kick in the nuts to say the least. if your serious about it, then get used to being uncomfortable. from this point on, never complain about work you are asked to do, step up and help people become a leader in your community, hit the gym (it wont fully prepare you, but it'll help), learn everything you can, talk to current AND former marines. (not just the ones who enjoyed it either, talk to the ones who hated it they give you the best advice). oh and another thing, should you choose to do this go into it expecting an experience, but dont expect a good one.

Answer 7

Their is no way to prepare for the Marines. If you go to the Marines in shape they break you down and train you their way. You go out of shape adn they will train you. Start disciplining yourself. Eat right, sleep 8 hours a day, exercise and get good grades. If your disciplined enough to get good grades and sit through endless hours of high school then your about 1/10 the way on discipline. I went to the Marines right after high school and I loved it, but thinking back boot camp was hard, but it wasn't that hard. You do a lot of marching, learn about weapons, history, etc etc. but the biggest problem I had was staying awake when I needed to, and from what I witnessed everybody had the same problem. And trust me don't worry about what your doctors said, your the only person who knows if you can fulfill the challenge.

Answer 8

Best advice I can give you is to please dont join any strenuous contact sport in high school cause that may smash your dreams for sure. So this means that you have to be independantly watching your weight and keeping physically fit.It will be alot of hard work and personal discipline, Also keep those grades up in school and perform the your best ability. I have family in the Army and Air Force, I say go for it. Good Luck!

Answer 9

No matter what you pack on your frame outside the USMC
you'll still be torn down during initial training by specialists
who then will rebuild my reader to meet specifications that
all Marines share. That said, be advised the big and strong
individuals usually get assigned to heavy weapons platoons,
so suggest an increase in math skills to keep your outbound
delivery more accurate.

Answer 10

Don't listen to the morons making stupid jokes here. If you really feel you want to be a Marine, good for you and you deserve nothing but our thanks and respect.
As for tips, just two: study hard in school and work out like crazy. You'll need trained mind and body.
Good luck to you!