College or Marines, which one first???

Question

ok so here is my situation I am 17 I just graduated Highschool a few months earlier and I am an only son, that is also why my Parents don't want to sign my Parental Consent(dang!!! all they have to do is write their name) so instead of the military I am getting sent to college, and I will have a Bachelor's degree in Science or something, they say I have great opportunities in the military if I go to college first, is this true??? Am I really going to be an officer if I have a degree??? Which one do you think will be a good plan: a. Runaway after the age of 18(next year) no college, no nothing just plain Military career b. go to college and join the military later??? I am confused If you are in my shoes which one will you choose???

Answer 1

Get your education. Earn your degree while participating in the ROTC program. Or earn your degree and later go to Officers Candidate School. Remember what you believe in and don't let the liberal idiots posing as Professors dissuade you from serving your country. A career as a Commissioned Officer is much better than a career as an enlisted man. Speak with a USMC Officer Selection Recruiter.
Been on both sides of this fence. Learned a lot as an enlisted Marine while I also worked hard to get my education completed. Could have had a star on my shoulder by the time I retired if I had started my career as a Commissioned Officer. However I earned much respect by working my way to E-7 Gunnery Sgt, Chief Warrant Officer and O-4 Major. Personnel in my commands understood I was expecting them to do the same as I once had , not just tossing orders from a position of authority.
Semper Fi, Carry On. OOORRAAHHH
P.S. If jeff g had a pair, he would understand that some men must do the work that others are too chicken feces to do,else the enemy dare destroy us and use our women to breed a hardier people. Wussies will never be heroes.

Answer 2

Depends. Are you ready for college? Sounds like you would just go because your parents want you to. If you aren't going to put effort into it, then it's a waste of time and money at this point.

I'm not saying you shouldn't go to college, not at all. I am saying maybe you shouldn't go NOW. If you enlist, you can start working on your degree while you are enlisted or after you get out and you will get lots of help financially from the military. Have you heard of the G.I. Bill? If you work it right it will pay for your education. If you get a degree while you are enlisted then you can always transition to officer.

The other option is to get your degree first. Then yes, once you graduate you could become an officer. Or, you might change your ideas about your career path by then. As an officer you will make a lot more money and have more leadership responsibilities.

Answer 3

If you were my kid...I'd encourage you to go a college with NROTC...you will be obligated to join the Navy/Marines once you graduate...you will get your education and an introduction into military life. Every summer, our cadets go to various military "opportunities" stateside and overseas so that they have a wide array of experiences to draw from when they go on active duty. After your four year AD obligation, if you like the Marines as much as you think, you can stay on. If not, you have served your country and you can pursue other options. I have met several NCOs who stayed in because they did not feel qualifed for anything else. They were sad sacks of fertilizer.

I don't know how the hell Beth S. got a degree and came in as a specialist...if that's true, she was robbed.

Answer 4

Ultimately it depends on your level of maturity. I would hope that you could reach the proper level of maturity without having to join the Marines. All other things being equal, I think you should go to college. Getting a degree will enhance your opportunities, either in the military or outside of it. And getting a college degree will give you an entirely different perspective on life and people.

Note: Though I never served in the military, I have the utmost respect for the Marines and others who do. Because of that, I have the utmost contempt for George Bush, who throws their lives away in a useless sectarian civil war in Iraq. I say go to college, get a degree, and then decide what you want to do. By then, maybe the war will be over too.

Answer 5

Take it from an old time Marine Vet that went in when he turned 17 and ended up going to college in my 30’s. Get at least two years of college under your belt first, it can mean the differences in a pay check as a PFC being able to just survive compared to an officer with money to spend. Knowledge is power in the service and the more you have the farther you go.

Answer 6

You can wait until next year but then look at it like this. You go to college under the ROTC program and with a major of military science then after 4 years, you graduate and go to OCS to become an officer IN THE MARINES. Hey, if I'd have had the aptitude to go to college right out of high school, I would have done it but I chose to join the Marines right out of school so I went in as a PFC, broke my ankle and my back. Now all I have is the VA Hospital.

Do yourself a favor and go in as an officer. Personally I wouldn't want to cause I liked the MOS I was in and it's something I couldn't have done as an officer.

More power to you and good luck and just for added luck, Semper Fi!

Answer 7

I say Marine Corps 1st. Get some life experience and travel under your belt and then once you get out you'll have money for college. That is what my husband and I both did and it worked out great for us. We both had fun and traveled and have military experience and now we have a college degrees. Well my husband is still working on his.

Good luck

Answer 8

College, Military, Career. That career could be the military too.

If your parents are able to send you to school go. A degree makes lifes choices more open ended. A little polish before the spit shine never hurt anyone.

SSG US Army 73-82

Answer 9

i in my view had to make a determination in basic terms such as you! i'm a senior and in some week, i'll be graduating. I plan on going to the air tension. i desperate to bypass to college earlier i bypass to the air tension. such as you mentioned, a stronger score=greater pay and you would be taken care of with appreciate. it is likewise undesirable to bypass to the defense force earlier and school after simply by fact what in case you get lazy once you have out of the marines? stable success with the determination!

Answer 10

Try college for a year, if you don't like it you will be 18 anyway so you can join the Marines and your parents can't say anything about it