Should I join the Marines?

Question

Well, I have came to quite a predicament here in my life, and am just confused on what exactly I want to do.

All my life I have been a sheltered child, not really being able to get out and do things on my own. Now that I am almost 18, and graduating soon. I feel as if I want to join the marines and put myself to the test, learn more of what I am truly capable of.

I feel like I may be going into it being ignorant of what the Marines are and what I will get in life from it. Nothing ever really sparked my attention of getting any degree in college, I mean, I'm not going to be a smart ivy league collegiate and not even sure on what I want to learn. I feel like I'd just be wasting my time.

Answer 1

I know several Marines and look up to all of them with pride. Anywhere we go with them in uniform they are always greeted with smiles and constantly thanked for everything they do. They all entered into the Marines in the same situation as you and now they are all confident MEN who know who they are and what they want in life. Not to mention that they have a bond with eachother that no one can break. A brotherhood. Do it! Semper Fi!! UH RAH!!

Answer 2

Maybe you should think about joining the marine reserves. This way, it will give you an opportunity to get back into civilization after boot camp and A-school. You will go through boot camp with all other marines (full time), If you like the life then you will be given the opportunity to join full time while attending bootcamp. If you do not like it you will be finished in a few short weeks and return to civilization and only have to be a marine one weekend a month and 2 weeks a year plus you will get a whole new admiration toward the military and maybe get yourself some confidence and reassurance.

Answer 3

It's not a good idea to join the military to "put myself to the test, learn more of what I am truly capable of." Once you sign the dotted line, you're in. You can't just change your mind one day. The military isn't a joke. The Marines and the Army are the main ones that get sent overseas to fight in Iraq, Afghanistan, etc. You have to be willing to die when you join the military. You need to go talk to a recruiter and see what they say. I've always heard that the Marines were the toughest branch to be in. As they said on "A Few Good Men"......"The Marines are fanatical about being Marines."

Answer 4

Hey dlink! Good to see you back on here!

The Marines are a very good branch of the military. There are a lot of things you should research though. The Marines are ALWAYS the first in and the last out. They are the guys who do a lot of the hardest work so that the "troops" can go in and do their jobs. They are trained killers, face to face, hand to hand. It is a dangerous job and a very, very necessary job.

I have dated, been engaged to and been best friends with several Marines. Those who have seen combat, which is all of them, are permenantly affected by it. The man I was engaged to was in Viet Nam and was heavily exposed to Agent Orange (as was my father). Both recieved a death sentance as a bonus to service for their country.

I strongly urge you to talk, in person, to real Marines and members of other branches of the service. NOT the recruiters. Talk openly and honestly to the soldiers. THEN make your decision. Best of Luck to you dear! Nana

Answer 5

before you decide on a service.... go to all of the different services recruiting offices. If you want to join the military I'm not going to tell you not to... but usually the recruiters offices are all in one row. Start with the ones you don't really want... make sure they know you are not sure which service you are going to decide on yet. Get all the literature... they will tell you what they do... they will tell you how they compare... an honest recruiter will be less bias, realizing that this is a huge decision for you. They will want you to make the decision and not try and rush you to MEPS the next day. But realize that they are also sales men and their job is to close the deal. I don't think putting yourself to the test is the right reason to join the marines. I think that there is some type of call of duty you should feel before joining. It should not all be for selfish reasons... like oh i don't know what else to do with my life... or I wanted to see if I could be a marine... and whaddya know... i made it.! You will be going to Iraq, make no bones about it.... you will do at least one tour there. Know that we are at war, and realize you can end up disabled, injured, maimed, or even dead because you wanted to prove something to yourself... so if you are going to do it... do because you want to serve your country and you want to be part of the marines. I look up to every marine with admiration. Plus I have never seen a man that didn't look good in dress blues.

Answer 6

If you want to join the Marines be warned it is not easy. But once you finish boot camp, you will be a different person. Your life will be changed forever. Things that you thought you could never do will , while not always easy to do, be accomplished without a lot of sweat and stress. I agree that you could try the reserves, but they are being called up all the time. In the reserves you do not get to keep up with the training that active duty Marines go thru daily. Whatever you do best of luck.

Answer 7

The decision to join is yours to make. All Marines start from square one, and a few do not make it, but if you want a challenge, to push yourself and prove yourself, to train and fight with the finest, and EARN a title only a few can claim, a title that you will cherish for life, then go ahead, join the Marines.
If you just want to play soldier, join the Army or the Air Force.

As to joining the Reserves, remember this, that is a 10 year commitment, you can't quit it. If you enlist as regular Marine Corps, you can finish your enlistment in four years, and then get a good paying job in which ever field you choose.

Good luck to you on whatever you choose.

Answer 8

Your recruiter in the marines shouldn't such as you on account which you're able to desire to be 32 in the previous they are going to turn you away, yet even then you certainly can nevertheless get in all that's mandatory is a waiver. i could attempt to speak to a distinctive recruiter. because of the fact the marines and armed forces are completely distinctive.

Answer 9

You want to join the marines and put yourself to the test, I think you should try the National Guard first. It takes a lot to make a marine and if you go in the guard first then you may have a different outlook on if you are ready to put your life on the line for this country and it's people.

Answer 10

Marines best way to go it may change your life....
I know a guy who's in the marine he love's it: hard work hope u up to the challenge...