Pro's and Con's

[zarcher]

I have heard a lot of the good stuff about being a Marine.

Now let's hear the stuff your recruiter won't tell you until after......
Everything has it's pro's and con's, so what say you?

[cce1302]

All I can say is you'll never look back and say "I wish I hadn't joined."
I can't count the many times I've heard civilians and veterans of other services say "I almost joined the Marine Corps once, but..."
You'll always wonder what you would have been as a Marine.

[zarcher]

I have thought about the Air Force, but they are cutting back.
Everything I do I try to do to the best, so the Marines fit.

What is the wash out rate for boot camp?
Any recommendations for MOSes? AFQT was 75+

[SeabeeDiver]

As a Navy officer, I did 2 years with ANGLICO a little bit ago......best time of my life, hands down. BUT....do it for the right reasons. Don't do it because it sounds cool or people will think you're Billy BadAss; do it because of the pride of being a Marine, do it for the satisfaction of joining an organization that demands you meet their standards rather than lowering their standards to conform to society, do it for the rich history and tradition of the service.

Any service that you join will have days that suck. Any service that you join will days that are incredible. It's a brotherhood that can't be matched anywhere.

[yocan]

The recruiter won't tell you that if you set it up right you get 20k in bonuses in the USMC... I wish he had told me... I'd have a Mark 23 right now and that AR build I want soo bad. Other than that it is awesome. I haven't regretted it at all. Of course, I went through boot, back to college, and assuming my paperwork goes through without a hitch OCS (officer candidate school) May 31. Find a job you will be happy with, then talk to marines about how their life goes with that job, you might figure out its not the job for you. Many Marines change their MOS because they love the Corps and hate their job, it wasn't what they thought it would be, its better if you can avoid doing that.

Be in shape when you go to boot, minimum 10 pull ups 100 crunches, and run 3 miles in 23 minutes. Thats not a requirement but if you can do that at a MINIMUM (and I wasn't the minimum) you will have a much better time.

[GunnBugg]

I've spent over 20 years in this line of work, as a Soldier. We started using the capital S so that the Marines didn't have a leg up! Marines get respect from all other branches. But they earn it. It's a difficult life. Promotions are very competitive. It's a hard time to be a Warrior. Best to do while you're young. You cannot go wrong becoming a Serviceman. Just be sure you do the smart things like the paying the money to get the best college benefits, regardless of when you finish.

It's a good life, a rewarding life, but not an easy life, not for the faint of heart or will.

[Boanerge]

Originally Posted by zarcher

I have heard a lot of the good stuff about being a Marine.

Now let's hear the stuff your recruiter won't tell you until after......
Everything has it's pro's and con's, so what say you?

The Dress Blue's of a U.S Marine and the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor are respected for Good Reason!!! This will be the most challenging thing you have ever done!!!

I earned a B.S. in Mathematics, and I haven't used any of it. Everything I have learned in the Marine Corps has been used daily!! BTW, I became a former Marine 20 Years ago!! I do not regret one moment I spent as an Active Duty Marine!! I was former enlisted EM3 in USN Nuclear Power School in Orlando Fla., earned NROTC Scholarship and opted for the USMC Commission rather than return to the Navy and the Nuclear Power Community (which had accelerated Promotion and much more Money!). Money and Promotion can't replace Honor, Respect, and Tradition. Nuff Said!!!

LF6F 2-85

[DNM]

Originally Posted by zarcher

Now let's hear the stuff your recruiter won't tell you until after......

I've yet to receive a surprise. My recruiter was straight up with my wife and I. My hardest part since enlisting has been putting up with a few dumbass people. But that will happen everywhere you go or work.

[focusr3]

I did 5 years do i regret it no way. The things the recruiter won't tell.
It all depends on how much you ask. If you ask he will tell you but he can only speak for his experances. If he was a grunt he can't say much about the air wing. I will say do not take any mos that you think sounds cool, cause you will be mad very mad. Find one that you want to do and look at what it will do for you outside of the Marines. I also ask to not join the Corps for college money. If you want college money join the NASTY GAURD. Marines are the best if you truly want to be part of such a small group of people in the world that has worn the EGA. Then don't worry about boot camp anyone who truly wants the honor of being a Marine can make it. Good luck
Semper Fi

Let me ask you a question what kind of job if you could do anything what would it be. I can guide you to the mos for you.

[akmjolnir]

Well, I guess I'd say the only con I've run into as being a Marine is the chance to get called back to active duty. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, or a surprise. The thing that frustrates me is that they've waited 16 months to recall me.

It would be one thing to get orders after EASing for a month or two, but I've started to return to civilian life, been enrolled in college for 3 semesters now, and going back in the fall.

As a result of this I've had to put in for an Educational Hardship Deferral. Should hear back after Apr. 30th. If they had recalled me earlier I wouldn't have given it a second thought.