or "Why I'm Seriously Considering Joining The Marine Corps"

Right now, I'm a physical train wreck. I smoke almost a pack a day, I haven't excercised since high school, and my life seems to be going nowhere. I've come to the conclusion that I need something (or someone) to smack me upside the head and help me get my life in order.

I came to this conclusion today while walking through the mall looking for a job. On my way out, I saw a recruiter for the Marine Corps. I stopped and talked with him for a few minutes, and before I knew it we were scheduling an appointment to discuss my possible life in the Marine Corps.

Why am I telling you guys this? I need advice and help.

Right now, I'm a scawny weakling who smokes too damn much. I need to find some ways to bulk up and quit smoking. And if anyone has relatives, friends, etc. in the military, and pointers on how to prepare for Boot Camp would be greatly appreciated.

I'm not expecting this to be a cake-walk, by any means. I'm pretty damn sure this will be the hardest thing I've done in my life, but it's something I need to do in order to keep from ending up in a dead-end cubicle farm warning off a weekly recurrence of "the Mondays" and remembering to put cover sheets on TPS reports.

Thanks in advance.

first thing first. good for you for wanting to do something with what you don't like in your life.
now for the military. i can't say anything for the choice of branches but if you are looking for a structured and physical life then the marines are for you. i am not in the marines and i don't particularly like them as i have come across a lot of "stereotypical jarheads" (not that i am saying that they are all like that) and i have come across some that i would like to have remained stationed with. but from what i understand the marine life is rather tough. i mean physically and mentally. physical training (running, push-ups, sit-ups, etc....) 3-4 times a week outside of your own gym time. then there is the uniforms. i am going to tell you that these are the straightest laces that i have ever seen.
that is the tough part. now for the good stuff. there is a pride within the marines that is second to none. if you were to ask any marine what his uniform meant (and i mean from the red strip on his/her pants to the brass on his/her buttons) there would be an answer for every item. the marine may be cocky but that same marine would put, and does put, his/her life on the line for the simple things that the everyday joe takes for granted.
if you do decide to be a marine you may not earn my friendship (if you are one of the cocky ones) but you will earn my respect.

i was there dude, same place you are now. i joined the army. very best thing i ever did in my life up to that point. i was the most ptiful one there in basic as far as being in shape but i fyou try theyll fix you up eventually. so dont worry about it . if you are to far out of shape they will even send you to a pre basic course to get you up to snuff. aside from a little embarasment at the time there isnt anything wrong with that, in fact in the end when people see how far youve come you gain more respect than anyone else. so dont worry if youre out of shape you cant be as bad as i was. i ended up ,before i broke my ankle, being one of the fastest runners in my unit. you just need heart.
your biggest concern should be wich one to join. the marines? not bad for physical training but most of your inteligence gets brainwashed out of you and youre in the armpit of the military service. army? still good physicaly, you can go as far as you want there, a few smarter people( not in the infantry, definately in special ops) but still substandard equipment and housing. the air force? not much for physical training and not as much pride but the very best in mos training and housing and equipment that money can buy.

thats my take on it, dont listen to the garbage they tell you about we have more job choices than they do, and dont sluff on your asvab( easy as it is) or you wont be offered the good jobs. i didnt mention the navy cause if you want to live on a boat that long i cant relate to you anyway.

oh and the marines are on the navy boats alot as well, something to keep in mind.

and since i was in the 82nd airborne for 5 years i feel compelled to say go airborne.

I should have clarified this in my first post, but I didn't, so I'll do it now.

I have NO INTENTION WHATSOEVER of being a grunt. I'm not going anywhere NEAR the front lines unless absolutely necessary.

If (leaning closer to when) I go in, I'll be doing computer work, since that's what I know and love. I'll try focusing more on metwork analysis and programming (depending on what Ada looks like and how much sense it makes).

I'll be a professional geek in no time.

yeah id say then go army or air force. army prob. best bet unless air force can garantee mos but i dont know how they work it. if they sign you up for a computer job then air force is definately what you want, trust me i know. read my other post

the air force is the way to go. i second the asvab thing. don't dork around or you will get a personnel job pushing a mouse around making sure that sgt snuffy has got his dental records up to date. this is how the AF works. you take the asvab. then (if i remember right) you talk to a "career counselor"(sp). you can apply for a job two ways; one: apply for a general area (several job descriptions) or two: apply for a guaranteed job (i came in "guaranteed weather" meaning that i knew that i was getting a job as a weather forecaster) i would suggest going the guaranteed way cause with the general way you may not get the job you want. once you are accepted for that you will go for a physical screening (you get "checked out" by doctors or what-naught). when you show up for your departure day to Lackland AFB, TX, you will swear in and be shipped off. after basic you will go off to a "tech school" where you will be trained in your specific career. this can range from a few weeks to several months at different locations around the U.S. where you may even train with other branches (i went to Mississippi and trained with navy and marines {sorry Brain no army in weather. i don't know why, but the AF supports you guys}) once done with tech school you will go to your first station. this is determined by the gods. they will give you a sense of control with a "Dream Sheet" but like the name that is all it is is a dream. me being AF i would suggest going AF, but the choice is all yours. somewhat like linux you have a choice that is all yours and no one can make it for you.
i hope that you make the right choice for you.

First of all, in The Marine Corps, everyone is a "grunt". You may have your MOS, but if you're in a deployable unit, you'll be where the fighting is (or really freaking close). If you have never seen it, you ought to rent Full Metal Jacket. That movie is the closest depiction to real Marine Boot Camp second is The DI with Jack Webb.
Second, The Marine Corps did wonders for me, I'd recommend it. unless you are an unrepentant couch potato. Also, the Marine Corps had (has) a program of guaranteed promotions if you score above a certain point on the ASVAB it'd be worth asking your recruiter.

Dude - like joesbox you totally have my respect for signing on with any branch of the military. Hands down, any guy/girl who's wears (or wore) a uniform and is ready to defend the USA on a moment's notice has my total respect. My question really would be: are you honestly prepared to make a multiyear commitment to the military way of life, or are you just feeling down about yourself and in a slump? My friends in the military would probably tell you 2 main things: first, it's not a frivolous decision. Once you join, the next few years of your life belong to them. You definitely will be working harder than you ever have in your life, but like anything worth having, the long term accomplishments will be well worth it. Second, the military is not generally known for, shall we say, facilitating and encouraging independent lines of thought. The more you dislike being told what to do, how to do it, and when to do it, the more of a mental adjustment you would need to make. In short, "it ain't easy, not by a long shot". I am not in the military so I don't speak from personal experience, but I'd suspect that's a reasonably good assessment. In any case, only you can decide for yourself what is best for you. Good luck with whatever decision you make. -- J.W.

To answer a few questions:

-Is this a descision I'm making on a whim? Am I ready for such a commitment?

This is not something I decided out of the blue. I've been considering joining the military for years now, but I never thought I could make it through until recently, when I realized that if I wanted to succeed, I had to get off my ass and start doing something about it.

-Why join?

There are a few reasons why:

1. From what I've been able to discern, the private IT market is still flooded with people who really don't know what they're doing. Factor in the H1-B immigrants coming in and working for $10k-16k USD/year, and things look pretty grim for someone who will be coming fresh out of college. So why not join the military, get plenty of hands-on experience, and help with te tuition bills at the same time? It's a win-win situation.

2. My family has a long military history. My grandfather served in Korea, two of my uncles in Vietnam, another in the Navy in the '80's, and one more who's currently an Air Force MP.

3. I need something to give me a kickstart. For the past few years, I've been spluttering along without a real drive to do much of anything. If I want to be anything other than a paper pusher, I need to get my ducks in a row, and what better place to do that than in the military?

4. I have an irritating (for my wallet, at least ) habit of paying people back for their debts. I oew it to every single US soldier who's ever died in combat to join up and help in any way I can.

5. Chicks dig guys in uniform. It's a well-documented phenomenon. And seeing as how I look like a cross between Roseanne and Disco Screech, I need all the help I can get.

If you can answer yes to these two questions, you can be a marine.

Are you ready to kill?
Are you ready to die?


This is what it means to be a soldier.

Michael,
Who knows from experience.

yes but you need to go in something like 82nd airborne so you have the snazzy red berret, and it only works when you are at home on leave because in the millitary town you are stationed at ecverybody else is like you.

and once youre through basic and ait the millitary lifestyle is the best experience, you will gain a new family, you never have to worry about the basic things in life again.

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Beefcake

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Edit: It reposted my post

Edit: oops. It wont let me delete my posts

I agree with endorphinjunkie....

If you cannot say yes to these two questions:
You shouldn't join anything.

Are you ready to kill?
Are you ready to die?


Killing a man is a big deal. Taking another persons life? You cannot answer yes to that question easily. Seriously!

I would opt for something hardcore but not the military. I think you want to join so you can get yourself in shape and have something to do. You can do a lot without joining the military.

Hmm.... How old are you (if I may ask) and do you have any parents/significant others that you can get an opinion from too?

This is a BIG decision.