Joining the Marines - Advice Appreciated

[Senko lover]

Hey guys, 

 

It’s been a while since I’ve been active  on here, although I still check the forums fairly often. Fishing is on the back burner at the moment, although still something I enjoy. 

 

Most of you knew that I was planning on joining the military, and after I finish my associate’s degree in December that’s the route I’d like to go with. 

 

My question is for those of you who have military experience, regarding what I do in the Marines. I really enjoy staying active, traveling, working out, and I hate being behind a desk. I get bored fairly easily and enjoy challenges and quick changes of pace. I also am looking towards a future career doing highly trained security or bodyguard work. Maybe not secret service but something along those lines. What route would you advise me to take? Some people have already suggested Military Police, to work towards MARSOC, and to stay the hell away from infantry ?. I still need to take the ASVAB and get in touch with a recruiter and I’m going to get that ball rolling in the next couple of weeks. I also have been looking at the Embassy Guard program as a long term goal I’d like to work towards. 

 

Any advice would be appreciated. 

 

Thanks guys,

 

Kyle 

[Oregon Native]

Can't really offer any advice...but all the best to you.

[Pro Logcatcher]

Good luck!

[A-Jay]

While every service has Great Opportunities - 

I am obviously bias.

Join the U.S. Coast Guard

 The MARITIME ENFORCEMENT SPECIALIST rating has your name written all over it.

It really does. 

Check it out. 

https://www.gocoastguard.com/active-duty-careers/enlisted-opportunities/view-job-descriptions/me

 

And I will tell you in advance - you will need to score highly on 

your ASVAB. 

Good Luck with your decision.

A-Jay

[Choporoz]

Good to see you, Kyle.  I would have thought that you were smarter than to choose the Marines. 

     I'm retired military, but as Navy supply; so my career advice would not be all that applicable, I'm afraid.  However, from what I've seen of you here, I'm confident you'll be successful with whatever route you choose in the Marines.  

-No sense in putting off the ASVAB.  IIRC, you can retake once a month.  Good score won't assure you of anything....bad score will hinder your chances at certain (many?) career fields. 

-Don't put off fitness thinking boot camp will whip you into shape.  If you can knock out a lot of push ups, sit ups and run a few miles at a time when you get there, you're experience will be MUCH better than if you can't.

-Humility, teamwork, keeping your mouth shut....those are some of the most important things about getting through basic and initial schooling....sounds simple, but trust me, for many, those are very hard...lol

-best of luck

 

[riverbasser]

Start running now.

 

Don't accept any asvab score your not happy with.

 

Look at all your options(like you are) before signing contract, make sure you are setting yourself up for what you want to do.

 

Good luck

[volzfan59]

1 hour ago, A-Jay said:

While every service has Great Opportunities - 

I am obviously bias.

Join the U.S. Coast Guard

 The MARITIME ENFORCEMENT SPECIALIST rating has your name written all over it.

It really does. 

Check it out. 

https://www.gocoastguard.com/active-duty-careers/enlisted-opportunities/view-job-descriptions/me

 

And I will tell you in advance - you will need to score highly on 

your ASVAB. 

Good Luck with your decision.

A-Jay

I agree with A-Jay, USCG is the way to go! My youngest is making a career in the CG, he loves it. I truly wish that I had gone that route. It does sound like the Military Police, Maritime Enforcement, etc. is the path that sounds right.

 

I'm a Veteran of the US Army, Military Police. After getting out, I had a 33 year in law enforcement with the state of TN and one of the local county's. Several of my close, close friends are Marines. Two retired, several got out at various points. Only one wishes that he went another route. One of the retirees was a MP, making it all the way up to CID (Criminal Investigations).

 

My friend in Angling, good luck with your decision and your career, whatever the path you decide. If law enforcement, learn, train and be careful. Start your physical training now, you'll need it!

[Sam]

Darn Kyle, am I proud of you or what?

 

Congrats on finishing up your first layer of college after high school and super congrats for considering the Military.

 

Joining any branch of the military has life long benefits. So you have my 100% support to join any branch you wish.
 

I was in the Army and visited such exotic places as Georgia, Oklahoma, Maryland and Viet Nam. Had some outstanding sergeants and enlisted guys in my company, which I was their commander in Viet Nam. We had some fun times and did some stupid things but I will never wish it did not happen. Great memories.

 

The Marines are in a class by themselves. If you can make it through boot camp you will have a sensational career; meet so many great guys and gals; and become a member of the "Marines Alumni" when you get out.

 

Joining the military opens the doors to many civilian jobs and careers; makes you eligible to be a member of the American Legion; and you can access USAA insurance.

 

Only thing I want to tell you about is the young Marine that went AWOL in boot camp. He told his story during this court martial as follows:

 

On day one, in the morning, they shaved my head and in the afternoon they gave me a comb.

On day two, in the morning, they gave me a toothbrush and in the afternoon they pulled my teeth.

On day three, in the morning, they gave me a jockstrap and I did not wait around for the afternoon.

 

So be careful, join the military, and you will never have any regrets.

 

Gung Ho!  

[NHBull]

I will never put down any branch as I respect everyone who signs on the dotted line and pledge to give their life!

 

That said I am bias and kudos for you to serve as an officer.  Given what you want to do, the Corps could open doors for a latter career. Embassy duty opens even more if you are interested in private security, CIA, NSA,, ect.

 

.....but one does not join the Corps, one becomes a Marine!  Your reborn to it and you remain one until you die!  You may not believe this, but you will later if you choose this path.

There is no greater brotherhood in the world, no disrespect intended to other members.

 

Feel free to PM me if you want insight into options when hanging up your sword

[CJE]

I’m biased.. Air Force is the way to go. 

[lo n slo]

4 hours ago, NHBull said:

I will never put down any branch as I respect everyone who signs on the dotted line and pledge to give their life!

 

That said I am bias and kudos for you to serve as an officer.  Given what you want to do, the Corps could open doors for a latter career. Embassy duty opens even more if you are interested in private security, CIA, NSA,, ect.

 

.....but one does not join the Corps, one becomes a Marine!  Your reborn to it and you remain one until you die!  You may not believe this, but you will later if you choose this path.

There is no greater brotherhood in the world, no disrespect intended to other members.

 

Feel free to PM me if you want insight into options when hanging up your sword

as a Marine Corps Veteran myself.....what he said ^^^

 

SEMPER FI

[flatcreek]

Jump right out and shout Marine Corps! good luck young man and don't listen to anyone who talks down Marine Corps infantry.Best move I ever made.

[Angry John]

Just about to retire and if your into fitness there are some cool navy rates.  Diver, and Eod are very adventurous.  If you want a tech job pick IT or ITS.  They do have Intel officers if you finish your degree and field work would up your action a bit.  You can see most jobs before hand.  Look before you jump.

[Senko lover]

@A-Jay

Hey man, thanks for the suggestions. I looked at the program and it sounds sweet. I have a friend who did that and she really enjoyed it. 

 

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; still tryna be like you when I grow up. Hope everything is well on your end. ?

 

@volzfan59

 

Hats off to you man. Thanks for reaching out. 

 

@Choporoz 

 

Solid advice man. I’ve been working out since I was fourteen; I got into really good “fitness” shape (running 11-12 miles, doing obstacle races, etc) and this year I’ve been focusing on bodybuilding and trying to bulk up some. Just starting back into running and bodyweight stuff as well. Honestly the physical aspect of it is what I’m mostlokking forward too. Working out is a huge part of my life. 

 

@Sam

 

thanks for the support man! You’ve always encouraged me to work hard and have fun while doing so. Hope everything is well on your end. 

 

@NHBull 

 

oorah! 

 

@riverbasser

@Pro Logcatcher

@Oregon Native

@flatcreek

@lo n slo

@CJE

@Angry John

 

thanks guys! 

 

 

 

[Munkin]

Have you looked into ROTC? They will pay for you to get your  Bachelor's then Commission you as an Officer. 

 

Figure out what you would like to do then report back and the group can give you more specific advice. I enlisted as an E-1 at 17 in the Army and left as a Captain  03E so I can give you advice on that branch. One thing to remember is the recruiter is looking to just get you in and will push certain fields. The Army is always short on MP's so it is an option. 

 

Allen 

[Angry John]

Looking at jobs that translate well to civial work will help you a lot.  A corpsman, has a great shot at a good job and the transition to officer is encouraged.  Never seen a business with out shipping and being a legal rep also has direct applications.  Most of the "cool" jobs dont cross over well.

[bigjean663]

Former Marine here (Amtracker...not the trains), I joined the Marines and graduated boot camp 9/7/2001. Boot camp at MCRD San Diego was the best and worst time of my life. You’ll accomplish more than you ever imagined possible as long as you push yourself into that uncomfortable area and fight your way out of it. The fleet Marine Corps is what you make of it. Choose a job you could see yourself enjoying post Corps life. I’m in law enforcement now and the biggest things I took from the Corps was honor, courage, and commitment. Doesn’t matter how cheesy it sounds or how much crap I  get for saying I  try to live by those words, I’m not changing it for anything/anyone. Hit me up if you have any questions about the Corps boss. 

[TnRiver46]

I have no advice but I am full of thanks and kudos for you !! God bless America 

[Rahlow]

As a Sailor, who raised a son who became a Marine, USMC all the way. I have never seen brotherhood as I have with Marines, respect everywhere you go as a Marine also.

[Way2slow]

I don't have first hand experience with the Marines, just my perception, and actually have never been closely associated with anyone that was in the Marines.

I looked at all branches of service when I joined and decided the Air Force was the only one for me, spent 22yrs and 4mos in an electronics communications career field. 

I was 27 years old, married and had two kids when I decided to join so I had to consider what was best for the "family" as much as anything. 

At the time, the Navy had some of the best electronics carrier fields but most of the Navy lived on the ocean as much as six months at the time, that would have tough on the family.

The Marines were you primary first responders to any conflict and could be gone for very extended periods of time at a moments notice.  Again, not something very conducive to maintaining a happy marriage.

The Army had way too many unaccompanied short tour assignments during a full career period where you are gone 12 months or more at a time without the family. 

Never looked at or considered the Coast Guard.

For me and my family, the Air Force offered a carrier that was more suitable to a family life.  I had worked from the time I was 13 until I was 27 in the civilian world and was the Maintenance Superintendent of a large particle board plant  when I gave it all up and joined. 

Also, in the Air Force, up to the pay grade of E7, promotions were almost based solely on you, no such thing as promotion boards to go before.  You had two test you took each year, one on military knowledge and one on you carrier field knowledge, those scores were a major part of the points required to make the cutoff score needed to get promoted.  Because of these written test and I had a photographic memory, I scored extremely high on those test and made rank extremely fast in the minimum time for each grade.

22 years of the Air Force was about as close to working in civilian life as it could come.  After basic training and tech school, my first assignment was in northern Italy.  I spent five years there and other that the usual military BS you had to go through, it was like a normal 0730 - 4:30 job.  I had a part time electronics job, making piles of money and enjoyed traveling Europe.  Never spent more than a week away from the family.

From there I spent several years in special duty assignment in a nuclear missile program (GLCM), playing a lot of GI Joe with the Special Forces  and  even went through the Army Ranger school.

22 years and only had one short tour and because of my rank, it was 13 month  accompanied one in Cicily, so the family was with me, a great Government funded vacation.

I should also say, I retired in 1996, so it's I'm sure there have been many changes to the way things were when I was in.

Also, don't put a ton of faith in what a recruiter tells you.  I'm not going to say they will lie to you, but they sure can distort the truth.  Do what you are doing now, get on the internet and social media sites and see what those living the life have to say.