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If you've seen my profile picture, I know I don't exactly fit the image of someone who might join the military. But I got a call yesterday from a marine recruiter, and because I was procrastinating an essay, I figured might as well talk with him. He somehow persuaded me to come in today and talk with his friend, someone who does public affairs/journalism for the corp, which is what I'm interested in. Anyway, I stayed there a lot longer than I thought I would, and walked away for the first time seriously considering about doing the military.
This is a big deal for me, obviously. Joining the military has huge benefits... you're basically set for life in terms of health care and retirement and tuition, among other things. You get to travel, and get work experience. All this isn't that big of a deal though, because I'm confident in my life I'll make enough to have these things covered most of the time. The biggest draw for me though, is the chance to develop my personal confidence, pride, and sense of achievement. I deal with confidence/self esteem problems a little sometimes, especially when I'm thinking about my future, and feel like there's nothing I really want to do or can do. I mean shit, I'm really smart, and I'm talented, but there's nothing that makes me go "man I want to do this the rest of my life". At one point, the guy had me try on his marine uniform (the fancy one), and I had to agree it was a pretty good feeling having that on.
On the other hand, it's a four year commitment + 4 years reserves, if I got it right. The guys kept asking me why is that commitment a big deal, how is 8 years of college better etc. (the pressure was annoying, I wanted them to just respect that I was undecided, but I'm not going to base my decision off of that). Part of it is I'm scared. The other part is that college seems the safer option. Another reason is that in the future, I don't want to be called off somewhere far off and have to leave friends and family for years. I don't want to give up what's familiar and what's worked for 20 years.
So I'm gonna go in Saturday and talk with these guys again. In the meantime, are there any marines on here, that want to share their experiences? How physically fit do you have to be to get through boot camp? Any regrets? Has it helped you? Anything guys, ANYTHING you can share I'd really appreciate. Can you get something from the Marine Corp I really can't get in college? If so, what?
edit: If you don't know what you're talking about, have never talked to a recruiter, have no idea what the military is like, please don't post and risk giving either me or other people bad advice. Seriously. This is a big deal, and I want to hear from people who've done this.
  
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Everyone I've talked to in my entire life. Has said joining the Army or any branch of it, was the best thing they've ever did.
I personally have not been in anything. However I'm considering joining the Light Mechanical Infantry here. You serve 2 years, then they pay for your entire education. I'm planning on becoming a psychologist. So that would really help.
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On April 16 2008 12:52 Krohm wrote:
Everyone I've talked to in my entire life. Has said joining the Army or any branch of it, was the best thing they've ever did.
I personally have not been in anything. However I'm considering joining the Light Mechanical Infantry here. You serve 2 years, then they pay for your entire education. I'm planning on becoming a psychologist. So that would really help.
Uh I've talked to a lot of people who hate/hated being in the army, as well as some who are just sort of ambivalent about it. One guy described it as "two years of my life being yelled at".
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Hard choice. Try talking to those who've already been in your current situation. It's probably different, but I believe in the case of joining the army reserves, your college education will be screwed if you join before graduation. Just make sure you tie all loose ends and do your research before going through with this, since it's obviously a huge decision.
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A lot of my family is in the military. Yes, the pressure is the worst part. Don't sign anything, commit etc. until you've done enough independent research (such as this) to make sure it's what you want. Make sure you understand the terms and conditions completely.
Also, serving your country is a great honor, and doing so in the military is the greatest one. So it all depends on what you want. I was actually going to serve in the Marines, most everything was in order but I have to take medicine every day for a few things so I couldn't get in (though I could if I got a doctor to say I didn't need it). The level of physical fitness required is very high if you've never done anything, I did do some "pre-recruitment" training, it was hard but I already did power lifting and distance running for martial arts.
Although I obviously didn't go to boot camp, my recruiter told me "it will be the hardest thing you'll ever do, but it won't be as hard as you think." I think he was being pretty truthful there. The college help with money is also great.
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Did you put your country as Afghanistan because thats where they'll be shipping you when you sign up? o_O
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It was the first thing on the list, and I didn't remember it would show up next to your name. Since so many people get worked up about it and make ridiculous posts like yours, I decided not to change it.
As I understand it, you have one veto of any assignment they give you. Also, doing well on their tests and classes gives you more options of where you want to go. If my recruiter is to be trusted, I could go anywhere the marines are stationed, since I have good test scores.
Ancestral -- where do I do this independent research, besides the reading material they've given me?
Patriotism and a sense of duty is the last thing motivating this decision. I have a hard time feeling loyalty to a country or any kind of abstract, inanimate entity. I can be proud of being a Marine, and will have a sense of brotherhood with other marines, but I'm not going to defend the institution it stands for unquestioningly. If I do it, then it's for my own purposes.
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I'm pretty sure almost any guy, at one point or another, has considered military service. Even now, I tell myself I'd jump at the opportunity to join the marines if I were american and I could pass the physical requirements. I suppose the main thing is the knowledge that you're accomplishing something. I'm studying electrical engineering/computer science right now and I'm doing reasonably well but like you, I always go to sleep wondering what the future has in store for me and whether I'll ever make a difference. But yeah, this is a huge decision and even though I don't know anyone in the US military, I'm almost certain that it won't be as great as the commercials make it seem. Like other posters say, don't sign anything unless you're absolutely sure this is what you want.
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My cousin's husband is going to be deployed to Iraq in a few months. I wouldn't join the Marines, because you will end up in the middle east(for sure). My uncle who was in the army served some time in Iraq. My friend also is deployed in Afghanistan. Another friend of mine did like two-three trips to Iraq to pick up Marine soldiers..
My friend's cousin is a marine, and was sent there twice. So, if you're going to join the military. Are you willing to put up your life to serve your country for them to pay your class, and give you health benefits?
My answer would be, no. But, it's all on you.
Btw, perks is they pay for your school. A class here goes for like 220 dollars, or so. I know for sure they pay for your books(or maybe I'm wrong).
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Read Jarhead the book (autobiography of a marine) I read the first 47 pages and already never want to join the marines. T_T
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The information they give you is legitimate, but you should read it. I got a couple of huge packets, but they just highlighted the enticing parts in their "presentation" to me. Also, talking to plenty of people who have done it (which I obviously haven't done it, but I talked to many people who had).
Although it's good to be proud of being a Marine, I think a lot of them will unfortunately have this sense of loyalty to an abstract entity (such as a country or a branch of an armed service in that country). So I don't understand the distinction you're making. Why would you serve the Marines unquestioningly but not the United States? These questions aren't actually important in your case since you're considering it but not because of "patriotism," but I do wonder.
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Ask yourself if you would want to go to Iraq/Afghanistan, should be the same answer as your decision to join.
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On April 16 2008 12:42 ahrara_ wrote:
If you've seen my profile picture, I know I don't exactly fit the image of someone who might join the military. But I got a call yesterday from a marine recruiter, and because I was procrastinating an essay, I figured might as well talk with him. He somehow persuaded me to come in today and talk with his friend, someone who does public affairs/journalism for the corp, which is what I'm interested in. Anyway, I stayed there a lot longer than I thought I would, and walked away for the first time seriously considering about doing the military.
This is a big deal for me, obviously. Joining the military has huge benefits... you're basically set for life in terms of health care and retirement and tuition, among other things. You get to travel, and get work experience. All this isn't that big of a deal though, because I'm confident in my life I'll make enough to have these things covered most of the time. The biggest draw for me though, is the chance to develop my personal confidence, pride, and sense of achievement. I deal with confidence/self esteem problems a little sometimes, especially when I'm thinking about my future, and feel like there's nothing I really want to do or can do. I mean shit, I'm really smart, and I'm talented, but there's nothing that makes me go "man I want to do this the rest of my life". At one point, the guy had me try on his marine uniform (the fancy one), and I had to agree it was a pretty good feeling having that on.
On the other hand, it's a four year commitment + 4 years reserves, if I got it right. The guys kept asking me why is that commitment a big deal, how is 8 years of college better etc. (the pressure was annoying, I wanted them to just respect that I was undecided, but I'm not going to base my decision off of that). Part of it is I'm scared. The other part is that college seems the safer option. Another reason is that in the future, I don't want to be called off somewhere far off and have to leave friends and family for years. I don't want to give up what's familiar and what's worked for 20 years.
So I'm gonna go in Saturday and talk with these guys again. In the meantime, are there any marines on here, that want to share their experiences? How physically fit do you have to be to get through boot camp? Any regrets? Has it helped you? Anything guys, ANYTHING you can share I'd really appreciate. Can you get something from the Marine Corp I really can't get in college? If so, what?
Speak to your family and ask them if its a good idea. The recruiter gets money when you sign and from there you are shit to them. 4 years of commitment and 4 years reserve can turn into alot longer since the military can hold you and "stop loss" you if there is conflict. College does not take 8 years and you can also learn alot in college that you won't learn in the military. If you want to do public affairs and journalism the military is the last thing to consider. Is college not a possiblity for you? Can't afford it? Grades? If you are really smart then try your best to get into a good college and excel at journalism.
Once you join the military you are committed. Give college a try first, if its not right for you then go military. I have friends who went through bootcamp and the majority of people you will be with are dumb and social rejects, (now im not saying the military is full of dumb people). You sound smart but dont let that recruiter take advantage of your low self esteem. Just tell the recruiter to fuck off for now. Until you sign, he will still "LOVE" to talk to you.
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Wow, thanks petey. I was looking for somebody to give me informed negative feedback. I'll take that under consideration. Still, I feel like what it could do for me personally is worth the sacrifice, plus all the financial boons. I don't mind fighting overseas. I do mind leaving home for very long.
Ancestral: I never said I'd serve unquestioningly. I'll exercise what freedom I have to the best of my ability. I respect how you feel about military service, I was just pointing out kind of irrelevantly that's not something I really consider a good reason to join the military. For some people it's the main reason, for me, nah.
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if your really smart, talented. .etc, then frankly speaking.. why join the military? I've spent a few months doing basic military training and I didnt like it one bit. Your instructors treat you like dirt, yet they tell you to respect your superiors and officers...totally bullshit. When someone in your platoon messes us, the whole squad gets it... there is no justice. So after a few months, what exactly did I learn? well.. nothing, except that in the military its ok to shit on people with a lower rank than you. The military training system is designed so that a soldier doesn't need to think, he just needs to follow orders.Considering you are a person with an above average IQ.. a role in the military doesn't really suite you. If you are REALLY considering to join though, make sure your training to be an officer.. not just some regular grunt... atleast you wont get yelled at too often that way. Its a dirty job, and someone has to do it.... but that someone is not you.
Btw, 8 years of college life IS better than 8 years in the military. A good college student receives all the respect he deserves from his colleagues and professors. A good soldier will get yelled at no matter how good he is.
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I don't think I'd have a hard time getting yelled at. I know it's not personal, that it's meant to teach discipline. I'm not saying it's easy either, but I can look at it objectively and just realize that's how the military works, because it HAS to be that way. I haven't done this though, so I don't know really what it's like.
I guess the reason I think I want to join the military is because I feel like doing so will instill a kind of self confidence and personal strength and sense of accomplishment I can't find anywhere else. Does anyone else have this experience? Is it true?
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i recall a thread where some guy researched more information about the military and it was ridiculously manipulative and totally not worth it
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Although I am a lover of America, and patriotism, I am equally a lover of free thought and individual uniqueness (qualities of our country that make me patriotic). So regardless of your motivations (;P) most of all I wish you good luck.
And dinmsab, I think the "whole squad getting it for an individuals mistake" is good for two reasons:
It teaches the value of teamwork because everyone has to work together, and everyone is in the same BS together
It makes each individual work harder, because they don't want to be hated because they messed up. It's good motivation.
Good soldiers get respect, all of the yelling is just the way the military works. And ROTC is a good option, but it's so intensive. Just the regular reserve options that help with tuition (4 and 4 years as I recall) isn't as intense as ROTC, and you still get lots of benefits, though I suppose you could go to OCS afterwards. These are the kinds of things I suggest you should know, I obviously don't (but I have an idea).
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p.s. why would you give up 8 of the best yeras of your life
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On April 16 2008 13:04 Dknight wrote:
Did you put your country as Afghanistan because thats where they'll be shipping you when you sign up? o_O What he said.
In this moment of our nation's history, it won't matter who you are, or what your recruiter told you. It doesn't matter if you got an excellent score on the ASVAB, you are going to the middle east.
There are very few, and very select military jobs that will not see any action. "Are you willing to fight in Afghanistan/Iraq?"
That's the only question you need to figure out, imo.
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EPT
