Thinking about joining the Marines

[Mazdaspeedgirl]

Greg is. Hmm...I am wondering how it can work out. I know he will have to be away a lot for the first 6mos to a year. He has the same concerns.

What say you military guys?

I have considered it and can't because i am a weak girl.

 

[fastdrvr23]

I have never heard anyone say it was easy. I was 17 when I joined the Army National Guard, so I was pretty lucky I guess. He will be gone alot by the time you factor in BASIC training and his MOS school. I was in Basic for 9 weeks, MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) or AIT (Advanced Individual Training... I can't remember which it was called), school for 6 weeks as an MP, and OCS (Officer Candidate School) for another 6 weeks. Also, does he intend on going active or going reserve? If he goes active, I would imagine you guys would have to move at some time or another in the whole process. My dad was in the Army and we moved a total of 38 times before I turned 13 years old. Not fun...

All in all, I have had a good experience with the military and recommend it for the experience it leaves with you. Although, if I had a signifigant other, it would take a lot of thinking before I decided to enlist. Whatever you guys decide, I wish you luck!

This post probably won't help very much (since I wrote it while at work), so if you have any specific questions just shoot me a PM or something.

 

[Mazdaspeedgirl]

Thanx Fastdrvr23...you really did confuse me...j/k

However, I think that is why it will take him a lot of time to consider, because of me. I told him straight up "Do what you want. I will always be here."

I guess the real issues are w/him:
He's always wanted to join a segment of the military since high school, but Mom wouldn't let him
He's totally attatched to me
He can't find a full time job in Austin
He's not as young as he used to be

So there are reasons why he should and reasons why he shoudn't(in his opinion).

I, personally, can deal with the moving around. We lived at three different places in 2001 alone. The only issue I have is finishing school. I want to attend UT to get my BS (Go Horns!! National Baseball Champs!!) for med school.

He wants to go into active duty. The term would be 4 years, then he would want to get on with Austin Police Department to come back to live in our hometown. (woo-hoo! military man, then a cop?! my wildest fantasies can come true!)

The closest base, he said, would be Ft. Hood in Kileen. It's not inconceivable; I run into MANY military men who live in Austin and commute to Kileen for their jobs (its about 1.5 hours away). That's only if he could get stationed there...

 

[mikesmazda155]

I am in the Coast Guard, and it is a pretty cool service. The cool thing is that you do not leave the United States, unless you go to Alaska, or Guam, Puerto Rico, or Hawaii. I enjoy it. Tell him to check around on the services before he signs anything.

 

[Mazdaspeedgirl]

I am in the Coast Guard, and it is a pretty cool service. The cool thing is that you do not leave the United States, unless you go to Alaska, or Guam, Puerto Rico, or Hawaii. I enjoy it. Tell him to check around on the services before he signs anything.

Kool! Good I dea! I will tell him that. Thanks!

 

[70]

I am a Marine...

Ok, here is the real deal about the Marine Corps...Active duty style...

Boot camps is about three months long. The only way you'll talk to him is through letters.

Then he'll get ten days leave before he has to go back to Marine Combat Training (MCT, for non-grunts), or School of Infantry (SOI, for grunts).

MCT is 24 days long now, or so I have heard...SOI runs, about, uh, I have no idea. I went to MCT, and when I went, it was 14 days.

Anyway, since I am thinking he probably wants a decent job in the Corps, he'll be going to MCT. So, after MCT is his job school.

Depending on the job he takes, he can go to his job school for anywhere from six weeks (minimum time) to one year (minimum time). If hhe is looking to go active, he will most likely be at his job school for at least six months (reservists get priority for class slots) to over a year and a half.

After that there are really only four main places he could to be stationed. East coast, west coast, Hawaii or Oki...

If he is on Hawaii, he'll be there for six then on Oki for six, most likely. I think for every two years in he will have to go on a six month float. That means, he is on a ship for six months crusing the world. But, since the Corps is under staffed, last I heard they had floats going every six months. Basically, six months of every year you were on float, the other six, you were in the US on you respective coast.

Are there Marines else where on other bases. Yeah, but they are mostly the instructors running the job schools. Chances of him being stationed in Texas in his first four year active contract are slim to none....

 

[Syzygy]

I am in the Coast Guard, and it is a pretty cool service. The cool thing is that you do not leave the United States, unless you go to Alaska, or Guam, Puerto Rico, or Hawaii. I enjoy it. Tell him to check around on the services before he signs anything.

You know, that is an excellent idea!

In years past, many considered the coast guard a "wussy" service, but now, as you know, much has changed. Maintaining the borders of our country is of primary importance. In fact, the Coast Guard is a military arm that almost everyone embraces - hawks and pacifists, alike.

That way, Greg can give service to both our country and Diane, too!

Oh, my God...did I just type what I was thinking...?

 

[70]

Oh yeah, those times are assuming everything goes smoothly the first time. Barring any injury, failing any training, etc. on his part.

Oh yeah, the Coast Guard is not military service...It is the Department of Transportation (soon to be under the Dept. of Homeland Security, if Georgy has his way).

Yes, Coasties do a lot of stuff on the coast, but it is not the military. Coasties rank up there with the Merchant Marines. Those are the guys that run transport ships around the world for the military. Civilian government workers.

Not trying to bash the Coast Guard, just letting you know what it is.

If your boy wants to stay in Texas, his best bet would be the Air Force (Chair Force, Air Farce)...Whatever they call themselves now. Army would be his next best option.

 

[Sir Nuke]

I am Ex-Navy......for a COUPLE....without a doubt the SERVICE that provides the best family life..is the AIR FORCE....have him check it out.....

another thing....if he wants to be in the militiary police....thus giving him a leg up on the outside job.....no matter what a recruiter tells him....if its NOT in writing in his enlistment contract....then it was just smoke getting blown up his ass to get him to sign up....so....if they are telling him he can for sure go to some school..or be this or that....tell him to ENSURE its in writing...or its no better than the tp he wipes his butt with.

 

[freekwonder]

i did four years in the marine corps. i would have to agree with what StuttersC. its a good descriptions what happenes. boot camp isn really physical its more of a three month long mental game. if you are like me thought i got lucky. they sent me to kansas city, what is a three year duty station. but if he goes to Oki he has two choices. 1 year unoccupanied. or a 3 year accomompained. but the list for housing is a year or two long. and houses out there are expensive.

 

[70]

I am Ex-Navy......for a COUPLE....without a doubt the SERVICE that provides the best family life..is the AIR FORCE....have him check it out.....

another thing....if he wants to be in the militiary police....thus giving him a leg up on the outside job.....no matter what a recruiter tells him....if its NOT in writing in his enlistment contract....then it was just smoke getting blown up his ass to get him to sign up....so....if they are telling him he can for sure go to some school..or be this or that....tell him to ENSURE its in writing...or its no better than the tp he wipes his butt with.

Yep yep yep...If it ain't on the contract, it ain't gonna happen, no matter what the story books say.

 

[PR5hokie]

Well I thought I'd share my two cents. Personally I just moved to Panama City with the Air Force. Received my commission in May and who knows what the hell the future holds. Anyway, military service is a great choice for anyone in my opinion. Sure the pay isn't as high as some jobs but if you factor in all the benefits then it's not too bad. In regards to the "family" situation. Some people can make it work and some can't. While you have a choice as to where you would like to be stationed it's up to the branch of the military. "The needs of the Air Force" (in my case). Be careful when dealing with recruiters. Some are honest, others not so much. They sometimes just want to get their numbers. Like a said before, a good thing to keep in the back of your mind is "The needs of the (branch of service)." They will try to accomodate you as much as they can but bottom line is completing the mission. Weigh the odds and see what works best for you both. Good luck with the decision.

Matt

 

[freekwonder]

also one last thing, if he joins the Marine corps he will have to take out ALL OF HIS PIERCINGS. and i mean all of them. and Sir-nuke is right. I went into the computer field. after my four years i went to work for the government. the nice thing is Equal opurtunity didnt matter, i had Veteran preferences.

 

[Mazdaspeedgirl]

Thanks a lot guys...I really do appreciate the feedback. I am glad that I am getting real-world responses, because I just hate it when the recruiters try to sugar-coat things!

I will see that Greg reads this, and if anyone else has anything to say, please feel free.

 

[Sir Nuke]

Thanks a lot guys...I really do appreciate the feedback. I am glad that I am getting real-world responses, because I just hate it when the recruiters try to sugar-coat things!

I will see that Greg reads this, and if anyone else has anything to say, please feel free.

Diane, its VERY important to remember that recruiters have quota's to meet.....just like cops writing tickets....and they will tell you anything and YES they will lie through their teeth....just keep that all in mind. if its not in writing.....its worthless information

 

[mikesmazda155]

This is so very true, unless you get a recruiter that is good at what he, or she does. My recruiter did not lie to me. So I am thankful to her for that.

 

[Mazdaspeedgirl]

This is so very true, unless you get a recruiter that is good at what he, or she does. My recruiter did not lie to me. So I am thankful to her for that.

That's good...

Well. I think he has made the decision not to do it for my sake.

I told him to do whatever he wants to do, but he said he fears a tremendous strain would be on our relationship....that and Linux would probably be down here in a heartbeat when he ships out. I'm just kidding Patrick!! I tease because I love...

 

[Syzygy]

...(snip)...that and Linux would probably be down here in a heartbeat when he ships out. ...(snip)...

LMAO!!! [giggle,giggle] I will not laugh...I will not... ROTFLMAO!!!!

 

[Mazdaspeedgirl]

LMAO!!! [giggle,giggle] I will not laugh...I will not... ROTFLMAO!!!!

You're so silly!!

It's too bad we don't have a voice chat room here...I think it would be great fun!! I'd like to know how your laughs sound...

 

[Syzygy]

You're so silly!!...(snip)...

Why, thawnk yuh, Scarlett!

...(snip)...It's too bad we don't have a voice chat room here...I think it would be great fun!! I'd like to know how your laughs sound...

No need...my laugh is a cross between the sound of a garbage truck at 4 AM and a hysterical, psychotic prima donna. Well, maybe not...