Soldiers only please...(or vets)

sgt244

sgt244

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Mar 15, 2010
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Hey guys, my name's Andrew and im really thinking about joining the army in about a years time. I was thinking about infantry man as my spot in the marines. POSSIBLY a sniper position but i hear u need mathimatics for that.. and well lets just say im not exactly passing math in HS ;) ... only thing i have a problem with ... everything else 85s-97s...(im gana be 17 in june)... just 1 week left of junior year... next year is my last... was thinking about joining after i gratuate..

I would like anybody who in serving or who has served in the past to let me know what my best options are for joining and what i should do to increase my chances of being accepted and getting my place of infantry man... also how is basic training? killer? or not so bad?..or how is it in PT for the marines..??? do u think some1 who is in alrite shape can get through the training before ur they accept u??

im in pretty good shape, 6ft 1in... 198lbs... i go to the gym around 3-6 times in a week.. and am constantly outside doing cardio and playing handball which makes u move around ALOT... BUT, im not in GREAT shape... by ANY means....

Any tips or anything anybody has to say to me about any of this?? i intend to make it a career, i dont need it for $ towards college, my parents have it.. but something in me ever since 6th grade has told me i wanted to serve... thanks guys!
 
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Why join the army to prepare for marines? Bootcamp will whip you intoi all the shape you need, you don't need two years in the army to be a jarhead. besides you said you are already in decent shape.

As far as icreasing your chnace. Are you 18, graduated from high school, and no criminal record. If yes to all those then you are in, for a 11B MOS (infantry) it's the easiest to get you don't have to worry about that.
 
sgt244 said:
Hey guys, my name's Andrew and im really thinking about joining the army in about a years time. I was thinking about infantry man as my spot in regular army to start. I was thinking for 2 years... gets me in the "good conditioning" that i would need as i would probably aim for marines afterward (depending on some stuff of course)...

I would like anybody who in serving or who has served in the past to let me know what my best options are for joining and what i should do to increase my chances of being accepted and getting my place of infantry man... also how is basic training? killer? or not so bad?..

im in pretty good shape, 6ft 1in... 198lbs... i go to the gym around 3-6 times in a week.. and am constantly outside doing cardio and playing handball which makes u move around ALOT...

Any tips or anything anybody has to say to me about any of this?? i intend to make it a career, i dont need it for $ towards college, my parents have it.. but something in me ever since 6th grade has told me i wanted to serve... thanks guys!

P.s. i dono if this belongs here at all mods so i apoligize and no hard feelings if u take it down.. =/
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Your area to discuss knives in general: Folders, Fixed blades, Swords & knife related equipment, etc. Take off topic posts to the Community Center & manufacturer specific questions to their respective forums.
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This is where you posted, it's highlighted on the top of the forum.
 
Cavalry Scout....still Combat MOS but with more toys!!! 19D

Basic is what you make of it.....always remember, it is designed to PASS you. I loved it, wished I could do it again. I did only 4 years with 1st Cavalry Division and got hit by an IED while in Baghdad and I would do it again in a heart beat.

I believe everyone should do a min. 2 years of Civil Service work in some capacity or another.
 
ono724 said:
So what exactly is the knife question you were wondering about?
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He was wondering if he could cut the mustard. :D

Andrew, I moved this to Community Center. (This forum is intended for non-knife related discussion, announcements of get-togethers, knife show listings, humor, and everyday life.) It's hard for us to give advice on so serious a topic. We can't tell you much more than our own experiences. Which might not match your background or interests.

But I can say this. Go for what you want, it's your life, take advice from your family and friends but some day you will be on your own. Don't wait till it's too late.

Don't join the Army to join the Marines. You want to be a Marine? Go for that.
 
ono724 said:
So what exactly is the knife question you were wondering about?
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i love trolls like you, yeah my question wasn't about a knife... but its a life-changing thing, in which i really would like to do + i'd be carrying knives on me.... so instead of wasting ur time here, go to chucky-cheeses please...
 
Esav Benyamin said:
He was wondering if he could cut the mustard. :D

Andrew, I moved this to Community Center. (This forum is intended for non-knife related discussion, announcements of get-togethers, knife show listings, humor, and everyday life.) It's hard for us to give advice on so serious a topic. We can't tell you much more than our own experiences. Which might not match your background or interests.

But I can say this. Go for what you want, it's your life, take advice from your family and friends but some day you will be on your own. Don't wait till it's too late.
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I really appreciate the advise... you see, my parents are dead-set-against me joining... and i mean that is the ONLY thing stopping me.... i would love to join but i dont know if i can go against my parents and not have any support espeically if im shipped out to serve in war...i think having ur family behind u will help you in such times... and if u have no body back home as they dont want anthing to have to do with u since u went against them.. well i dont think it'll make service any easier...
 
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I have a feeling they will support you once you are shippe dout. hard for me to imagine parents not supporting a son when he is out to war. they may not like that you joined or that you are there, but they will still support you.

if not then I think there are bigger problems in that relationship.
 
Marine Corps basic training is no joke. It's 16+ hour days of tough training. I went through 13 weeks of it in 1978. Get the movie "Full Metal Jacket" and watch the boot camp sections. Then imagine doing that for every waking hour for 11 weeks or whatever it is now.

The 2 keys are to be in excellent shape when you arrive, and to have the determination to finish. If someone tells you that you can't make it, then that needs to motivate you to prove them wrong.
 
I know you said just active duty and vets, but I find myself in the same situation, I've had my heart set on the Marine Corps since september 2009 (Freshman in High school). There hasn't been a day that passed that I haven't read a blog or watched a Marine related video since then. If I were you, just shoot for the Marine Corps at the beginning, otherwise you'll have to go through basic training two separate times. I have a couple of links I can direct you towards to help you out, they have helped me out a TON.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbLAkDP0sDA
http://futurejarheads.org/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35_nmL0PBgk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoKgqRUwHN8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMhw_uraxp0
I also have some awesome videos favorited on my youtube channel-- http://www.youtube.com/TheUSMC2017
IMHO, don't bother with the ASVAB in high school, it doesn't help much unless you want to know what jobs you are eligible for, and it expires in 2 years anyway, so you would have to take it again. Since you want to be infantry (Like me) you'll definitely have a high enough score. You seem like you're in pretty good shape as it is, as long as you keep working out and staying in shape. A large part of boot camp is mental; you take a lot of classes, and do a lot of cleaning and drilling. I would recommend watching "Ears-open, Eyeballs-Click." It is, from what I understand, the best documentary out there of Marine Corps boot camp. It really gives you a feel of what your life will be like for the 13 weeks you are at Paris Island (Assuming you still live on the east coast in 2 years)
Also, if you want to be infantry, and make a career out of being a US Marine, then why not try becoming an officer? I don't know if I have what it takes, but I'm going to college first and using the NROTC program to try to become an officer, maybe make some extra cash in the long run. The Corps will pay for most, if not all of your college, (Makes it easy on your parents) and you still get free on-base housing afterwards.
PLEASE reply to me if you need anything; being about the same age and having similar interest in the US armed forces, I think we can both help each other out a lot.
 
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No trolling, just a poke at ya for posting in the wrong forum ;^)

If your goal is to be a Marine then go for it. Using the Army for a stepping stone is not always successful for a variety of reasons. Being in good to great shape will take a huge load of the stress factor as Marine boot camp is not only more vigorous but also a lot longer. It also helps if you don't have a whiny girlfriend threatening to cut you off if you leave.

The Marines are tough but there are excellent servicemen in all branches so you can be proud if you decide to serve no matter which you choose. Since I am an old Leatherneck I will say that if you join the Marines you'll know you've completed the toughest initial training and could have done any of them! I was a Recruiter for 3 years and heard more than once about how a person "wishes they had done it" referring to wanting to join the Marines but were hesitant.
 
Former Marine here and I mean this with all due respect and with the best of intentions. If you're looking to join the Marines it's all mental toughness and attention to detail. That includes details like your spelling. The physical fitness part will work itself out as long as you never give up mentally.
 
bigmo66 said:
No trolling, just a poke at ya for posting in the wrong forum ;^)

If your goal is to be a Marine then go for it. Using the Army for a stepping stone is not always successful for a variety of reasons. Being in good to great shape will take a huge load of the stress factor as Marine boot camp is not only more vigorous but also a lot longer. It also helps if you don't have a whiny girlfriend threatening to cut you off if you leave.

The Marines are tough but there are excellent servicemen in all branches so you can be proud if you decide to serve no matter which you choose. Since I am an old Leatherneck I will say that if you join the Marines you'll know you've completed the toughest initial training and could have done any of them! I was a Recruiter for 3 years and heard more than once about how a person "wishes they had done it" referring to wanting to join the Marines but were hesitant.
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Very well put. Both my kids used ROTC to help with college and are still in 20y later.

My advice as an old RedLeg is to be sure your motivations are right, and, if they are, do it.
 
hoopster said:
Former Marine here and I mean this with all due respect and with the best of intentions. If you're looking to join the Marines it's all mental toughness and attention to detail. That includes details like your spelling. The physical fitness part will work itself out as long as you never give up mentally.
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Yes, most is indeed mental it's just a fact. That is the "stress factor" I was referring to. While you can indeed get into shape and prepare physically, you can't necessarily prepare for the mental stress and it's been said that Marines are born...
 
"Marines are about the most peculiar breed of human beings I have ever witnessed. They treat their service as if it were some kind of cult, plastering their emblem on almost everything they own, making themselves up to look like insane fanatics with haircuts to ungentlemanly lengths, worshipping their Commandant, almost as if he were a god, and making weird animal noises like a band of savages. They'll fight like rabid dogs at the drop of a hat just for the sake of a little action, and are the cockiest sons of bitches I have ever known. Most have the foulest mouths and drink well beyond man's normal limits, but their high spirits and sense of brotherhood set them apart and, generally speaking, the United States Marines I've come in contact with are the most professional soldiers and the finest men I have ever had the pleasure to meet."
--An Anonymous Canadian Citizen


This is from a speech by Rear Admiral Stark, USN, President of the Naval War College:

It occurred to me that the services could be characterized by different breeds of dogs.

The Air Force reminded me of a French Poodle. The poodle always looks perfect . . . sometimes a bit pampered and always travels first class. But don’t ever forget that the poodle was bred as a hunting dog and in a fight it’s very dangerous.

The Army is kind of like a St. Bernard. It’s big and heavy and sometimes seems a bit clumsy. But it’s very powerful and has lots of stamina. So you want it for the long haul.

The Navy, God bless us, is a Golden Retriever. They’re good natured and great around the house. The kids love’ em. Sometimes their hair is a bit long . . . They go wandering off for long periods of time, and they love water.

Marines I see as two breeds, Rottweilers or Dobermans, because Marines come in two varieties, big and mean or skinny and mean. They’re aggressive on the attack and tenacious on defense. They’ve got really short hair and they always go for the throat. That sounds like a Marine to me!
 
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering
if they've made a difference. The Marines don't
have that problem."
-Author Unknown

Many credit Ronald Reagan with this quote which is not true but a great one none the less.
 
11B- Infantry or 19D Cav are both great suggestions. About my only advice is, don't take no for an answer. They shoot you down once or twice for the school you want, keep asking, eventually you will get it. Just keep your nose clean, pass your PT tests, make your grade and when you hit E-5 it will be a lot easier to get what you want. Don't be discouraged if you can't get in right away and don't consider it the end if you wash out on your first go. Sniper school has a very high attrition rate, some guys take it two or three times. If you want it bad enough you'll get it. I do think there is an age requirement for the school but don't quote me, 21 if I am not mistaken, stuff changes every year so if there was an age requirement it may have been done away with. For PT, run your butt off! All that other stuff is great but cardio will help more than anything else you can do at the gym.
 
TheUSMC2017 said:
IMHO, don't bother with the ASVAB, it doesn't help much unless you want to know what jobs you are eligible for, and it expires in 2 years anyway. Since you want to be infantry (Like me) there's really no point.
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First thing... the ASVAB isn't an "optional" test. If you want to join the military, you need to take it.

Second thing... this is really bad advice. MUCH (in fact almost ALL) of what you'll be allowed to do in the military will be based on your ASVAB scores - overall and specific category scores.

I'm not a Marines, but I did serve in the US Army, and I'll say this much... having an attitude like "there's really no point" will eventually catch up to you. It's like saying "there's no point in maxing the PT test when you still pass with a minimum score."

Take the ASVAB. If your scores are low, go out study, and take it again. But don't blow it off because you think it's worthless. And don't get all cocky because you're the badazz 0311 rifleman that barely passed his ASVAB. That dorky kid that you're making fun of that scored 120 on his GT is the one making sure your LES is correct every month. :)

With a high score you can pick an MOS that requires a lower score. With low score, you can't pick an MOS that requires a higher score. And you'll never know when carrying 100lbs. on your back and sleeping in the mud will stop being fun.

@sgt244 - Everybody learns a bit differently, but if you're up for trying to improve your math skills, take a look at the Khan Academy website: http://www.khanacademy.org
 
Former 19Delta here and I say go for it . You will never regret it . May God bless all that have served and those that serve now . A big HOOOOOOOOOAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! to Mo and Butter on this Memorial Day 2011 .Rest easy brothers,Ill see you when my time here is done........Scouts Out.
 
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