Soldiers only please...(or vets)

Some of the guys with the most brains go infantry. I had a GT score of 121.
 
being in shape definitely helps but if you want to get ready for boot camp my advice is get used to not eating much and moving fast. when I say moving fast I mean doing everything in about 10 seconds weather its taking a shower or going from being asleep to having your bed made and being fully dressed. Oh and if your on the east coast you might want to shoot for the winter months, anyone here thats experienced Paris Islands sand flees knows what I'm talking about.
 
Yep ,that could be true. I had a 119 , the only guy in my platoon with a score higher than mine is now with the F.B.I.
 
sgt244 said:
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...
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So you're coming to a knife forum to ask advice on a life changing thing, After which you "might" carry a knife on you?:rolleyes: Maybe *you* should try Chucky-Cheese...;)

BTW, I put my time in a quarter of a century ago, and was carrying a knife before I Joined :D

Good luck with whatever you decide!
 
Dont use the army as a stepping stone. I have a ton of respect for the army but if you are thinking even slightly that the corps is the way you want to go then your decision should be made right there. As far as physical fitness goes, from the day you enlist you will be in DEP (Delayed Entry Program) for probably 5 months. The marine corps is very full and it's a burden on some (myself). However in DEP you train a few days a week with your recruiting stations. You are required to go to PT twice a week and have poolle functions once a month. This is not nearly boot camp level but it will help you mentally and physically.
As far as parents go, been in the same boat as you. It is incredibly discouraging and makes you want to give up on the idea, they will be proud of you after they see you at the end of the 13 weeks. Just keep training and when you turn 18 and you want to make the biggest commitment of your life just call a recruiter. If you have any other questions about DEP or ways to talk to your parents just let me know, I am always glad to help people with this decision.
 
DR.BOOM said:
Dont use the army as a stepping stone. I have a ton of respect for the army but if you are thinking even slightly that the corps is the way you want to go then your decision should be made right there. As far as physical fitness goes, from the day you enlist you will be in DEP (Delayed Entry Program) for probably 5 months. The marine corps is very full and it's a burden on some (myself). However in DEP you train a few days a week with your recruiting stations. You are required to go to PT twice a week and have poolle functions once a month. This is not nearly boot camp level but it will help you mentally and physically.
As far as parents go, been in the same boat as you. It is incredibly discouraging and makes you want to give up on the idea, they will be proud of you after they see you at the end of the 13 weeks. Just keep training and when you turn 18 and you want to make the biggest commitment of your life just call a recruiter. If you have any other questions about DEP or ways to talk to your parents just let me know, I am always glad to help people with this decision.
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Thanks alot Boom... it really is discouraging to the point of me acctually thinking i wont join because of my parents.. and yes i want to join the marines.. always have wanted too since i can remember... you see for me, its like this... if im talking to some1 or i meet some1 new.. and they ask me "what i'd like to do when im older" the first thing that comes to my head....is a U.S. marine.. but at this point in time i dono (cause my parents) if ill ever get to live out that dream... and im afraid that im going to be 70 years old one day, look back..and feel so empty inside because i never got to do what I really wanted to achieve...
 
I would advise you to concentrate on school first (as you said you would) and try getting the best scores you can get in math, as well as the other subjects. Your high schools scores will follow you the rest of your life, or at least into your first position of your chosen career. You will feel prideful in any branch of service that you elect to join, one branch is not a prerequisite for another. I would suggest to you, that joining a branch of service thinking that it will prepare you for a better branch of service is ill advised.

I was a proud member of the Big Red One, 1st Infantry Division (11C) in Viet Nam from Oct 67 to May of 69. I can tell you straight up that I was part of the greatest Army the world had ever seen up to that time. I suspect the Army of today is even better and in no way should the U.S. Army ever be viewed as a service that is lacking or should be used as a stepping stone in preparation for another branch of service. Join the branch of service you wish to join and be committed and prepared to become a proud service man and eventually a veteran of a U.S. military branch service you elected to join. America is about choice, that is our real freedom, so make a decision after high school.

All due respect to Admiral Stark, I saw no St. Barnard's while I was in Viet Nam, I saw nothing but the most ferocious American warriors, that were skill in the art of war and we scored a great many KIA's as well as lost a lot of good American men/ women. Admiral Stark may have been swayed a little by the fact that the Marines are in fact part of the Department of the Navy, and often live together. If you want to join the Marines you should join them, you will be very proud. Good Luck, BRO
 
My parents told me all this stuff about no longer having a place to stay if I joined any branch other than the air force, I just continued to respectfully say it's just not for me. You will fight and struggle with it but keep your cool. My biggest problem was that I got angry. They found it too immature and had even less support. Stay calm, there is nothing you can do about how they think. The nice part though.... You hit your 18th birthday and they really can't stop you.

Like I said before just email or PM me if you have any questions, I would love to answer and help.
 
If you want to be a Marine,I say go for it.It was the best move I ever made in my whole life.My honorable discharge has got me hired in every job I've had.I went to Boot in 1980 at MCRD San Diego Ca.I can tell you that it is no joke period,be ready,you have got to want it.If you don't want it,don't bother,it's not for timid.
 
I served in the Marines from 1980 to 84.It was the best thing I ever did.My honorable dishcharge got me hired at every job I ever had.I will warn you though that it is no joke,you have got to want it something fierce.You have to prove yourself in every way possible,it's the real deal.-Jim
 
Go to a recruiting office, they will tell you they are short on snipers and fighter pilots, they always do. All I can tell you is don't expect to come out of the army in 10 years and move into some great career with benefits and a pension, my neighbor got in right out of high school (Canadian Forces), did 11 years with 1 year in Afghanistan with military intelligence and he is flipping burgers now still living with Mom and Dad. If you join have a set plan in advance to do your 4 years and then go to college.
 
I've been in the USAF for over 9 years now. I am currently in a 7-8 month multibranch (USAF, Army, Navy and Marines) school.

Do not completely ignore the option to join the USAF. Physically, more is expected out of an Airman than a Soldier these days. If I get stationed at an Army Post after this school, I will be given additional pay because the standards of living on a Post are lower than an AF Base. Deployments VERY RARELY go over 6 months, and never go over 9 months. The Army regularly deploys for a year at a time. Divorce and suicide rates are damn near nonexistent in comparison to the Army.

The USAF has infantry/spec ops style jobs as well. TACP (USAF's version of a Ranger), works in direct contact with Army personnel, but receives USAF quality of life benefits. Combat Control (USAF's green beret), every green beret team is assigned a Combat Controller. Pararescue, our spec ops medic...again, works in direct contact with Army, as well as anybody else that needs a combat doc.

I've never seen anyone think about using another branch as a stepping stone to the Marines, or any other branch for that matter. So it makes me question whether or not you're making this decision with the right motives or intentions. With the current economy, people off the street are trying to join because it's a paycheck. Just make sure you're doing it for the right reasons when you walk in a recruiter's office.
 
Emphasiski said:
I've been in the USAF for over 9 years now. I am currently in a 7-8 month multibranch (USAF, Army, Navy and Marines) school.

Do not completely ignore the option to join the USAF. Physically, more is expected out of an Airman than a Soldier these days. If I get stationed at an Army Post after this school, I will be given additional pay because the standards of living on a Post are lower than an AF Base. Deployments VERY RARELY go over 6 months, and never go over 9 months. The Army regularly deploys for a year at a time. Divorce and suicide rates are damn near nonexistent in comparison to the Army.

The USAF has infantry/spec ops style jobs as well. TACP (USAF's version of a Ranger), works in direct contact with Army personnel, but receives USAF quality of life benefits. Combat Control (USAF's green beret), every green beret team is assigned a Combat Controller. Pararescue, our spec ops medic...again, works in direct contact with Army, as well as anybody else that needs a combat doc.

I've never seen anyone think about using another branch as a stepping stone to the Marines, or any other branch for that matter. So it makes me question whether or not you're making this decision with the right motives or intentions. With the current economy, people off the street are trying to join because it's a paycheck. Just make sure you're doing it for the right reasons when you walk in a recruiter's office.
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Lets get the facts right, here. The Air Force is not a Ground Combat branch. The closest thing the USAF has is Security Forces. Basically equivalent to US Army Military Police (Garrison/Field responsibilities are very similar)...though I dont think it is a true parallel. And I have never seen Air Force personnel (other than Special Operations forces) come close to doing "Physically, more is expected out of an Airman than a Soldier these days". Id expect anyone who has ever spent time in an Infantry platoon to know what I mean here.

The USAF has several Special Ops capable units...I will speak to a few of them. They are all uniquely specialized within their respective fields and their skillsets, while some abilities are shared by many individual disciplines across the DoD, none are exactly duplicated in an individual troop on the ground. They offer something unique to the Combatant Commander. Keep in mind, it takes almost 2 yrs of training before the individual CCT/PJ is deemed qualified...most at joint-service schools.

TACP's are not "USAF's version of a Ranger". They are specialized troops who work in close contact with US Army Infantry units and Ranger Bats at the Company level...they are Battalion assets, however. They are responsible for ensuring accurate Close Air Support (CAS) for troops in contact with the enemy. Highly specialized and valued assets.

Ref: http://www.airforce.com/careers/detail/tactical-air-control-party-specialist-tacp-males-only/

Combat Control Teams are not "USAF's green beret". They are responible for establishing operational Air Control and direct CAS in austere environments. They are capable of precision insertion via Sea, Air or Land. They are FAA certified Traffic Controllers and are trained in the combat skills necessary to seamlessly operate in the company of Army/Navy Special Operations forces. Again HIGHLY specialized.

Ref: http://www.airforce.com/careers/detail/combat-control-males-only/

Pararescue are far more than a "spec ops medic". They are the USAF's primary CSAR asset and are the only military members trained authorized for personnel recovery missions in hostile environments. They too are capable of precision insertion via Air, Sea, or Land. Washout rates for their training is almost 90%. Their training covers everything from minor field surgery to pharmacology and combat trauma management. They are licensed through National Registry of Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic. All of this while maintaining combat skills necessary to seamlessly operate with their joint service special operations counterparts.

Ref: http://www.airforce.com/careers/detail/pararescue/

As a former Infantryman and current Security Forces MSG, I wanted to make sure we get the facts straight.

Regarding the OP's questions...

Others have said it, I will reiterate. Do some research on the individual services. Find out about the missions/history of the individual services. They are different, though there is some overlap...they each have their own distinct personality. If you want to be a Marine. Then go to your friendly neighborhood Marine recruiter and sign-up, but do so with an educated idea of what youre getting yourself into. I wouldnt worry too much about your parents, they will come around. This is a man's decision and sometimes parents arent ready for their children to make those yet...I know Im not. Remember enlisting in the military today guarantees deployments/combat. Some people are not ready for that. Think on it hard, then decide.

Whichever path you choose, you seperate yourself from the majority of your peers by deciding on a way to live your life and actually taking the leap to pursue it. That is no small thing. I wish you luck.
 
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I didn't post here to showcase my knowledge. The original poster obviously isn't as adept as the average enlisted/commissioned. I kept things basic, and in his case, being interested in the Army, put everything in terms and comparison to the Army, from the USAF side.

Your 'googling' doesn't impress me. Maybe it will impress him though.
 
BRO said:
..the Marines are in fact part of the Department of the Navy....
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Yes sir, the MENS department! :D

I loved saying that on recruiting duty. There's a helluva lot of pride in every branch of service as it should be. I have many stories about lives changed as I enlisted 86 young men and women into the Corps. One of them was a police officer and semi-pro football player but it was something he always wanted to do and at 26 he became a damn fine Marine. My very first was a troubled runaway from sunny SOCAL and parents that were extremely wealthy. They put him in a lockup type school in Utah and that's where I met him. He was smart but resisted authority and wanted freedom from Dad. Problem was he was 17 and Dad tried to strangle me through the phone when I asked if he would sign for his Son. He told me no way in hell was one of his children joining the Marines. We waited 4 more months and the kid signed up as an 18 year old adult. To shorten the story, who was at the graduation ceremony shedding tears - dear old Dad. He was overcome with emotion as he watched his Son standing with hundreds of other Marines on the Tarmac and his Son was in Dress Blues as he was the company honor man and had been meritoriously promoted to PFC. 2 days later I received a phone call with a humble apology and a hearty thanks for giving meaning to his Son's life.

Not all stories are that grand but if God allows for a bit of pride he has set it aside for his Marines!
 
Emphasiski said:
I didn't post here to showcase my knowledge. The original poster obviously isn't as adept as the average enlisted/commissioned. I kept things basic, and in his case, being interested in the Army, put everything in terms and comparison to the Army, from the USAF side.

Your 'googling' doesn't impress me. Maybe it will impress him though.
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Dont get your panties in a wad. This was meant to be informative. BTW, after 20+ yrs service in 2 services, Ive become aquainted with many aspects of military life. No googlefu here except to bring up the individual links (**Edit** forgot I alooked up training time as I thought it was two years but wanted to be sure**Edit**). Keeping things basic is fine, but getting the facts straight is important too.

The only reason I know something about USAF special operations is because I was Security Forces Instructor/Superviser/Team Chief for awhile at the 342 TRS (CCT/PJ/SERE/TACP/EOD & Advanced Security Forces courses) at Lackland/Medina AFB and Camp Bullis. Since we were all one big unit, a basic knowledge of their purpose in life was unavoidable. Good group of folks. PT studs every one.
 
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bigmo66 said:
Yes sir, the MENS department! :D

I loved saying that on recruiting duty. There's a helluva lot of pride in every branch of service as it should be. I have many stories about lives changed as I enlisted 86 young men and women into the Corps. One of them was a police officer and semi-pro football player but it was something he always wanted to do and at 26 he became a damn fine Marine. My very first was a troubled runaway from sunny SOCAL and parents that were extremely wealthy. They put him in a lockup type school in Utah and that's where I met him. He was smart but resisted authority and wanted freedom from Dad. Problem was he was 17 and Dad tried to strangle me through the phone when I asked if he would sign for his Son. He told me no way in hell was one of his children joining the Marines. We waited 4 more months and the kid signed up as an 18 year old adult. To shorten the story, who was at the graduation ceremony shedding tears - dear old Dad. He was overcome with emotion as he watched his Son standing with hundreds of other Marines on the Tarmac and his Son was in Dress Blues as he was the company honor man and had been meritoriously promoted to PFC. 2 days later I received a phone call with a humble apology and a hearty thanks for giving meaning to his Son's life.

Not all stories are that grand but if God allows for a bit of pride he has set it aside for his Marines!
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I like hearing stories of young people turning their lives around like this...thank you for that. I respect what recruiters are expected to do, and know I dont have that same ability. I know my limitations. Good on you, BigMo.
 
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.

Don't join the Army to join the Marines. You want to be a Marine? Go for that.
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There. Excellent advice.

Be aware that we have begun down-sizing (right-sizing??) the DoD and our entire national defense architecture. If you truly wish to serve, you're going to face genuine competition. Best of luck.
 
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