Enlistment Dilemma

[blaze66]

Hi, I am 18 years old and currently a senior in high school. I've been considering enlisting in the Marines after graduation. What i cant decide is if this is the right division of service for me or if enlistment at all is worth it in the long run. My question to you would be, if you could go back to before you enlisted, would you go Marines or another? Or would you even enlist at all? Please help me out?






-Blaze66

[ordieike]

It's not about what someone else would do rather what you are commited to do. I can tell you that if you don't want to be a Marine 100% because you want to (not because you think it's cool) and dive in open arms, then don't even do it or you will disappoint yourself. Most younger guys on there first enlistment only think about getting out. Older guys have the easier decision. And everyone has there own opinion on the matter, but that shouldn't be YOUR basis for joining or not. Weigh your options and make a decision. Either way if you join and don't like it be a man and compete your enlistment with hard work and honor. If not you will find it wasn't the Marine Corps that had the problem but your individual character that decided to quit... You can have some of the best and worst times in the Corps at the same time you can have the same in the civilian world. Make a concious decision....

[Your_Name_Here]

Since you are not committed to any branch as yet, I highly suggest hearing ALL branches' recruitment "sales" pitch. What kind of job are you actually interested in doing? Which branch can best help you get that? Also, you do realize that with world events being what they are, it's not a question of "if," but when, you will see combat, right? Some folks join just because of the GI Bill or whatever bonus they got coming, but lose sight of the fact that the business of the military is to fight, and that includes said individuals, especially if they joined either the Army or the USMC.

Whichever branch you choose, good luck to you!

[blaze66]

If i were to enlist I would be going into one of the marine bands, I have already passed my audition.

[LeaderOfMarines]

You passed the audition? You better jump on that like white on rice. You know how many people want to get that but can't? I know we only have two slots available for the rest of the year where I am at.

[SSgtAllen3381]

If I had to do it all over again, I would get a College Degree first and foremost. End of story for me.

Good luck.

[dkalis]

same boat has Allen. Wouldn't even bother joining the military. Go to college, get a nice paying job enjoy having a family.

If you really want to "serve your country" when you graduate..Apply for a job to KBR..you can still do the whole deployment thing with them and be financially happy too.

[Gunny08]

College right after HS is not always the better choice. Some kids are not ready for it. My son could have gotten an appointment to Annapolis. He didn't want to go to college. He enlisted, did 8 years in the Corps. Got out, then, earned a degree in Electrical Engineering. First he got an Associate, then Bachelor. He felt his service in the Corps matured him enough for college. He got both degrees within 4 years, with a wife and two kids, and working part-time.

[Combat correspondent]

I tried college right after HS, and as Gunny08 said, was not mature enough. I partied way too much, had way too much fun and failed out. I later joined the Corps and have since moved into the AF.

Go with what ordieike suggested - come in after making a true decision. What do you want out of life? Personally, I came from a USMC family - father and both uncles and for me it was a done deal. I enjoyed the hell out of my stint too. Still enjoy belonging and am known to attend Marine events, Balls and whatnot from time to time. I've found another kind of committment where I am at now. What I am doing now will set me up for retirement and a job thereafter. If I ask myself, do I enjoy being an Airman --- my answer is no, not really. Do I think it'll help me after retirement --- my answer is certainly 'yes.' Did I enjoy being a Marine --- 'yes.' But, as the saying goes, can't have my cake and eat it too.

Just do what the Marine said and think hard about what you want. Enlist by making an unwavering committment to yourself and dedicate yourself to a life of service. If you're ready for that, sign up! If not, get some college under your belt first.

[MarbleChamp]

Absolutely NOT. Not unless you'd like to be treated like a child for 4 years or more. Constantly micro-managed and not given the respect that a "brother-hood" should have.

I'm in no way a bad Marine, I don't like it, but I don't dishoner it, maybe talk bad about it, but who doesn't.

I would have stuck with my original choice of the Air Force. I'd look into all branches. I think everybody should do some type of military, any branch, so if you're 18 now and join right after HS, you'll have plenty of time to still go to college and have a little more focus.

[LeaderOfMarines]

Absolutely NOT. Not unless you'd like to be treated like a child for 4 years or more. Constantly micro-managed and not given the respect that a "brother-hood" should have.
I think everybody should do some type of military, any branch.

WOW! Very contradictory. But your not bashing the "brotherhood" at all. I bet your benefit tags were education, financial security, and travel and adventure.

[KrashKatz]

Absolutely NOT. Not unless you'd like to be treated like a child for 4 years or more. Constantly micro-managed and not given the respect that a "brother-hood" should have.

When you quit acting like a child, you'll quit getting treated like a child.



I'm in no way a bad Marine, I don't like it, but I don't dishoner it, maybe talk bad about it, but who doesn't.


The Marine Corps is what you make it, so it you actually cared more about it, and less about yourself all the time, it would be great for you.



I would have stuck with my original choice of the Air Force. I'd look into all branches. I think everybody should do some type of military, any branch, so if you're 18 now and join right after HS, you'll have plenty of time to still go to college and have a little more focus.

But you didn't choose the Air Force. You chose to become a Marine, 233 years of tradition and history, the most aggressive promotion system in the military, and still have all the same benefits of all the other branches. The only smart thing you've said in any of your posts is to look into all the branches and explore your options.

[MarbleChamp]

WOW! Very contradictory. But your not bashing the "brotherhood" at all. I bet your benefit tags were education, financial security, and travel and adventure.

Amazing. Just the type of responce I'd expect from a "leader of marines". Quick to bash and assume the dumbest shit instead of any alternative.


When you quit acting like a child, you'll quit getting treated like a child.

You don't know me, or how I act. I'm a grown ass man, not your average 18 year old. So don't act like you know how I act. Again, typical of how you get treated.


The Marine Corps is what you make it, so it you actually cared more about it, and less about yourself all the time, it would be great for you

How can I care about something that barely cares about me?

[THORSHAMMER69]

If I had to do it all over again, I would get a College Degree first and foremost. End of story for me.

Good luck.

From my perspective, this is the best advice you will find . If I had it to do again I would go to college first. You have more options in the Marine Corps that way. You can still enlist and see that side of the house or you can get a commision and become an officer. Just ake sure you make an educated decision.

On another note...some of you young guys need to realize that there is always someone at the bottom of the totem pole. Whether you are a junior Marine, sailor, soldier, accountant, ditch digger, or whatever. The best thing you can do for yourself is to try to have a positive attitude and do the things that are going to get you promoted quickly. The game has always been the same. Learn the rules and play hard. That's how you win the game.:cool:

[SSgtAllen3381]

From my perspective, this is the best advice you will find . If I had it to do again I would go to college first. You have more options in the Marine Corps that way. You can still enlist and see that side of the house or you can get a commision and become an officer. Just ake sure you make an educated decision.

On another note...some of you young guys need to realize that there is always someone at the bottom of the totem pole. Whether you are a junior Marine, sailor, soldier, accountant, ditch digger, or whatever. The best thing you can do for yourself is to try to have a positive attitude and do the things that are going to get you promoted quickly. The game has always been the same. Learn the rules and play hard. That's how you win the game.:cool:

Thanks and more great points made by you. I will expand on this a little, as well as my original comment. Once you get the degree and still want to join the service, you can further your education...for free!

[oih82w8]

Whatever you do, don't enlist in the service with the coolest looking uniform. Put some thought and effort into your decision, don't jump in too quickly - it could be very deep from where you are standing right now.