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Want some information about joining the Marines
Kyzen
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
My younger brother invited a marine recruiter over to the parents house today without telling them, and seemed to lap up everything the recruiter told him. Unfortunately, my brother tends to make pretty rash decisions without exactly thinking things through, and any 4-5 digit signing bonuses offered to him by the marines would probably be all he thinks about.
So, I'm trying to come up with a few resources - from both sides of the aisle, for and against enlisting - for him to read. Seeing as how he's my brother, I'm going to support him no matter his decision on this one, but I'd really feel better if I knew he was making a somewhat informed decision, rather than blindly rushing into things.
Anybody have or know of any good resources?
So, I'm trying to come up with a few resources - from both sides of the aisle, for and against enlisting - for him to read. Seeing as how he's my brother, I'm going to support him no matter his decision on this one, but I'd really feel better if I knew he was making a somewhat informed decision, rather than blindly rushing into things.
Anybody have or know of any good resources?
Kyzen on
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I did the same thing when I was 18, the Marines said no, the Army said yes.
The most important thing if he is dead set on it is, I guess picking his job. I think the Marines don't garuntee you whatever job you want like the Army does. Instead you pick three favorites or something and they decided which one to give you. If I'm wrong I'm sure a Marine will come on here and correct me but I think thats right. So make sure he knows it's not garunteed, and for the love of god make sure he doesn't say Infantry unless he's really really sure lol(it's actually not that bad, I was Infanty but alot of the guys did not know what they where signing up for).
If there's anything else you want to know, like more specifics, I can help out a little but I'm only an Army guy.
Man a Marine is probably gonna get on her and frowny face us but I gotta say this is pretty true. I actually have several good friends from High School that joined the core, they where cool back then and now they are douchebags. The funny thing, they aren't even that hot shit, 6 months deployments? Tee-hee
a little biased but good info.
Obviously it has a bias but it is still a good look into what it can be like being a marine.
Keep in mind, of course, that the combat portion of being a Marine is likely quite a bit different now. But one thing that movie managed to get across that I think is important from a Corps-specific standpoint is how (at least from what I've heard from every Marine I know, which is quite a few) the Marines will suck up your entire life while you are in. Obviously no branch of the service is exactly a 9-to-5, but for the most part in the Army at least (especially before the Attack of the 15-Month Deployments) it was possible to have a life...and even, to some extent, one "outside" of the military. The Marines, on the other hand, seem like more of a lifestyle. Which, I'd guess, is probably why so many people get the impression that Marines are assholes...if I had to eat, sleep, and breathe Army 24/7 I'd probably turn into a gigantic raging prick too.
On the other hand, in my experience that mindset is not necessarily a bad one to have if you actually find yourself in combat. For what it's worth.
Once upon a time I might have recommended that Army as an alternative, but 12- to 15-month deployments mean that you're fucked either way nowadays...just choose your flavor, I suppose. If money is an issue he should look into the Army, though. He'll likely spend the same amount of time deployed (ratio-wise), just in longer stints...which unless you're married isn't the worth thing in the world. And last I checked the Army is offering both larger up-front bonuses and/or more money for college.
That said, if you're signing up for any branch of the armed forces, and especially ground forces, for the money you are setting yourself up to be one unhappy motherfuckin' camper.
tl;dr: Go read that last mini-paragraph, as it's the most important thing I wrote.
Of course, that could be because he's a computer tech, and not a ground pounder.
Yeah, I'd have mentioned this, but I assumed it was common knowledge.
In all, I just hope that your brother realizes that people will be trying to kill him. I don't like such an alarmist tone, especially when speaking of someone's family members, but it must be said.
As for getting info on what it's like to be in the military, I would recommend your local bar. Any sane veteran that I know will talk your ear off on their experiences, and most I know would be more than happy to share their stories with a potential recruit.
Either way, I wish your brother the best in whichever he does.
And as an extension: consider it false unless it's written. Any words spoken in an office, at a bar, even in the comfort of your home- are all meaningless if they're not on your contract at MEPS.
And even if it's written, once you sign the contract the military can and will change your job assignment if they feel you are better suited elsewhere.
That being said, I know quite a few Navy and Marine enlisted, and my brother spent eight years in the Army and I'd like to think it changed all of them for the better. It's not an easy life by any stretch of the imagination, but it has lots of benefits whether or not you choose to make it a career or a way to pay for college.
If he hasn't read Generation Kill yet, I think that's probably a good start. Also, I'd suggest he find some non-recruiter Marines to talk with about the ups and downs.
I don't know if thats the reason, if you join the Army or Marines (And to a lesser extent the AF and navy) as combat arms. When you're a private your ass is theirs - they own you, and you will eat sleep and shit your job I guess most Marines are just extremly elitest, they are proud of their job which is cool. But I'm sorry if you're a cook in the Marines you're not as badass as anyone in the Army you're a cook.
Lol Generation KIll! I was reading that book while I was deployed lol, pretty realistic. It's more about the Band of Brothers kinda feel and less about how the Military actually works.
On that note, make sure he understands that military contracts do not necessarily mean what they say, particularly regarding how much time one has to spend in the military after signing up. In other words, just because the contract reads as committing him to three years in the marines doesn’t mean that he’s not committing to being bound to military service for the rest of his life.
Well, there are limits even with IRR and stop-loss programs. I mean, we aren't in declared war so that clause of the stop-loss program doesn't apply (they can basically only stop-loss you for a single final deployment, at least beyond your eight, at this point). But yes, your contract is eight years no matter what...you can be held beyond your ETS, called back after ETS, basically you're committed to the military for at least the next eight years of your life.
Though being called back is unlikely, at least on the Army side. Especially in combat arms.
I'm sorry if this doesn't help any, but some people talked about how marines were pricks so I decided to just give my first hand experience.
I apologize if some things have already been said, but they're quick!
1) Get everything and anything a recruiter (any branch) promises in writing in the contract. Otherwise, it'll never materialize.
2) If your brother is 1/2 way smart, don't accept less than $25,000 signing bonus. I bet if you get a decent score on the ASVAB you can get $50,000. Probably more.
3) Can I plug the Air Force? I just got commissioned, we're pretty awesome. Everyone's got their thing though, and the Air Force isn't the place for infantry types. Just keep options open!
Also chances of being attacked in the Air Force is pretty low, but I know two people who went to Iraq and had mortars shot at them every day.
If that's not his thing, for whatever reason, make sure he gets absolutely everything in writing the recruiter says. Maybe put him in touch with some serving enlisted men/women, so that he can talk to someone who is currently, as they say in the movies, "in the shit." I'd imagine they would give a bit more of a balanced view, which I'd say is a good thing. Most recruiters, especially since enlistments are down, are more than willing to lie through their teeth to get anyone and everyone to sign up.
On Recruiters and Contracts:
If you are told that you only have job X available to you but not job Y that you want and you have to ship out now, ignore this, it is a lie to meet their monthly quota. Tell them either you get your job, or you walk.
Someone said that they thought you got a choice of 3 and were assigned as such, this is false. You do choose 3, and from that list they try to give you what is available for you desired ship dates, but you are not assigned whichever one they want, you have to agree to it.
Each MOS is characterized by 4 digits, 0311 or 3043 for example. The first 2 digits are the occupation, the last 2 are the specialty. The job that is on your contract guarantees you only the occupation field, the specialty is the need based assignment. This could mean the difference between being a Network Specialist and a Field Radio Operator, since they are both in the same occupation.
Get EVERYTHING in writing that was promised you on your contract at MEPS. UIf it is not on the contract, it never happened. Also, if it is not correct and you are at MEPS, refuse to sign it until it is correct. Do not trust any promises that it will be fixed later.
On Education:
The GI Bill is the same for every branch, just in case you didn't know. You have to pay 1200 into the program to gain benefits. You MUST have an honorable discharge to use those benefits. You can pay an additional 600 at any time before the end of active duty to get a 5400 "kicker." Well worth it.
Also when you join, get the Marine Corps College Fund in your contract. This is not the same as the GI Bill, this is an additional 50k (I think?) that can be used in conjunction with the GI Bill.
All branches also offer 100% tuition assistance (provided passing the class), up to 4k a year, I believe.
On Assholes:
Most are, yes. Its sad, but true. Think of it like High School v2. Its a jock rule mentality, since those who cannot perform athletically are looked down upon as lazy, or whatever. However, most of those assholes will help you get a leg up and improve yourself. Also, mine and my friends conlusion was that roughly 90-95% of the Corps are assholes, the rest are not. Mind you, even those assholes can be coo sometimes.
Normal life is possible, I did it every day. It all just depends on your outlook. It is a job, but you are intimately close with your coworkers, armed with the knowledge that you may depend on them for your life, and vice versa. If you just forget about acting like a Marine once you get offbase, or even after you're off work, then life can be pretty fun.
See how many books I've read so far in 2010
I'm not sure I like the idea of suggesting OCS to someone who is known for rash decisions.
I had been operating under the assumption that the dude in question did not have a college degree - however, if OP's brother is a college student/graduate this makes much more sense. Though if your decision making and leaderships skills are not up to par, OCS and performing well as an officer in whatever branch of military will be difficult.