This recruit needs advice! (Joining USMC)

[GamesB4Gains]

View attachment 3897I have found my true calling. To become a United States Marine. I live in Texas, but I'm pleading to be sent where real men are made, Parris Island. Gotta love me some sand fleas. Don't wanna be labeled a Hollywood Marine Anyways, I was wanting to know if any of you Veterans and Servicemen(preferably Marines) have any advice on what to do, volunteer for, apply for, and definitely what to stay away from. Like, what are some things you wish you knew going in??

My plans are:
Enlist- Get 0300-Inf. or 0800 Art.- Live on-base with wife(depending on unit)[Anyone know of Units that aren't the best??]-Go to school somehow, like through MECEP and then become an Officer{Mustang!!} - Next serve my country for 20 years till i retire.

I suck at: Math.
I'm great at: Shooting and Leadership skills

My EST: 75
GT: N/A
ASVAB: Havent received scores yet
Pull-ups: 13(max)
Push-ups:24 (max)

Oh, and I have to get BC's!! Cokebottles!! ugh. Are they a pain to shoot with? Cause i'm depending on my marksmanship to get me places.View attachment 3898View attachment 3899

 

[GamesB4Gains]

No one?

 

[Kim Possible]

Be patient, I'm sure some people will respond to this thread that have been/are a marine.

 

[Muffnman]

View attachment 3897I have found my true calling. To become a United States Marine. I live in Texas, but I'm pleading to be sent where real men are made, Parris Island. Gotta love me some sand fleas. Don't wanna be labeled a Hollywood Marine

If you don't want to be labeled a Hollywood Marine, Marine first of all is a title that needs to be earned, don't act like it. It's as simple as that. I know plenty of people who act like they know everything about their respective service branch, can't PT, etc. and act as if they are going to qualify for USSOCOM. It will also hurt you greatly with your peers as they will think very little of you. Just a little bit of helpful advice on that. I'm not saying don't be enthusiastic about the possibility of enlisting, just don't take on that attitude I described.

Anyways, I was wanting to know if any of you Veterans and Servicemen(preferably Marines) have any advice on what to do, volunteer for, apply for, and definitely what to stay away from. Like, what are some things you wish you knew going in??

I'm not a Marine (U.S. Army) but I'll try to give you some honest advice. If you are going to enlist, enlist in something you feel like you personally will enjoy. For example, you like to shoot things, 0311 (Infantry Rifleman) might possibly be the choice for you. However, when you go to MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Center) and take the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) you will be able to see every enlisted job that you qualify for. Now in the Marines these options will be a lot fewer than the U.S. Army, but nonetheless will be important to look at. Take an honest look at these jobs and see if there are any that stick out to you. Also, consider the fact that you will not always be in the Service. What MOS will benefit you after you are discharged? I would suggest researching the USMC's enlisted positions to get a better understanding of each so you will be able to go to MEPS and already have an understanding of each.

My plans are:
Enlist- Get 0300-Inf. or 0800 Art.- Live on-base with wife(depending on unit)[Anyone know of Units that aren't the best??]-Go to school somehow, like through MECEP and then become an Officer{Mustang!!} - Next serve my country for 20 years till i retire.

While you may have some sway over your choice of unit at some point, or possibly not, either way the Marine Corps will put you where they want you. Either way, you will be a member of a highly trained and educated military service branch. You should be happy no matter what. Granted, some units are "better," it is what you make of it.

In regards to becoming an officer, you will need to have a degree to do so. The Marines should be able to offer this to you at some point in your enlisted career as NCO's are required to have one at some point. If it is possible I would suggest to go to school first instead while at the same time joining the USMC Reserve. This will allow you to be enlisted, go to basic and advanced training, gain enlisted experience, and attend school at the same time. You'll knock out your degree and be a Marine.

I suck at: Math.
I'm great at: Shooting and Leadership skills

My EST: 75
GT: N/A
ASVAB: Havent received scores yet
Pull-ups: 13(max)
Push-ups:24 (max)

Oh, and I have to get BC's!! Cokebottles!! ugh. Are they a pain to shoot with? Cause i'm depending on my marksmanship to get me places.

View attachment 3898View attachment 3899

Math is a part of the ASVAB so be wary. If you need to study up a little, a local library should have an ASVAB study guide. If not, you should be able to get some resources from your recruiter or online to assist you. Also, start working out. Run. Push. Pull. Do situps. It will be invaluable to you to be in shape before going to basic if you do go. Not only will it be easier for your body to acclimatize, you will be ahead of some of your peers as well as like your life a lot better while you are there. BCG's aren't that bad. If they impaired shooting accuracy we wouldn't use them. Another funny term for them is Birth Control Glasses by the way. Don't depends too much on your marksmanship getting you everywhere. You may be able to shoot expert, which could slot you a Scout Sniper School position, but if you can't PT, master the material being taught, or are a able to both follow and lead, you won't go very far. Remember, PT will be a huge part of your career. OML's (Order of Merit Lists) are partially based on PT scores. For instance, why would a soldier want to follow a Gunny into combat if he can't get a first class USMC PT test let alone pass it.

Hope some of this is helpful. If you have more question feel free to ask.

 

[Rukus.]

1.where real men are made,

2.I suck at: Math.
3. I'm great at: Shooting and Leadership skills

1. Implying that signing up for the opportunity to die for the dollar makes you a man. Todays' wars are fruitless efforts, if you want to join a military branch to actually serve your country well I recommend the Coast Guard or Border Patrol. I would say that or Air Force but refer to number 2.

2. Get good at it, you need it in the real world. I slacked off my junior year and am now stuck in Geo as a senior and having to take credit recovery (which surprisingly has helped me a lot), but now I'm making it up and doing a lot better than I thought I could. You should focus completely on getting your grades up before you join the military, there's enough man-children with a hardon for guns and explosions running around the desert already.

3. You may be good at shooting, but do you have the capacity to aim at a human being and be just as accurate? Do you have the capacity to lead under lethal pressure?

 

[GamesB4Gains]

Hmm nice! I go the feedback I was looking for.

To the Muffnman: I'm real motivated about this, so it may come across as if I am all gung-ho and not thinking things through. But I am. BC's, Birth Control Glasses, same thing, I just hope you're right. My thin framed glasses now mess me up. And I'll definitely get stronger! I've got a year of waiting if I enlist now. Enough time for me to become a lean machine.

To my friend Rukus: I know. Wars are being fought that shouldnt be. But thats not what I'm doing it for. Its just, a life that appeals to me. Being a marksman, having that brotherhood, and the pride I carry with it. Its funny you mention BP, because my dream is to retire and be on their Pistol Team. They have a guy named Kevin Worrell. He served his 20 years, is a Gunny, and is one of their top shooters on the team. (role model right there) Anyways, I dont generally suck at BASIC math. But this calculus is giving me a hard time. I'll definitely study though. And yes, thats one thing I will find out wen the time comes. Can I kill a living, breathing, human just like me. I've read books on the psychology of killing, watched videos, played games, yet nothing can prepare me for it. But no one goes in that way. So no, I do not know if I can, But I know I'm able to cut emotional ties. And leading under pressure like combat? I dont know yet either, but my experience at the Marine Military Academy and 4 years of being Leadership in Marching has given me a advantage over my peers.

Thanks for the advice! I will certainly take the comments into consideration.