Joining the Marines

[Frankf250]

Good day all, I come here for a lot of my powerstroke questions.. Now I need some advise on this. Advise / input. I am 26 (27 in April) and was wondering if the Military would be a good move for me. I have wanted to join since I was 19-20 but just never pulled the trigger. I recently moved to be with my dad in North Dakota but didn't like being up there. I'm back in CA now and don't have a job now and have been thinking maybe this is a good time. Any marines on here have advice? What age did you join and would you do it again? Thank you all for the help.


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[USMC2001PSD7.3]

I joined at 17 and it was the best thing I have ever done. It pretty much got my life jump started. Deployments are the best and you get to make friends that are more like brothers. With the war winding down everything is going to get different and seems like all the branches are getting a little soft when it comes to how things are done now a days.
Its a great thing to do though and if you can handle the lifestyle you will love it

[Trak350]

I went in straight out of HS. Overall a great experience. Started with the gruntz and eventially ended up lat moving to something more future oriented. At 27, I'll be honest with you, it will be a giant life change at the age. You will have dudes (or chicks) telling you what to do that are 7-8 years younger then you. If you can handle a completely different lifestyle like that then do it. The last thing you would want to do is be "that guy" who doesn't serve honorably.

[Frankf250]

Hmm that would be tough.. Ill have to really think about it. I'm not scared to take orders from someone younger.. Would take a little time to get used to I would think.


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[Frankf250]

Can you tell me a little about the lifestyle ?


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[USMC2001PSD7.3]

Best thing for sure to do is join with a combat MOS like Infantry, Artillery, Tanks, something like that. Ive been in an artillery unit the whole time I have been in and its been great. Like I said though with the war drawing down the chances of getting deployed and getting to actually do stuff is very slim. My battalion got kicked out of the rotation immediately after we got back a yr and a half ago so really theres a change in the feel of everything. Kind of a "what now" feeling and in the Marines its weird not training to deploy to a known theater if that makes sense

[raptorsrock19]

I was in navy for 8 years spent a lot of time working with the marines. I also went in right out of highschool. Just be prepared for to be told what to do, how to do it and when to do it. Once you get past the first year, its a good lifestyle.

[Trak350]

Originally Posted by Frankf250

Can you tell me a little about the lifestyle ?


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It depends on your MOS (job). First, you need to consider what you want to do with your life outside the Corps. Combat MOS's are cool, but leave you little options when you get out, regardless if you do 4 or retire. Youi want to do something that you enjoy and are able to use outside of the military IMO. This way the military trains you, pays for that training and makes you competitive when you do get out. The lifestyle will vary depending on your MOS. Combat MOS's for the most part deploy all the time. Before the wars, it was 1.5 yrs back and 6 months out (deployed). Then the wars came and I was doing 7 (months) out 5 back. If your single and Cpl and below you normally share a small room in the barricks with someone else, sometime 3 to a room. As you progress in rank, the more "luxuries" you get. You do get to meet some pretty cool dudes, but will come to know the sh!tbags aswell (whom you do not want to be apart of). Your benifits well be awesome for your family, but will be satisfactory for you at best (motrin and hydrate). I loved my time in the Marines, but equally love my time as a civilian. In short without the Marines, I would not be the man I am today.

[Frankf250]

Thank you very much for all the info. My only fear is my shape and age. 27 I know is a little old and I'm 6 ft tall and weigh 245 so ill need to drop some lbs


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[raptorsrock19]

Start running ! Always remember to stretch before and after. Keep hydrated and keep your canteen clean. You will do fine, its just takes commitment. 90% of it is mind over matter.