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Marines Discussion Board
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Subject: Joing the Corps
colts    1/7/2007 5:03:02 PM
I realy want to enlist in the Corps after basketball season and my freshman year of college is through, will I be able to continue my education in the Corps, considering the MOS i want, Force Recon? I have tried talking to the recruiter in my town but he is a ing idiot, just wants me as a statistic, his numbers are low this year and needs guys. When I ask him questions his reply is usually this; "the marine corps is the man, its ing awesome!" I really dont like him but understand that he is just part of the bad 10%. I just want some good info that I can trust, please can anyone help me?
God bless
 
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Show Only Poster Name and Title     Sort in Reverse Order Posted
Yimmy       1/7/2007 5:53:05 PM
I don't have an answer for you, but why not just finish university, and then enlist?  The marines will still be there.
 
 
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colts       1/7/2007 6:41:44 PM
I am extremely bored.  I am on scholarship, but no longer do I like basketball, infact I dread it, basketball practice is a horrible bore, when I am not motivated at all towards basketball or life anymore, I dont know, I just feel since I dont know I might as well find some answers while I am fighting for my family, my little brother, giving them an opportunity to find some answers.  I dont know I am just really bored with my life right now, I neeeed change.  I really want to serve.  I want to live, learn, fight, experience things.  I figure I would be able to get my degree while I am in, serve my country, my family, and live a little, do something with my life, help people.  There just lots of reasons why I dont want to stay here in school.
 
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longrifle       1/7/2007 7:05:46 PM
Colts,

I don't know a lot about the Marine Corps but I don't believe you can enlist specifically for a Recon unit.  You need to enlist to be a Marine infantryman. 

 
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Yimmy       1/7/2007 7:45:37 PM
Colt, just my 2 cents from personal experience, but I got bored of the thought of university, and left in my first year in the hope of getting on an operational tour.... then after much soul searching I find myself back at university, and having turned down (a different) operational tour.
 
Finishing university will show a great deal more character and determination than quiting to try something else, which likely won't be all you hoped it would be either. 
 
Stay in university, and if you still want to join, do so afterwards.  If you are bored and want something different or a new challenge in your life, I found joining the army reserves was good for that.
 
Just my opinion mind.
 
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colts    longrifle   1/7/2007 9:14:21 PM
the corps has an enlistment option of FR, after boot and after infatry school you are guaranteed a spot to try out.  There are no guarantees that you will make it, and if you dont your infantry, untill you get a chance to try out again.
 
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colts    yimmy   1/7/2007 9:20:07 PM
yimmy,
I have thought about that, and I am by no means a quiter, thats why I am sticking the basketball season and school year out.  I still want my degree, its needed in todays society, and in the military too, helps with advancment.  But couldn't I get it while I am in the Corps?  And why is it quiting if I am still furthering my education?
 
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Yimmy       1/7/2007 10:11:39 PM
Don't get me wrong, I wasn't calling you a quiter, and I certainly do not consider myself such when I changed my mind.
 
The question is, why change your course of action so drastically?  You only have two years of university left after this one anyway, and that time will go quickly.  Joining the reserves first would also give you a real look at the armed forces from the inside, which may help you better develop your choices when you sign on full time.
 
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Nanheyangrouchuan       1/7/2007 10:30:27 PM
Why not finish your schooling and go in as a Marine officer?  I don't recall if the Marines have ROTC.
 
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colts    Officer? Not sure   1/8/2007 1:16:08 PM
I do not want to be commisioned right away.  Right now I have no problem putting my self in harms way, but by no means could I ask one to put his life in jeapordy.  Me yes, them no.  I would also rather be an operator, in spec ops to my knowledge to not preform as much as  they plan.  I've heard they get a few missions at first, but once advanced in rank, just alittle they plan the mission and then the NCO's along with the rest of the platoon carries it out.  Thats why, not sure yet if I am up to the responsibility.

 
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Chriss       1/16/2007 3:33:33 PM
Colts said...    "When I ask him questions his reply is usually this; "the marine corps is the man, its ing awesome!" I really dont like him but understand that he is just part of the bad 10%."

Not to be rude, but thats about every single marine that I have ever met in my entire life.  Yes, I was army and not marines, but we did joint excercises and when I talked to them they were all exactly like that, seriously.  Guys in my high school who graduated before me (I met when they came back for leave after boot camp) were all exaclty like that.  Guys I knew in college who had just got out of the USMC and were going to college were exactly like that. Seriously.   The only USMC guy I met who was not like that was in his 40's, and retired from the marines, and now is in the US army researves. 

When it comes to the marines, before you should join, you should consider that your recruiter may actually the bad 90% and not the bad 10%. 

If you really want to be special forces, I know for certain that the army has an option to apply direct to the special forces.  You do basic, then infantry school, then airborne school, then go into initial special forces tryouts/training.  I've heard that only something like 20% or less of the people make it all the way through, but if you fail special ops you just get bounced in a infantry unit.  Also, I've been reading a lot about afghanistan, and it seems that untill very recently the special operations command did not include any of the force recon people (because the USMC did not want to be part of the special ops central command, because they're, well, marines) and so it has been an almost all army show, with some navy seals and devgru thrown in. 

Also, the marines just have FR, but the Army has both the spcial forces group as well as the ranger group, so there are more option in the army.  So, if you really want to see action, army special forces may be a better option. 

Chriss
 
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DarthAmerica    Colts reply   1/16/2007 3:43:56 PM
Colts,

The USMC doesn't let you decide what your MOS will be AFAIK. So its a toss up really. But let me tell you something you should never ever forget. The Military really, really values education. I strongly advise you to finish college first. If you would like to be an officer, get involved in ROTC. If not, you will still have an advantage towards promotions and such should you decide to enter as enlisted.

Also, remember, the USMC is a much smaller organization that the other branches to so opportunities are less. Not a problem if you don't mind that but something you should be aware of. One last thing though and forgive me if its already been said. Typically you don't just get into Force Recon or other specialized units. Such postings are highly coveted and competition is fierce. Most likely you will have to pay your dues in a line unit and earn your chance to "try out".


DA


DA
 
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Galrahn       1/16/2007 11:55:56 PM

Colts,

You need to read the book "One Bullet Away" by Nathanial Fick, I think you will find the answer to the specific questions you are posting here, almost specifically regarding your situation.
 
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colts    Thank you   1/19/2007 9:58:51 PM
Thanks everyone, sorry I have not responded in awhile, our basketball season took a turn for the worst and I have not had much time with school and ball.  Anyway I am going to order that book from amazon.com immediately.  I have another question, where do ya'll find this info on which special forces does what and when?  more with regards to the war right now, I have been able to read up on lots of history of all the forces but I cant find anything recent.

Chriss, thanks for everything, but with regards to army vs corps, one thing I really like is the slim chances of making it, and in the corps if I dont I'll stil be in infantry untill I am able to show my kudos, then we'll go from there.

who knows, I dont have to make any decisions just yet.  hopefully that book really helps.

DarthAmerica, like i just said I dont know what I am going to do just yet, but if I do rotc, or plc, can I still enlist?  I read somewhere I could, but I dont believe that if the service puts that kind of money into you that they are going to want you to be a grunt.

thank ya'll
colt
 
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