There are some things money can't buy. The Eagle Globe and Anchor is one of them.

http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/ http://www.mca-marines.org/Leatherneck/lneck.html Maybe you will find help with these links. To insert in one of the publications may give you the contacts.

I can understand your regret in not joining up or serving when you were younger. There are alot of different ways to serve though. Here's what I'd suggest ..... Take all the money you'd spend on building your own recruit depot and staffing it with retired DIs, Log onto Grantawish.com, and start making a difference. When you're down to $2,000 ... sign up for a couple of courses at Thunder Ranch or Gunsite. No offence, otherwise the whole thing sounds a wee bit goofy to me.

The Marine Corps will never die! -Sgt. Z

The responses are much appreciated, for a couple days there I thought no one was interested in the topic. To Sam, I understand the sentiment, but you seem a bit naive to me, sad to say but you actually can buy almost anything. We are not a corruption free zone in a world of greed and depravity. As we are no banana republic it takes more carefull work to smooth ones way through hallowed quarters and privaleged centers of society, but knowing the right people and having plenty of cash makes all the difference in the world. There are just more zero's in the check that's all. I actually have no great need to be tatooed with the Eagle Globe and Anchor. What I want is immersion in the mindset and to be among those who have served and are excellent specimens of that conditioning. It's about the mental conditioning and skill sets imparted to me, both of which I can buy. The fact that this is likely the best and only available approach for me, and as a result people will not consider me a marine once I successfully complete my training doesn't bother me..........a writer is still a writer even if a popular writers guild wont have him, a craftsman is still a craftsman even if he can't get the certification, and marine is still a marine if he is trained as such....the rest is playground politics. No insult intended towards the USMC but the letters do not make the Marine, it's the environment, conditioning, and mindset of those who join. If you couldn't buy it in the first place, if it was so mythically hard to do, there wouldn't be corps around the world under the auspices of other flags....anything that can be created...can be REcreated. To Clauswitz, Thank you for reminding me that the internet is SOOO rich that most anything you can think of is there if you look for it. Often times it is as simple as typing some common saying or words into the address bar of a browser. Thank you...for some reason I hadn't thought to look outside this site. I will pursue this avenue of inquiry dilligently. To ChdNorm, My company is very special, in that it's purpose is not for the unending enrichment of the few at the expense of most. I conceived my company as a means to fund nonprofit projects which do good for those who are needy. Admitidely, it is not 100% selfless, since I very much do indulge and will continue to do so as with this project, when the bigger piles of cash roll in. My lofty goal is to put away 90 percent from the current 25 percent of all profits for the nonprofit projects, within 10 years. My idea may be a bit goofy, granted, but it's no worse than spending 100 million on a grand estate on some tropical island getaway...it's just my own brand of goofyness.

I didn't mean to say you're goofy just for the sake of saying you're goofy. I think you may not realize what the real experience is like though. Granted, my background isn't as a Marine. My perspective is from a combat veteran as a US Army as a light cavalry scout and civilian law enforcement as everything from patrolling the worst parts of a major US city, narcotics detective, and now training officer. Sam is a retired senior Marine Corps NCO. I'm sure you can understand his position on something he spent 20+ years earning? Something like his experience cannot be bought, no matter how many zeros you add onto a check. I think you'd find, if you went thru with something like this, that you will not wind up with the experience you are looking for. Basic training is not what it's about. I'll speak a little outside my area here, and say although you may be called a marine when you graduate. You're not until you are where you start putting that basic knowledge to use. You know before hand you will not be joining the fleet Marine force, or ever going to put the lessons to use. There is no way to experience what it is like to go into harms way, never going into it. I won't speak for Sam again ... but I don't think it's all it's cracked up to be myself. I do applaud your efforts with your company in your support of nonprofit organizations. I brought that up mainly as my point is there are many many ways to serve and feel you've made a difference. Something you probably know already for your work. And I, probably more than most, understand being your own kind of goofy. I don't ride a 1948 Indian Chief because it's a reliable made of transportation. However, I don't believe you are going to be able to experience the kind of immersion that I take it is your goal. There are several private academies offering courses on everything from basic firearms to patrolling techniques for civilians. Might a few weeks or weekends at something like this "get the bug out of your system" so to speak? PS: I only read this thread in the first place because of it's title. I thought for sure I'd be able to slip in reffering to Sam as a "jarhead" at least once.

I'll try to be tactful. (ChdNorn stop laughing, I'm read how to do this) 007, Some things can't be bought. No matter how many zeros you put on that check. You did get part of the answer right though. It is all about mindset. You dont have it and most likely never will. From your first post you 1. Tried to degrade what you want "Few, Proud, Overqualified" So you set yourself up for failure and an excuse for when you do fail. (And you will) "I don't need to know/do ALL that stuff. I'm qualified enough. 2. Aim high, I coulda been a pilot, Ranger, Leigonarre but by action showed that you couldn't complete the thing that over 90% of 18yr olds do and thats finish high school. And at close to 30 havn't even taken the time to get a GED. The MC doesn't let you in without a HS diploma because studies have shown that non grads have more discipline problems and the majority don't finish their contract. 3. Are hypoglycemic and dont have the discipline to exercise. (your excuse for not doing the reserves) But somehow you will have that discipline and endurance later on. I don't think so. If you can do partial days and full weekends now, why cant you do 1 weekend a month? Even if the draft did somehow come back, the military still wouldn't let you in. The funny thing is that you want to somehow attain the skillset that a Force guy has in a few years of part time training. Here is how the selection process goes. First you complete boot camp and infantry school then you go to a line company as a basic grunt. 2-3 years later, after you have been a fireteam leader and know fieldcraft out the butt, you can request to take the recon indoc. Requires that you are a 1st class PFT and Swim qual walk on water(No counseling statements or NJP) and are a leader not a follower (4.8/4.8 Pro/Con),in addition to being rec by your SgtMaj and Bn Cdr. Teamwork rates high here. No loners, No Rambos Ind is 2 days. First thing you do is take a PFT. If you dont do 20 dead hang pull ups, 100 situps in 2 min and run 3 miles in less than 18 min, you will be asked to try again when you get in shape. If you do pass it then you get to run a timed O course twice. A 500 meter timed swim in boots and cammies, tread water for 30 min then out of the water for a timed 5 mile hump on the beach with 50 lb pack than another PFT. That you will max. At any time any of the Recon Marines that are testing/evaluating you can tell you to go home. Ater all that comes the interviews and test. Pass all those then you get to go to Basic Recon Course at Little Creek. Come back go to a recon company and either scuba or jump school. Most new recon guys do the float company where you get lots of bush time and lots of schools. After a few years of that you get to go to the other dual cool school and a new company where you specialize in CQB. give it another year or two, more cool schools and ops then you can TRY out for Force. You want to gain about 7 years of experence in 4 years of part time work. As chdNorm said go play at Gunsite or one of the other shoot bang schools. The MC sends people to some of those schools so all are not BS. And try a few Outward Bound courses, throw in a few survival courses. ChdNorm, to not wanting to speak for me you did a good job. Its funny how some are willing to pay for the experences that we would pay to forget about. See that was pretty tactful. I'm a civilian now

I'll try to be tactful. (ChdNorn stop laughing, I'm read how to do this) 007, Some things can't be bought. No matter how many zeros you put on that check. You did get part of the answer right though. It is all about mindset. You dont have it and most likely never will. From your first post you 1. Tried to degrade what you want "Few, Proud, Overqualified" So you set yourself up for failure and an excuse for when you do fail. (And you will) "I don't need to know/do ALL that stuff. I'm qualified enough. ========== I take that as a challenge sarge, your pushing of my buttons is exactly what I would expect from a drill instructor. The title is a bit of word play, nothing insulting intended just friendly chiding, I am well aware the marines are the finest of the non-special forces in the field of war, which is why they are my choice. 2. Aim high, I coulda been a pilot, Ranger, Leigonarre but by action showed that you couldn't complete the thing that over 90% of 18yr olds do and thats finish high school. And at close to 30 havn't even taken the time to get a GED. The MC doesn't let you in without a HS diploma because studies have shown that non grads have more discipline problems and the majority don't finish their contract. ========== Different points in my life resulted in different sources of interest...the shifting of ones mind is something that occurs as one matures...completely natural...also, it's an issue of personality. Some people are primarily completion oriented, and have a hard time dealing with more than one thing at a time and others are completely at ease in the middle of multiple objectives...I am of the latter group. When I was 15 I saw Top Gun on TV/Cable and within several days there was an AF recruiter there, the thing that shot down my dream was the fact that I wear glasses...at the time I thought contacts would be good enough, I didn't know any better so I got my hopes up only to get them shot down with the answer to my question regarding eyesight. Couple of years latter I was sorely in need of discipline, which I was fully conscious of..I inquired about joining the rangers...the recruiter asked me a couple of questions including about criminal history, when I told him I was convicted of petty theft he told me some code about this or that which precluded me from being qualified....I stole a chocolate chip granola bar from an Albertsons(15 year old)....I guess that means I am not capable of excelling as a soldier or of being honorable. When I had already launched myself into my own plans outside the millitary, it still beckoned. Before 9/11 I was delving into possibly joining the SEALS...by this time I had learned that the fact I was 15..had plead no contest, did not actually disqualify me...I didn't understand that at the time I was answering the recruiters questions...I was honest and I surmised that only the most flawless people were allowed into these units..it made sense. While I was interested, I did the basic research and it says plainly on the web sites that the oldest you can be to join is 28 or 29/30 with some special dispensation or whatever...by this time my business plans were in full gear and I knew that in order to succeed I would have to be disciplined applying myself..meaning years of effort which would overlap the deadlines..so I came to understand I wouldn't be able to be a special operator.....so I looked around and I got the idea into my head that maybe the legion would do, since I could focus for a couple of critical years on my business then I would still have time leftover...but as romantic as the idea sounded, I did the research on that and read that they have the most stringent medical qualifiers...they fail people for the slightest imperfections...inspite of the fact they have an attractive accessibility (40 years of age) that put me out of business, but a guy can still dream. So, after a couple more years here I am thinking about the Corp...wiser about my options, most importantly realizing I don't have to play the rules of the system, and in fact should never have bothered since it is anathema to the mindset of a specops pro...never fight fair...never play by their rules... I think you might at least agree with me that in order to build up a company from scratch, no silver spoon, no wealthy backers, no guidance or education in support of the goal...that to create a successfull company one that is profitable and worth millions of dollars, soon to be multiplied in success a hundred times over...is no small feat and is indicative of smarts, and discipline. I am a non-conformist and always have been, it's what drew me to specops in the first place. It's not a weakness. The marines are about conforming and I understand that, it's well known for it's discipline and I understand that it will be a terrific challenge for me, but that is precisely why it is so attractive, nothing in life worthwhile is easy...why would I think t

007, Ya know ... this has got to be one of the most bizare ideas i've encountered so far. But I'm finding it sort of fascinating. I'm almost hoping you find a way to do it at this point, just out of curiosity. I still think youre missing important aspects of not just the training, but the prerequisites though. As Sam mentioned, experiance as at least a fire team leader is required before applying to recon. I know you think rules are meant to be broken, but there are reasons behind rules. It's impossible to get the type of total immersion and experiance you are looking for, without being immersed in the real thing. In my opinion, even people that join the reserves (and never serve active duty) do not even grasp this. Time with a front line combat arms comapany is not something you can buy, nor can you simulate it. You may be able to come close ... but you'd know when it was all said and done that's as close as you got. If that's OK with you .... then more power to you. I think I may have sort of an alternate idea for you that would accomplish two goals. There is a Marine academy down in Harlingen. I don't know about being 30, but theres you four years of being immersed in the culture, and a high school diploma to show for it. Sam, I figured you'd be hunkered down for a few days, I saw it was pretty rough in your part of the country the last couple of days. And I was impressed with how tactful you can be when you try, "Sarge".

Still being tactful. It doesn’t help that I’m tired. Sorry so long (double not spy) I take that as a challenge sarge, your pushing of my buttons is exactly what I would expect from a drill instructor. The title is a bit of word play, nothing insulting intended just friendly chiding, I am well aware the marines are the finest of the non-special forces in the field of war, which is why they are my choice. (Sam) If this is what you would expect from a DI, you would be in for a shock. I guarantee That , in person, I’ll have you crying like a baby with my verbal abuse. In person, that “Friendly chiding” would get you a trip to the dentist. Don’t talk the talk till you walked the walk. Something you, and many civilians that learned the hard way, don’t understand. I can get away with talking “Trash” about the Corps, will do the same to my Soldier, Sailor and Airmen brethren. And even take some from my fellow servicemen. I, and my fellow Marines won’t let you join in. Many civilians have decided to “Join in talking trash to those sailors”,Only to get beat down by the Sailors and Marines. (double not spy) Different points in my life resulted in different sources of interest...the shifting of ones mind is something that occurs as one matures...completely natural...also, it's an issue of personality. Some people are primarily completion oriented, and have a hard time dealing with more than one thing at a time and others are completely at ease in the middle of multiple objectives...I am of the latter group. (Sam) Most people I know can multitask and complete them all satisfactory. If your not “Completion Oriented” then I don’t want you on my team. Go read “A message to Garcia” (Double not spy) Couple of years latter I was sorely in need of discipline, which I was fully conscious of..I inquired about joining the rangers...the recruiter asked me a couple of questions including about criminal history, when I told him I was convicted of petty theft he told me some code about this or that which precluded me from being qualified....I stole a chocolate chip granola bar from an Albertsons(15 year old)....I guess that means I am not capable of excelling as a soldier or of being honorable. (Sam) No it fits in with what we know about High School dropouts. Can’t complete things, and more prone to be discipline problems. (Double not spy) When I had already launched myself into my own plans outside the millitary, it still beckoned. Before 9/11 I was delving into possibly joining the SEALS...by this time I had learned that the fact I was 15..had plead no contest, did not actually disqualify me...I didn't understand that at the time I was answering the recruiters questions...I was honest and I surmised that only the most flawless people were allowed into these units..it made sense. (Sam) Surprise , what kept you away was your lack of a HS diploma. And your obvious inferiority complex. Never have you thought of being a Soldier, only a Ranger, or an airman, only a pilot, or Sailor, only a SEAL and only Force Recon is up your alley. Don’t want to learn the ropes, “If I can’t start at the top I won’t play”. Now you have convinced yourself that if you pay some former leathernecks to abuse you, you will be equal to a Marine. You could pay some major league baseball players to do a version of spring training for you but you are only fooling yourself if you believe it makes you equal to a major league ball player. (Double not spy) so I looked around and I got the idea into my head that maybe the legion would do, since I could focus for a couple of critical years on my business then I would still have time leftover...but as romantic as the idea sounded, I did the research on that and read that they have the most stringent medical qualifiers...they fail people for the slightest imperfections...inspite of the fact they have an attractive accessibility (40 years of age) that put me out of business, but a guy can still dream. (Sam) Try your BS somewhere else. I’ve worked with those guys and if you can walk and breath, they will give you a shot. US military has way more stringent medical standards. (Double not spy) The prior reasons for not joining have been made...the hypoglycemia hit me this year...and since you probably have never had it let me tell you, for someone that has had superb health all his life..almost never sick, when it hit me I thought I was going to die...it's deadly serious....and apart from likely being disqualified on this basis...all the food and mre's that you get from boot camp onward are high glycemic bombs...they would endager my health after prolonged intake, it's taken me more than six months to stabilize myself...with a private training program this is easily corrected. (Sam) It sounds more like hyperglycemia, type 2 diabetes, vice low blood suger that you have. I’ve had Hypoglycemia, from malaria pills long ago. A tube of MRE peanut butter t