I'm on recruiters assistance duty right now at the Bloomington station. If you know anyone (or you yourself) are interested in serving in the military, specifically the USMC, I'll be around for 25 more days. I'm a fresh boot, and can answer, or get the answers to ANY of your questions. Like I said earlier, if you have friends or family members with questions, I can answer those as well. I'm a no pressure kind of person, and am very laid back, as those who know me on a personal basis can attest to. I know from my own experience that its pretty intimidating to walk into an office talk to an older, higher ranking Marine, so if you or anyone you know has been thinking about it, shoot me a PM. I'm not going to push anybody to do anything. I'm not an experienced recruiter, but I would love to share my story and how much the USMC has done for me already. Semper Fidelis, -Jack PS: If you're not interested in joining, and just have a question, post it up. I'll try to check this thread as often as I check my PMs.
We didnt do a lot of running in our first three weeks. When I got to boot, the fires in cali were raging pretty heavily. In fact, we spent quite a bit of our time the third week cleaning the soot off of everything in working parties around base. Your first phase you will run quite a bit though. Our third and fourth week of the first month (first phase) we would run almost every day. Whether it was a PT (physical training) session where we would do a lot of stretching, crunches, sprints, log carries, lifting some weights, climbing steps with ammo cans, pullups, etc, a work out involving stretching and then a 2 to 2.5 mile run, you would end up tired. They tried to vary the excersize, as about half the guys are in good shape when they get there, and half are...out of shape. Some...REALLY out of shape. (We had a guy who couldnt do a single pullup when he showed up.) The second month, you do absolutely no running. MAYBE you will sneak in a mile run or two during your field training, but probably not. The third month you do the most running and PT. You're able to simply because you are in WAY better shape than you were when you got to boot, and considering that you're only as fast as your slowest man, the platoon will move much smoother as a unit in third phase once everyone evens out. The fact that every other branch in some way shape or form looks up to the Marine corps, which says something. The level of discipline, core values (honor, courage, commitment), the level of religion (for god, for country, for corps), the history and tradition, the emphasis on physical fitness. The professionalism that sets the bar for the armed forces, the size (183k of us vs over 2,000,000 in the army), marksmanship and the eliteness as a combat unit, the fact that in the USMC you recieve more training, and spend more time updating your training than any other branch... I really could go on and on and on about why I chose the USMC, but one of the biggest reasons, and best answers to that question, is just to ask one of my 183,XXX brothers. If you've got questions, dont be afraid to ask. Shoot away.
shoot away......no pun intended right?? Anyways I gots a Q? What is teh shortest term you can sign up for and the longest...as well as what do most people choose?
You are a clever clever fellow Will. In regards to being gay, we're a department of the navy, that doesnt mean we have to do EVERYTHING the same
The shortest term you can join the Marine corps is a two year active, and (I believe)4 year inactive term. Its not very common, but if you are filling an area (MOS-'military occupational specialty') that is in dire need of boots, its an easier service term to get. The most common is called a four four, which is what I'm under. Its a 4 year active term, and 4 year inactive term. Basically the 4 years inactive leaves me "in the corps" as a call up in case we ever have a national defense emergency and need a massive inflation of numbers in the corps. It is very unlikely that would ever happen, but I will gladly lace my boots up and rack a round into the chamber again if my country calls. The other scenario of the "inactive corps" is to scare the **** out of a country who wants to start something, but letting them know we are doing a call up of inactives and reserves. That would leave them dealing with nearly 420,000 marines. I cant imagine the leader of a hostile country (especially one who knows something about history) being able to sleep well if that ever happens. Anyhow, here are the most common enlistments now that I've explained that junk. 2 active, 4 inactive. 4 active, 4 inactive. 6 active, 2 inactive. (Usually Marine corps reserves) 10 year (not sure of the breakdown, not very common) You can go active over your inactive years as well. Its called re-upping, and your benefits will be the same as well as a significant bonus.
what is the mandatory retirement limit? I know my uncle was forced to retire after 25 yrs IIRC in the force.
I hate to say this, but most other branches in some way, don't look up to the USMC. In fact, it's that self ritious attitude maks other branches mock them. I am served with 1st and 3rd MEU and I was not too impressed. I can't knock the kid for loving his branch, I was the same way right after basic.... 11yrs ago. Now I am counted down my last 87 days till FREEDOM!
How the heck do you get into the Marines if you can't even do a single pullup?!? I always thought it was somewhat difficult to get in...
^^^ +1 Also what is not mentioned in the listing of enlistment options is the mandatory 8 year total commitment. Regardless of what your initial active (or active reserve) time you sign for, you MUST complete a total of 8 full years from your date of initial entry. Only after you have reached this 8th anniversary are you free and clear from the clutches of the military. This clause is often overlooked by first-term members full of spunk and desire to serve. It is only really brought up when you are coming up on reenlistment time when they slap you with it. It doesn't mean you have to serve in the same branch, but you MUST have connection with one of the armed services for that full 8 years. And please, for hevens sake, do NOT think they will not pull you off IRR. I have a number of friends that were out on the IRR for under 2 months, and pulled right back in for deployment to Afganastan or Iraq. The military will try and pull some seriously shady tactics to keep you in.... much like they did to me. It all depends on your job, and how much they need you. But the need for combat tested and decorated NCO's in my field is greater than just letting me get out and try to pick up the pieces. I am not saying that you shouldn't join, nor am I bagging on this young Marine. What I am saying is, before you sign into the military make sure you know ALL of your options. As stated, I have served for 11 years and have seen more than my fare share of fun. You are all free to pick my brain over a couple beers when I get back to the real world :biggrin:
+1 for what wakaba said. There are definately things that need to be said about joining, and the 4 years of inactive. I'm from a largely military based family, and understood that when I joined. You need to have the mindset when joining that you are signing for 8 years, that you are going to iraq or afghanistan, and that you will see combat, regardless of your job. Then, when you do go, its not a suprise, and in my case, is something you are willing and ready to do. Dont get me wrong, I'm not some gung-ho shoot'em'up kinda guy, and I'm not AMPED to get into combat. I do know however, that when my unit goes, that I will go because of the man next to me, just like my father and my grandfather did when they were asked. The military is definately not for everyone, especially the corps. There's a reason we're the smallest, and theres a reason the air force makes us take a psych test before enabling us to join. Wakaba, I make the comment about other services based off of the younger members of other services I have spoken with. The army friends of mine wish they joined the usmc, and based on the number of squids I saw in bootcamp, the navy is having some issues hanging onto its younger (18-24 yr old) service men. I'm not sure what that all has to do with, but its all relative to what fits for YOU. Anyhow, my laptops burning out on battery, so I'll try to grab the rest of the questions later. And yes, I am very motto. I apologize for any cockiness that might have come across in my comments earlier, and promise that there IS a humble side to most Marines.
