The Marine Corps

[Nightmarestang]

I turned 18 in early april of this year and I want to do something with my life. Yes, as you may have guessed I have been debating on joining the marines or not. I want to be disciplined, travel, experience new things, become an elite warrior and last but not least, serve the country which love every damn day. Yet I also want to go to college at OSU (Oklahoma State University). I don't exactly know how that works in the marines. Maybe I can get advise from people that are/were in the marines.

[biggimp]

my friend has been in 2 years and counts the days until he gets out.

[method115]

My friend just got out and he said he thanks god every day that he can actually feel like an adult and decide when to go to bed, wether or not to use drugs, and have sex whenever he wants. Also he said he hates the way people above you talk to you like your a piece of ****, he said he got enough of that from his dad.

[Nicoman]

Please make sure you know what you are getting into. The whole become a man and serve the country you love are all just MARKETING TACTICS to get young unsuspecting people to join. You DO NOT HAVE TO BE A MARINE to accomplish all the things you want. Those soldiers have my respect but they are not fighting for this country, they are fighting for the wealhy people in this country.

These are my opinions and I do not care to debate them with anyone if someone has the urge to debate this subject with me.

I wish you luck with your future and hope that you find all that you are looking for and more.

~Nico

[Slim Schaedle]

and last but not least, serve the country which love every damn day.
In this day and age, you're better off volunteering and helping unfortunate US citizens in your spare time.


Unless of course, you are fully convinced that every modern military operation in conducted in order to protect America, since our individual freedom is at stake everyday of our lives.



Then again, we'll need a ton of ground troops when the day comes that we invade North Korea.....so have at it. The more people in now delays my chances of being called back up.

[Bikkstah]

You can attend a Navy ROTC college and commission as a Marine Officer or enlist in the Marines first, go to Boot, make some cash then contract or scholarship with said Navy ROTC college and commission as an officer.

[Nik00117]

I know a few marines, not many of them speak highly of it. I knew them before they went in as well. They were so proud of going in, I said join the airforce. A few of them have tooken my advice. Wanna server your country, well keeping your head on your shoulders and do more damage to the enemy? Join the air force become a man.

Do your research man before committing to join your 18 years old. Do you really wanna be killed in Iraq protecting Iraqis at 19?

Me, I used to be all about serving my counutry, till I learned a few things.

If you want to make somthing out of yourself in the military go with the Air Force trust me, at least your ass won't be "My Ass Raped in Navey Equipment"

[Bikkstah]

And it's probably in your best interest to only take advice from people old enough to be veterans or people from America. 16 year olds from Germany telling you how to feel and what to do to serve your country isn't going to inform you much.

[Nik00117]

And it's probably in your best interest to only take advice from people old enough to be veterans or people from America. 16 year olds from Germany telling you how to feel and what to do to serve your country isn't going to inform you much.

I can give advice about a lot of things in the military, COLA, Living over seas, commanders, base life, etc. My dads military, and I see how it does it day to day, my buddy was a marine until he got out and joined the Air Force, i'm not merely speaking from my viewpoint but theres as well.

My dad doesn't understand why popele join the marines, to him it makes no sense when the Army or Air Force is considered far better.

My buddy joined when he was 18, hes now stationed near me but not a marine no more. He did his time, got out, reelisted into the air force. He says the marines just aren't as nice as the air force. As well I heard that their COLA (Cost of living allowance which you get when your stationed overseas in a country in which it costs more to live in (then again i'm 16 and have NO IDEA about military life [scrasam]) is lower as well.

The airforce has a lot mroe benefits then the marines, the marines don't care for its poeple as well as the air force does. THe air force also gets more funding meaning the air force can care for its troops better then the marines which get far less.

[Guido]

Okay, Bikkstah. Well, as a US Army veteran myself, I say Nightmare would be better off NOT joining the Marines and would be better off listening to the others who posted in this thread. If you really want to serve your country, that's great, but you'd be a lot happier joining any branch but the Marines, unless you WANT to be almost 10 times more likely to die in combat. Why do you think they recruit so hard? Because they HAVE TO!

[JarHead 1775]

You can attend a Navy ROTC college and commission as a Marine Officer or enlist in the Marines first, go to Boot, make some cash then contract or scholarship with said Navy ROTC college and commission as an officer.

Brother this is your best bet, it's better to be an officer than enlisted. You will have a college education- a degree, something they can never take from you.

If you really want to serve your country that's great. Still you don't have to join the military to do that. This is a big decision please do not take it lightly. 4 years is a huge chunk of your life and freedom to just give up...regardless of the reason.

[Bikkstah]

Okay, Bikkstah. Well, as a US Army veteran myself, I say Nightmare would be better off NOT joining the Marines and would be better off listening to the others who posted in this thread. If you really want to serve your country, that's great, but you'd be a lot happier joining any branch but the Marines, unless you WANT to be almost 10 times more likely to die in combat. Why do you think they recruit so hard? Because they HAVE TO!

As a US Army Veteran myself, I'd say that as neither you nor I have been in the Marines (have you?), we can't tell this guy what the Marines are like.


If you feel it inside you to be a Marine, be a Marine. Don't let people like us on an internet webpage sway your decision.

[Guido]

I see your point, but once he takes the plunge and raises his right hand, there's no going back. It's too late. And if he finds it's not for him, he has to suffer knowing that for a long time.

Nightmare, your best bet is to talk to some people who have been in the Marines (not recruiters, as they are biased) and about their experiences. Talk to as many people as possible. All the rest of us can tell you is our impressions based upon what we have seen or what others have told us. Make sure you talk to people who have been in OTHER branches of the military, too, though. You may find some things out that from them that might pique your interest, as well. You've seen our opinions but obviously it's ultimately a personal decision.

[HahnB]

I turned 18 in early april of this year and I want to do something with my life. Yes, as you may have guessed I have been debating on joining the marines or not. I want to be disciplined, travel, experience new things, become an elite warrior and last but not least, serve the country which love every damn day. Yet I also want to go to college at OSU (Oklahoma State University). I don't exactly know how that works in the marines. Maybe I can get advise from people that are/were in the marines.

It sounds like you've read one too many army pamphlets. "Elite soldier", if you think you're going to come out of boot camp a rambo, forget about it. I can shoot better than my friends that are in the service, and most of them aren't any more responsible with guns now than before they went in. If anything, they act like cowboys, and think they know a lot more than they really do. I would get an education if I were you. Honestly, what would you rather experience, being in a university for 4 years(one of the best experiences you'll ever have) or joining the marines right now? Trust me, pick school.

[Nicoman]

It sounds like you've read one too many army pamphlets. "Elite soldier", if you think you're going to come out of boot camp a rambo, forget about it. I can shoot better than my friends that are in the service, and most of them aren't any more responsible with guns now than before they went in. If anything, they act like cowboys, and think they know a lot more than they really do. I would get an education if I were you. Honestly, what would you rather experience, being in a university for 4 years(one of the best experiences you'll ever have) or joining the marines right now? Trust me, pick school.


Excellent advise....

~Nico

[Bikkstah]

College is nothing but a party, coming here to do ROTC only made me re-enlist for another 8 years as an enlisted man. Smoking pot and drinking booze 4 days a week may be the "time of your life" for some folks, but it's not for everybody.


Go down to your Armed Forces recruiting office, get all the pamphlets, go down to the VFW and talk to some of the younger guys. Inform yourself, then make a decision.

[SpecialK]

College is nothing but a party, coming here to do ROTC only made me re-enlist for another 8 years as an enlisted man. Smoking pot and drinking booze 4 days a week may be the "time of your life" for some folks, but it's not for everybody.


Go down to your Armed Forces recruiting office, get all the pamphlets, go down to the VFW and talk to some of the younger guys. Inform yourself, then make a decision.

College is largely what you make of it. If you want to spend the whole time drinking and partying, you can do that. Most people strive for some kind of balance. Sure there are some who will do nothing but drink and smoke, but that's certainly not the way it has to be.

[Beast]

College is nothing but a party, coming here to do ROTC only made me re-enlist for another 8 years as an enlisted man. Smoking pot and drinking booze 4 days a week may be the "time of your life" for some folks, but it's not for everybody.
The "partying" depends largely on both the individual student and the quality of the university. There are always those that party 4 days a week and those that work hard 7 days a week, and party for 1 or 2 nights.

[method115]

College is nothing but a party, coming here to do ROTC only made me re-enlist for another 8 years as an enlisted man. Smoking pot and drinking booze 4 days a week may be the "time of your life" for some folks, but it's not for everybody.


Go down to your Armed Forces recruiting office, get all the pamphlets, go down to the VFW and talk to some of the younger guys. Inform yourself, then make a decision.

The fact that you say college is only a party would make me question anything you said in this thread. Also if I was to smoke pot and drink 4 days a week who cares, as long as I'm making my grades thats the only thing that matters.

I would definetly not go read the pamphlets they are only gonna tell you what you wanna hear not what you need to know. Why do you think the army/marines and all thoughs branches have a dont ask dont tell policy when it comes to recruiting.

[biggimp]

to whoever said that marines are 10x more likely to die:

ROFL.

you realize there are probably 2-3x more army that have died in iraq than there have been marines?


also dont listen to the recruiters at all. its their job to lie (yes LIE) to you to get you to enlist.

[method115]

to whoever said that marines are 10x more likely to die:

ROFL.

you realize there are probably 2-3x more army that have died in iraq than there have been marines?


also dont listen to the recruiters at all. its their job to lie (yes LIE) to you to get you to enlist.

Yea they told my friend thier is no way he would every go to Iraq and thats exactly where he is right now.

[biggimp]

they tell you all sorts of garbage like how you get 3 day weekends every week or you can pick when you show up to work or that you get a week off during boot camp, all sorts of crap to get you to think it wont be that bad of a job.

im not bashing the military at all btw, just the recruiters.

[TwiloMike]

to whoever said that marines are 10x more likely to die:

ROFL.

you realize there are probably 2-3x more army that have died in iraq than there have been marines?


also dont listen to the recruiters at all. its their job to lie (yes LIE) to you to get you to enlist.
The total number of people dead is not the way to determine the likelyhood of dying. The ratio of the total # of men to the # dead is the way to do it.

[HahnB]

College is nothing but a party, coming here to do ROTC only made me re-enlist for another 8 years as an enlisted man. Smoking pot and drinking booze 4 days a week may be the "time of your life" for some folks, but it's not for everybody.

I remember my dad telling me a long time ago that the friends you make in college are the friends you'll have the rest of your life, and so far that's looking like it's going to be the case. College is about a lot more than partying. You don't have to go to college to make friends, but the experience is more than a party. If he really wanted to join the Marines, I doubt he'd be in here asking if he should or not.

[Bikkstah]

The total number of people dead is not the way to determine the likelyhood of dying. The ratio of the total # of men to the # dead is the way to do it.

Correct. 3+ million in the armed services to 3,000 dead is the best ratio this country has ever had. Yes it's sad that those people are dead, but you're not DOA as soon as you sign the contract.


Transporation, MPs, Infantry, Special Forces are really the only people still in the **** everyday in Iraq, same deal for Marines. USMC no longer deploys to Afghanistan btw.

[JoeG]

At first I wasn't going to post in this thread because most of these threads end up with people spouting their own personal biases all over the place wioth little evidence or first hand knowledge to back it up.

So Stang here is my personal persepctive from my time in the Corp. First of all my recruiters were really honest with me. They said it would be hard and that some people would not make it through boot. They said Marines fight when they are needed. They talked about Honor and Dicipline and that also appealed to me. Then they sort of mentioned the benefits.

Someone in an earlier post said college is what you make of it. Well that is the truth just like everything else is what you made of it.

I'm proud of my service and before anyone asks I was deployed overseas. Being a Marine was hard sometimes but what worth having isn't hard at times.

At last report I read Marines comprised 21% of the US military force in Iraq and had suffered 31% of the fatalities. Why are Marines sent into the really dangerous situations? Because you don't send a boy to do a man's job.

We had a guy in my boot platoon who was a cross service transfer from the Air Force. He transfered because he wanted a challenge and the Corp said he had to go through boot. He lasted three weeks before he went scuttling back.

Maybe you should be a Marine and maybe you shouldn't. Only you know the answer to that.

[Slim Schaedle]

Because you don't send a boy to do a man's job.
And that isn't personal bias?

[MixmasterNash]

Marines relaxing in a tropical paradise with pepper flavored excitement! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dy-OhfooAM4)

[HahnB]

Why are Marines sent into the really dangerous situations? Because you don't send a boy to do a man's job.

Unless you have some sort of specialized job, most of the people in this forum could, if they had to, be a Marine with ease. Even if you had a specialized job, most of us could learn it with ease. Marines are there to die, they are made to think they are invincibile so they would go into situations that any person with a normal thought process would avoid at all costs. Boot camp is tough, sure-but I had a friend blow through it that was in below average shape when he went in. Is doing something that's hard, and potentially life threatenining really "noble"? I guess that depends on how you define the word. I could set my car on cruise control and try to stick my head out of the sunroof and drive with my feet. Is that hard, yes. Is it dangerous, yes. Does that make it noble? Honestly, talking someone into joining the serive is the stupidest thing you could do. There are certain people that fit the bill, the ones that ABSOLUTELY WANT to serve their country. If you need to be talked into it, it's not for you.

[ExtremePullups]

I turned 18 in early april of this year and I want to do something with my life. Yes, as you may have guessed I have been debating on joining the marines or not. I want to be disciplined, travel, experience new things, become an elite warrior and last but not least, serve the country which love every damn day. Yet I also want to go to college at OSU (Oklahoma State University). I don't exactly know how that works in the marines. Maybe I can get advise from people that are/were in the marines.

I'm a former Marine. Being in the Marines isn't a job its a way of life you live the Marine Corps. (even when there isn't a war) not comparing services but there are alot of rule and restrictions to follow, some you would think are very retarted. 3 months of boot camp isn't enough time to make you 100% disciplined your going to have to make lot of changes.

[biggimp]

Why are Marines sent into the really dangerous situations? Because you don't send a boy to do a man's job.

yeah my friend who is crash fire rescue in the marine corps and is 5'6'' at a whopping 145lbs with huge glasses is a much better weapon to be using to get rid of terrorists than a well trained army or air force ranger.....

[method115]

Personally I think the only poeple who should join are poeple who just have no possible way to go to college or as Hanb said they just wanna join and "serve their country".

One last thing I wanted to say about these recruiters that truly pisses me off. Every time they harass me about joining I tell them that I have a daughter and don't want to be away from her. These guys seriously don't care they still continue to harass me trying to convince me that leaving my daughter in the end will be better for her.
The first time a recruiter said this to me I was extremely high and was on my way to an Internet/Intranet class. I seriously had to stop where I was an busted out laughing so hard my teacher and everyone in class came out to see what all the noise was about.
We all had a good laugh about it once I explained what all the fuss was about. Later I decided how much it really pissed me off that someone would actually do that but oh well these guys are vultures. If your a minority be very careful they try extra hard to get minorititys they feel were more likely to join for a couple reasons which I dont feel like explaining.

[SkinnySadMan]

Personally I think the only poeple who should join are poeple who just have no possible way to go to college or as Hanb said they just wanna join and "serve their country".

...and perhaps people who have nothing to live for and don't really care if they die.

[method115]

...and perhaps people who have nothing to live for and don't really care if they die.

ah yea didn't even think about thoughs poeple.

[Bikkstah]

You guys are really jaded.

[biggimp]

i just liked how every time i went with my friend to see his marine recruiters they asked "when is this piece of **** going to join the corps? if he aint enlisting he can get the **** out or ill put my boot up his ass!" then i would leave.... pretty nice people them... wannabe hardasses. lol

[Guido]

Marines relaxing in a tropical paradise with pepper flavored excitement! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dy-OhfooAM4)Looks like good fun to me. :rolleyes:

[method115]

You guys are really jaded.

No i was jaded when I was young and stupid and believed that joining some form of the military branch was the only way I could succeed and truly didn't care if I died. Then I had my daughter and my eyes were opened.

[Slim Schaedle]

The military "jades" people more so than any other thing I have seen or experienced

[Nik00117]

I see your point, but once he takes the plunge and raises his right hand, there's no going back. It's too late. And if he finds it's not for him, he has to suffer knowing that for a long time.

Nightmare, your best bet is to talk to some people who have been in the Marines (not recruiters, as they are biased) and about their experiences. Talk to as many people as possible. All the rest of us can tell you is our impressions based upon what we have seen or what others have told us. Make sure you talk to people who have been in OTHER branches of the military, too, though. You may find some things out that from them that might pique your interest, as well. You've seen our opinions but obviously it's ultimately a personal decision.

Very good piece of advice, I was talking to a marine recreuiter once, THEY ARE BIASED BECAUSE THEY ARE ORDERED TOO. Its like talking to a Dell rep and asking him about his companies competitors, hes not going go say they are better and just as well priced.


Correct. 3+ million in the armed services to 3,000 dead is the best ratio this country has ever had. Yes it's sad that those people are dead, but you're not DOA as soon as you sign the contract.


Transporation, MPs, Infantry, Special Forces are really the only people still in the **** everyday in Iraq, same deal for Marines. USMC no longer deploys to Afghanistan btw.

That is so not true, my cousins husband is in the national gaurd, hes with a tank battalion mainly infartry however hes been cross trained to work with tanks as well. Hes in the **** nearly every day of his life.

Even my dads buddy who recently got back from Iraq said it was prob one of the hottest places hes been. If your in iraq, there isn't a frontline.



Maybe you should be a Marine and maybe you shouldn't. Only you know the answer to that.

There are poeple who are meant for it, are you? Frankly I dont' think most are, including me.

My advice is not too because teh benefits int he marines aren't as large as in other branches, and its a mroe dangerous job.

Other then that, its your choice.

Also the few marines I know, said they hated it.

[Bikkstah]

I forgot Armor. Armor is obviously there, duh.

[The Zach]

I want to do something with my life.
This is hard to accomplish when you're dead.


I want to be disciplined,
Self-discipline is the most rewarding discipline.


travel,
You don't want to travel to Iraq. Besides, you could start traveling right now. Fly to Europe and venture through the youth hostels. You don't have to be a marine to travel.


experience new things,
Again, this is hard to do when you're dead.


become an elite warrior
I think it's time to put away the fantasy novels/RPGs and grow up.


serve the country which [I] love every damn day
To put your life on the line so that Iraq may enjoy the pleasures of Wal-mart, McDonalds, and gay cowboy movies is ridiculous. Further, Iraq is not your country, so why serve it? I think it's time to turn off Fox News and get a grip.


Yet I also want to go to college at OSU (Oklahoma State University).
This is a good idea; you should pursue it.

[Nicoman]

Well put.....Good job



This is hard to accomplish when you're dead.


Self-discipline is the most rewarding discipline.


You don't want to travel to Iraq. Besides, you could start traveling right now. Fly to Europe and venture through the youth hostels. You don't have to be a marine to travel.


Again, this is hard to do when you're dead.


I think it's time to put away the fantasy novels/RPGs and grow up.


To put your life on the line so that Iraq may enjoy the pleasures of Wal-mart, McDonalds, and gay cowboy movies is ridiculous. Further, Iraq is not your country, so why serve it? I think it's time to turn off Fox News and get a grip.


This is a good idea; you should pursue it.

[Nik00117]

My views on Iraq differ from most, BUsh didn't invade because he felt it was morally right to free a oppessed poeple from the tranny of a tranyant (when has America ever done this?) (sp sucks I know)

He didn't go in for oil either, he could of shoved enough money down Saddam's thoart that Saddam would be his happy lil puppet in ever lasting heaven.

He did it for the election, it was a plotical move on his part to keep him in office to gain those extra few votes from poeple who are not partions of this country but nationalists.

The word "nazi" comes from the german word which translates into english Nationalist. Bush knew the Nationalist the poeple who are blindly proud of America and believe it to be the greatest thing on earth and no other and unconquerable is what tilt the tide. Look in your history books, no presidenthas lost a election during war time. EVEN MR. Lincoln who is possibly considered one of the MOST HATED PRESIDENTS OF ALL TIME with 30% of the popular vote got relected because of a war. Do you really wanna die, because some president started a war to get relected. (to clear it up he won his first election with 30% popular vote, the other 70% was divided up among 3 different poeple one of the reasons why we now have primary, and general elections, after the war he was far more popular with America and was able to win.)

Serving your country is being in the military and helping it out in times of peace, and times of great need. I'd never fight in Iraq, nor will I ever fight in Iraq because its not a war that I feel America needs, world war 2, world war 1, the civil war, war of 1812, revoluationary wars are entirely different stories.

If you join the marines and make it (which is highly likely considering your probably phyiscially in shape) your first stop will be Iraq, then most likely Germany for a lil R&R.

My .02

[Bikkstah]

You'll never fight in Iraq because you live in another country and we'll probably be done by the time you're old enough to actually join and give your .02

[Focused70]

When in doubt, choose Navy or Air Force.

[Slim Schaedle]

You'll never fight in Iraq because you live in another country
Not too incredibly difficult for a dependant of an American to enlist in one of the branches.[/QUOTE]


and we'll probably be done by the time you're old enough to actually join and give your .02You truly believe we'll be out of there in two years?

We stayed in Saudi 12 years after Desert Storm. Every American base in Saudi shut down starting in June 2003 and relocated up the road a few hundred miles. Iraq will pretty much become the new center of ops for the Middle East.

If I am wrong in two years, you can track me down and take all my whey protein.

[Thexile]

Unless you have some sort of specialized job, most of the people in this forum could, if they had to, be a Marine with ease. Even if you had a specialized job, most of us could learn it with ease. Marines are there to die, they are made to think they are invincibile so they would go into situations that any person with a normal thought process would avoid at all costs. Boot camp is tough, sure-but I had a friend blow through it that was in below average shape when he went in. Is doing something that's hard, and potentially life threatenining really "noble"? I guess that depends on how you define the word. I could set my car on cruise control and try to stick my head out of the sunroof and drive with my feet. Is that hard, yes. Is it dangerous, yes. Does that make it noble? Honestly, talking someone into joining the serive is the stupidest thing you could do. There are certain people that fit the bill, the ones that ABSOLUTELY WANT to serve their country. If you need to be talked into it, it's not for you.

I agree with Hahn, marines are expected to be able to raze a city even in very few numbers.

Secondly its not the number of fatalities that matter in my opinion, cause once your dead your dead, no worries. But what about the injuries we have 10,000+ wounded. I volunteered in the surgery ward at the VA hospital, kids come in with no eyes, no legs, nerve damage, brain damage, no noses, severe burns, problems that will follow them their whole lives. It's ****ed up ****. Do you want to be missing two hands and a couple toes? I mean yea that stuff is all on 'the outside' but trust me when you stare into the mirror and you are all messed up you will wish you had your face back, you wish you could walk again. All for what?

No one seems to be talking about the injuries, everyones too focused on how many people are dead, some guys get hurt to the point that they'd be better off dead. Nerve damage is the worst [incessent, pain] and VA care isn't the best...

In my opinion I think the military is a fitting place for fitting people. I mean when you enlist your a grunt, your not expected to be smart your a body there to either absorb bullets and artillery rounds or kill people. I suggest if you really want to go to the military, apply to a war college. There's plenty, Westpoint, the Army War [thats for veterans tho]college etc...

If your high school gpa is > 3.0 I don't think you belong there and you would be better 'utilized by your country' to be an engineer or something.

Another aspect I forgot to mention is that lets say you don't get sent to Iraq but to a garrison in a nearby country. Your life still sucks, you don't get to leave the base ever. Once a month they take the soldiers on 'moral trips', aka sightseeing where none of the country's citizens can see you. Why do they do the trips? Cause soldiers are killing themselves b/c they are being driven insane in this ****ing desert heat.

If you're a Marine forget about it, they have signs that say 'warning Marines' b/c marines are thought to be typically a vicious breed, here at least, and there has been a direct corelation [sp?] in crimes like assault and rape (Japan) between mixing a marine populus with a civillian one. So your deffinitely not allowed out, its in effect like prison. No action just months and months of waiting.

[Slim Schaedle]

I agree with Hahn, marines are expected to be able I mean when you enlist your a grunt, your not expected to be smart your a body there to either absorb bullets and artillery rounds or kill people

lol......that reminded me of one time when leadership told us blankly, "you all are just here to die and delay the enemy until more help arrives."

sorry, .... flashback

[Bikkstah]

In 2 years? I don't even have a television and I can't avoid all the anti-war bull**** going on. If we're still there in 2 years and it's like it is today, people are gonna be out in the streets on a daily basis circa Vietnam.

[Powdered_Power]

Some people are making the mistake of thinking everyone has the same way of thinking, I for instance am really considering joining the Irish rangers purely for the fact that I really feel the need to take massive risks in order to actually feel alive and not be some corporate office zombie living every day the same as the next...

The only drawback about the Irish rangers is the fact that they only run around in a forest instead of going on actual peace missions etc, if I was American I would really like to join the marines.

Not to defend your country and bla bla bla but to actually travel and get paid for it, while doing something you will remember for the rest of your life, and Im sure you can meet guys there that will be lifelong friends too (someone mentioned the same about meeting people in college).

Anyways, judgement call my friend. Theres nothing here that anyone can say that should swing your choice one way or the other, its all up to you.

[method115]

Some people are making the mistake of thinking everyone has the same way of thinking, I for instance am really considering joining the Irish rangers purely for the fact that I really feel the need to take massive risks in order to actually feel alive and not be some corporate office zombie living every day the same as the next...

The only drawback about the Irish rangers is the fact that they only run around in a forest instead of going on actual peace missions etc, if I was American I would really like to join the marines.

Not to defend your country and bla bla bla but to actually travel and get paid for it, while doing something you will remember for the rest of your life, and Im sure you can meet guys there that will be lifelong friends too (someone mentioned the same about meeting people in college).

Anyways, judgement call my friend. Theres nothing here that anyone can say that should swing your choice one way or the other, its all up to you.

That sounds like a very exicting life but I don't understand how anyone could not want a child. I don't just mean have a child and then go do your own thing but have a child and just spend time with him/her. I mean before I had a child I was a person who said forget ever having children, couldn't stand them. Then when I had mine it was the greatest day ever and I'm so glad god blessed me with her. Your just missing out on one of the greatest things in life not having a family. Nothing will ever make you feel more alive then creating life and not wasting your time destroying it.

[Slim Schaedle]

In 2 years? I don't even have a television and I can't avoid all the anti-war bull**** going on. If we're still there in 2 years and it's like it is today, people are gonna be out in the streets on a daily basis circa Vietnam.
Well, the mission was accomplished back in May of 2003.

I think it is June 2006 now.

[Bikkstah]

That sounds like a very exicting life but I don't understand how anyone could not want a child. I don't just mean have a child and then go do your own thing but have a child and just spend time with him/her. I mean before I had a child I was a person who said forget ever having children, couldn't stand them. Then when I had mine it was the greatest day ever and I'm so glad god blessed me with her. Your just missing out on one of the greatest things in life not having a family. Nothing will ever make you feel more alive then creating life and not wasting your time destroying it.


Because I love children and want children of my own but that's 10 years down the road. Not many 21 year olds can successfully finance their own family, dude. I'm not sure how you do it, but it's pretty unrealistic.

[Guido]

In 2 years? I don't even have a television and I can't avoid all the anti-war bull**** going on. If we're still there in 2 years and it's like it is today, people are gonna be out in the streets on a daily basis circa Vietnam.Perhaps that should be telling you something.

Oh and it's WHEN we are still there in two years- not IF.

[Guido]

I agree with Hahn, marines are expected to be able to raze a city even in very few numbers.

Secondly its not the number of fatalities that matter in my opinion, cause once your dead your dead, no worries. But what about the injuries we have 10,000+ wounded. I volunteered in the surgery ward at the VA hospital, kids come in with no eyes, no legs, nerve damage, brain damage, no noses, severe burns, problems that will follow them their whole lives. It's ****ed up ****. Do you want to be missing two hands and a couple toes? I mean yea that stuff is all on 'the outside' but trust me when you stare into the mirror and you are all messed up you will wish you had your face back, you wish you could walk again. All for what?

No one seems to be talking about the injuries, everyones too focused on how many people are dead, some guys get hurt to the point that they'd be better off dead. Nerve damage is the worst [incessent, pain] and VA care isn't the best...

In my opinion I think the military is a fitting place for fitting people. I mean when you enlist your a grunt, your not expected to be smart your a body there to either absorb bullets and artillery rounds or kill people. I suggest if you really want to go to the military, apply to a war college. There's plenty, Westpoint, the Army War [thats for veterans tho]college etc...

If your high school gpa is > 3.0 I don't think you belong there and you would be better 'utilized by your country' to be an engineer or something.

Another aspect I forgot to mention is that lets say you don't get sent to Iraq but to a garrison in a nearby country. Your life still sucks, you don't get to leave the base ever. Once a month they take the soldiers on 'moral trips', aka sightseeing where none of the country's citizens can see you. Why do they do the trips? Cause soldiers are killing themselves b/c they are being driven insane in this ****ing desert heat.

If you're a Marine forget about it, they have signs that say 'warning Marines' b/c marines are thought to be typically a vicious breed, here at least, and there has been a direct corelation [sp?] in crimes like assault and rape (Japan) between mixing a marine populus with a civilian one. So your deffinitely not allowed out, its in effect like prison. No action just months and months of waiting.There you have it from someone who's seen it firsthand. If that's what you want, then go for it. Have fun.

[Nik00117]

My copy and paste seems to broken. Anyways about the comment saying that

I am in a different country, so I can't be drafted by America, thing is my american passport, and citizenship does hold me to that.

Iran and N.Korea are every growing problems. Mainly caused by Americas governemt refusal to believe its not the only one.

In fact when I turn 18, I can be freely drafted by Germany or America until I claim one citzenship.

And in 2 years we still will be in Iraq, do you see it becoming all of a suddenly "peaceful" in 2 years?

One person made a point the war ended 2 years ago, yet omg guess whose still there :) /me looks into Iraq yup I see America mostly.

If you like adventure and travel joint he marines, however there are better choices for that coughairforcecough.

[HahnB]

I would rather travel and go on adventures at my leisure than join a branch of the military to do so.

[JoeG]

Some people are making the mistake of thinking everyone has the same way of thinking, I for instance am really considering joining the Irish rangers purely for the fact that I really feel the need to take massive risks in order to actually feel alive and not be some corporate office zombie living every day the same as the next...

The only drawback about the Irish rangers is the fact that they only run around in a forest instead of going on actual peace missions etc, if I was American I would really like to join the marines.

Not to defend your country and bla bla bla but to actually travel and get paid for it, while doing something you will remember for the rest of your life, and Im sure you can meet guys there that will be lifelong friends too (someone mentioned the same about meeting people in college).

Anyways, judgement call my friend. Theres nothing here that anyone can say that should swing your choice one way or the other, its all up to you.


This is the truth. No one else's opinions or politics should play in part in what you do or don't do with your life. Be smart, be informed and then do what sounds right to you. There are people who would hate every minute in the Corps and there are people who honor their time in until the day they day. Only you know you well enough to know which you might be.