Help, military advice!

[Mean 318]

As some of you know, I am looking at joining the military. I have looked at the Marines, and like it but am still unsure of weather this is something I am ready to commit to, or how much B.S. he was giving me. Here is where you guys come in! I would like advice from those who have served. Please tell me what branch you serve(d) in, when, how old you where, how old you are, what you liked, didn't like, and anything else you would like to tell me.

The only area I do not want to enter is the NAVY, nothing against them.  A just not the area I want to enter.

The reason I am looking is because I hold the POW/MIA/ and all that are serving/ or have served as hero's.  I think that they deserve the most respect. I would like to serve my country, and be proud of it! I think that they enstill values that would help me my whole life! I also think that they would be helpful when it comes time to look for a job after I serve my four years, if I decide at that time that it is something I don't want to continue with. I am looking at becoming a firefighter, and have finished my first semester of college. "Fire Prep Certified" I want to become "fire crash rescue". I was hoping that my education would help me get into that field. I am also an Eagle scout and held a 3.34 GPA - I don't know if that stuff matters. I would also be able to get college paid for. Please, any advice would be GREAT! I know that some opinions may not be too popular, so feel free to PM me. Again Thank you very much!

Also, I respect my dad, and think he is about the smartest person I know, but he is VERY against the idea. Advice on how to talk to him would be nice too!

[JimsSE]

I spent 20 years in the military...U.S.A.F.  If you are looking to go into the Firefighter, Search and Rescue, etc. field then the Air Force is the way to go.  My only advice is that you sit down and talk with your recruiter before hand and make sure you have a guaranteed slot as a Firefighter or whatever when you enter Basic Training.  Your schooling should help you too.  You need to do as well as possible on your ASVAB assessments to give yourself the most opportunities.  GOOD LUCK to you.

Jim
Master Sergeant, USAF, retired

[mikepmcs]

Hey brother,
I'm in the Navy, have been for 20 years.(Navy Combat Aircrewman on a P-3 Orion)  Only time I ever spent on a ship was because I volunteered to get the experience, all the other times was in the air.  First I would ask what are your hesitations for joining the Navy??  If it's because you don't want to go to sea, then you don't have to.  You can go Aviation, Construction(Fighting Seabees), crash and rescue(firefighter), Security, etc......  If it's because of the uniforms, scratch that too, because they are going to BDU's(camo, except mostly blue)  Heck the Bees and Aircrew wear desert camo right now and have for years like the other forces.  The uniforms you see sailors in now aren't the one's they will be wearing for much longer(next year for sure, but the phase in starts now.)

I could go on all day with the possibilities, but will await your response so I don't waste our time.  By the way, Marines are Department of the Navy, just thought I'd throw that in there just to let you know that you would most likely be working with(notice I didn't say for, cause I have the ultimate respect for the Corps) Sailors at some point in your career.  Anyways , please answer the question on why and I can try help you out.

It sounds like you are a pretty squared away fellow, so why don't you try for one of the Academy slots.  You could apply to the Naval Academy and then go Marines out of there if you wanted, but as an Officer.   If you want information on that, I can assist on that too.

Let me know.

Good Luck either way

As for your Father,not to be rude or sound like a jerk, but that really isn't his decision now is it.  If you are 18 and want to serve your country, you need to follow your goals and do that.  You can't live under your parents rule/wing forever.  I know you respect your father and you should but maybe take him to the recruiter with you, or slide some info in his morning newspaper.  Try to pick out the positives of joining and the schooling that will be available to you after your time if you decide to get out.  There are all kinds of incentives in just about every branch, except maybe the Air Force(although they treat their people the best, advancement is alot tougher).   Jim has a very good point though, score high on that ASVAB if you want the good job opp's.  That's if you decide to go enlisted and not officer.  It will  be a different battery of tests to do that, but like I said, i'll await your responses cause there is alot to soak in.

v/r
Mike
US Navy Chief retiring in 3 months.

[Beer]

If you don't like ships or the water, you can still end up on em in the USMC, they are of course still Dept of the Navy.

If Fire Crash Rescue is your gig, and you don't want the Navy the other choices leave USAF or US Army.

I am partial to the Navy, Flew P-3 Orions 1987-1994 (land based Aircraft), but respect your choice of services.

I did undergraduate Nav Training with the USAF was very impressed with the way they took care of there people and the facilities (Mather AFB).

[Mean 318]

Honestly the only reason is the whole water thing, I have no problem with the navy or the guys, just not a big water fan. I do realize that the Marines are a Dept. of the Navy. The way it sounded is that the Marines didn't do a whole lot with the water.

[Lord Warlock]

I did the Air Force thing for 4 years active, 5 years reserves.  The Air Force is a good area to get into, plenty of opportunity without the immediacy of getting sent out to fight somewhere like the marines get to expect.  The marines are a weakly linked group to the navy (if you haven't looked up word marine yet) if you want to storm the enemy, fine the army or marines are your best bet.  But if you want to fight fires, I'd rather fight em here in the states than in Iraq.  Don't get me wrong, those fighting in iraq deserve plenty of support and respect for doing their jobs in a difficult and dangerous spot, but i'd still prefer to risk life and limb here if I could.  I did my own combat crew duty stateside babysitting a hundred or so nuclear missiles.  (launch officer).  The air force is actually an offshoot of the army, whereas the marines are offshoots of the navy.  Each serves its own niche. 

The marines are a harsh mistress, you'd best be committed seriously, before signing on with that group.  Don't base it on hero worship only.  While most vets feel strongly toward our boys in uniform, and many can be deemed heros, not everyone in harm's way rank the hero title, hero's usually don't return home, in my mind at least, heros are folks that go over and above the norm.  Anyway, the marines seem to be more gung ho than most of the other services.  If fighting fires is your real goal, make sure you can lock into the career path before signing on. 

I applaud your will to serve your country, its what got me to do my time, If you appreciate what you and your family get here in the states, its only fair to serve a few years in its service.  Good luck whichever way you decide. 

[Mean 318]

I don't expect to be a hero, I want to do it more because I respect it so much!I think it is something anyone could be proud of! I also love my country, and want to serve.

[Beer]

Good Point with the grades Mike...there are other ways of getting in, and that is what happened with me. I went and saw the recruiter, came home and announced to my dad (a freshly retired CDR) that I was going in, his advice was to go in as an Officer (he was prior enlisted radio operator that ended up SWO). I had no clue how to do that and he said go to college. My first year of Maine maritime I was offered  a 3 year Navy Scholarship, which I took, ended up flying P-3 Orions.

Have you looked into USAF ROTC or a similiar program. Being an eagle Scout, and if your athletic, my guess is you would be a shoe in for a scholarship. Especially with a 3.3 GPA.

[AKcharger]

My VERY biased opinion is go Coast Guard or Air Force
I've worked with all the branches in my 23 years in the AF and here's what I've seen 1st hand...to those whose feathers I ruffle I apologize in advance.

Marines - They are Poor, have no money and treat their people like CRAP!
Navy - Good... facilities are OK, they seem to do a good job taking care of people but your going to be out on a ship for 6 months at a time.
Army - OK, as long as your not an 11B. I'd rate them below navy but better than Marines.
AF - We rock
Coast Guard - a VERY close second

CMSgt AKCharger
Kunsan AB Korea

[ITSA426]

If you're dad is against it, and he is the smartest man you know, ask him why he's against it.  That should help settle your decision.

I did 20 but wouldn't recommend it to my son until there is a major leadership shift.

[70charger_boy]

First of all, I was in the navy. Marines spend alot of times on Navy ships.  It's too bad you don't like the water, because the Coast Guard would be the greatest branch to join.  I talk to alot of the serviceman with my job and coast guard guys are all lifers.  Good Luck and if you're joining just to be a hero you'll be pretty disappointed, because before they stick you out on the frontlines you'll be scrubbing lots of toilets and peeling lots of potatoes.  Yes, they still peel potatoes

[last426]

Don't do it, what's the rush?  Go to school, fall in love, challenge yourself, turn 25 and then decide.  The best thing I ever didn't do was go into military service.  Then I got older and wiser (well, at least older).  Kim

[70charger_boy]

Don't do it, what's the rush?  Go to school, fall in love, challenge yourself, turn 25 and then decide.  The best thing I ever didn't do was go into military service.  Then I got older and wiser (well, at least older).  Kim

[RD]

If you're dad is against it, and he is the smartest man you know, ask him why he's against it.  That should help settle your decision.

I did 20 but wouldn't recommend it to my son until there is a major leadership shift.

totally agree.  military service is good during peacetime, in war, it is hell.  (who said that? hmmmm )  sorry, but i realized there is so much more to life than a profession where you train to kill and your death is just part of the job.  how many times have you heard, "well that is what he was paid to do."

sorry man... war is not the romanticized concepts found in the movies.  It is in your face, gruesome, bloody, dismembered, blank-eyed, cries of men asking for their mothers while they cannot feel their intestines hanging or are strewn on the ground, all the while you tell them that they feel no pain and dont worry, you will make it home to your mom, she will have dinner waiting for you. (substitute wife, g/f, what have you).

if you want to join, great, it is your life, but do not think you know what you are getting into, but you wont, even when you get there.  there is not a damn thing that you have done in your life so far that will prepare you for your battle buddy split in half sobbing in your arms, and you feel the warmth and moistness of his last breath on your cheek all the while you smell of blood, piss, shit, and tears. 

welcome to my images that i have to sleep with.

[Mean 318]

Well I appreciate all of he advice both the good and the bad... and I agree with the need for a leadership change. I also realize the possability of death and what I would see "Well I realize it as much as I could, but it is a hell of a lot different imagining it and living it. I also realize the possability of something worse than death, the possibility of being "injured" coming home without a face, leg, or not the same in the head." I have spoke with my father and I think I will finish out this semester an re evaluate what I want to do. Look at all of my options and make sure that I know exactly what the hell I am doing! I know that this isn't something to be had lightly! That I could die and it could also be very beneficial. Again THANKS to all of you who have helped me, and I respect you guys very much! Zack-

[Rolling_Thunder]

I do realize that the Marines are a Dept. of the Navy.

Yeah...     THE MEN'S DEPARTMENT!

just couldnt pass that up...

anyway...     are you looking for a shitty job with very little training/skills when you get out ?  Go Marines...      I am on delayed entry myself

HERE IS WHAT I KNOW:
My buddy Jimmy joined the USAF at 17 after a year at UCLA as a combat controller -
Training involved: Boot Camp, air traffic controller school, Ranger school, Airborne school, HALO school....     
He then was deployed to Afghanistan 2 times, Iraq 3 times...   In the process recieved 11 ribbons including the bronze star with combat valor...   and A purple heart (wounded 4 times) - after this he went and Joined the Army and is in Special Forces there...   he is really bored at the moment and is waiting 3 years for his contract to be up...     He is being deployed in a couple months as well...   

My buddy Kyle...     joined the Marines out of highschool...    he is 6'8 and loves the Marines
Training: Boot camp, advanced infantry training, Ranger school, Scuba school, Airborne school...     
Currently in German Hospital after getting hit by an IED - He's been hit 7 times so far - but at 6'8 that is expected I guess...     10 ribbons recieved and would do it all over again...    spent 2 years in Afghanistan and 3 years in Iraq...   

Buddy John - joined the USMC after highschool - was in the first gulf war and currently has problems with socializing - along with certain psyche issues. He was in heavy artillery...   now does graphic design and and magazine advertising....      nothing to do with his time in the military.... 



all i can say is if you expect training you can use for a career - the USMC isnt your place...    the Air Force, Navy, and Army are for you...    even the coast gaurd....

[Mefirst]

I went through compulsory Military duty as a Finnish Jaeger (Kinda like the Us. Rangers, but then again different). I wasn't that into the fighting and shooting stuff, so I became a Medic, but still did the same training the other Jeagers go through. Best choice I could make.

Today I work as an ICU nurse. Money is good and you'll never have to worry about going unemployed, etc...

The worst thing about military was, I only got the feeling I was cannon fodder and expendable. Though the daily mantra was that the military wanted the men to be able to think, well not in reality. Military felt more like don't even dare to be anything but a simple willage idiot and get yelled at.. Not the place for a guy with a lot of fantasy and a mind that wants to think "outside the box".. Maby I should have applied to the Finnish military special forces... then again not. I met a couple of those guys and they to were more or less idiots to...

/Tom

[Afflyer]

I spent 20 years in the military...U.S.A.F.  If you are looking to go into the Firefighter, Search and Rescue, etc. field then the Air Force is the way to go.  My only advice is that you sit down and talk with your recruiter before hand and make sure you have a guaranteed slot as a Firefighter or whatever when you enter Basic Training.  Your schooling should help you too.  You need to do as well as possible on your ASVAB assessments to give yourself the most opportunities.  GOOD LUCK to you.

I agree wholeheartedly here.  I've been in over 18 years now, and I can say that if you don't want to be an aircrew member like me- a firefighter or combat search and rescue would be the next best thing.  Just make damn sure you get it guaranteed BEFORE you leave for basic training at Lackland AFB.  Nevermind the naysayers- you'll be damned proud you did put a uniform on and serve your country with pride someday.  I've never regretted it for a second, and I'm in the twilight of my military career now- just a few more years to go.

GO AIR FORCE!

Bradley

[Arthu®]

How old are you again?

Arthur

[draftingmonkey]

Marines - They are Poor, have no money and treat their people like CRAP!

Spent 7 years in the Corps and I'll have to disagree with that.  I was treated very well during my time.  Met some great people.  I have found no matter where you work there are a**holes that sometimes you have to work with. And Marines are very adapt at making do with less.

JFK said "Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country". The high ideal of wanting to serve is all that matters in my book.  I will respect you not matter what branch you serve in. You will also find out that it takes about 20 people in service support areas to support 1 troop on the line.  So no matter what service and what job you eventually choose to go into, it will be IMPORTANT to that guy at the front.  As for leadership,  they come and go.  If we only served under good leaders, then everyone would have left the military years ago. The President may be The Commander in Chief, but it is America and her citizens, including military, who you truly serve.

I will now get off my high horse.

[Mean 318]

How old are you again?

Arthur

18