[JtH]

Well recently with the way things were going in my life i decided to join a branch of the us military. I decided on the marines after talking with a recruiter for 3 hours today at my house.

I know many of you Villuns have been in military service and what not so i would like to hear your opinions on this decision and your own decision to join the military.

My choice to join the marines was picked because out of all the branches of military i have looked into, the marines seemed to offer me the most.

So please give me your opinion because honestly its need to know info for me and will help me make the best decision possible.
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[kubrick]

Depends on what you want kind of job field you want to do and whether that can get you a job in the real world when you get out. In some of the other branches(navy,air force) you can learn more technical jobs, but there is just something about being a marine that makes you a cut above the rest.

I'm obviously biased because I was in the marines. They have the toughest basic training of any of the armed forces and I think you feel like you accomplished something that not a lot of other people have.

Just make sure you pick a field you would want to do. Cause 4 years of something you hate could feel like 20.

And I know you like to drink a bit You'll have plenty of mornings showing up to a 5:30am formation still drunk from the night before. Ahhh...those were the days.


EDIT: As an east coaster, I would not recommend NOT going to boot camp in the summer(parris Island, SC). Luckily , I was a hollywood Marine, it may have not been humid, but we had some freaking hills to climb(Mt. Motherfu**er).

Plus, you'll make some of the closest friends you have ever made in your life. I still keep in touch with guys I was in with.

More Edit: Plus you get get to shoot freaking machine guns, throw grenades and blow shit up!!!!!!! Sure there is stuff that sucks, but I don't regret joining at all.

[_-=Did It Hurt=-_]

My cousin was a lifer in the marines.

Air force is cool with alot of life learning skills, my daughter is in the Navy Res. The Air Force and the Navy always have hot chow.

Just think about it more then one night, then if your sure, give the 100%. A man makes good and bad decisions in life but what makes him a man is the follow thru.

The Marines WILL break you down to build you up again.
My cousin was a hell raiser and came back quite different.
But he was a good man that you could count on and he got alot out of it.

You could also, just be mentally ready to deal with it.

Once a Marine always a Marine

Good Luck on your first major question in life.
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The Proud, the Few, US-V or The Ville Supporters (V$)!!

[Rebel_Rouser]

I say congrats Jack
Coming from a military family and 4 years of Army rotc i know a lot about the military. Prepare to get in the best shape of your life cause the Marine bootcamp is hardest of the other branches. But you will become familar with once a marine always a marine, and every marine is a fighting man, and it is true. Good Luck and Semper Fi.
P.S If you have not already watch the movie HeartBreak Ridge, starring Clint Eastwood great marine movie
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Longest Running Show in Broadway History 1/9/06

[Psychotic]

I was Navy, I had an absolute blast. I tell anyone that asks that the military is the way to go. I learned more in the 4 years that I was in the Navy, than the 4 years I spent in college! (cept I got a degree from college)
I learned to do every job I could within my rate, and ended up attached to the SOC for the last 2 years of my service. I dealt with Force Recon (Marines Special Forces) for 6 months. Let me tell you, those are some serious badasses! You hear some stories about Marines being in a different branch of the service, but they completely changed my opinion of the typical Marine!
Try to do something within the service that you can do when you get out, don't be a ground pounder aka bullet catcher. Mechanic, Aviation Mechanic, Data Systems Tech or something like that... hell be a linguist like Az!!!
If you play your cards right, your service can be some of the best years of your life... I have stories upon stories and memories I would not trade for anything from my 4 years! Oh, yeah... I learned something while I was there too!!

GL man, I wish you the best!! You should have an absolute blast!
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If you are reading this, thank a teacher. If you are reading this in english, thank a veteran!

[ROOFCUTTER]

Neither do I strongbad But my dad was going to kill me when I chose marines over the navy...he was a Master Chief.

Just be prepared to go get your ass shot at. open eyes required at this time.

It will certainly change your life. what ever we tell you and what you think you are thinking will go out the window when you experince it yourself. It is easy or hard based on what type of person you are. Easy is a relative term

Speak to all the recruiters though. Dont stop at the Marines table Move on to the others too. The other services do offer more brain food for later.

Semper Fi Mac! once a marine always a marine
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Only in America......do they have drive-up ATM machines with Braille lettering.

[Smegma]

congrats man i`m not american but i i spent 7 years in the candian army .Was a good shot , went on my recce course then my sniper course and on the rifle team in between (went to camp perry a couple of times to compete) but alot that does me out here in the real world. so pick your trade carefully.but there is nothing better than being a grunt. i enjoyed every minute of it and my only regret was getting out...and yes you will make some great freinds along the way. once a brother always a brother.

good luck and enjoy


ps if you become a lifer or not you will learn traits that will make you a better person all around . don`t know where i would be if i had not joined but i do know that i`m a better person for joining and going through what i went through you just learn certain things and when trying to explain this to a civi they just don`t get it.

no offense to anybody who has not served but the peeps who have know what i`m talking about.
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RIP- BlueRuler

[Verman]

Congrats dude!
Thoughful and heartfelt commentary by all who have posted. Do think about your career choice as far as schooling, on the assumption you qualify for something other than a grunt. Glad to have a few as my friends. Always thought the full dress Marine uniform was the sharpest looking one of the group.

I look back fondly on the 5+ years I spent in the Navy, a long time ago. Taught me a lot, and gave me a good foundation for the future that has become my present.

In spite of what may be the opinions of some loud-mouths in this country, a far greater number do appreciate the effort of all the men & women who volunteer in service to this country.
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Your suffering will be legendary, even in hell.

[KopiKat]

To tell you the truth Jack I too have been considering joining the US Marine Corps, for what i would bet are similar reasons. I'm by no means solid on this decision, but I'm definately entertaining the idea.

I believe joining the marines is like joining a family, a family that will protect and care for you and one whom you can be proud to serve with and even die with. The Marines are a very honorable band of brothers, and i believe that you would fit with them like a glove. There is the danger of death, but then again, there is always the danger of dying, everywhere. Its a tough decision, and whichever you take will lead you down a different path. The marines open alot of doors for you mate, any decision you make concerning the US Military will most likely be a good one.

-KK

P.S. Oh yeah, and dont forget, you can still go to college afterwards
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[Speaker's Xeno]

my bro wanted to join the marines but they didnt accept him when he failed the physical. as for one of my uncle he joined the marines and was a grunt(at least i think that was it). another uncle joined the army. idk what he did. and one of my gp was in the navy...idk what he did and i dont think he does anymore(alzheimer's) and my other grandpa was in the airforce as a technician. ...lots of relatives in teh military and lots of friends in it also and no matter what happens i will love and support them all even in the worst of situtations
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[Potato-VS-]

I dont believe your decision will limit you in future possibilities (though I dont really know about the relations with the different branches of the US Military - I heard that in some ways there are "grudges" but nothing too serious, everyone gets along fairly well ). Im pretty sure that future decisions - such as special forces - will not be effected by this choice.

GL and HF .

[Mr.Kason Allen]

Way to go Jack I myself was thinking about joining the airforce after school but thats my deal. Hope you enjoy
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Over your dead body!

[Azrael]

Hey Jack, Glad to hear that you've decided to put service to your country high in your priority list. As many of the other villuns here, I was also a Marine, having just recently exited the Marine Corps last April. I can say from my experience there that while it might not always have been fun, it was definitely worth the time. I know many people from many services are offering you excellent advice, just remember that while you should take stock of a situation from all angles, eventually your decision is going to be based on what your gut tells you. I joined up because every man that I looked up to in my life had been a Marine, and I felt they offered me more in the way of personal challenges than any of the other services. I also wanted to do alot of traveling, and they told me that if I joined I would get to have many cruises on Americas finest ships, but we won't hold that against them Don't pigeonhole yourself by only looking at one service though. All the services have something to offer, and some services are better at others at offering a certain type of job, so once you've decided what kind of job you want, figure out who is going to give it to you, and how much help you're going to get in reaching that goal. Last but not least, read every word of that contract, once you do decide on what to do. If it isn't in writing on your contract, then whatever was promised to you will be just a pipe dream. Like StrongBad said, dude! You get to blow stuff up, and shoot some pretty cool weapons!

P.S. Here are some of my favorite definitions for U.S.M.C. that I've seen over the years:

U
Signed the
Mother F#%^#n
Contract

Uncle Sam's Misguided Children

And of course

Marine = My Ass Rides In Navy Equipment
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Under construction!!!

[Kjeldorian Royal Guard 42]

I was a military brat growing up on Fort Ord Military base in Monterey Cali. After being around all that as a kid and moving endlessly, I wanted nothing to do with it. But everyone is different.

If you are without children, it's the best time to join I would think. It's much, much harder with children depending on the circumstances. I'm no expert, I was simply a child of a parent in the airforce.

Everyone I have ever met that was in the military did get something positive out of it.

In either case, my profound respect to anyone who decides to defend me and mine. GL with your decision.
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