I'm signing up!!

theguythatownsyou · 09-10-2008, 07:52 PM

Hey all. I am 17 years old...and just recently got the notion to join the military. The Marine Corps sounds like the brach for me... My parents don't really know what to think. (I'm very "intellegent" and "popular", so they assumed I would be going straight into college) Around here, there is a steriotype that those who join the armed forces do so because they are incapable of succeeding in other occupations...in the "real world". Noone really saw it coming...and all I have really gotten as a response is "Why are you joining the Marines?" There are a few teachers that are encouraging me, though. The teacher I am closest with, Coach Hall, is the marketing teacher. He is trying to talk me into it, big time. I am going to go into the marketing/advertising field in the long run..(laying out ad-campaigns, etc) I was wondering...is there an MOS that would suit me better than others? My local recruiter isn't too capable of really giving me much advice. I would love to do something related in some way to my job interests, but I'm not hesitant about being deployed. I am also undecided on a few issues...Active or Reserves...and length of enlistment. Any help or advice anyone could give me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance,

Michael

icdballer27 · 09-10-2008, 08:14 PM

every consider NROTC? Study whatever you want in college and graduate with a degree and become a Marine

crazysteve · 09-10-2008, 08:25 PM

First Good luck, it will the most fun and the crapest exp of your life sometimes just minutes apart. Don't worry you will see every intelligence level (ok, not really you are going into the Marines

), race, creed, and city/hick. Trust me you will see it all.

This type of decision must not be taken lightly though. Commit 100% or don't even try. Look at all the services. They are all unique and offer different things. The Army (what I know) offers larger bonus and faster promotion if you're worth a damn. And if you go 11B Infantry or 19D Cav. Scout, you'll be with a bunch of high speed individuals that are at the same level as a Marine in a bat. For non-combat, such as what you were mentioning, I do believe there are some fields in journalism or once you get done with tng, volunteer to work in Brigade S-3, you'll put plenty of stupid **** together.(For the love of God under no circumstances do this

I would suggest at least 3 years, so that you able to take advantage of the full GI Bill benefits.

If you have any more ? ask away
Thomas

theguythatownsyou · 09-10-2008, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icdballer27

every consider NROTC? Study whatever you want in college and graduate with a degree and become a Marine

I've heard of it. It sounds awesome. Do you have any more details/info on it?

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazysteve

First Good luck, it will the most fun and the crapest exp of your life sometimes just minutes apart. Don't worry you will see every intelligence level (ok, not really you are going into the Marines

), race, creed, and city/hick. Trust me you will see it all.

This type of decision must not be taken lightly though. Commit 100% or don't even try. Look at all the services. They are all unique and offer different things. The Army (what I know) offers larger bonus and faster promotion if you're worth a damn. And if you go 11B Infantry or 19D Cav. Scout, you'll be with a bunch of high speed individuals that are at the same level as a Marine in a bat. For non-combat, such as what you were mentioning, I do believe there are some fields in journalism or once you get done with tng, volunteer to work in Brigade S-3, you'll put plenty of stupid **** together.(For the love of God under no circumstances do this

I would suggest at least 3 years, so that you able to take advantage of the full GI Bill benefits.

If you have any more ? ask away
Thomas

I'm definitely not dead set on Marines, yet. The bonuses of the Army sound nice...I could really use that money. I'm going to try to not let that sway my decision, though. I have considered journalism. I DO NOT want any certain MOS in order to get myself out of "real combat" situations, though... Do the Marine Corps jornalists carry a rifle like the rest? I'm not sure what you mean about that Brigade S-3, could you clarify?

Thanks a lot.

JackH (Banned) · 09-10-2008, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theguythatownsyou

I've heard of it. It sounds awesome. Do you have any more details/info on it?

I'm definitely not dead set on Marines, yet. The bonuses of the Army sound nice...I could really use that money. I'm going to try to not let that sway my decision, though. I have considered journalism. I DO NOT want any certain MOS in order to get myself out of "real combat" situations, though... Do the Marine Corps jornalists carry a rifle like the rest? I'm not sure what you mean about that Brigade S-3, could you clarify?

Thanks a lot.

First, don't enlist on a whim

Secondly, The Enlistment bonuses vary per service, the Army ones aren't that great, and if you want to do PA, join the Air Force or Navy. and to answer your question about the marines, every Marine is a rifleman first.

theguythatownsyou · 09-10-2008, 09:13 PM

I wouldn't call it a whim. It's more of an epiphany, lol. I'm definitely going to be sure of what I do before I do it. It's just..as soon as I thought about it, I knew right then that it was what I want to do. I do understand that it's the one of the biggest commitments you can make, and that I have to be prepared for it. I just think it's my duty to join the armed forces. It would be an awesome experience...and a right of passge at the same time.

I'm bad with acronymns. What is meant by "PA"?

crazysteve · 09-10-2008, 09:30 PM

The S-3 is the operations cell for the Brigade/battalion. They do the planning of operations and such. As a lower enlisted it will absolutely suck the life out of you. It was an inside joke of sorts. As far as bonuses in the Army goes its dependent upon the MOS. Some MOS wont get you jack and others can draw 20k. Dont select a job based on the bonus though.

Thomas

yello ducc · 09-10-2008, 09:39 PM

i'd recommend college first though....even in the military education counts

WarCzar · 09-10-2008, 09:45 PM

True yello ducc, but mostly if you are staying in past the first enlistment, for the Navy at least. But its always better to have your Edu. paid for by someone else.

The ROTC programs are great, and you will enter service as an Officer. Has its perks I guess. Some of the O's here can probably tell you more.

theguythatownsyou · 09-10-2008, 09:46 PM

I've heard a few times about programs in which you go to basic training, go to college and participate in rotc, and when you graduate you are automatically an officer. Does anyone know anything about this program?

berserker19 · 09-10-2008, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yello ducc

i'd recommend college first though....even in the military education counts

I disagree. Unless you are planning on becoming an officer, it makes more sense to enlist for a three year term first. After three years active duty you are eligible for the new GI bill, which is basically a full ride scholarship..

WarCzar · 09-10-2008, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by berserker19

I disagree. Unless you are planning on becoming an officer, it makes more sense to enlist for a three year term first. After three years active duty you are eligible for the new GI bill, which is basically a full ride scholarship..

Have the changes for the GI bill gone into effect for people who are out already? Im hearing it goes up in June? which wont effect the guy, just curious.

berserker19 · 09-10-2008, 10:00 PM

The full new bill goes into effect next fall. However, the rates have gone up considerably for this year. Full time rate is at $1321 right now. If you already paid 1200 or more into the MGIB and go to school full time in the future you will eventually get that money back too. www.gibill2008.org

JackH (Banned) · 09-10-2008, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by berserker19

The full new bill goes into effect next fall. However, the rates have gone up considerably for this year. Full time rate is at $1321 right now. If you already paid 1200 or more into the MGIB and go to school full time in the future you will eventually get that money back too. www.gibill2008.org

I'm glad Im done with school already

theubernoob · 09-11-2008, 07:23 AM

i'd go to college first. maybe do the rotc program.

berserker19 · 09-11-2008, 07:56 AM

I'm guessing all you guys who say 'would do college first' have rich parents, because last time I checked it costs $50,000+ to go to college. The full ROTC scholarships are hard to get. Also, unless you are going officer, a college degree won't help you much as an enlisted man. Civilian education for promotion credit maxes out at about the two year mark, and only counts for 100 points in the Army.

theubernoob · 09-11-2008, 08:01 AM

just cuz we're telling him to go to college first doesn't mean anything. i don't have rich parents and i didn't have the money to go to a normal college. but you better believe i'm gonna bust my *** so my kids can go to a normal college cuz thats the best option.

berserker19 · 09-11-2008, 08:05 AM

Understood. But think about this: If you are planning on enlisting in the Army, it would be stupid to go to college first and enlist afterwards, because be doing it the other way around college would be paid for with the GI bill (saving you and your parents a ton of money). They have loan repayment programs too, but they suck.

KingTomis · 09-11-2008, 11:25 AM

The closest thing to marketing/PR work that I can think of is 37F, psyop.

http://www.goarmy.com/JobDetail.do?id=7

I'm enlisting as a 37f

theubernoob · 09-11-2008, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by berserker19

Understood. But think about this: If you are planning on enlisting in the Army, it would be stupid to go to college first and enlist afterwards, because be doing it the other way around college would be paid for with the GI bill (saving you and your parents a ton of money). They have loan repayment programs too, but they suck.

true. but i figure if you go to college first you can become an officer and you have time to think about what you want to do with your life. just like a buffer period for your mind to mature a little bit

sharpshooter109 · 09-11-2008, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by berserker19

Understood. But think about this: If you are planning on enlisting in the Army, it would be stupid to go to college first and enlist afterwards, because be doing it the other way around college would be paid for with the GI bill (saving you and your parents a ton of money). They have loan repayment programs too, but they suck.

He could get an rotc scholarship in which they pay for everthing in exchange of you serving as an officer for 6 years.