I have been thinking of joining the Marines, and I talk to the recruiter again

on Monday, but I want to know if there is anyone here who is a Marine?

What were your experiences?

I'm not, but have 2 brothers who are. All I can say is, they wouldn't do anything else. Ever. Whenever they visit, it is unbelievable the amount of respect and honour they get around here when in uniform. I'll give them a call and see if they will post under my username with their experiences, both will be in it for the long haul. Career Marines, if there is such a thing, you will always be a Marine.

There are quite a few memeber who are Marines, and I am sure they will chime in shortly. Right now I need to make a couple phone calls.

Hmmm, let me see. I think Marinefiero might be a Marine. Give him a PM. (I am not sure what is capitalized in his user name).

Jim

Old school to you, and Maryjane is really old school Marine.

The Corp has it good and bad points. Loved my time in, even with the bad.
It's not for everyone. Deff make sure you want to be a Marine and this isn't a decision based on something else in your life.
Don't do it to run away from anything.

If you have specific questions fire away

Combat Engineer 86-91

Are you good enough to be one of us?

That's the only question you need answered and I can't do it for ya. Look within.

Semper Fidelis, Always Faithful.

One must have served to understand.

The Marines are looking for a few good men. Though a marketing phrase, it is in fact the truth. Not everyone wants to be a Marine and not everyone has what it takes to be a Marine. Yes, recruit training is tough or at least was. Chesty Puller would have it no other way. Separating the weak from the strong, building you into something worthy to defend our flag, our freedom, this country and those who can't or won't defend themselves. But, as a Marine, your real challenges begin the day you proudly report into your first unit, the day you and your fellow Marines get orders to deploy to some god forsaken part of the world no one else gives a damn about and you go willingly wagering everything you hold dear to protect something you beleive in with all your heart and soul. You realize you're serving with the finest fighting force ever. There is nothing like being a Marine, some will reject you, they don't have what it takes. Life will never be the same once you earn the Globe and Anchor.

No will ever tell you being a Marine was easy, it was never meant to be that way.

Ron

[This message has been edited by blackrams (edited 06-21-2009).]

quote Originally posted by maryjane: Are you good enough to be one of us? That's the only question you need answered and I can't do it for ya. Look within.

Let me ask. How would one know?
I thought one would know if they passed boot camp/basic training ..... what is Marine starting training called ?
leppy, I have never been in any branch of the service. I grew up as a military brat and hated always moving. I have relatives all over the world. Were I to enlist, which I can no longer do, I would want to (try) to be a Marine.

I could troll in here with my funny "Air Force vs Marines" pics but I won't. I have a lot of respect for the Marines I've known but I can say, in all honesty, that the Marines weren't for me.

I've known a few Marines personally and to a man, each one was a great man, and a crazy mofo.

'Nuff said.

Carry on...

[This message has been edited by OKflyboy (edited 06-20-2009).]

I, m a hard corp Marine!! Nothing you do in your life will compare to the day you recieve your Eagle Globe & Anchor on the grinder at Parris Island or San diego ,, the training is tough but will instill in you a pride & spirit in Corp & country unknown to you now.
You will change,, ,your attitude will change ..There is more demanding physical training ,,but no other training instills the pride and love of country that the Recruit learns in USMC recruit training .. I love the U.S.Marines ..I have never loved a woman as I do the Marine corp

NO one can help you with the mental requirements ,,the inner GUTS needed to complete recruit training..Your first day you will think ,, what have I got myself into !! but if you go to recruit training in good shape you should have no problem ,,make sure you can run 3 miles easily & do at least 6 REAL dead drop pull ups..the rest will be easy..You will be sorry you joined the Marines in the first few weeks of recruit training ,,no lie G.I. !! but so proud when you complete basic recruit training..
Because of the need for quick reaction forces around the world ,,your chance of travel are greater to the medditeranian ,, to the far east..not exactly a luxo cruise ship ,but many different ports will be visited,,AND you will have more chance of seeing combat in the Corp.. THIS is the good not to missed part of the corp..your chances of injury is not to be taken litely..

as you drive thru any large city you will see more Marine corp stickers on cars than all other branches combined !! why is this???

[This message has been edited by uhlanstan (edited 06-20-2009).]

ive lost a few good friends who became marines,
they both got the "im better than you" cocky attitude and i could not put up with their arrogance

please if you do become one, dont be that guy,....

quote Originally posted by $Rich$: ive lost a few good friends who became marines, they both got the "im better than you" cocky attitude and i could not put up with their arrogance please if you do become one, dont be that guy,....

Common among boots (just out of boot camp) They should mellow with age.
But there is a change among all who make it. Cocky? maybe, Self assured yes, confident yes.

One more thing, boot camp is the easy part. It's only 3 months long. Once you hit the fleet the runs can get longer, humps longer and hotter.
And as my recruiter told me. You will see combat or be in a combat zone. Marines always go where life is interesting.

quote Originally posted by Uaana: Marines always go where life is interesting.

Perhaps because they make it interesting, .

quote Originally posted by topher_time: I'm not, but have 2 brothers who are. All I can say is, they wouldn't do anything else. Ever. Whenever they visit, it is unbelievable the amount of respect and honour they get around here when in uniform. I'll give them a call and see if they will post under my username with their experiences, both will be in it for the long haul. Career Marines, if there is such a thing, you will always be a Marine. There are quite a few memeber who are Marines, and I am sure they will chime in shortly. Right now I need to make a couple phone calls.

That would be awesome if they would, but if they can't, it is okay.

I've always respected those who were in the military. If it weren't for

those who serve and sacrifice, nothing I know would be as good as it is.

quote Originally posted by Uaana: The Corp has it good and bad points...

What were some of the bad points that you experienced? If you don't mind.

quote Originally posted by maryjane: Are you good enough to be one of us? That's the only question you need answered and I can't do it for ya. Look within.

I have a strong back, a strong mind, and a will that is unbreakable. I've had

challenges all my life, and I feed on it. I thrive when I am pushed to my limit,

I love proving to myself just how much I can take. I feel I'm good enough.

The Crucible will just be the tip of the iceberg.

quote Originally posted by uhlanstan: I, m a hard corp Marine!! Nothing you do in your life will compare to the day you recieve your Eagle Globe & Anchor on the grinder at Parris Island or San diego ,, the training is tough but will instill in you a pride & spirit in Corp & country unknown to you now. You will change,, ,your attitude will change ..There is more demanding physical training ,,but no other training instills the pride and love of country that the Recruit learns in USMC recruit training .. I love the U.S.Marines ..I have never loved a woman as I do the Marine corp NO one can help you with the mental requirements ,,the inner GUTS needed to complete recruit training..Your first day you will think ,, what have I got myself into !! but if you go to recruit training in good shape you should have no problem ,,make sure you can run 3 miles easily & do at least 6 REAL dead drop pull ups..the rest will be easy..You will be sorry you joined the Marines in the first few weeks of recruit training ,,no lie G.I. !! but so proud when you complete basic recruit training.. Because of the need for quick reaction forces around the world ,,your chance of travel are greater to the medditeranian ,, to the far east..not exactly a luxo cruise ship ,but many different ports will be visited,,AND you will have more chance of seeing combat in the Corp.. THIS is the good not to missed part of the corp..your chances of injury is not to be taken litely..

I like the fact that the Marines are more physically demanding than the other branches. I like being pushed,

and I like the feeling of being worn down like that. It makes you feel alive, it reminds you that you are alive.

It makes the end, the rest, that much more worth it. And I'm not ignoring the fact that being a Marine might

get me sent closer to hostile areas than the other branches. But I feel like Marines are prepared for the situations

well. I may walk down the street tomorrow and get shot and robbed. With the Marines, I'll be trained to keep

myself as safe as possible.

quote Originally posted by $Rich$: ive lost a few good friends who became marines, they both got the "im better than you" cocky attitude and i could not put up with their arrogance please if you do become one, dont be that guy,....

I'll never think I am better than anyone but my enemies.

If you are prepaing yourself to protect yourself from a mugging........someone could have a gun.
If you are preparing yourself to serve your Country become a Marine a Sailor {either branch though the Coast Guard is probably more dangerous now than it was when I served in the Navy.
Or become a Army guy or an Air Force cadet.
Any of them..........You will have served this Great Country and feel proud afterwards.
We never know in this age what Branch will be in the greatest danger.
If you are looking for excitement you might be disappointed depending where the action is.
Quite honestly I didn't think I had the guts to be a Marine.
Back in the 50's there were horror stories coming out of Paris Island that made you shy away from even boot camp.
I think they have toned it down a little now to where you at least don't get washed out before finishing Basic.
Chicken??? I guess I was.
But IF you join the Navy learn how to swim before you go to Boot Camp...because before you finish that you WILL learn how.
Good luck whichever you chose.
It sounds like you want to be a Marine.
There are alot of Marines on this Forum and I thank them.
But other Branches are represented also....I I thank them too.
Good Luck and keep safe............Cliff

quote Originally posted by never2old: If you are prepaing yourself to protect yourself from a mugging........someone could have a gun. If you are preparing yourself to serve your Country become a Marine a Sailor {either branch though the Coast Guard is probably more dangerous now than it was when I served in the Navy. Or become a Army guy or an Air Force cadet. Any of them..........You will have served this Great Country and feel proud afterwards. We never know in this age what Branch will be in the greatest danger. If you are looking for excitement you might be disappointed depending where the action is. Quite honestly I didn't think I had the guts to be a Marine. Back in the 50's there were horror stories coming out of Paris Island that made you shy away from even boot camp. I think they have toned it down a little now to where you at least don't get washed out before finishing Basic. Chicken??? I guess I was. But IF you join the Navy learn how to swim before you go to Boot Camp...because before you finish that you WILL learn how. Good luck whichever you chose. It sounds like you want to be a Marine. There are alot of Marines on this Forum and I thank them. But other Branches are represented also....I I thank them too. Good Luck and keep safe............Cliff

I'm not joining the Marines to protect myself from muggings. I was using it as an analogy that

I can die just as easy on the street as I could being in the military. I do like the idea of serving

the country. I can't say I'm not looking for excitement, but what is more exciting to me is having

the comradery between fellow servicemen. I've never felt like I've been a part of something before.

I am indeed a Marine. What do you wanna know?

quote Originally posted by $Rich$: they both got the "im better than you" cocky attitude and i could not put up with their arrogance please if you do become one, dont be that guy,....

Gee, can't imagine where they got that from. Tarawa-Tripoli-Khe San-Guadalcanal-Falluja-Chosin? Hard to say.

quote Originally posted by MarineFiero: I am indeed a Marine. What do you wanna know?

Any information you have for someone who would want to join.

Has it been a good experience for you? What have you gotten

out of being a Marine? I don't know how old you are, but what

did your family feel about it? Just anything you feel like sayin'.

Have you visited http://www.leatherneck.com/forums/ ?
Scroll down to Marine Corps Recruit Forum--near the bottom. This site is privately owned and not an official USMC website. About Marines-for Marines-run by Marines.

I am a marine. I was in the air wing. Worked as a mechanic on KC-130's, and went around the world several times. I was in from 85-93. I was never a "wanna be"- I had no fasination with weapons (well, other than aircraft!), I enjoyed what I did, and did it with pride. To me, if you want to be one of the best, be a Marine. The leadership skills I learned in the Marines (OK, maybe the Marines enhanced what I had, but anyway....) have served me very well in the civillian life. I am third generation Marine, there was never any doubt that I would do anything else.

Pick an interesting MOS, and join. The Marines don't promise you **** , and they will make more of you than you can imagine.

Semper Fi

Ikester.................were you ever stationed at Kaneohe???????????

No, but I did spend a year on Okinawa (well, my bags were alwyas packed and I supported the economy in Korea, the PI, Tailand, Guam, etc....)

quote Originally posted by maryjane: Have you visited http://www.leatherneck.com/forums/ ? Scroll down to Marine Corps Recruit Forum--near the bottom. This site is privately owned and not an official USMC website. About Marines-for Marines-run by Marines.

This is GREAT! Thank you so much. There is a lot of useful information here.

Definitely going to have to spend some time on here reading.

I wouldn't be the man I am today, without the Corps. You won't regret it. -Jason

------------------
A coward dies a thousand deaths..................A soldier dies but once.

quote Originally posted by Fierofreak00: I wouldn't be the man I am today, without the Corps. You won't regret it. -Jason

I've never met a Marine that did not feel the same way.

But, leppy--examine yourself and what you expect to get and give. This is not to be taken lightly--it can be both life altering and life ending. Odds are, you WILL eventually deploy to an area of "less-than-friendly"- conditions.
Remember that word--'deploy'. You will hear it again--and again.
(on orders)

.......................................
Marine till the day I die--and then I will just be a dead Marine.

quote Originally posted by maryjane: I've never met a Marine that did not feel the same way. But, leppy--examine yourself and what you expect to get and give. This is not to be taken lightly--it can be both life altering and life ending. Odds are, you WILL eventually deploy to an area of "less-than-friendly"- conditions. Remember that word--'deploy'. You will hear it again--and again. (on orders) ....................................... Marine till the day I die--and then I will just be a dead Marine.

This is a big commitment, and that I am absolutely not trying to avoid. I have thought it over,

and I have no commitments in my life. I am not married, I don't have bills, and my job I could

leave tomorrow. And along with the losing your life, this is also something that doesn't not

bother me as much as it bothers others. I WILL die of something. Whether I like it or not. I

am very much accepting of death. I'm not crazy enough to not be scared, but its nothing I

avoid thinking about. I can think of no greater honor than serving the country which has given

me every opportunity I've had. I want the respect, I want the discipline, I want the stories, I

want honor, and I want the commradery that grows with the people I'm with.


I talked to the recruiter about an hour ago. I'll be signed up for being a Marine by the end of next week.

We wil be waiting and watching...........course you won't be on here for a few weeks I would imagine........Good luck again.......Cliff

It takes guts to even make the decision. The real tough part comes with following through. You'll have help with that one though. The Drill Instructors will feel like your worst enemy and it will seem they are just out to try and make your life hell.

They are and they will, but they are also there to guide you along your transformation. Keep your mouth shut, eyes front and ears open, do what is told as quickly as possible and respond as loudly as possible and you will be fine. Do not shy away from "billets" like squad leader, guide or scribe, and people will say volunteer for nothing but I think the opposite.

You can do boot camp 2 ways. Just make your way through and avoid the DI's even remembering your name, or shine as bright as you can and forget about the possibility of getting in trouble. You will be yelled at, pitted, run around, played with either way.

I chose to shine and I feel like I got more out of boot camp then those that chose to fade away. (I was the Scribe. Hard job but god for pro/cons)

If you need anything at all, please be sure to take down my address and you can send me a letter anytime. I'll be sure to get back as quick as possible.

Cpl Brad Mamalis
16030 English Oaks Ave Apt A
Bowie, MD 20716

Good luck!

(ps. take a small pocket bible even if you aren't religious. they can't take that away from you and there are a bunch of blank pages that serve perfect as an address book! God won't mind.)

MarineFiero..........you are one cool Marine. I liked your advice on the Bible {God won't mind} HE may be the only friend you will have for a few days.
Good straight talk.
Although I was in the Navy ,27 months were spent at the Marine Corp Air Station in Kaneohe, Hawaii.
I made severeal Marine friends {though we depised by the Marines, I thought}
One reason for being hated was the fact that we were "emergency crews" on the crash boats that attended the young pilots if they crashed at sea.
Sadly , they numbered about once a month in a pattern of three.
If I wasn't on duty and arrived with those who were, I would find a Marine that I knew and wait in chow line with him.
We had to serve three months of our tour of duty there in the mess hall so I had met the friends there.
Normally if you are nice to people, they will respond to you in a nice way.
I still have contact with one here in Michigan. So the friendship has lasted over 52years.

Was HMH-463 at Kaneohe when you were there Cliff? CH-53 squadron.

hoorah kill getsome!

im navy, so yea yea. i come close and kinda count right?

------------------
First LX9 Fiero GT, 1987 | My Fiero Fuel Economy | MPG Display for OBD I
Youtube Videos of My GT | 87 GT Inside Test Run | 3500 Fiero GT Test Run 01
3500 Fiero GT Test Run 02 | 3500 Fiero GT Test Run 03 | 3500 Fiero GT Test Run 04
If you can't fix it with a hammer, you've got an electrical problem
Fiero's are people too. We pay just as much attention to them, if not more than our loved ones
screw paying those bastards. im not going to become rich by paying for things.....

The Marine Corps may be part of the Department of the Navy, but they are "The Men's Department".

All kidding aside, anyone who serves has my utmost respect, but aside from my fellow submariners, Marines are at the top of my list. I wish you the best.

[This message has been edited by 2birds (edited 06-23-2009).]

Don......................Not sure what squadrons were there.............I mean we are talking propeller driven aircraft..........Sabre jets, T-33 trainer and OLD stuff like that.
I can't recall what it was but I think the A4D which had the afterburner.
We used to sit at the end of the runway while they practiced aircraft carrier landings.
Some became disorentiented {vertigo} at night and crashed.
We picked up the parts .....of planes and pilots.
So I would think the proper heading for them would have been VH someting or other
They did have a helicopter squadron there also.....but then again we are talking OLD looking stuff.

Opps--I forget you predate me a "few" years. HMH463 left Vietnam and home based in Hawaii in mid 1971. Marine helos at Hawaii during your tour would have been CH34s if even anything that new. They came about somertime after Korea.

If I hadn't said it before, I did a stint in the US Navy after I did my 4 yrs in the Marines. Don't talk about it much as it was a disappointment to me, tho I did enjoy my tour in Westpac abourd DD 964. I did not enjoy my 2 years in Guantanamo Bay Cuba. Left Cuba in 75, and got shore duty Pcola.

I had a job connected to yours one time--years after you did it for real. Ran small boats @ NAS Pensacola Fla. Pilots in training would be dropped in to Pensacola Bay from a Navy helo--about 4' off the water--in a long line. They would inflate their survival gear, do whatever else they were required to do, and then we would start down the line, and haul them aboard the 50' small boats one at a time. We used some sort of special ring they would grab, and we would swing them aboard while we kept moving toward the next pilot-in-training. Other days, we stood off, as one helo dropped them, then another came in and hoisted them up, so they could get trained in being rescued by helo. Our job in that instance, was to provide rescue if something caused the helo to have to make a water landing. Thankfully--that never happened.

Sending a PM.......don't want to bore the original thread { if I am}

2birds.....................submarines huh.
Well I respect you also.
Don't know if I could hack the confinement of that.
I kinda like fresh air.
{remember now we are talking old} but I met a guy who had been recruited during WW2 that was in the subs that didn't know how to swim.
Perhaps then they didn't make them learn, or figured if you had trouble in a sub you were a goner anyways {?}
What's the latest Leppy?

In any branch of the service you will be required to pick up after others..some one has to sweep the squad bay, to clean up the mess hall,to pick up papers ciggarrette butts, clean the latrine,,paint.. that some one will be you ..Never join the Marines for benefits,,they will be there for you college.help with home ownership,,there are other branches for this.. I actually enjoyed a long yomp in the Rain ..I rejoiced in the physical activity and was surprised that some did not like pain.ha ha..
You can request a certain type of training with in the limits of the corp and your ability,,try to match what you want to, what they have .. I was a mechanic when I join the corp ,,they tried to make me an aircraft mechanic I went to the artillery & Infantry.
The infantry is very rough ,,..much more strick discipline,,The men in charge of you are not all pleasant Alan Alda sweethearts ..so choose something you would like to do ,, Many Infantrymen who serve in peace time wanted job training,,you will not have this problem..ha ha
the skills you learn in the Infantry can be transfered to security & police work,,it is a harsh mean school.even if you do not see combat you will be injured !! ..not all ,but some NCOs make infantry training like a cruel football camp (hmmm wonder who?)
In boot camp and especially at ITR ,,do not miss a weapons class I love firing 50s ,machine guns ,rocket launchers ,grenades and hand to hand combat..I use to teach these classes,, ,fall asleep during 4 hour map reading,(a major yawn),but learn at the weapons class you may go to an MOS where you drive the generals 17 year old daughter around,, and never fire these weapons,, before the general sends you to the aleutian islands to guard the seals & ice flows

[This message has been edited by uhlanstan (edited 06-27-2009).]

Could be wrong, but I don't think the Marines call it ITR any more. Probably no Staging Battalion either.

Leppy_89, congrats and good luck with your decision, but most of all, thank you.

Please do remember who the real enemies are, and also who the friends are. Never forget that ALL of our branches are on the SAME side, and every one of them do their respective parts to protect our country. No one is 'better' and no one is 'worse', just have different types of jobs to accomplish that same goal.

Now go learn how to protect, serve, and kick some butt!

-Former AT3, USN

[This message has been edited by ALLTRBO (edited 06-28-2009).]

No one has mentioned...You may die.
You may end up somewhere you don't want to be. Doing something you don't understand.
Don't get into a situation where the guy next to you can't count on you. There is nothing good about that.

But

If you do decide to become a Marine good luck to you and godbless. I think this country makes the best soldiers in the world. I doubt very much that you will ever regret what you find being a Marine.