Infantry or Non-Infantry?

[sdmcgoey]

Some of my Marine friends say Infantry is the best job in the Marines. I want to join Infantry because I would be very proud of myself and I want to serve my country, but I don't want to get...

[slug]

If you have to ask, do not come to the grunts.

And from reading the rest of your post, really, do not come to the grunts.

[sdmcgoey]

well your answer didn't really help me but whatever.
just because I'm asking a question doesn't mean I can't set my goals high, or that I don't have the dedication.

[haebyungdae]

Anyways.... No matter what field you choose in the Marine Corps you will gain experience that will help you after you get out. You might not be able to roll into a DoD or contractor job if you go certain routes, but, depending on how you decide to conduct yourself in your Marine Corps career, you will gain things like leadership, a hard working-mentality, sense of responsibility, etc. Possessing these simple traits, getting out of the Marines, finish schooling (if you choose), and entering the job market will set you above your civilian peers because you will seem more mature and reliable. Just remember the caveat: that it's ultimately up to you and how you spend your time in the Marine Corps.

If you join and make it as a Marine, you will find that the Marine Corps is larger than college money and job experience. I planned to get out and go to college. Even getting out now, without a college degree, with my experience I could make more then I do now, but there is more to it then that.

Think about it and follow your gut and choose something that you are interested in and feel would make your Marine Corps career satisfying. Or else, you may end up that guy who sits in the corner and whines about how gay the Marine Corps is all the time, usually without rhyme or reason.

[radio relay]

0300, Infantry, is the heart and soul of the Marine Corps. Every other MOS is there for only one reason, to support the Infantry. Even for the gloried tough guys, Recon, and glamorous Jet Jockies, the primary mission is to support the Infantry.

Every Marine is a Rifleman, but every Marine is not a Grunt. I know, I was not a Grunt. I supported Grunts. Sure, I was out there in the bush dealing with the sh!t from the enemy, but Grunts were taking the sh!t to the enemy. There's a big difference!

So, if you have a choice, do you want to be the "heart and soul", or the liver and spleen?

[Blutic]

This is one of those questions where no one can make this decision for you. You have to decide for yourself what your goals are. There is nothing wrong with serving one enlistment and getting out. In fact most people do that. Also, the Corps is cutting 10% and you may have a difficult time serving 20 years and retiring in the Corps. (See the last Marine Corps times for the article.) Certain MOSs will give you a significant advantage in the civilian job market in certain fields because you are trained to do the specific job. ie Mechanics, electricians, military police, etc. The fact that you were in the military may or may not help you get a job depending on the type of work you want to do.

[sdmcgoey]

These are really good answers! Thanks alot Marines!
I think I'm going to go with a job with mechanics. I've been working on cars, and motorcycles my whole life. I'm mostly interested in the Aviation field, and I would love a career as an Aviation Mechanic for civilian life. I just want a MOS that will have lots of learning and am sort of busy with hands on stuff.

Again thanks for the help!

[sdk87to91]

My mom made me change my package to something brainey, and I regret it. I joined to be a Marine, not an Air Traffic Controller. I definitely didn't want to do that after getting out.

I fully intended to go back to college someday so the job training was not my intent for joining.

I would have been a better Marine and had a more satisfying life if I had been in Camp Pendelton or 29 Palms doing infantry stuff. Plus I would have more likely been deployed during Dessert Shield and Storm.

As it was I got stuck in the big city life in Southern California where I just got into trouble and debt. My ATC job sucked too. Not to mention I wasn't very good at it, so I got left behind when my 2/3rds of my unit deployed for Dessert Shield.

At least I got to run the Marine Corps Marathon.

Before I was a Marine my parents had more influence on me, and I did not stand up for my self. After earning the title it was a different story, but it was too late.

[Tennessee Top]

Once you earn the title you are a Marine. I was not a grunt for 22.6 years and was fine with it...I still wore my eagle, globe, and anchor with just as much pride as any grunt (although I was never in combat, I was shot at in Haiti). Besides that, I earned a college degree and a university degree while on active duty and never worked in those fields. After retirement from the USMC, I went into a career field (medicine) I had never worked in before and am doing fine; enjoying it and earning good pay/benefits and another retirement ahead of me. My point is, it's fine to have a plan of going in with a MOS you can use for a civilian career BUT, there are no garuantees that's the way things will work out. On top of that, as difficult as it is to enlist these days (and getting harder with the draw-down), you may-or-may not get the MOS(s) you want anyway. My advice is enlist with the goal of serving your country and being the very best Marine possible; work as hard as you can every day you're on active duty, learn as much as you can and take advantage of every opportunity no matter how long or short your career. With that background, you should be successful no matter where life takes you. It has been my experience in the civilian workforce, former military make better employs for the most part. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. In fact, there is a former Marine in my department who has one of the worst reputations of anybody for being lazy and not getting his work done (it's embarrassing). Good luck to you with your decisions.

[sdmcgoey]

Hmm.. Interesting stuff.
Thanks for the help!

[slug]

Look, the grunts are a unique community, separated from others mentally and physically. If you have to ask someone else to help you make a choice, it is obvious that you do not have what we want in a fellow grunt. The guys we have here that questioned what they wanted to do, fail. It shows, they do not have the heart or stomach for what we do and what we are. We are all some sort of fvcked up. We are here because this is the only place we wanted to be, the only job we wanted, and the only group of guys we truly feel a part of, we belong here. We lied to get here, fought to get here, we are those guys. We are not here to fulfill you pathetic wish for a challenge or set you up for a job elsewhere. The wave of contracting jobs for everyone who wants it has passed, a few years ago at that. So don't think about being some sort of merc after you do four. Now **** off and go talk to the army.

[usmcmsf]

Look, the grunts are a unique community, separated from others mentally and physically. If you have to ask someone else to help you make a choice, it is obvious that you do not have what we want in a fellow grunt. The guys we have here that questioned what they wanted to do, fail. It shows, they do not have the heart or stomach for what we do and what we are. We are all some sort of fvcked up. We are here because this is the only place we wanted to be, the only job we wanted, and the only group of guys we truly feel a part of, we belong here. We lied to get here, fought to get here, we are those guys. We are not here to fulfill you pathetic wish for a challenge or set you up for a job elsewhere. The wave of contracting jobs for everyone who wants it has passed, a few years ago at that. So don't think about being some sort of merc after you do four. Now **** off and go talk to the army.


:thumbup::flag:

[Kegler300]

Being a grunt my first four years fueled my career. The physical demands, along with the accelerated leadership growth, will prepare you for a future in or outside of the Marine Corps.

[Baker1971]

slug is one of these guys like aloha, only they have ever served as grunts.

[R Landry]

During my DEP and for two years after boot camp, my reserve unit was a rifle company. We did two summer camps at C. Pendleton (we flew there from Lafayette, Louisiana in C-130s). Went down rope ladders off the sides of troop ships into landing craft. Then we flew off a carrier in Sea Knights to 'invade' San Clemente Island. Then, our reserve unit got designated as an MP company.

It was not as fun as being a grunt. Oh, it was fun busting officers for speeding, patrolling beaches off Pendleton for illegal surfers, and running over tarantulas in our patrol jeeps, but that was not the same as being a good old fashioned grunt.

We were just not getting in enough 'soldiering' duty to rate the uniform, it seemed, at times.

[slug]

slug is one of these guys like aloha, only they have ever served as grunts.
Excuse me?

[Mongoose]

Look, the grunts are a unique community, separated from others mentally and physically. If you have to ask someone else to help you make a choice, it is obvious that you do not have what we want in a fellow grunt. The guys we have here that questioned what they wanted to do, fail. It shows, they do not have the heart or stomach for what we do and what we are. We are all some sort of fvcked up. We are here because this is the only place we wanted to be, the only job we wanted, and the only group of guys we truly feel a part of, we belong here. We lied to get here, fought to get here, we are those guys. We are not here to fulfill you pathetic wish for a challenge or set you up for a job elsewhere. The wave of contracting jobs for everyone who wants it has passed, a few years ago at that. So don't think about being some sort of merc after you do four. Now **** off and go talk to the army.
Youre one bad-azz Marine aint you Slug? You must have been born with a K-bar in your hand. Get over yourself!

[advanced]

Youre one bad-azz Marine aint you Slug? You must have been born with a K-bar in your hand. Get over yourself!

That's correct there slug, all mos slots in the MC are important and as you mature you will learn to respect that. Back in the day when we all signed "Open" contracts I saw many a young Marine dragged kicking and screaming to the grunts, and they became fine Marines that anyone would be proud of.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with the young man asking questions, most grunts are not born that way, the Marine Corps trains them that way. Stop giving Lance's a bad name.

[0331 2 0369]

You men need to let up on ole slug. He's young and dumb just like we were at that age. Full of pizz and vinager and motivated beyond superman capacity.

Obviously he is the blessed one for the grunts. He didn't mention it but I am sure he is the best damnn 0331 ever.

Just messin with you slug and there is absolutly nothing wrong with being motivated like you are but it's not your place to say who would be a good grunt and who wouldn't. Being a grunt wasn't what I initailly wanted to do but decided to just go with it. And I am glad I did just like most grunts. However, you can give your input on what it takes but you have no idea of what others actually have inside of them. Hope your ready for the "other" sexual preferrence types that will be joining the ranks sooner than later. Just by reading your post and the verbage you use, you will probably be one of the first sent packing. Lighten up some. You will be fine.

Semper Fi

[390 Mach I]

When I went in I had to go unrestricted as the only 2 jobs I could get guaranteed were Grunt and Cook. I didn't want to be either, and my recruiter told me that with my ASVAB score they would not make me a grunt.

Well, he lied. I ended up as an 0331 and quite honestly it was the best thing that ever happened to me.

If you want to be a grunt, be a grunt. If you want to be an aircraft mechanic, be that. We are all Marines and we all have a role to serve.

Semper Fi

[DrZ]

I went in open contract since that is all that was really available when I signed my name. Took my tests and later was informed that I was going to be aviation electronics. The only think I knew about electronics was how to turn on the damn TV. The Marines taught me my field and I am still in it today.

The grunts are not an island...they do not stand alone. It takes every person in the Marines to permit the grunts to do what they do. Like a well oiled machine...if the smallest part breaks down... the entire machine grinds to a halt and the job is not complete.

I am saying this to you... look at all your options and select something that interests you. If it is the grunts... then do that with all your energy and to the best of your ability. If it is something else or you are assigned something else... then do that the best it can be done... knowing you are keeping the grunts moving and able to do their job. Don't ever believe ANY job is not significant to the completion of OUR mission.

Slug.... Keep on keeping on...BUT don't ever tell another future Marine what they are or are not suited to be. We have people assigned to make that determination. Wonder who determined our CMC should be a Naval Aviator and not a grunt? LOL.... I don't think you should tell him that he didn't have the heart or stomach for the job.

Good luck to all.

[Marine1011]

Slug, what's the excuse me for? Did you do something wrong? Besides act like you're the only grunt who ever lived? You gotta get over yourself, as Mongoose said. Come on now, you can do it! Oh where is Commandant Aloha Marine when we need em?

[USNAviator]

Slug, what's the excuse me for? Did you do something wrong? Besides act like you're the only grunt who ever lived? You gotta get over yourself, as Mongoose said. Come on now, you can do it! Oh where is Commandant Aloha Marine when we need em?


Jim,good to see you posting again!!! But I'm staying out of this one!

[BRATCH]

I just got my 6 year infantry contract. I know that there isnt much out there for me after the Marines, but who cares, Infantry is what I want to do.

[advanced]

I just got my 6 year infantry contract. I know that there isnt much out there for me after the Marines, but who cares, Infantry is what I want to do.

Good for you young man. You'd be surprised how well you'll do after the Marine Corps because of this decision.

[slug]

It's always the pogs who pipe up and preach how we're all equal and necessary. What do you know of the life of a grunt? Sure, maybe I came across as overly aggressive and passing judgment on the OP's capabilities, but you won't find me apologizing for it. I stated my take on this kid's question, and if you ask around to other victor units, you'll find the same response.

I never implied or said I was something great, nor any other the other pathetic super-motard pog-ish crap that has been said since my post. The only motivation that exists around here is false motivation. Another point of your complete lack of understanding of the 03 community. You talk of the grunts like a reservist does of the life of a Marine; you go to the KD range once a year, they spend a couple days a month in uniform. Congratulations.

And I said "excuse me?" to Baker because I believed he misspelled and wrote "ever" when it appeared he meant to say "never," which would be a problem on his part. Either way, he spoke without understanding, as usual.

I wrote a nearly identical self description of the 03 community in the "females in combat" thread and it was accepted not only warmly, but agreed as truth by numerous grunts. It's only you self righteous pogs who get offended when a grunt talks of some pride in their community. Sure, we like it when AAVs come up, when they don't break down. And tanks are fvcking awesome. It's a beautiful sound when arty or cas flies overhead. And we do love our trucks, but we use our own drivers and hate waiting for motor-t to get their heads out of their asses and fix or trip the trucks. Supply never works, and neither does comm, which leaves us to buy our own chit. Oh yeah, some great support network this Marine Corps has for the sole community that is the reason for its existence, not to mention we are what the entire world thinks of when they think of a Marine. They don't think of some clerk in clean cammies, nice try. You tell me to stop exalting myself, sounds like you need to take heed of your own advice.

[sdmcgoey]

Look, the grunts are a unique community, separated from others mentally and physically. If you have to ask someone else to help you make a choice, it is obvious that you do not have what we want in a fellow grunt. The guys we have here that questioned what they wanted to do, fail. It shows, they do not have the heart or stomach for what we do and what we are. We are all some sort of fvcked up. We are here because this is the only place we wanted to be, the only job we wanted, and the only group of guys we truly feel a part of, we belong here. We lied to get here, fought to get here, we are those guys. We are not here to fulfill you pathetic wish for a challenge or set you up for a job elsewhere. The wave of contracting jobs for everyone who wants it has passed, a few years ago at that. So don't think about being some sort of merc after you do four. Now **** off and go talk to the army.

HAHAHAHAHA!!!
I love it when people tell me stuff I "can't" do!!! it makes me want to do it so so so much more!!! thanks for the motivation!

[Sgt Leprechaun]

You'd better check your attitude sporto. That's the second time I've detected 'sarcastic snidery' in replying to a Marine. Let this be your ONLY warning...I see it again, you'll find yourself on an unwanted vacation.

And Marines, lets keep the knife fighting on this to a minimum, shall we?

[afraziaaaa]

Anyways.... No matter what field you choose in the Marine Corps you will gain experience that will help you after you get out. You might not be able to roll into a DoD or contractor job if you go certain routes, but, depending on how you decide to conduct yourself in your Marine Corps career, you will gain things like leadership, a hard working-mentality, sense of responsibility, etc. Possessing these simple traits, getting out of the Marines, finish schooling (if you choose), and entering the job market will set you above your civilian peers because you will seem more mature and reliable. Just remember the caveat: that it's ultimately up to you and how you spend your time in the Marine Corps.

If you join and make it as a Marine, you will find that the Marine Corps is larger than college money and job experience. I planned to get out and go to college. Even getting out now, without a college degree, with my experience I could make more then I do now, but there is more to it then that.

Think about it and follow your gut and choose something that you are interested in and feel would make your Marine Corps career satisfying. Or else, you may end up that guy who sits in the corner and whines about how gay the Marine Corps is all the time, usually without rhyme or reason.

X2