vividadikkshunz
06-24-11, 02:19 PM
Hi there! I'm pretty brand new to the site so I'll go ahead and introduce myself. My name is Jasmine and I'm hoping to enlist in the Marine Corps Reserves and go to boot camp by February 2012 at the latest and I would love for you all to answer my questions and provide advice, motivation, and encouragement.
Here's a little info about myself too so you guys can have a good idea of what kind of person I am and if I'm worth the time answering questions (LOL).
I've never been the most athletic person and I was the mean and aggressive fat girl growing up, but now I'm in my ideal weight range and not currently "fit". I did play softball and have taken several martial arts courses (Tae Kwon Do, Hapkido, and Shaolin). I have a full-time job that pays decent and I'm slowly finishing school to get my BA in Multimedia Design and Development. Despite my current goals, I have ALWAYS wanted to be in the service. Ever since I graduated from HS, it's always been in the back of my mind, but I was never ready for it until now. I was torn between USAF or the Marines and find myself going back and forth at times but I have decided to join the Marines because I want to be a part of the best and not settle in my normal comfort zone like I have been all my life.
I want to be Marine because there's so much about myself that I have not tapped into and I truely believe that becoming a Marine will give me access to qualities about myself that I never knew existed. I also want to be able to volunteer to be a part of FET because I think they're doing a great thing by reaching out and making a difference for Afghani women. It sets a great example for women in countries that deprive them of many rights and I would love the opportunity to inspire those women. Another reason I want to join is more personal... My grandfather was a 2-Star General in the South Korean army and served alongside many American soldiers and Marines during the Korean War and I want to make him proud. Those are very big shoes to fill and no one in my family other than him has served so I will be the first of the grand kids to serve. I also want to join to service so that I can get a discount at my school and use whatever bonus money I merit to help pay for it.
Now don't let the decent grammar fool you. I was the type chick that would constantly get thrown out of bars and night clubs for fighting (when I was 18-23)and of course I've clean up my act since then , but I will never turn down a good fight ;)
(Sorry, I didn't mean to write a novel. I have a bad habit of being too detailed)
1.So now to the questions.I'm training right now and it's been difficult being that I smoked cancer sticks (went from Newports to Kools to Camel Crushes) since I was 16 (I'm 24 going on 25 in August) and my lungs are not in the best shape. Running is my main concern at this time. I can jog 1/4 mile without stopping, but then it's downhill from there. Is there anything I can do to ease the burn in my lungs and will I be at a big disadvantage at boot camp because I'm an ex smoker? What are the main things I want to focus on as far as training?
2. I AM a female so I have to ask this question. Will I be able to wear make up on graduation day (if I prove myself worthy of the title)?
3. I have a tattoo on my neck that is in the process of being removed and I have about 6 to 7 more sessions to go before it's completely gone. Should I wait before it's completely gone to talk to a recruiter or should I go ahead and set up an appointment with one anyway? I'm just afraid he/she won't take me seriously because of the tattoo.
4. Since I'm going to be a reservist, I'll have my regular full time job, but if I need to move to another state for another job will PCS-ing be easy because of my status or is that something that will be difficult to do?
Thanks to all that take time to read this and answer my questions. I hope to hear from you guys soon.
Here's a little info about myself too so you guys can have a good idea of what kind of person I am and if I'm worth the time answering questions (LOL).
I've never been the most athletic person and I was the mean and aggressive fat girl growing up, but now I'm in my ideal weight range and not currently "fit". I did play softball and have taken several martial arts courses (Tae Kwon Do, Hapkido, and Shaolin). I have a full-time job that pays decent and I'm slowly finishing school to get my BA in Multimedia Design and Development. Despite my current goals, I have ALWAYS wanted to be in the service. Ever since I graduated from HS, it's always been in the back of my mind, but I was never ready for it until now. I was torn between USAF or the Marines and find myself going back and forth at times but I have decided to join the Marines because I want to be a part of the best and not settle in my normal comfort zone like I have been all my life.
I want to be Marine because there's so much about myself that I have not tapped into and I truely believe that becoming a Marine will give me access to qualities about myself that I never knew existed. I also want to be able to volunteer to be a part of FET because I think they're doing a great thing by reaching out and making a difference for Afghani women. It sets a great example for women in countries that deprive them of many rights and I would love the opportunity to inspire those women. Another reason I want to join is more personal... My grandfather was a 2-Star General in the South Korean army and served alongside many American soldiers and Marines during the Korean War and I want to make him proud. Those are very big shoes to fill and no one in my family other than him has served so I will be the first of the grand kids to serve. I also want to join to service so that I can get a discount at my school and use whatever bonus money I merit to help pay for it.
Now don't let the decent grammar fool you. I was the type chick that would constantly get thrown out of bars and night clubs for fighting (when I was 18-23)and of course I've clean up my act since then , but I will never turn down a good fight ;)
(Sorry, I didn't mean to write a novel. I have a bad habit of being too detailed)
1.So now to the questions.I'm training right now and it's been difficult being that I smoked cancer sticks (went from Newports to Kools to Camel Crushes) since I was 16 (I'm 24 going on 25 in August) and my lungs are not in the best shape. Running is my main concern at this time. I can jog 1/4 mile without stopping, but then it's downhill from there. Is there anything I can do to ease the burn in my lungs and will I be at a big disadvantage at boot camp because I'm an ex smoker? What are the main things I want to focus on as far as training?
2. I AM a female so I have to ask this question. Will I be able to wear make up on graduation day (if I prove myself worthy of the title)?
3. I have a tattoo on my neck that is in the process of being removed and I have about 6 to 7 more sessions to go before it's completely gone. Should I wait before it's completely gone to talk to a recruiter or should I go ahead and set up an appointment with one anyway? I'm just afraid he/she won't take me seriously because of the tattoo.
4. Since I'm going to be a reservist, I'll have my regular full time job, but if I need to move to another state for another job will PCS-ing be easy because of my status or is that something that will be difficult to do?
Thanks to all that take time to read this and answer my questions. I hope to hear from you guys soon.