Volunteer Service

[BGMFH]

All right boys and girls. I've been thinking about this for a while and this weekend finally clenched it.

Some of you are still in highschool. Some are not. But we can all help out in our community. So, I am asking you all to start doing something for your community on a volunteer basis. Personally, I help the Latin club at my old highschool as the new teacher is out of his league when it comes to the level of competition in this area, as well as doing occasional odd jobs, errands, and helping to administer the schools computer network when I have the time.

It doesn't have to be much, but it adds up.

I didn't train the Latin club this fall, and this year, for the first time in 5 years, our first level team didnt even make the semifinals at our regional competition. Yet all I do is show up a few days a week and read questions from old rounds and score their practice tests. Not even 10 hrs a week, yet without it, we went from a consistent first seed going into the semifinals, to middle of the pack that didn't make it.

Every little bit helps poolees, and if all of us start doing something, anything, it adds up.

Some of you are saying "Oh, Latin club" like its a geeky thing. Well, it is. It is also at a predominately African-American, lowerclass highschool on the bad side of town, and it gives our students something other than sports to do with their free time. I know, I was one of them once.

[Seeley]

BGMFH,
I understand what you are saying and agree. I have my MCJROTC unit participate in various community service events. Its a requirement to be promoted as a matter of fact.

[namgrunt]

A.P,

Consider what you are willing to do to become a Marine. Did anyone come to your home and force you to enlist? No. You "volunteered" to join the Corps. That was one of the first Tips of Wisdom my Senior Drill Instructor said to my boot platoon. "No one broke your arm to make you join MY Marine Corps, ladies!!"

Its just something to think about when you look for a purpose.

Good luck,
namgrunt

[gatormatt]

Why wouldn't you volunteer? What purpose is there not to volunteer? I'm just wondering.

Matt

[YankeeDoodleAsh]

BGMFH, very good suggestion. It's time the youth of America get off their arses and do something active.

[namgrunt]

If any of you are looking for a good volunteer cause, try connecting with the local Marine Corps' "Toys for Tots" program. Even though it is seasonal, it would be something you would be able to continue, especially after you become a Marine. You would light up needy kids' lives, and leave a permanent impression in their young memories of Angels in Dress Blues.

You can check it out for yourselves at www.toysfortots.org for more info. It isn't the only thing available, but it is an option.

Think about it.

namgrunt

[gatormatt]

I volunteer at a local elementary school and it is one of the most rewarding things I've ever done. Its somewhat frustrating because many of these kids do not know even the basics that they should know at their ages. For instance I almost always have to teach the 5th graders division. I'm not exactly sure what the teachers are doing because I learned long division in 3rd grade. Lots of students from my college go and help out. We raised the grade level of the school from a D (failing school in the Jeb Bush system) to a C. Its not great but its improving.

Matt

[dep_baumy]

I used to volunteer a few years back, my advice is : do it, not only does it help out the community but chicks eat that stuff up, you cant go wrong ;)

[ashley clark]

I volunteered at a homeless shelter,so I could get a ribbon for Young Marines.When I found out that I didn't have enough hours to get my ribbon,I didn't even care.I was happy to make a differrence in someones life.

[Lake0300]

Originally posted by YankeeDoodleAsh
BGMFH, very good suggestion. It's time the youth of America get off their arses and do something active.

Are we not all Poolees? Do we not work to prepare ourselves for MCRD? I see the "Youth of America" everyday at the local recruiting station. Our arses are definetly up and moving around.

I volunteered to defend the life, liberty, and persuit of happiness of the average American citizen.

BGMFH, its a great idea man, I dont mean to put you down about it. I just personally feel that it would be more appropriate if your idea was shared with Joe Potsmoker or Lucy Millionaire... the kids who people stereotype as the "Youth of America" (as Ashley so eloquently put it). -Lake

[gatormatt]

lol at dep_baumy. I'm one of the few guys to volunteer at the school. I agree completely with you about how girls react.

[YankeeDoodleAsh]

Thanks Lake, I do try to be eloquent.

Don't you think it's ridiculious when poolee's get drunk and take who know's what on friday night and have the nerve to brag about it at poolee functions the next day?!?!
But my point here is, not all poolees are as dedicated, motivated, and/or moral as you may think.

[Seeley]

YankeeDoodleAsh,
I know what you mean. Just wait until you get into the real Corps though. From what my Marine friends have told me and from what I've seen living in a military family, not all Marines are perfect either. Just don't get the idea that every Marine is like the one you see in the posters. No offense to Marines, but ask around. Anyone who's honest will tell you the same.

[BGMFH]

Why Lake?

Because it is the right thing to do.
Because no on is forcing you to.
Because it just might show a future generation something worth being... a Marine.

[dep_baumy]

So your saying poolees who dont volunteer are not good people, or they wont make good Marines? Come on BGMFH, as a student, poolee, employee and brother I would just like to say I dont have the time to volunteer, does that make me a bad poolee? Hell no! If your into volunteering then great, good for you, but dont come and make it sound like we suck because we dont volunteer, I could volunteer but there goes my PT time, do you think the Drill Instructor would like that excuse? No, call me selfish but I have done my duty in the past as a citizen, now its my time to worry about me, I can volunteer all I want after I earn the title. Volunteering is great and all, but its not going to earn me the title of Marine, only hard work work and dedication will.

[YankeeDoodleAsh]

Dep, You and I both know that you're changing words around.

*cough*badpoolee*cough* jkjk

[dep_baumy]

Be nice

[namgrunt]

dep_baumy

Volunteering before entering active service is a personal decision. Those who choose to do so will reap the personal satisfaction of helping others who needed an extra hand. There is no "good or bad" involved. Those who don't volunteer will find other pursuits for their time. but it won't necessarily help anyone else, including themselves.

As for volunteering once you are in boot camp, forget it. You will do exactly as your Drill Instructors tell you. THEY will "volunteer" you for whatever task they choose. You won't have time to trot off and volunteer at the Red Cross Donut Dolly. You will live your life by the numbers, and barely have time to take a dump.

AFTER you graduate from Boot Camp, volunteering for extra curricular, non-military activity will be dependent upon what your job is. If you are so inclined, you will still have to clear any non-assigned expenditure of time, for any outside organization, with your superiors first.

If you do help out someplace, on a regular basis, while on liberty, you should let someone in the chain of command know of your personal commitment. Should your unit receive immediate orders to prepare for movement, you don't want your C.O sending MP's all over creation looking for you. He will not be a happy camper.

If you don't want to volunteer, that is up to you. No one will put a black mark or demerit in your SRB jacket. Any volunteer work you do cannot interfere with your normal duties. If you can handle your job in a superior manner, and do volunteer work on your own time, it will be noticed sooner or later.

You never know what a superior officer or senior NCO may put in your proficiency report. Taking Marine Corps Institute (MCI) courses, to expand and hone your military capability and job skills is just as good as anything. If you don't feel like helping others, then use your time to improve yourself. You will be the one who benefits from what you put into your time in service.

Enough preaching for now,

namgrunt (no, I'm not a Chaplain)

[Phantom Blooper]

I help run the local Disabled Veteran's chapter Friday night bingo here in Jacksonville,NC. Since being a military town and a good working relationship with Camp Lejeune and New River MCAS we get active duty volunteers to help do various tasks. The MCB provides most of the volunteers as they do have commitments but they are not deployed as much as the Division and Wing. I was the chairman of the bingo about three years ago and I had an active duty Marine working most Friday nights. I typed him a letter of commendation for his volunteer service as a thank you. I never heard of it and I do not know the specs but if an active duty serviceman volunteers for three years and it is documented and a letter is sent to the members command, an entry is made in the SRB and the serviceman-woman is supposed to get a volunteeer ribbon to be put on the chest candy and a certificate. I don't know the the details but I do know this to be so because I seen the kids ribbon & certificate before he was shipped overseas. My understanding that this volunteering can be done anywhere Red Cross,Big Brothers ect.. A side note to being a volunteer, I enjoy volunteering once a week for three to four hours in the evening on Friday's because I am disabled retired and I have the time,health permitting. But if I let them I would be volunteering twenty four- seven.So one must do what is best for you and your circumstances. I also agree with namgrunt that this is a personal decision based on ones circumstances.And if you are with the fleet and a deployable unit you can just about forget about volunteering once you hit the FMF.... If anyone knows the details on this active duty volunteer ribbon I would like to know the ins and outs and the spec requirements. Semper-Fi!! Chuck Hall:marine:

[Lake0300]

LoL. BGMFH - I never asked "why". The point I was trying to make was that most of the people on these forums have already volunteered for something. Focus your energy somewhere else, somewhere that its going to make a difference. Thats the point I was trying to make.

Ash, you stereotyped me into a class of no-good, drug addicted teens when you used "the youth of America". Sorry to burst your bubble, but not every 17 year old DEP goes to Poolee meetings and brags about his immaturity. DONT put me in a category of morons.

Baumy if thats how you feel, then YES you are selfish. You make it sound like theres not enough hours in the day for you right now. Which is horse dung - "i've done my duty as a citizen" - theres a thousand reasons why Marines are a special breed. One of those reasons is that they do more then whats asked of them. The Army, Navy, Air Force, for the most part does only whats expected of them. Marines do just a little more - which makes one hell of a difference when it comes to freeing people, and saving lives. So dont give us that "i've done my duty" crap, you'll have done your duty when the man upstairs decides so. Simple as that. -Lake

[dep_baumy]

What the hell everyone? All of sudden everyone thinks I dont volunteer, hmmmmm ok, maybe because I spent the last 3 years volunteering over 8 hours a week (which is alot when your a student, athlete) and gave up numerous weekends to volunteer for charitys and other things and now I figure I need to get myself in better shape because 4 months from now is the biggest challenge I will ever face. But wait..................im selfish, yep ok, not only do I volunteer for my community but for my country (I.E Marine Corps) but I guess I still owe more to the community right Lake? Please..............Dont make me sound like the bad guy for trying to do my duty as a poolee, which is stay in shape and study Marine Corps history. Sorry for being such a bad citizen everyone :)

[YankeeDoodleAsh]

Lake, maybe I should talk to your when you're off the rag.
I didn't put you into that category, you did it all on your own.
You see Lake, some people have other things going on in their lives. Wake at 0500, practice from 06-08, classes from 08- noon, short lunch break if there's time (there usually isn't), 1220-1730 more classes, 1800-2300 work.
Baumy, I remember exactly what my schedule was like in high school...wasn't quite as bad as it is now but you need to worry bout finishing school with high marks. You know exactly what you're doing with your life out of school and if I do say so, you'll more than make up for any volunteer work there.

[Das Behaelter]

It shouldn't matter what the hell anybody thinks of you except for you. Par excellence is in your heart, head, and gut. Not in someone else's perception of you. If you don't believe that then don't bother.