Becoming a Marine questions

[Marzyn]

Howdy everyone, I'm about to ship out, end of august most likely, and I'll be on the Island. Pretty much all my life I've wanted to be a Marine and now I'm about to be on my way to making that dream come true, but that's just the first part.

Once in I want to become a Sgt in 4 years or less, and join Recon as a sniper, those are my 2 of my 3 personal goals, obviously my first goal is to complete bootcamp.

At the moment I can do about 30 pullups, a mile in about 6:20 and maybe 100-120 crunches in 2minutes, also I can do quite a lot of pushups. I'm hoping these numbers are good enough to get me through bootcamp with good enough scores to get me noticed for Recon.

Any tips and recommendations at all would be most appreciated. I've seen some posts by folks that went through sniper school and such and I'd really like to know what I'm getting myself in for.

Thanks in advance
Joe

Oh and another question, this is stupid I'm sure, but the Hash marks, they show how long you WERE/HAVE been in or how long you you WILL be in?

[Sparrowhawk]

you got rid of the Rank and Hashmark




Recommendations?


Worry more about the hash marks in your skivies in boot camp then sewing one on your arm.


Don't assume what you can do with your body strength will get you through boot camp.

In fact don't assume anything,


"end of august ... I'll be on the Island"


LOL;

Boy, Kid, you got a lot to learn...

[Marzyn]

well that IS why i'm here...

Instead of berating me for a stupid mistake, and assuming i'm bragging about what I can do, why don't you take a look at the actual content of my post and see that i'm genuinely asking for tips & recommendations.

I posted what I can do as a means of asking whether or not they would meet requirements for finishing bootcamp as well as (possibly) Recon

And another thing, I dunno about you folks on the west coast, but here I've always heard Paris Island referred to as "The Island" so forgive me for using vernacular apparently unfamiliar to you.

[Sparrowhawk]

berating you for a stupid mistake, I am glad you changed what you assumed you were entitled to display.

You assumed something that you yourself hadn't taken the time to figure out or research, that type of attitude in assuming things is not the type of individuals selected for Recon.

I did not assume you were bragging about what you can physically do,
You should be proud of your physical accomplishments, and physical abilities. You will need that and more to get through boot camp, what I posted was that your physical strength alone will not get you through boot camp.

When you get to boot camp, go ahead and refer to it as "the Island," I am sure the DI will agree with you.


A simple scroll down the poolee tread will answer your questions, but you didn't ask a question, you mentioned what you could do and then stated

"I'm hoping these numbers are good enough to get me through boot camp."

Like I recommended, don't assume anything!

[Marzyn]

sorry, your post got under my skin a bit, what with the laughing at me and such ;o

"LOL;

Boy, Kid, you got a lot to learn..."

that is what made me assume your entire post was a joke and/or attempt to berate me

and another thing, I've researched quite a lot, my main reason for posting here is I get a real Marine's response, someone who's been there & done that, someone who's opinion I can respect as that of a Marine. websites are great but they're limited to mostly non-personal facts that, while helpful, don't really convey all the information i'm looking for.

i'm one of those people that like to look at things at every angle & get as much information as possible on the subject and that's what i'm trying to do now

joe

[HardJedi]

Look, even if it WAS, ya gotta have thicker skin than that to make it as a Marine son, or you won't make it anywehre, ok?

Hash marks on your sleeve show years of completed service. 1 for every four years.

AS for sniper or recon, SparrowHawk is right. Physical strength is GOOD to start out with, but there are things that can break the strongest. a pft is just a standard to be a MARINE. a clerk typist has to do a pft, and does NOT reflect in anyway the things required of basic infantry, much less any of the elite groups.

there are people who can EASILY do a 300 PFT , who fall out of humps.

just remember this, ATITUDE will get you farther than you think. heart, desire. those are whatyou need the most

[enviro]

You definitely got to have thicker skin - otherwise join the Air Force. And if you think this will change after your trip to fantasy island, paradise island, or alcatraz island, you're mistaken. Your life will constantly be picked apart. THis isn't a fraternity, it's a way of life.

You focus too much on physical abilities and getting promoted. Rank is not something to be obtained in a specified time period. You EARN rank at the appropriate time.

First, earn the title, then worry about the rank and the attributes you need to have to carry that rank.

First, worry about becomeing a basic infantryman, then try to hone your skills and TRY to make recon. Second, either choose scout-sniper or recon. Which is it you want to be?

It's good to have goals, but your sights are set way too high. I suggest you adjust your the sights on your weapon and take it one step at a time.

Any advice on earning rank, special schools, etc will most likely change by the time you ever get there.

Ask any question you want about the basics of being a Marine or any basic MOS question. Questions referring to how to become a Drill Instructor, Scout Sniper, Recon, Sergeant Major, Commandant, or Secretary of the Navy will most likely be returned with a lot of gruff when you haven't even earned the title yet.

Learn to crawl before you try to walk. Learn to walk before you try to run. Learn to run before you take over the world.

[Namvet67]

Just make it through bootcamp 1st...Then make it through ITR...Only then will you be able to make that decision about your future in the Corp...I would be thinking more about making PFC at this point...The Corp don't give away the rank of Sgt...You have to be a little above average and show some serious leadership ability before you sew on those stripes. Set your mind now to focus on only one thing...Making it through bootcamp and earning the title of United States Marine....Semper Fi and Good luck...........PS..Most Marines don't make SGT on the first enlistment unless you get lucky and get a combat assignment.

[gwladgarwr]

You may be genuinely interested in getting advice on becoming a Marine, but Poolee, I highly suggest you take on a more respectful tone when you're talking to Marines - you don't take on a sarcastic and argumentative tone when you don't even know. We have already earned the right to be called Marines - you have not. Keep that in mind, and you will go far.

Hopefully you will learn this lesson at Parris Island, but that's up to you. You may change your tone, but it's your mindset that worries me. Good luck at MCRD Parris Island.:marine:

[stemperfi]

Your ONLY concern right now should be graduating from boot camp, because if you don't, nothing else matters since you haven't earned the title Marine. I suggest you study your general orders, etc.

[Namvet67]

Marzyn: Well you got some answers from real Marines..the rest is up to you...pay attention. I sent you a e-mail with a little more detail. Good luck

[Marzyn]

Thanks a lot guys, again, I am sorry I got a bit short with Sparrowhawk.

I really appreciate all your comments & suggestions and I'm working on curbing that hairpin temper of mine lol I can already invision evenings in the pit due to it.

Thanks again,
Joe

[CAPTZURLO]

My experience at OCS at from 31 May to 9 July, confirmed to me that it doesn't matter how physically fit you are, what does matter is how bad you want the Title. I won't lie to you, there were times where I doubted myself but I just reached down, grabbed a pair and carried on. Being physically fit is definately a big plus but combine with a strong will to succeed, you'll be good to go. Also, when you're on the Island, take it chow by chow, day by day and week by week.