Minimum age for the Corps?...

[rickfjr74]

I was wondering if you can "join" the Marines at age 17 and in High School? When I say join does that mean i can only sign the papers at 17 and wait until i'm 18 to go to boot or can I join at 17 and go to boot that summer while i'm still 17? I'm only asking that because I asked people that arn't Marines but are 17 and thaey said no you have to wait until your 18...I dont think they know cuz they sounded unsure...:p

[strawberryp0cky]

I just thought this should be titled "Minimum Wage for the Corps?"

I know we had 17 year-olds in boot camp, we even had a 17 year-old at MOS school. Don't know if you have to be emancipated or graduated or what have you, ask your recruiter.

[Zulu 36]

17 is the minimum and that requires the signed permission of parents or guardian. If you are legally emancipated at 17, then you can sign your own way in. Otherwise, you have to wait until you're 18 to sign yourself in.

Few, if any, judges will grant emancipation to a 17-year old just to join the Marines because mom and dad refused to give permission (in case you were thinking that way).

[strawberryp0cky]

Few, if any, judges will grant emancipation to a 17-year old just to join the Marines because mom and dad refused to give permission (in case you were thinking that way).

This is a very good point.

[rickfjr74]

thanks...I was also wondering if you have to have a certain amount of credits before signing the papers?...(you know because how i'm still in high school and all)

[strawberryp0cky]

I always thought you needed a HS Diploma or equivalent or a magic waiver. I don't think it's based on credits, but I could be wrong.

[rickfjr74]

yea i heard the high school diploma thing too but i also heard a rumor on credits...

[strawberryp0cky]

Even if the credits thing is true, why on earth wouldn't you want to finish school?

[rickfjr74]

i do i was just saying......

[rvillac2]

You definitely need HS diploma. College credits are needed if you only have a GED.

HS Diploma + 17 with parental permission are the minimum specs for enlistment.

[Camper51]

Many changes have come and gone since I joined our glorious Corps at age 17, back in 1968. I did read in the newspapers the other day where the Marine Corps has stated that it will NOT send 17 year olds into combat areas, they will have to wait till they are 18.

I would guess that that means that YES, you can join at 17, go through boot camp, and become a part of the fleet BEFORE you reach age 18...

[davblay]

I turned 18 while in ITR in 69, was in the Nam 6 weeks later! I would like to get a Recruiters opinion on this as I don't know many 17 year olds that have graduated high school! :confused:

[DevilDogHEMech]

When I joined I was still 17 years old and in high school. I had to have my parents' signed permission and a form from my school saying that I was on track to graduate on time with a copy of my grades and transcript. This was not that long ago, spring 2004.

[rvillac2]

Let me clarify, you can DEP in while you're still in high school. You can't ship until you've graduated.