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View Full Version : Just an intro and maybe a few questions


AMW
06-23-07, 02:01 AM
Alright new girl on board here, first I think I'll give ya'll a bit of background about my interest in the Marine Corps first.

Basically when I was younger I wanted to go into Spec Ops (yeah yeah I know, I thought I was a lil BAMF and they would change the rules for my 12 year old self) but as I matured I found that wasn't happening and I didn't want to have to settle for second best so I figured hey why not go with the Marine Corps? I've always had a ridiculous drive to be the best possible person I can be and if there is a "better" alternative to what I'm doing, I'll do it. So one night I was bored searching online and found the Marine website and filled out some info (I was 16 at the time, about a month away from 17) and about a week later I get some call from this crazy man asking me all these questions and saying he would see me at PT on Tuesday (my best friend is really good friends with him, so I had to bring her too) and before I knew it I was off the phone with Sgt. Vera and officially impressed with the Marines, he didn't bull**** me in the least. He said flat out, we don't actively recruit females so just the fact that you had the initiative to fill out that info tells me something, but you're gonna have to work your behind off to get into HIS Corps. Now I go to PT, keep up pretty well (I played Varsity Soccer and worked out in general all the time), not as good as some of those DEP'd in for 6 months or so, but hey respectable for someone coming straight out. While we were at the Y we PT at some Airforce recruits are PT-ing with us and I glance over to where they were sitting and notice THEY WERE GONE! They had taken a breather in the middle of mountain climbers and were all sitting on the steps drinking water, that was the first reason I decided the Marine Corps was for me and not anything less.

(Wow sorry for this length, I'm being ridiculous with this, ehh forgive me)

Then my second reason and third reasons are the honesty of the Corps and how they care about their recruits. I got a 99 on the ASVAB and pretty much had the highest score possible in everything except mechanics, which I still got in the 85th percentile (I don't have my sheet handy, couldn't tell you the actual score) and so pretty much all the services were calling me. I let the Army recruiter come over to my house, after some persuasion, and it seemed to me like he was straight up just trying to get me to enlist on the spot didn't care about my questions and dodged them. My third, and cementing reason has to do with my best friend who enlisted in the AirForce and is graduating from their basic training in about a week. She was over the weight limit by about 5-10 pounds all while she was waiting to leave, not ONCE did her recruiter take her out to PT her or try to help her in any way basically telling her to lose it and he didn't care how. Now compare this to the recruiting station for the Marines that PT recruits AT LEAST once a week, sometimes more if they need it, and are there for them almost any time of the day or night. Well I brought her in with me to talk to Sgt. Vera about some NROTC things and we got on her plight, and his words when she was talking to her recruiter (the ONE time I had ever seen him in that office) struck me and completely cemented my infatuation with the Marine Corps, he said "I would never EVER send a recruit to basic training without PT-ing with them and doing EVERYTHING possible I could to prepare them, same goes when they graduate, ANY time my Marines need anything I'm here". That just struck me hard, that kind of dedication to a fellow Marine is outstanding and I would love to be apart of it.

Now after my life story, I've been reading around on here a bit before I actually registered (I'M A SCARY LURKER!!) and would just like to say hey to all the Marines and Poolees around here :). I was originally thinking about going the NROTC route and going officer but now the more I think of it I would rather go the enlisted route and work my way up. I was thinking of 02xx mos or maybe even MP (stretch there I know) I just need to talk to my recruiter and get all this settled out. I hope to be talking to you all more in the following days and weeks.

AMW
06-23-07, 02:11 AM
Since it won't let me edit that one anymore ^ I'll just add my question here.

So I was looking into the 02 field and it seems really interesting and something I could do, I've always been good at analyzing things and I was considering a career in the FBI or CIA for a while, so that is definetly one of my major considerations. But at the same time I would love to hear what you Marines think, I don't wanna get tunnel vision this early and end up missing out on something that I would love. I really would like to be a bit closer to the action, I don't mind getting dirty or muddy or anything, I've got smarts, and would love to hear the opinion of those that are there or have been there. Whats a Female Marine to do? I was also looking at MP a bit too, seems interesting

Marine84
06-23-07, 08:45 AM
Welcome aboard Ana - you'll get a lot of useful info around here. Nobody around here can tell you what is best for you and ALL of us will swear and be damned that OUR MOS is the best one for you to go into.

There is a lot of opportunity out there for ya girl..................go get it! Joining the Corps will be the best thing you ever do for yourself.

jinelson
06-23-07, 09:04 AM
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v660/jinelson/156100.jpg

Welcome Aboard Ana!

Andreas
06-23-07, 04:17 PM
Outstanding post!

That is definitely one thing I have grown to love about the Marine Corps is just the overall comradery shown by Marines. Not one gets left behind. The recruiters definitely will work with you and your friends (if you are brining some), to make sure you meet AT LEAST the minimum requirements. BUT REMEMBER, the minimum is just that...THE MINIMUM. Marines hate people that strive for just the minimum. When you run, NEVER EVER WALK! I don't care how tired you are. Just push yourself.

Pain is weakness leaving the body. Seriously!

Then the next time you go to run, you'll be a bit faster and can run for longer etc; You'll keep improving.

I am currently stationed on a Navy base and let me just say, it's disgusting. They try and PT with us too from time to time (because we are a Marine-Navy Team...that's what our CO tells us)...they cry if we run for to long, then fall out of our Company runs all the time...it's just nasty.

The Marine Corps is the way to go! You feel a DEEP sense of pride around your family and friends. You never regret doing it and it's a story to tell your kids.

-Cpl Andreas

AMW
06-23-07, 05:42 PM
I completely agree, I think the minimum is UNACCEPTABLE. If I get anything less than around a 280 on my PFT I'll consider it a failure. I figure if you're going to join the BEST branch of our military you should strive the be the BEST possible at it. (Does that remind anyone of that stupid Army ad campaign awhile back "Be all that you can be" or some crap? Good message, wrong branch for it IMO) I mean hell if you don't wanna do the work associated with being the best go somewhere else!

Wow sorry I got on a little rant there, it just ****es me off when people ask me why I'd wanna go through so much when i could just as easily go some other branch and skate through.

HurricaneRJ
06-23-07, 07:46 PM
Welcome aboard.