View Full Version : Biggest decision of my life.
Call me fish
03-14-08, 04:38 PM
I'm already enlisted on an Infantry contract, I'm supposed to leave on May 27th, 3 days before my high school grad ceremony.
Captain Robinson just called me telling me he wanted to personally congratulate me...
"For what, sir?"
What I heard next possibly changed my life forever...
"For winning a full ride to Purdue under the NROTC Scholarship."
I'm almost in tears, my parents ARE in tears... but what do I do...? Enlisting was everything I wanted, I never thought I'd win... is college for me?
I have lots of thinking to do, and a very short time to do it.
JoeInVille
03-14-08, 04:40 PM
Congrats! That is pretty damn impressive that you got the scholarship. It would be veryyyy hard to pass up that scholarship, but if you really want to go infantry then go infantry and dont go to college. Its your choice at the end of the day but it is a free ride at a good school.
Whigwam
03-14-08, 04:52 PM
It's your life fish but i personally think i would definitely go to purdue
and enlist after i graduate. its a great oppurtunity. Theres more than one way to serve and more than one time to serve in. ive been losing weight for four years and waiting on my green card so i would qualify for the marines. maybe waiting for that degree is something you might want to do. you have till you are 28.
P.S. congratulations on the scholarship btw.
Ryan1234
03-14-08, 04:52 PM
Yep you just have to go with what you want. I'd say infantry but if college is more important to you than college is what you should do. Personally to me college is a bad idea. Just a continuation of highs chool. You know partying all the time doing things you might regret when it comes to getting a job later in life. But im only a poolee what the hell do i know.
dhenderson88
03-14-08, 05:49 PM
Take the scholorship and become an officer once you get your degree. That is what I would do anyways, but good luck to you.
I was in Army ROTC for a semester at my University, and I really liked it (not on contract). Its the best of both worlds because you get to enjoy college and get started with the military. However in my case I didn't enjoy my college expirience as much as I thought I would, and I couldn't stand going down the Army path when all I ever wanted to be was a Marine. So with that and some medical that needs to be taken care of, I decided to leave college and focus 100% on getting my medical taken care of as fast as possible.
Do you want to be an officer? Im not entirely sure, but if you accept the contract I think you have to go through with it all the way or pay back tuition. So I would be entirerly sure its what you want to do before you do it.
Call me fish
03-14-08, 06:02 PM
I believe that my true decision takes place after the first year of college... for me it would either be finish college or go enlist at that point.
Quick question: Is one year of college usually enough to get PFC out of boot if I were to drop out and go enlist?
~fish
davblay
03-14-08, 06:57 PM
I'm already enlisted on an Infantry contract, I'm supposed to leave on May 27th, 3 days before my high school grad ceremony.
Captain Robinson just called me telling me he wanted to personally congratulate me...
"For what, sir?"
What I heard next possibly changed my life forever...
"For winning a full ride to Purdue under the NROTC Scholarship."
I'm almost in tears, my parents ARE in tears... but what do I do...? Enlisting was everything I wanted, I never thought I'd win... is college for me?
I have lots of thinking to do, and a very short time to do it.
Where is the decision? What are you doing thinking about it? Go to Purdue and be commisioned a 2nd LT in the Corps! You have that choice man, remember we are part of the Navy! My best friend went to Old Miss that way and retired a Lt Colonel in 20 years.
Don't think, call your recruiter and tell him the wonderful news man! Or listen to the Poolees and wannabees that would kill for that opportunity!
Just MHO
Dave
Join the reserves as infantry then, you would be one up on those retarded ROTC
yellowwing
03-14-08, 08:38 PM
"For winning a full ride to Purdue under the NROTC Scholarship."
I'm almost in tears, my parents ARE in tears... but what do I do...? Enlisting was everything I wanted, I never thought I'd win... is college for me?
Its the SAME path! Except they will pay you and your way. But MORE will be expected of you. Is that the problem?
It will not be easy. Purdue doesn't sound like a cake walk. Plus you will have the additional Naval Courses and activities. It must have been tough competition whether you realized it or not to get the selection.
SlingerDun
03-14-08, 10:04 PM
is college for me? I dunno, you gotta crave being a student and learning. I do know a few including myself who said they could go to college anytime after the Corps but the opportunity for being a Marine is limited. Most don't pursue college after an enlisted tour, oh maybe a few credits here and there or an associates degree at the local CC but life and expenses tend to get in the way of a full time commitment to a Division 1 University. Odds are lottery like, that you will ever again be offered a full ride. Good Luck
--->Dave
Quick question: Is one year of college usually enough to get PFC out of boot if I were to drop out and go enlist?
~fish
just need 12 college credits at a 2.3 gpa to contract pfc, that is just a semester of school.
jinelson
03-15-08, 02:52 AM
Its your decision patriot go with your heart I for one support you either way, you have already proved yourself to me.
OORAH!!! Congratulations and good luck son.
Jim
Brandon1
03-15-08, 06:56 AM
Man, full scholarships dont come around everyday. I would give up everything I have right now for a full scholarship to any college. The only thing all of us can give you, is our opinion, but thats what it is at the end of the day...An opinion. Remember only you can make this decision. Granted it is a big decision, but I wouldnt think twice about it.
TSchultz
03-15-08, 07:53 AM
Opportunities like that do not come along that often in a lifetime and a college degree isn't a bad thing to have for when you leave the Marine Corps and continue life the civilian way. If you don't like it, I believe you can drop out after the first year. But this is my personal opinion, college degrees seem to be very important in this day and age, I would definetly go for it.
Going to college will only help secure you a good future. I regret not going sometimes, but I tried out Community College a couple years ago, and it wasn't for me, but I was also working full time so it was frustrating. But if I was offered a free ride at Purdue, I wouldn't hesitate to take it, it would only make my life better.
Zulu 36
03-15-08, 09:50 AM
If you wanted to be a Marine officer anyway, jump at this scholarship. It's too good to pass up.
Full ride means they pay it all and you'll get a montly stipend as well at some point, so you won't have to work part-time quite as much to have pocket money.
I'm going to college and afterwards going to join the military. Get the best of both worlds :) A full ride is too good to pass up.
Whigwam
03-16-08, 08:37 AM
good decision, im sure you wont regret it. good luck and again, congrats on the scholarship.