An Introduction and a Few Questions

[euphfmc]

My name is Tony, and I came across this messageboard yesterday. I'm hoping that through much hard work that I can become a Marine like you.

I never had any interest in the Military until 9/11 . It's amazing the things that'll really get you angry and motivated about something out of nowhere. I spent 4 years in college bouncing between majors, not wanting to admit to myself that college wasn't for me. During that time I became a rediculously fat slob, and as a result my grades and overall lifestyle suffered. I'd lost sight of my goals, ballooned to 430lbs and left college in January.

Nearly three months later I'm almost 50 pounds lighter and I'm still trying to kick ass and make it to PI. I've got a long way to go. I've done just a little research here on the board...read the rules, general things directed at poolees and all.

I talked to my local recruiter and I'm hoping to go into intelligence. I'll either try to enlist as 0200 Basic Intel Marine, or Intelligence Specialist and then hopefully make a move into 0211 CounterIntel/HUMINT at LCpl or Cpl. I've no idea how that'll work out, and only have basic knowledge of what the MOS entails. My hope is to one day move out from behind a computer, and actually work with and against people in the field in Counter Intelligence.

I'd done Psychology in college the most, and many in the department told me they thought I should go into politics if not that they were scared about what I'd be able to do. My reasoning behind the study wasn't ethical in a strict sense. I've always found it easy to persuade, motivate, argue, usurp, convince, discourage, dissuade and coerce. I've spent a lot of personal time and energy on figuring out how people work and why...I'm good at it and I'd like to apply it to something that matters in the big picture...hence counter intelligence.

I'm tired of living a half-assed life. That's why I strive for your Corps. This was all a bit long-winded, and I apologize if this bothers anyone. I'll lurk here until I can DEP then finally ship to boot. It's going to be hard, but anything worth the achievement generally is.

[Hologram]

So....

Where are the questions?

[euphfmc]

I apologize, I realize I barely even fished for it.

I was hoping someone in MOS 02-- could give me some idea of what it's like, and what I may be able to expect. Maybe some idea of specific things that may be good to concentrate on beforehand to help me out later on.

I did find this
www.mfp.usmc.mil/CI%20FLYER-NEW.doc (http://www.mfp.usmc.mil/CI%20FLYER-NEW.doc)

But I know things can be a little different than intially presented.

[euphfmc]

I'm sorry to post another reply, but for some reason I couldn't edit.

Do you Marines that have tried to further your education while enlisted find that it's something very difficult to do as far as time goes? Are there any options in the Corps while enlisted to try and learn a foreign language, or is that something we'd have to do on our own?

[Wyoming]

Here is a gentle reply.

While you are getting un-fat, why don't you finish school?

Show some motivation and determination.

So far, from what I read, you have neither.

[NoRemorse]

A lot of these questions have been covered in other threads. There's a sticky devoted to the 02 field and it's got a ton of info. Write up a bunch of different things you're looking for, break them down into search terms and use the search function.

[euphfmc]

A lot of these questions have been covered in other threads. There's a sticky devoted to the 02 field and it's got a ton of info. Write up a bunch of different things you're looking for, break them down into search terms and use the search function.

Oh, yes Sir. I didn't realize. Thank you.


Here is a gentle reply.

While you are getting un-fat, why don't you finish school?

Show some motivation and determination.

So far, from what I read, you have neither.

Motivation and determination are things that my life has been lacking so far, you're right. I'm working hard to change that. Thank you for the advice. As for school, I used private funding since my family is very low-income. Now that the economy is in the tank, and my primary lenders have received bailout money, they don't really lend much anymore so I'm a bit stuck. I do have a job, but I was laid off previously and still owe the University money to get my transcript and transfer somewhere cheaper. I have a job now and am working hard on that.

[0231Marine]

Alright, well first off, welcome aboard. You've made a decision that if you stick with it, will change your life forever. It sounds like you have a long road ahead of you but that you have already started to work towards getting down to the weight you need so that's good. Just stay motivated and take it in small steps.

Now, in regards to your interest in the 02 field. Here is the link that was mentioned above regarding the sticky I wrote: http://www.leatherneck.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77236

After reading that, you can post any questions you might have at the end or just PM me directly and I'll be happy to assist you. You seem like you have several goals set for yourself and if this is one of them, then I'll be happy to do what I can to help you out.

Also, so there isn't a misunderstanding, you do have to be a Cpl and have 1 year time in grade (meaning you have to have been a Cpl for a year) before you can submit for a lateral move into the Counter Intelligence MOS. There are also several steps you'll have to go through before even being considered for that but we'll cross that bridge when the time comes. In the mean time, pt, read up on what I sent you and pt some more!

Finally, just some food for thought. College psychology is not even remotely related to conducting an interrogation or running sources as a Counter Intelligence Marine. Just because you're good at one doesn't mean you'll excel at the other and despite your claim to be persuasive and able to read people, you are operating under a different world when dealing with Iraqi's/Afghani's. It serves you better to understand the religious and tribal mindset of those individuals and their familial ties rather than their mental makeup.

[TTX]

Oh, yes Sir. I didn't realize. Thank you.



Motivation and determination are things that my life has been lacking so far, you're right. I'm working hard to change that. Thank you for the advice. As for school, I used private funding since my family is very low-income. Now that the economy is in the tank, and my primary lenders have received bailout money, they don't really lend much anymore so I'm a bit stuck. I do have a job, but I was laid off previously and still owe the University money to get my transcript and transfer somewhere cheaper. I have a job now and am working hard on that.



430-50=380lbs and you are still a heavy one unless you are a very very tall guy to pass the M.C. weight/height standard. Try to finish your college while trimming down those weights.

[euphfmc]

430-50=380lbs and you are still a heavy one unless you are a very very tall guy to pass the M.C. weight/height standard. Try to finish your college while trimming down those weights.

Yes Sir, though I wouldn't say very very tall. I'm sitting close to 6ft 4in right now. My recruiter told me I needed to shoot for at MOST 270lbs, but of course I'll aim beyond.


Finally, just some food for thought. College psychology is not even remotely related to conducting an interrogation or running sources as a Counter Intelligence Marine. Just because you're good at one doesn't mean you'll excel at the other and despite your claim to be persuasive and able to read people, you are operating under a different world when dealing with Iraqi's/Afghani's. It serves you better to understand the religious and tribal mindset of those individuals and their familial ties rather than their mental makeup.

Thank you for the correction, Sir. I'll go check that link you posted as well. I'll work to familiarize myself with particular concepts related to Iraqi's/Afghani's, of course I know the Corps will teach much much more than I could learn on my own. I'm sure a basic knowledge wouldn't hurt.