View Full Version : Father of 2 thinking of joining marine corps
Have recently made the decision to join the marine corps and am looking for a little advice from some of the vets. I've been running 2 miles in the mourning and working on my push ups, sit ups, pull ups, chin ups but was wondering if anyone might have any more suggestions for me to use in my workout routine. Also was hoping some of you may be able to give me an idea of how life in the marines might be for someone with 2 kids and a wife to feed. Anyone have any suggestions as to what I should ask a recruiter as far as my family is concerned?
Lisa 23
07-09-09, 08:08 PM
For starters, read the rules in the Poolee forum and the Ask A Marine forum.
And, when using the words Marine Corps, they will be "capitaized at all times".
When I enlisted in October I was told I could only have 2 dependents which is my wife and daughter. Now that I'm in I have one due on September 13. Talk to a recruiter is my best possible solution.
TJR1070
07-10-09, 07:39 AM
Go and see a recruiter, you might even have trouble enlisting with a GED unless you have a full year of college credits. Starting out in the Marine Corps with your family will be difficult in many ways, amount of take home pay, housing, deployments, etc., etc. Good Luck and search this site for all the info you can, other poolee's have been in similiar situations.
NoCer0321
07-21-09, 05:33 PM
:thumbdown It's going to be similar to civilian life for your family. You get health care, dental care, housing, free school for the kids, and a stead paycheck. The only difference is that daddy might be gone for several months at a time during deployments and detachments. :thumbdown
I'm not sure how this statment could be any further from the truth. Do you even have dependents?
Life in the Marine Corps is what you make of it. Much like anything else in our lives, very little is handed to you. While there are advantages to being a service members spouce you must also put weight into the disadvantages as well. Like many of my fellow Marines, I enlisted young and had very little to be responsible for. At 18 I had not established myself as a father figure, hell I'd barely established myself as a man. Four years later I met my wife. We are still going strong after fiver years but we do not excatly match the statistics for Marine Corps famlies, even more so in my MOS.
My intent is not to scare you, there are some great things that come from having a family as a support group while attending boot camp/deploying. However, to say that their life will be the same, is tragic at best. Your family is used to living by your established rules. News flash, once in the Marines (or any military branch for that matter) you don't make all the rules anymore. PCS moves and deployments can play havoc on social side of ones life while serving. While TRICARE benifits have no parrallell in the civilian sector, remember that you will have to pay to see the indivdual doctor of your choice, if you choose not to be seen at your local military hospital (though in some cases, one can be seen by a specialist at no extra cost if the illness requires it) <<-- Take these last statments on TRICARE for what the are, one Marines experiences with the system.
Can having children and a wife/girlfiend/signifianct other hinder you in military service? Only if you let it. Can joining the service ruin a well established family? Only if you let it. I believe my wife and I (and many other in our same situation) have not only made it but prospered by having open communication and discussing option/goals/and restrictions that lay before us.
Joining the Marine Corps is one the greatest things I have ever done. It's greatness is matched only by finding my wife, and fathering my children. There are many things to consider not even touched on in this post or others I've read. Housing, childcare cost, schooling, duty prefences, extended family (grnadparents, aunts and uncles, siblining) visit (or lack there of), holiday seperation.
As a Marine, your under a contracted obligation, you've made the commitment to lend yourself in the support of the common good of our country. There will be sarafices made, but the gains you will recieve and the things that you can only imagine as a civilian to me far out weigh all the bad, for lack of a better term. Not so much bad, but trying.
Again I write this not to scare you, or imply that I know all about the trials that married services members faces. The Marine Corps is a great orginazation, not perfect but I would not want to be anywhere else. Talk to your family ask them their concerns, make a list. The world is a dynamic and changing place, the recruiter can't have all the answers for everything, but you would be surprised of the bredth of knowledge (and by the way I am the complete opposite end of the spectrum when it comes to recruiting, Marines will find the Marine Corps in my eyes) they poccess. If all else fails, I'd be more than happy to give you informed and researched answers to any questions they do not answer.
Have recently made the decision to join the marine corps and am looking for a little advice from some of the vets. I've been running 2 miles in the mourning and working on my push ups, sit ups, pull ups, chin ups but was wondering if anyone might have any more suggestions for me to use in my workout routine. Also was hoping some of you may be able to give me an idea of how life in the marines might be for someone with 2 kids and a wife to feed. Anyone have any suggestions as to what I should ask a recruiter as far as my family is concerned?
Without a HS Diploma, you will be required to have at a minimum 15 college credits (level 100 classes or better). Having 1 wife+2 children (=3 dependents) disqualifies you for active duty, and you are eligible for Reserves with a Commanding General's waiver. These waivers currently are not being entertained. Good luck to you...
MicMarine
07-24-09, 01:41 PM
Without a HS Diploma, you will be required to have at a minimum 15 college credits (level 100 classes or better). Having 1 wife+2 children (=3 dependents) disqualifies you for active duty, and you are eligible for Reserves with a Commanding General's waiver. These waivers currently are not being entertained. Good luck to you...
Gunny, what if him and his wife "separate" till after MOS school? Trying to bend the rulls, not break them.
The education thing is hard thing to work around.
Gunny, what if him and his wife "separate" till after MOS school? Trying to bend the rulls, not break them.
That defeats the purpose of the dependent waiver... You would have a Marine (PVT/PFC) that is checking into you with undue financial burden...
Sgt Leprechaun
07-25-09, 03:34 AM
Yup. And it likely wouldn't get approved from everything I've seen. The kids (dependants) will still count and therefore wouldn't get approved.
More importantly, the lack of a HS diploma at this point is a complete and total show stopper, even if he was single.
Well thanks for all the input everyone. I recently sat down with a recruiter, he told me that the number of dependants I have is "good to go" for active duty or reserve. My high school education level is an issue as was posted by several of you so I requested that my former trade school send the recruiter a copy of my transcript for their review. I'm not sure how many credits I have so I am just waiting to hear back, I was told I would need at least 15 college credits by the recruiter I met with. He had me take the practice ASVAB and I got a 54 so now I am just waiting. I appreciate all the feedback, thanks again Marines.
Well thanks for all the input everyone. I recently sat down with a recruiter, he told me that the number of dependants I have is "good to go" for active duty or reserve. My high school education level is an issue as was posted by several of you so I requested that my former trade school send the recruiter a copy of my transcript for their review. I'm not sure how many credits I have so I am just waiting to hear back, I was told I would need at least 15 college credits by the recruiter I met with. He had me take the practice ASVAB and I got a 54 so now I am just waiting. I appreciate all the feedback, thanks again Marines.
I by no means am posting again to dash your hopes... If you did indeed inform your Recruiter that you have 3 dependents (1 wife+ 2 kids), then he/she is incorrect, about you being able to enlist onto Active Duty... You can give him/her a call, and have them check pg 3-37 of the MPPM, which has a simple chart which shows eligibility with dependents... In your case, married+2 is ineligible to join Active, and requires a Regional Commanding General's waiver to join Reserves... Good luck in your endeavors... S/F