How Did It Come About That You Joined The Corps?

[PJones64]

mcvet used WE four or five times, translated "I", not "we".

[mcvet57103]

mcvet used WE four or five times, translated "I", not "we".

The vast majority of Marines on this site prefer to only associate with other Marines. Anyone can pose as a Marine with no profile, but it is hard to pose and give false profile info. We/I don't respond to anyone who doesn't fill out their profile, but if you prefer to chat with suspected posers or wannabees that is your perogative. I/We don't. I/We will welcome any Marine with open arms and brotherhood, that is if I/WE don't suspect he/she is a poser. That IS my last post on that subject in this thread. This is a Marine site, I suggest hanging any thin skin at the door. SF

[PJones64]

"whatever"

[Williams5710]

I had always wanted to be military as a kid. Before about 5th grade I wanted to be a pilot. Then I saw some shows on SEALs and that's what I wanted to be. Watched the towers come down on TV one morning in the school library in 6th grade and I became dead set on it.

Got a little older and a little smarter and found out about Recon and MARSOC and decided I wanted to be a Marine. Came very close to joining out of high school but I got talked into trying college first. Three semesters went by and I messed up and partied away my scholarship.

I signed reserve as an engineer, my recruiter basically said "You're NOT getting infantry". Had the idea that I'd be able to go active easily (DOH!, palm meet forehead). It's okay because I'm getting to deploy anyway and that's what I signed up for. Hopefully I'll get active one day.

[Trucrimsongold]

Why? because I knew they were the best outfit and I wanted to become the best. I knew full well that they didn't live as "cushy" as the Air Force or had as many cool bases as the Army but I did not care. I knew in my heart at the time that I needed the Corps and they came through for me. The USMC has also saved my life many times since I have gotten out just from gained knowledge applied to my current profession.

[APX7000]

My younger brother joined the Marine Corps reserved. He went Air wing. I was always interested in the Corps. I did well in High School and then took same college courses. I di not like it. In addition, I had worked in the family business since I was 7 years old. I was tired if it. Plus my father had heart attack and could not work the business anymore. I sold the business. I had read a book titled " Maggot" that was the final point in joining the Corps.

A week later I told my parent and they both started to cry. That hurt but I had to take the city buse and head to the recruiter's office and off to the AFES office for test and than phisical. Night spend in hotel with other recruits. We headed toward California to M.C.R.D San Diego. ( My brother told mr to ask for San Diego. )

Hard weeks ahead and few meals. Got hit several times. Shot expert at the range, highest shooter from Platoon 3002, in 1979. Life was much better after the shooting range. Plus I made PFC.

Graduated March 1979 and then head to Camp Pendleton for ITC, became a 0341. First Sgt. sent me to PI for Marine Barrack, "C" company. 15 months and back to the states to Quantico, I got there a a Cpl.

Trained a ton of officers at T.B.S. I did my time and headed home, made Sgt. Went to school and became an Electronic Engineer.

I miss the Corps. Well, am out but still in. Stay safe and Semper Fi Marines.

[3043pog]

Allways wanted to be a Marine,but when it came about time to decide (high school) the Army got to me first.I listened very hard to their offers and was interested in what they were selling(Grand-Father US Army WWII).After learning about being all that I could be,the Marine recuiter(Sgt. Brown) across the hallway stopped me. He knew from talking to fellow high schoolers that the Marines were what i was looking for.Yes gents,I didn't think I was tough enough for the Corps.Anyways,I signed my contract a few days later,waited 5 months and was off to Parris Island. Best friggin decision I've ever made. Semper Fi!

[tracs1833]

It was late December 1968. I was going to Old Dominion College (hated it), had just broke up with my girlfriend, didn't like still living with my family, my POS car was breaking down every other day and I expected to be drafted in the next lottery (I guessed wrong). I figured, "I'll go join the Marine Corps, won't they be sorry for how they treated me" (18 year old male testosterone running wild). So, I went down to the Marine Recruiter and asked to sign up. When he asked me what I was doing and I told him college, he suggested I go Marine Reserves, do my 6 months active duty and then get back into school. I had planned on going active and going to Vietnam (I had an uncle over there), but the recruiter was persuasive and I figured he knew more than I did. In the following years, I came to regret letting him change my mind, but by then it was too late. Oh well, I had a great time after my unit was switched from being a bulk fuel unit to being an Amtrac unit.

[Austin Murray]

Im still trying to figger that out... Just reenlist and trying to figger that out too.

[mcvet57103]

Im still trying to figger that out... Just reenlist and trying to figger that out too.

Wish I had re-enlisted. But it's all water under the bridge now. Re-enlistment is the one time you can actually say to the Corps, "What can YOU offer ME to stay?"

[EGTSpec]

Needed direction in my life, and the military offered it. Family tradition was Marines, so..........

[Sterling Mace]

The line was shorter for the Marines than the one for the Army.

[SgtGrunt0351]

I was sitting in a bar in Winter Park Colorado watching it snow(had been there 7 years at this point) and the next day I had off and had decided to quit drinking so I didn't have a hangover in the morning and could go ski all the fresh powder. Just after making that decision I looked up at the TV and the war on terror was on and I thought, just who in the hell am I to sit here and enjoy my life the way I am, and not have paid my dues while all those "kids" are over there fighting for me to get to go skiing and drink good Colorado Micro Brew?

It was at that point I decided to join. I walked into the recruiter that summer and told him save me the BS, I've already heard it all. Just put me in the infantry or I'll find me someone else that will. That was the end of that...... He about fell over.

[Mike Sanford]

Well, since the judge was so inclined to give me an easy decision, I chose the USMC,
cause I was tough. And, I wanted to enhance my desire to be one bad ass. My Grandad.
Dad was in ww1,ww2, my uncles all 3. were in the Navy,brother in the Air Force, and that was the reason for the USMC.

[kenrobg30]

I had a cousin, named Jack Owen, and a Family friend named Glen Pasho, who were both in the Guadal Canal Landing. They told me all about their experiences in The Corps, from boot camp (both Parris Island), on through the landings in the Pacific. They were my roll-models.

I quit school when I turned 16. A know-it all kid, who didn't need an education. I did odd jobs for a year, then asked my Mom to sign the papers so I could enlist in the Marine Corps. She refused to sign, so i waited until I turned 18, Then I signed up. I never regreted it. S/F!! Ken