The Marine Corps and the Army?

[KILLJOY]

Long story, I shortened it by a lot, if you have the time please read:
I am a high school senior, eighteen years old. Ever since the seventh grade, my mind was bent on joining the military. I say the seventh grade because that is when I actually told myself so, and haven't changed my mind since. At first I wanted to become a Navy fighter pilot. I wanted to fly the fastest, most maneuverable aircraft to date AND take of/land on a floating runway. So I started watching all sorts of military TV shows and documentaries. Later on I wanted to become an Army paratrooper, or a sniper, or do EOD. All these things were going through my mind. I read and watched, and learned. Pretty soon the military became the one thing that everyone who knows me knows me by.
The Marine Corps wasn't even a thought back the. But then, during my sophomore year, I "talked" to the recruiter. He chuckled, telling me to return in two years. I returned a few days later for what they call "pool functions," or PT. I liked it. I was new and didn't know anyone, but was pushed just as hard. I've been going there every week for two years now, have seen guys come and go, dep in and become Marines.

Anyway, I thought I had it all planned out. Finish high school and become a Marine. The Marine Corps had become a passion for me, even though I wasn't one yet. I was determined. Training, learning knowledge, being with the group of guys sharing the same morals and view points. Building that strong sense of camaraderie.
But then something happened, trouble (I was sixteen at the time), and though I figured it was all over and done with, it has put my whole enlistment into jeopardy. I was arrested, but the whole thing was cleared through "diversion." I was never fingerprinted and since I turned eighteen my whole record was cleared, so I don't and never did have any criminal history. When I went to MEPS I was asked if I was ever arrested. Now, I knew that my record was clean and all, so technically I could have said no. I could have lied. But I didn't. I told the truth and explained what happened, but I'm starting to see that the Corps only cares that what happened, well, happened. So I went to the Army recruiters, and they said they could get that waiver but I'm still bent on Marine Corps. I guess going there for the past two years really made me more biased.

I've had plenty of time to think about this though. The "worse" that could happen is I go Army. But still, if you could just try to understand my position. Becoming a Marine meant the world to me, but now because of some stupid little issue it may be denied.

What I'm asking for here is not an answer, I'm asking for your opinion. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a Marine "fanboy" who talks down towards other branches, I respect them just the same and it ****es me off when other guys do talk about them. I've seen some guys just as bad in the Marine Corps as well (with all due respect). There's a line between joking around, and taking it too far. The Army has established it's position in history just as well. It is foolish to judge a branch based on only one individual, it is the entire team that makes the difference. But like I said, I just grew too biased towards the Marines. I mean, just say it! MARINE. You know what I mean. Now I guess I'm going to college, either Washington State or University of Idaho. I plan on eventually becoming an officer through PLC or NROTC, but also plan on enlisting as a reservist prior to that. It's very important to me that I'm able to say I was enlisted before I become and officer. I just can't understand how the Marine Corps focuses too much on one little detail and fails to see the bigger picture of me. This has happened many times in history before, for example Audie Murphy (To Hell and Back). I'm not comparing myself to him, but pointing out how even the Marine Corps can be, or try to be, "too elite" for their own good. Another example was a letter I read on Leatherneck Magazine (Sound Off) about a Marine who, even though he was already a combat veteran, was not allowed to re-enlist simply because of a tattoo, so he went Army. They appear to seek perfection but fail to realize that perfection is demoralizing, when on the other hand excellence is motivating. There IS a difference between the two.

Just tell me what you think. I still pray to God and try to have faith in Him, but I'm failing. I just keep thinking that God isn't going to help me in this one. Just help me straighten my mind out about the Army. I figured in the end, IF I do have to go Army, the only difference will be the uniform. Why? Because I have developed a certain mentality, and in the end it will all depend on what I make of it. I am determined to make the best of it. Maye I'll push myself even harder, just to prove to myself and the world that I am able and worthy of the title. Become a Ranger or something, the hardest I can think of.
Help me get my mind in order. Why am I so biased for the Marine Corps? I'm sure the Army isn't as bad as some make it sound, right? Just tell me what you think. HONESTLY, straight forward. Ask. Anything. I've had more than enough time to think about this myself.

ALSO: If you'd actually like to read my complete story behind this, ask. I have it saved on Microsoft Word as two letters that my recruiter requested I write. Truly a great Marine whom I have the privilege of knowing.

"Every dog deserves two bites."-Admiral Chester W. Nimitz

[Zulu 36]

You need to complete your profile.

As an aside, if you were arrested, you were arrested. It doesn't matter what the end result was. You're playing with semantics and the Marine Corps doesn't play that game.

[YLDNDN6]

Read your won post, and you will understand that you really don't want to be a Marine. You criticize our rigid standards because by applying these standards, you get DQ'd. You criticize our expectation of perfection because the powers that be who decide who gets in and who doesn't have found you to be imperfect. You criticize Marines for having a superior attitude. Believe me, you would too if you had paid the price of admission and the daily cost that is required to wear the Eagle, Globe and Anchor. I wish you luck with whatever you decide on.

[Phantom Blooper]

You do not need to question the Marine Corps .....you need to question yourself.....and get honest answers.

Take a long hard look in the mirror.

What was the arrest for?

That does have considerable play into whether or now the recruiter would even think that you could receive a waiver.

There has been many that went into the army...done a tour and then tried again to join the Marines....this maybe the route you should take.

As far as an officer of Marines goes if that was what you were referring too....won't happen.....

Even though you were cleared through diversion....you were still arrested.....and that makes you ineligible for officer material in the Marines.

Good luck in your future endeavors.....but even though you have a dream of the Marines.....I would go army.....keep your nose clean....and then try again after your hitch.

[Lisa 23]

Thread closed until you have a complete profile filled out....site rules, which can be found in the poolee and Ask A Marine forums. PM me or any other mods when that is complete and thread will be opened back up.

[ChuckH]

KILLJOY, I deleted another thread you started with the same question,
If you start anymore threads before you fill out your profile as requested, you will be banned from this site