Airman to Marine

[JLGodinez]

I think I posted in the wrong thread earlier, I'm and idiot so lets try this again.

Hello Everyone, I am a currently active SSgt in the Air Force station in New Mexico. I just turned 30 and am less than a year from separating from the Air Force. I have decided to join the Marines after separating and while it is a bit of an unorthodox move it isn’t an impulsive decision, I have thoroughly analyzed this decision for the last three years. When I first consider joining the military Marines was the way to go for me, I have a great respect for that service but at that age my decisions where more logical and the air force offered me a bit of adventure and most importantly school. After 7 years in the Air Force I have managed to not get any education without lack of trying and hating myself choosing that route and the sacrifices on my personal life for nothing. Don’t get me wrong I heard great things about the Air Force from the earlier generations of Airman and have a great respect for the service but not the current quality of the force. A bunch of spoil entitled brats that wouldn’t know hard work if it bit them on butt. Not all are like this but the majority of the force is. I want to be proud of what I do and work with those that appreciate what they have earned. All I can expect from the Air Force in my future is to sit behind a desk and deal with the screw ups of airman who feel the Air Force is out to get them and don’t take responsibility for their actions.
Talking to a few recruiter I have found one that could really help me with this transition because he has dealt with a similar scenarios. After months of research I have only found two individuals who have gone through this process on this site specifically but I have not been able to contact them. I would like to go into EOD and am aware that it’s a lateral move later into the enlistment so I would like to hear from anyone about a career path I can take going into the Marines to help with me getting into EOD. I’m not at all afraid of hard work and won’t be expecting a walk in the park but if there is the slight chance I can make this happen I will work for it and earn it. Making this move will be a great risk because I will be starting over and pretty late in life but I would rather live with taking this risk over the regret of not trying. I not looking for anyone to talk me out of this I’m just looking for tips and advice especially from anyone who has dealt with this type of situation. ANY AND ALL TIPS AND ADVICE WOULD BE APPRECIATED, THANK YOU.

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[josephd]

As I already posted in the "Marine Mentor" section...there is too many variables for you going into this to deem it a good decision.

I know you don't want to be talked out of this which I am not trying to do, just a dose of reality. Becoming EOD in the Corps is difficult and VERY selective.

Trust me when I say that being a 32-34 year old LCpl. is NOT going to be fun, especially considering you have a military background and was once a SSgt in the Air Force.

[Tennessee Top]

And, being a 30 year-old recruit would be even less fun. Your ship has sailed. Stay where you are and make the best of it.

[JLGodinez]

Thank You for the reply I do have my heart set on joining the Marines that is for certain but not on being EOD, I know thats a long shot but its worth a try and I can live with at least trying. Age has never been a factor for me since I have no current physical limitations and mentally I have never had issues with being older than most. I value all knowledge and experience regardless of age. I am single and am aware that I will be starting all over which is actually the exciting part of it all but the only risk I will be taking is for myself and no one else. I believe that the only risk ill be taking if the last three years are any indication is that i can't live with the regret of not trying. I have discussed my plans with several recruiters and age is not much of a factor since I am prior service and seven years is subtracted from my age requirement and that waiver is something that is pretty common from what i have been told and I have a clean record and no bad reports during my Air Force enlistment. The major road block i would have is barely meeting the physical requirements to join and I have been training to surpass the graduation requirements of boot camp to eliminate any doubt in my limitations for my age.

[mexbearlll]

I agree with Top.

[Tennessee Top]

I appreciate your positive attitude and self-confidence. Age is not a factor sitting in front of your computer. It is a totally different matter when you're being IT'd by a DI younger than yourself (their average age is 26), running the obstacle course, keeping up with 18 year-olds in formation runs, trying not to get knocked-out during the two-against-one pugil stick bouts, surviving the 54 hour crucible, etc. Have those recruiters explained the combat fitness test (CFT) to you yet? Have them take you out and give it a try sometime.

Not doubting your determination and I hope you prove me wrong. It's just, as someone who went through bootcamp right after graduating highschool, there is no way anybody could get me to try it as a 30 year-old.

[josephd]

I also understand you said you are talking with a recruiter already but I doubt they are gonna waiver you(just my opinion). With the drawdown and budget cuts the Marine Corps is leaning towards younger(as young as possible, 18-20 year olds) candidates/poolees with no issues/waivers

Just like most of us on here point out to some of these wannabes that have had past health or legal troubles.....if 2 wannabes go into the recruiting office, 1 has a clean record with no health issues and the other has something that needs to be waivered...who do you think the recruiter is going to put in the one slot they have?....there are tons of kids breaking the recruiters door down trying to join the Corps, those kids with no waivers WILL get picked over you...

But like Top already said, I hope you prove us wrong

[JLGodinez]

I really appreciate the input. While the Air Force is not necessarily physically demanding, specially aircraft avionics, I have develop a fitness addiction enlisting into the Air Force and over the years it has grown and I have challenged and conditioned my body. I have research nutrition and fitness acquiring my personal training certification in the process. The reason I mention this is because I didn't let the Air Force career become my crutch in my fitness aspirations and age is a factor that has motivated me. My last supervisor was 24 years old and already dealing with major back problems. Half my unit is dealing with these types of issues and many of them 2-3 years younger than me. The Air Force just waivers them and hides them away. It won't be easy but I have learned so much about my limitations and I wouldnt try these if I didn't know I have a great chance.

[devilbones2]

I say go for it, what have you got to lose? You need to bring something to the table that will make them want to help you though. I have heard so many stories of people saying they are going to join the Marines when they get out of the Army/Navy/AF. If you really want it, make it happen. You may be too old though and I don't know if they are allowing waivers for that now. There was a guy in my platoon at boot and he was 34, but this was in 97. Good luck.

[JLGodinez]

Thank you, I will make it happen or at least get closure from the guilt I been having not trying. My goal over the next year is to not just meet but surpass the graduation standards to remove any doubt of my physical limitations.

[Marine1011]

Classic case of making a decision, staying with it while complaining. SEVEN years in, could have gotten out, doesn't like the USAF, not realizing there will be things not liked about the USMC either. Grass Is Always Greener Syndrome. Just saying. Sounds like a dreamer, where things don't always measure up to posters standards.

[JLGodinez]

While I do agree to an extent I and making myself well informed and don't expect the grass to be greaner on the other sid, quite the opposite. As a mentioned the marines is something I wanted but the air force at the time seemed logical. I have not once during my serviced complain about the circumstances and opportunities I have had and pride myself in that, not that i havent felt that way, but being that I was in the workforce at the age of 16 and enlisted at 22 I can truly say I know hard work and dealing with the cold hard world. I have seen kids straight out of high school going into the air force and get spoiled rotten and at times given unearned authority then ***** the moment things don't go they're way. When I feel that I'm thinking like and becoming like the spoiled individuals I work with I loose myself and would rather be struggling to survive out on the streets than forget how I was brought up. Don't get me wrong I am grateful for the opportunities the air force gave me but if I feel the need to ***** and moan it will be feeling proud to do something I truly wanted and not just another logical choice. I can take the BS and have proven that for six years in the workforce and seven in the air force but in the marines I'll take the BS knowing that at least the title was earned and its what I wanted.

[Mongoose]

We had a 29 year old Air Force veteran that got out and joined the Corps, back in 67. You do know that you will be singled out in boot-camp. Here's the kicker.....being physically fit is only part of boot-camp. It's just as much mental, as it is physical. The Air Force vet. that was in our platoon, lasted one week. Good-luck.

[JLGodinez]

I expect to be singled out, the same happened in Air Force boor camp because I just happened to be the oldest one in my group. It only happened in the the beginning. I don't think Marine boot camp will be a cake walk like Air Force but mentally knowing that everything that happens to me there serves a purpose to a better me its what will keep me striving through it. Life has backed me into a corner several times and I feel at my best there because there is only forward to go.

Thank You everyone for your input it is really helping, both positive and negative are welcomed and appreciated.

[Marine1011]

Nothing personal. Some of my best friends served in the Air Force. What caught my attention was the generalizations about services, I guess. But it's a free country to post what we want. No problems. Just be cognizant of the idea that sweeping generalizations tend to detract from what someone is trying to get across. Good luck with your endeavors, maybe you could let us all know how this turns out?