Second thoughts

[Hockeyrebel7]

Hello,
I was just curious. I originally joined this site back when I was in high school. I talked to my parents about joining then, but stayed in college in finished. I am now 24 and I have been teaching for 2 years now and I hate what I'm doing. I still have the desire to serve, and I started talking to my recruiter. I ended up deciding that this is what I want to do, and I have started the process for my first MEPS visit and to take the ASVAB. I'm just having some second thoughts and wondering if this is what I really want to do. I understand this is a big change, and the unknown is probably what's really got me thinking. I'm just wondering is this normal for everyone? Please any help or words of encouragement would be welcome. Thank you.

Similar Threads:

• Any thoughts?
• Thoughts of the DAY...
• Second Thoughts
• I would like your Thoughts
• Thoughts from Dr. Joe:

[Tennessee Top]

No. Not normal for everyone. I joined right out of highschool, and knew this was exactly what I wanted to do (couldn't know I would stay in for 22.6 years and make a career out of it). Was nervous about bootcamp, but that is a normal reaction for taking on the biggest challenge of your life - and having no guarantee you'll make it.

Understand having second thoughts at your age with a career you obviously will have to give up and start fresh. The Marine Corps is a young stud's game in myriad ways (not just physically). Many have done it at your age, so it is possible. But, you must want to earn the title - it won't be given to you. If you can commit to what it will take, and have the self discipline to attain that goal, then I would say go for it (but no looking back).

This is a recent platoon graduating from Parris Island. See if you can picture yourself standing in this formation with these young hard-chargers:

[Tennessee Top]

The average age of a DI is 26 years-old. You WILL be treated just like this:

[Tennessee Top]

[Tennessee Top]

[madinfidel]

You are going to have to want this more than anything in the World if you even hope to succeed. IF you don't, you are in for a very rude awakening.

[Hockeyrebel7]

It's not that I don't want it. I was just saying I mean I do have thoughts of is this the right decision, and I'm still committed. I was just wondering if anyone else all these thoughts before too?

[03GyRene]

Ok, so I am curious too. What is it about the Marine Corps that interests you? Assuming you want to earn the title, WHY do you want to be a Marine?

[Hockeyrebel7]

I want to join the Marines because growing up I always thought about joining the military and when I did, it was always the Marines. The Marines are just the one that I'm always drawn too. I know studying history and loving World War 2, I was always drawn to what the Marines did in the Pacific Theater. I also want to be try and go for embassy guard and I know that's Marines. However that thought was after I was looking into the military, and more specifically the Marines.

[Kegler300]

No second thoughts here ... I wanted to move out of my parent's house and be my own boss. icon_eek.gif

Served 30 years ...

[Hockeyrebel7]

I went and took the Picat today. Nerves are going away. I think it was just the shock at first of leaving my career and joining.

[Tennessee Top]

Picat?

[Hammer]

I knew from childhood that I would be a Marine. Never a thought of going into another branch of service. I wanted to be part of the best. I wanted to prove that I was man enough to part of the best military force in the world.

I new that the price for entrance into the Corps was high, and could cost me my life, but that the rewards was worth it. Several times in boot camp, I though that I didn't belong in the Marine Corps; that I belonged in a insane ward for joining the Marines.

It was the best thing that I ever did, and has remained so for fifty three(53) years. My only regret is that I got out before I retired.

I've been successful in my civilian life; but I've never been as happy and content as I was in he Mine Corps!

[Hammer]

So what is your doubts about the Marine Corps?

[Erich08]

I enlisted at 24, turned 25 a month later and then shipped to boot camp 5 months after that. I was in a similar situation to you. Becoming a Marine was something that was always in the back of my mind. So I took my ass down to the recruiters office and started the process. Now keep in mind that I wasn't a high school graduate at the time. Luckily I was able to go back and finish up my diploma. I was also over weight. At my heaviest I weighed in at 258 pounds. When I started talking to the recruiter I was around 225. I went to the poolee PT's twice a week and got in shape and eventually shipped at 185 if I remember correctly.

So I say all that to say this. I knew that I wanted to be a Marine and I busted my ass to even be able to go to boot camp. I knew for a fact that if I didn't join the Marine Corps that I was going to regret it for the rest of my life. I am not sure if I am going to re-enlist or not at this point, but at least I can look back some day and say that I did it and have no regrets. That is the question that YOU have to ask yourself. Don't look back one day and ask yourself "what if." I can't tell you how many stories I have heard from people who say they wish they would have done it when they had the chance. Don't be one of those people. And as Top stated earlier, most of your drill instructors will be around your age. Some of mine were. So if you do end up enlisting don't go to boot camp with a chip on your shoulder because you're roughly the same age. And when you hit the fleet and you have a 20 year old Corporal telling you what to do remember that you may have more experience outside of the Corps than they do, but they have more Marine Corps experience than you do.

Being nervous is normal. Honestly after the first 2-3 weeks at boot camp you just accept it and realize the fastest way out of it is to graduate. At least that's the way it was for me. Good luck.