Why you joined?

[Patrick8605]

I'm sure there have been a few of these threads in the past but I am looking for some feedback on why you have joined the Marine Corps. I know I signed up for the love of my country and I felt I have been called to help protect freedome.

Your words are appreciated.

[The Toad]

I joined to serve my country, work towards a noble and common goal, and have some adventure.

[DeNichilo 0300]

I joined for much of the same reason, Pride and wanting to kick some terrorist a$$.

O0h and the looks Marines get from chiks while in uniform isnt bad either........cant wait

[snipowsky]

I joined up to grease a dirty raghead. Never happened, but loved my time serving my country.

[radio relay]

MY Dad was career Army, and a combat Veteran of WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. So, it was a given that I'd also serve. However, I always thought it would be in the Army, too.

However, I had a close friend, whose son was a Marine, serving in Vietnam, at Khe Sahn. I would visit her often, and she would read me his letters. In November, of 1967, after listening to Reena read one particularly moving letter from her son, about the rough conditions, the rats, not having enough to eat due to the problems in getting supplies, and losing a close friend in combat, I knew it was time to get off my butt and do my part, too. I also knew I had to do it as a Marine. So, I went down to the recruiter's that day, and signed up on the Delayed Entry Program.

I arrived at MCRD, San Diego, on May 28th, 1968, and the rest (as they say) is history...

[Tom D]

I was leaning toward the Navy(YIKES), but then at the recruiting office I saw a Gunny in his Dress Blues and I thought to myself, I want a set of those! So I joined the Corps.

[hrscowboy]

I am a 5th generation Marine that says it all....

[Toby M]

I didn't appreciate my country as much as I do now but I joined at the request of the judge. I have thanked him a million times since...This is the greatest country in the world and I am proud to have been given the opportunity to serve. The Marines furthered that opportunity to succeed!

[layedoutsdime]

My best friend is in the AF, and we vowed a long time ago always to have each others backs though anything. Soon ill be watching him from the ground and he'll be keepin an eye on me from the sky... funny how the world works.

[troop901]

I joined because mohammed promised me 1000 virgin's. Then it was the dress blue's and then it was because no one else in my family had ever been a Marine. I was told a few months ago that my nephew had joined the air force, I was like ok, I will accept that. Then I talked to my brother, his dad, who said, no, he aint decided yet, we dont want him to go military but if he does' we want him to talk to you and we want him to be a Marine. And yes, a tear rolled down this ol jarhead's cheek when he said that. But what ever he decide's on I will support. But I am hopin Marine's cause I want to stand there on the island when he graduates, is that selfish. That is another question all into it's self I guess. So I guess the answer is, THE PRIDE. We are a brother and sisterhood and no one can take that from us and yes, lets hope my lil nephew who was born while I was in da jungle picks our Corps.

[zanai12345]

I joined the Corps at 17 during the midst of the Persian Gulf War. At 18 I went off to college to make sure that joining the Corps was what I wanted to do. I have always been a person who liked challenge. I easily get bored when things get tedious. So, after one semester of college I decided that that was not where I wanted to be. At the age of 19, I went off to boot camp. It was a challenging experience to say the least. I grew into my person while in the Corps. I learned teamwork, responsibility, leadership and a wealth of other attibutes. I will never forget what I have learned in the Corps and would not trade the experience for anything.

[Namvet67]

My reason was a combination of why radio relay and Toby M joined. It worked out for me. I have never regretted it.

[Cole11]

Why did i join? I joined the Marines because, you can join the army and be a soldier for 4 years, join the airforce and be a airman for 4 years, join the navy and be a sailor for 4 years, or join our beloved Corps and be a Marine for life! ONCE A MARINE ALWAYS A MARINE! OORAH DEVIL DOGS!

[Patrick8605]

OOHRAH to that.

[HardJedi]

wanna know the truth? that honest to god, really emberassing goofy truth? Cause I wanted to be a knight in King Arthurs court as a kid. The Marine Corps was a close as I could find to it once I realised that there were no more knights (at about 9 years old).

go ahead and Laugh. I do all the time.


I also joined because I felt thatr, given what some of my uncles and great uncles had given to this nation, that I could not do any less.