Just wanted Opinions on Career Choices.

[NaguYen]

I am leaving for MCRD San Diego 20081027 and I thought I had a job that was best for me. I chose Administration so that I would have time to go to college because I want to become a Helicopter Pilot in the Marine Corps. But I also want to do 0311 because I like to be more hands on and I know I wouldn't be satisfied with Administration. I am just worried that I will miss out on my opportunity to do what I have always dreamed of and become a pilot, but at the same time i'm worried that I won't recieve the experience I had hope to gain in the Marine Corps.

[pilot37]

haha, kind of seems like you've chosen two opposite sides of the spectrum.

Here's what I am planning on, and although I cannot yet speak from experience (leave for Basic Training on Monday ) I believe it to be a good plan:
1. 5 years enlisted 03xx
2. apply for MECEP (Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program)
3. go to college
4. go to OCS and get my commission
5. go to TBS
6. flight School

for MECEP you have to be 20 years old and a Cpl.

[NaguYen]

haha, kind of seems like you've chosen two opposite sides of the spectrum.

Here's what I am planning on, and although I cannot yet speak from experience (leave for Basic Training on Monday ) I believe it to be a good plan:
1. 5 years enlisted 03xx
2. apply for MECEP (Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program)
3. go to college
4. go to OCS and get my commission
5. go to TBS
6. flight School

for MECEP you have to be 20 years old and a Cpl.

That sounds a lot like my plan, but the reason I want to do admin. was so that I was gauranteed time for college. There's always the possibility that I won't get accepted for MECEPS so I wanted to have a back up plan.

[Wyoming]

Yo there expert, click on Basic Training

[pilot37]

Yo there expert, click on Basic Training

My apologies Cpl, I leave for Recruit Training on Monday

[NaguYen]

Yes my apologies as well Cpl. if it was directed at me.

[josephd]

looks like you are gonna be at MCRDSD with myself...October 27th!

sounds like you have a good plan for yourself there

[Garrett90]

Lol I was going to say.....I don't know why my blood boils so bad when people call it basic training. It's something stupid to get so mad over, especially considering I have yet to leave for it, but I get so p1ssed off when I see it called that.

[Brewer0311]

Lol I was going to say.....I don't know why my blood boils so bad when people call it basic training. It's something stupid to get so mad over, especially considering I have yet to leave for it, but I get so p1ssed off when I see it called that.

If anyone has HBO on Demand or HBO you should look for a documentary called "The Recruiter"

It'll show the day to day of an Army recruiter. BUT, it also shows some of their basic training. Compare what it shows to boot camp when you go or Ears Open, Eyeballs Click.

You'll see the reason why so many Marines get ****ed about it.

I about lost my mind when I watched it last night and saw the way they talked to their drill sergeants, acted, sat, and every other aspect.

All-in-all the Army Recruiter was a good guy/solider. He did/does his job well. He motivated and corrected his future soliders. It actually looked like he was harder on them than the drill sergeants at their basic training. Which is sad.

[BR34]

I saw that show a few weeks back. I was shocked to see all the male soldiers cheering the females on as they wrestled. More shocked to see them running around the squad bays going to their wall lockers and getting dressed. MORE shocked when I heard them talking to the drill sgts with so little respect. AND STILL MORE shocked when the special forces candidates were talking to their instructors like they were old college buddies...

Then I remembered what branch of the military I was watching.

Side note: It was cool as **** when they got to do convoy ops on a range and shoot from a moving truck.

[MarinesFTW]

Yo there expert, click on Basic Training

Well just for **** and giggles I watched some of the Armys Basic Training.. My sides hurt from laughing so hard... You cant complete anything without your "battle buddies"

[Brewer0311]

Well just for **** and giggles I watched some of the Armys Basic Training.. My sides hurt from laughing so hard... You cant complete anything without your "battle buddies"

Yeah you have a battle buddy in the Marines too.

[YutYut]

haha, kind of seems like you've chosen two opposite sides of the spectrum.

Here's what I am planning on, and although I cannot yet speak from experience (leave for Basic Training on Monday ) I believe it to be a good plan:
1. 5 years enlisted 03xx
2. apply for MECEP (Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program)
3. go to college
4. go to OCS and get my commission
5. go to TBS
6. flight School

for MECEP you have to be 20 years old and a Cpl.

Look up MARADMIN 270/08. Paragraph 7 states the following:

7. MARINES APPLYING FOR MECEP MUST MEET ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
PER REF (A) WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE FOLLOWING:
A. MARINES MUST HAVE A MINIMUM OF 1 YEAR OF ACTIVE SERVICE ON
THE CONVENING DATE OF THE BOARD.
B. THERE IS NO MINIMUM PAY GRADE REQUIREMENT.
C. APPLICANTS MUST BE A HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE OR HAVE PASSED GED
HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL TESTS.
D. APPLICANTS MUST POSSESS A MINIMUM COMBINED SCORE OF 74
OR HIGHER ON THEIR AFQT OR A MINIMUM COMBINED MATH AND CRITICAL
READING SCORE OF 1000 OR HIGHER ON THE SAT OR A MINIMUM COMPOSITE
SCORE OF 22 ON THE ACT TO BE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY. (NO WAIVERS WILL BE
CONSIDERED FOR TEST SCORE REQUIREMENTS.).

That means that you can be a PFC and apply, so long as you meet all the other requirements. Where did you hear you have to be 20 and a Corporal??

[cdogg0311]

that is the new MARADMIN that came out a while back. it was an old MARADMIN that said you had to be atleast a Cpl to do the MECEP program. now i dont know where the age came in at.

[YutYut]

cdogg, rank hasn't been a factor for some time now. At least, not for the last 2-3 years.