what do i need to know to become and officer

[jchayden]

I really want to become a marine officer. I have been all around the world and have seen how good we have it in the US and i want to protect that. but i have several things i want to know before i talk to a recruiter in person.

1st is that will my asthma be a problem? I was diagnosed when i was 11 and only used and inhaler when i was 11 while playing an intense hockey game. and i was a pudgy little kid too. whenever i have used and inhaler since it gave no relief and when checked last year (i was 15) they said i showed no signs of asthma when i blew into that tube, and since i have never used and inhaler. The when i run long distances for gym my chest gets tight but that could be both because i am breathing in the horrible chinese air and i am badly out of shape. i plan on fixing the out of shape part after i finish my final exams next week and start running every day.

2nd is where i currently live. Because of my dad's job at ford my family has to live in china, will this bar me from joining in any way. I would like to also add that i in no way support the Chinese government and infact despise it. (but i would not tell the recruiter i feel so strongly about it because he may take it the wrong way.)

3rd can i pilot f35s (when the come out) because i have 20/50 vision as of last year and my eye doctor said i have been improving every year so by 18 i may get to 20/40 or 20/30, right now i'm 16 and i wear contacts.

thank's a ton for any answers. I'm trying to rule out all things that would bar me from joining but at the same time i wouldn't want to harm other marines for my physical problems. i have the motivation i just need the ok from an authority

edit: i would also like to add that i am 1st in my class in nearly every subject in school, just so the academic aspects of being an officer are covered

[Rocky C]

All I can say is "I LOVE CHINEESE FOOD!!!" and leave the rest up to those that are shaking thier heads

[NoRemorse]

Swing and a miss. Profile up kid.

[Old Marine]

All I can say is "I LOVE CHINEESE FOOD!!!" and leave the rest up to those that are shaking thier heads

If you go into a restaraunt in order Chow Mein, they will not know what you are talking about.

[Rocky C]

If you go into a restaraunt in order Chow Mein, they will not know what you are talking about.

HAHAHAHAHA!!!

[SWF8531]

Not to be mean...but just about every place you said "and" it should have been either "an" or a new sentence.

I prefer Filipino girls.

[NoRemorse]

...I prefer Filipino girls...

Nice!

[thewookie]

edit: i would also like to add that i am 1st in my class in nearly every subject in school, just so the academic aspects of being an officer are covered

Well then, forgo TBS/OCS and just get pinned, I am sure your High School classes are very comparable to that of what a Marine Officer, a pilot no less, will be required to take.

Good luck junior: Keep studying and eating your carrots.

[ValleyForge]

I really want to become a marine officer. I have been all around the world and have seen how good we have it in the US and i want to protect that. but i have several things i want to know before i talk to a recruiter in person.

1st is that will my asthma be a problem? I was diagnosed when i was 11 and only used and inhaler when i was 11 while playing an intense hockey game. and i was a pudgy little kid too. whenever i have used and inhaler since it gave no relief and when checked last year (i was 15) they said i showed no signs of asthma when i blew into that tube, and since i have never used and inhaler. The when i run long distances for gym my chest gets tight but that could be both because i am breathing in the horrible chinese air and i am badly out of shape. i plan on fixing the out of shape part after i finish my final exams next week and start running every day.

2nd is where i currently live. Because of my dad's job at ford my family has to live in china, will this bar me from joining in any way. I would like to also add that i in no way support the Chinese government and infact despise it. (but i would not tell the recruiter i feel so strongly about it because he may take it the wrong way.)

3rd can i pilot f35s (when the come out) because i have 20/50 vision as of last year and my eye doctor said i have been improving every year so by 18 i may get to 20/40 or 20/30, right now i'm 16 and i wear contacts.

thank's a ton for any answers. I'm trying to rule out all things that would bar me from joining but at the same time i wouldn't want to harm other marines for my physical problems. i have the motivation i just need the ok from an authority

edit: i would also like to add that i am 1st in my class in nearly every subject in school, just so the academic aspects of being an officer are covered

First, asthma is a automatic DQ, unless you can go to a doctor and prove that you only had it when you were younger, and show no signs of reoccuring symptoms.

Second, I believe that as long as you are an American citizen you will be alright. The only thing it could affect is your security clearance, which won't be a problem since you want to be a Naval Aviator.

Third, last time I checked, to qualify for an Aviation contract, you must have 20/40 uncorrected vision. If it is not good enough by the time comes, you can get PRK to correct it.

You are a little too young to start talking to an Officer Selection Officer or OSO, but when you get to your senior year in high school/freshman year in college, you should contact one.

I commend you that you strive for excellence in school, but you should realize that at OCS, alot of people are first in their class in academics, captain of their sports team, or very high achievers. I would not expect to "glide through" academics at OCS, TBS, or continuing education if I were you.

[Capital M]

Marineocs.com is a great tool for officer wanna-be's. All your questions about F-35's will be answered there (although I don't recommend asking them, you may get laughed at)

The road to wings is very long, and your performance at API (indoctrination for pilots) is a major factor in determining which pipeline you get (Jets, Heli's, Props) From there your performance in the intermediate stages gets you which vehicle you're assigned. There. are. no. guarantees. There is very strong possibility that you won't get the jet you want (let alone the F-35 since it hasn't even finished, possibly not even started, test phases yet).

You very well may end up flying C-130's and not being that pilot from Live Free, Die Hard.

Finish up High School, Get accepted to College, Be successful and apply for the PLC program. All of that is a long way away and you have a lot of time to think.

And always capitalize Marine.

Good luck

[KawiGunny]

First, you need to read the site rules for a poolie. Then fill out your profile. And finally, stay in school. Obviously they haven't taught you which letters need to be capitalized...... especially Marines.

[CplGiraffe]

Don't want to step on any toes of those holding the roasting sticks, but I just wanted to add that you must be in a class of idiots if those grammar/English skills earn you the top rank. And, maybe if you actually do know how to use grammar correctly, apply it here for the ease of those around you's eyes?

[Shick019]

Not to be mean...but just about every place you said "and" it should have been either "an" or a new sentence.

I prefer Filipino girls.

Nice, but honestly, I must say I love Russian girls more.

The hot side of the spectrum, of course.

Because we all know, there are two types of Russian girls.

The hot ones, and the Babushkas. =D

--
On a more serious note, JC,

Being an officer is a very professional and hard thing to do. No matter what anyone may say when jesting about officers, you have to be a hard charger and very top notch to be a leader of Marines.

Obviously, I can't tell you from experience as a Marine, but I am a Cadet Officer. A Cadet Officer is 1/1000th of what any Marine Officer is, and it is still a horribly hard, and trying job.

You must be able to set the grounds and supply everything that is needed for the NCO's to be able to get the job done. You must be able to plan, organize, manage, direct, and supervise your subordinates, while still putting the mission first, and of course, always keeping an eye on morale.

Do some research as to what kinds of jobs Marine Officers can do, and look at the leadership aspects of the Marine Corps. Look at stuff like the leadership traits (JJDIDTIEBUCKLE) and the 11 Leadership Principles. That there is your basic build of a leader in the Marine Corps. If you think you encompass those two basic standards, and you think you still have what it takes to be a Marine Officer, go for it, and power to you.

Contact a Marine Officer Recruiter, depending where you are, you may not have one close by, and may be stuck with someone like a Blue-and-Gold Officer, which may be a Navy Officer, and their job is really to only prepare you for NROTC and/or the Naval Academy.

But this great, massive, architecture in your computer that we call the Internet is a great source.

A great place to start would probably be, http://www.marineofficer.com/

There is a lot of great information on there, and there is also a way to contact a recruiter and request more information on there.

Good luck to you, and I hope that I helped at least a little bit.

[jchayden]

Thank you for the responses, my English class actually doesn't have grammar and I haven't taken any grammar for 6 years but this is beside the point.
(not trying to be snarky)

I apologize for my deplorable grammar/ English, I had not read the rules before posting, my bad. If you want to erase this blight on the forums please do so.

Although, if you are willing to let it stay I may as well ask another question. Should I at least go to a recruiting center this summer (I am only in the US during the summers) and get some more information NROTC and OCS? from August-June the only way I can get information is on the marine website.

I am filling out my profile now.

[ValleyForge]

Thank you for the responses, my English class actually doesn't have grammar and I haven't taken any grammar for 6 years but this is beside the point.
(not trying to be snarky)

I apologize for my deplorable grammar/ English, I had not read the rules before posting, my bad. If you want to erase this blight on the forums please do so.

Although, if you are willing to let it stay I may as well ask another question. Should I at least go to a recruiting center this summer (I am only in the US during the summers) and get some more information NROTC and OCS? from August-June the only way I can get information is on the marine website.

I am filling out my profile now.

If this is the summer before your senior year in high school or the equivalent, then it would be a good idea to contact an OSO near where you will be. If you are interested in NROTC, you should visit a couple of universities that have good programs so you can get an idea of what you might be applying for.

MarineOCS.com is a great resource for potential Marine Officer candidates, I suggest you look into the information there to get a better idea of what is required of a Marine Officer.