Question about Marrige.

[Dman89]

Ok My names Dustin, I'm 20 almost 21 years old. I have been dating my GF for 3 years and we really love each other. I have a few buddies in the Marines and they seem to love it. I plan on joining after I prepare (things like running and such) I talked to her about it and asked her if she wanted to come with me, She wants to. So would it be better to marry her BEFORE I sign anything or Is it better to do it after I become a marine. Or does it even matter? ALSO if your married can you still do the buddy system? I friend I have had since my childhood wants to go too. I figured we could do the buddy system.

[Lisa 23]

How about filling out all of your profile so the Marines who are going to answer your questions, know who they are talking to, and you may also want to read the site rules in the poolee and Ask A Marine forums too.
And Marine is always capitalized.

[Dman89]

Ok I filled in my info. Can someone help me?

[TinDragon]

First of all, you're too young to be married. (Ready for the hate that I'm sure will fly at me from more than just the OP)

If you insist on becoming married and joining the Marines, join first, then marry. Some folks in the Marines believe that you shouldn't get married to someone until you've been together through a deployment (helps to find the ones who can't stand to be away from their "loved ones" for more than a couple months). I'd have to agree. However, if you're not gonna wait that long, at least wait until you're at your first duty station, or in between your MOS school and duty station.

Being married won't affect the buddy system at all.

By the way, you spelled marriage wrong. Haha.

[Lisa 23]

In my opinion, don't get married until you're in the Marine Corps a few years, that is, if you make it through boot camp.
If you do make it through boot camp, get settled to Marine Corps life for a bit, and then decide about getting married.

[Dman89]

Hmmm interesting...thanks for the answers. She knows and understands what it will be like. I guess I'll do it after boot camp (if I make it) I was just wanting to make sure we would have a place to stay, I figured the earlier the better our chances would be of her living with me.

[tdrt]

Never get married until you're 30!!!

[Lisa 23]

I'm not being rude by saying this, but neither one of you have no idea of what life in the Marine Corps is like.
That's why you should experience Marine Corps life for a while and then decide about marriage. Not only is your future wife going to marry you, but she also marries the Marine Corps too.
You're both young.....take it slow. Remember...marriage is a lifetime commitment. Your commitment to the Marine Corps can be for as short or as long as you want it to be. Hope that makes sense!

[Zulu 36]

I'll give you my standard answer:

Avoid getting married as a Marine until you are at least a Sergeant. The pay and allowance differences are important. As an E-nothing, your spouse will have to work, especially if you live off-base.

Life is just simpler when you are a Sergeant. You've locked into your MOS, you know what field exercises and deployments are like, you aren't bewildered by everything going on around you, and dizzy from what you have to do as a newbie and a newly married Marine.

[Beltayn]

Avoid getting married as a Marine until you are at least a Sergeant.

Good rule of thumb.

[Rocky C]

Never get married until you're 30!!!

I heard that 50 is the New 30.........

Just sayin,,,,,,,,,,,

[tdrt]

I heard that 50 is the New 30.........

Just sayin,,,,,,,,,,,

So I have a few more years being single. Yeah!!

[Zoltta1]

Wait until after your first contract is up and also wait to see if your gf can even handle a 7 month deployment first. Just my opinion

[Rocky C]

So I have a few more years being single. Yeah!!

I'm not waiting that long

[firedog974]

Understand you are about to embark into something completely new in your life that you have no concept of what it entails. You will change a lot after boot and will change even more after a year in the fleet. Don't rush into anything and dang sure don't get married yet. A lot of guys marry their girl before boot because they are afraid their chick will find another guy while they are gone. Those marriages usually do not last. If your girl is a "keeper," make her earn it. See how she handles being away from you for a while and, more importantly, see how you handle it. It would really suck to go through boot, mct, mos school, and get stationed in HI and realize "I wish I was single."
I have seen it happen lots of times......