My future plan for my Marine career!

[ChaseB2010]

Ok so I signed for 6 active and 2 reserve (told me I had to sign 8) as 5811. I can't remember the exact code but I remember it only had MP and Correctional Specialist. I will go into boot as a PFC so when I get out I will be PFC and I will do the whole Lcpl deal with referrals once I am doing my MOS schooling. How do yall like the MPs? Everyone tells me I am going to hate my job but I DO NOT want to be like the other douchebags who are 19 y/o's with too much authority and think they are tough ****.
My plan is to do two years as an MP and hopefully get close to E4 then lat move(or whatever it's called) to 0311. Maybe having my higher rank will allow me to pick my postition in the infantry. I really want to carry the M249. So with all this in mind, any advice? I come from a family full of Marines and am not naive to this whole ordeal but still pretty ill-informed.

[devilbones]

Why dont you just go in as an 03? You will have to start all over if you go in as an MP. You have better chances of doing what you want starting in the infantry.

[ChaseB2010]

Why dont you just go in as an 03? You will have to start all over if you go in as an MP. You have better chances of doing what you want starting in the infantry.

My brother (who is in the marines currently) my dad (former marine) and my recruiter all say I should do infantry after I build some rank and whatnot. So I don't get all the crap assignments being a PFC and LCPL. I can go in as a Corporal and get some seniority and maybe have a chance at leading instead of being lead.

[devilbones]

Well heres the thing. You are going to be brand new to the job not having the experience. If you go in as an 03 you will learn everything as an infantryman and learn how to lead infantryman. As of now you will be going in as an MP and trying to lead grunts. You might be higher rank, however you will have less experience. I know in my MOS (0261) the lat movers that came in were like SSgts and didnt know dick. Just my $.02.

[ChaseB2010]

Well heres the thing. You are going to be brand new to the job not having the experience. If you go in as an 03 you will learn everything as an infantryman and learn how to lead infantryman. As of now you will be going in as an MP and trying to lead grunts. You might be higher rank, however you will have less experience. I know in my MOS (0261) the lat movers that came in were like SSgts and didnt know dick. Just my $.02.

Thats what I've been told. I just want to experience the MP first so I can use that experience when I get out of the Marine Corps as a Sheriff. But I also REALLY want to be an 03 Marine. I'm torn between three jobs, Grunt, MP, and AAV Crewman. What do you recommend?

[Cash2053]

You are going to be led no matter what mos you choose. You are also going to get crap assignments in any mos, also known as working parties. If you go into infantry as a corporal you will probably be taking orders from a lance corporal. If you want infantry, then go infantry. I'm not trying to sound negative, but you will learn how to lead by going through the ranks and seeing what leadership style works best for you and the Marines under you.

[devilbones]

All I can tell you is that I had my heart set on being an 03. I was talked into doing 02, which I dont regret I have an awesome job right now, however I didnt get what I wanted out of the Marine Corps. I just wanted to be in combat arms. So I would suggest do what you want to do. Plus my friends were told that they should do admin so they would get awesome jobs when they got out. One is a carpenter and the other joined the Army to be a an infantryman. Its your life and its going to be the shortest 4 years ever. Make the most of it and be happy.

[SGT7477]

In your first enlistment you might have to stay with that MOS until you Re-enlist unless you get lucky.

[ameriken]

I totally agree with Cash2053 and devilbones. If you want to be a grunt, be a grunt.

Think about it.......what I am hearing you say is you want to start as an MP, where you'll avoid all the heavy grunt work while you pick up rank, then when you have rank, you just switch over to 03.

Not only will you have the stigma of being a former MP, but you'll also be an inexperienced 03 NCO leading experienced 03 grunts, which means you'll be telling them to do all the heavy work that you avoided.

I wonder what kind of respect and love you'll get from those Marines?

[echo3oscar1833]

I totally agree with Cash2053 and devilbones. If you want to be a grunt, be a grunt.

Think about it.......what I am hearing you say is you want to start as an MP, where you'll avoid all the heavy grunt work while you pick up rank, then when you have rank, you just switch over to 03.

Not only will you have the stigma of being a former MP, but you'll also be an inexperienced 03 NCO leading experienced 03 grunts, which means you'll be telling them to do all the heavy work that you avoided.

I wonder what kind of respect and love you'll get from those Marines?

My thoughts exactly, and whats with him callings 19yo Marines douchbags. Or am I the only one who noticed that. Semper

[ameriken]

My thoughts exactly, and whats with him callings 19yo Marines douchbags. Or am I the only one who noticed that. Semper

No sh*t, good catch Ben. I glossed over that.

[tangovictor87]

0311s carry the SAW?

[StoneTheWeak]

I've never heard of anyone lat moving INTO Infantry. It's probably possible, but I see a big problem with it. I would love to do infantry, but not now. Here's why.


Infantry is different than the rest of the Marine Corps. The rank structure is MUCH more rigid. And there is a much greater responsibility in infantry than in any other MOS. If you **** up, Marines die. Well, now that I think about it, if I **** up and the bird crashes, Marines die too, but you get the point. So imagine having a Cpl lat move into infantry with no combat experience. As a Cpl you'll be a squad leader. Could you imagine the chaos? A squad leader with no combat experience telling Marines what to do who have possibly already done 2 deployments or more. I hear about guys lat moving out of infantry, but never in. And for the reason I just stated is probably why.


Become an 03 from the get go if that's ultimately your goal. 0311 is your basic rifleman. 0331 is machine gunner. 0321 is Recon. Those are the only 3 I know. The only one you can get a contract for is Recon. I believe Scout Sniper is contract but don't hold me to it. Everything else is sorted out at ITB while you're there.


The reason I say the rank structure is more rigid is simple. At least for me. As a 6322 Avionics technician, there are times I have to say "No.", to pilots, regardless of rank.

[tankmech]

If you want to be infantry do it from the get go.

[ChaseB2010]

My thoughts exactly, and whats with him callings 19yo Marines douchbags. Or am I the only one who noticed that. Semper

I never called 19 y/o's douchebags. I said I'm not going to ACT LIKE A DOUCHEBAG and be a 19 y/o with too much authority and think that they're tough sh!t.