Introduction -- BULLDAWG

[BULLDAWG]

Greetings Marines

My name is Bubba, a resident of Atlanta, Georgia and recent graduate of the University of Georgia. I have been involved with the Marine Officer Program since January of this year. Recently I have decided that enlisting is a better choice for me. I am very excited to begin this journey and it truly feels like the right thing to do...it is a good feeling...

While in the future I may pursue a commission, I am focused on the here and now, and since I will not be attempting to earn a slot at OCC this Fall, what I am focused on is meeting with the recruiter again (met with him in January before contacting an OSO), doing well on the ASVAB, selecting a good MOS, and preparing for Boot Camp.

A few MOS I am interested in are Combat Engineer, Reconaissance Man, MAGTF Planner (anyone know anything about this one???), and Linguist (how common do people learn non-Middle Eastern languages such as French...already speak Spanish...?). Any advice about physically and mentally challenging MOSs is appreciated.

Recent PFT and CFT

3 mile: 21:20
Pullups: 17
Crunches in 2 min: 75

Ammo Can lifts in 2 min: 92
Movement to Contact (1/2 mile): 2:45
Manuever under Fire: do not recall


:banana:


Also looking at USAF PJ training...but I want to join the best...:usmc:

[sscjoe]

Michael, is this you?

[BULLDAWG]

No, I am not Michael...is that an Officer Candidate you know?

I am planning on speaking to a recruiter tomorrow...any knowledge that yall could share beforehand would be appreciated...

;)

[USNAviator]

Type of MOS (http://usmilitary.about.com/od/enlistedjo2/a/mosdef.htm) : PMOS
Rank (http://usmilitary.about.com/od/theorderlyroom/l/blenlrank.htm) Range: MGySgt to Pvt
Job Description: The enlisted MAGTF planning specialist is responsible for functional support in the areas of FDP and E. Typical duties include updating plan and unit information to unit level detail for force deployment planning; operating and managing force deployment planning automated data processing tools; producing force reports; and properly formatting and forwarding electronic mail, files, and newsgroup message traffic.
Job Requirements:
(1) Must possess a GT score (http://usmilitary.about.com/od/enlistedjo2/a/asvab.htm) of 110 or higher.
(2) Complete the MAGTF Plans Basic Course.
(3) For lateral move into this OccFld, an interview and recommendation by an installation's senior MAGTF Planner is required.
(4) Must be eligible for a top-secret security clearance (http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/generalinfo/a/security.htm).
(5) Must be a U.S. citizen.

[BULLDAWG]

Thank You For That Description But Really Want To Hear First Hand Accounts

Thank You!!!

[Alex Anderson]

I dont know much about Recon but Combat Engineer and MAGTF Planner are A critical MOS. This is from the Other Marines I work With. MAGTF Planner you will need a higher security clearence but over after that it should keep you interested. Combat Engineers work well stateside but do their best while deployed you see alot of great things. As far as your PFT it seems you are squared away andwill fit right in. We are trying to weed out the bad bugs in the Marine Corps. If you are willing to be better than average I welcome you to attemp to join this brotherhood.

[sscjoe]

Michael, is this you?

Before your your time CMDR. anything with a DAWGG and a poor profile. Burn Sir.

[USNAviator]

Before your your time CMDR. anything with a DAWGG and a poor profile. Burn Sir.

Joe this wouldn't be the Marine who posted every media update in creation? If it is, I do miss his sense of humor. Turbine engine Dawg?

[MD8724]

Greetings Marines

My name is Bubba, a resident of Atlanta, Georgia and recent graduate of the University of Georgia.

While in the future I may pursue a commission,




You may not have the opportunity to pursue a commission in the future. You will be turning down a lot of money by enlisting....

I only ask that, if you have student loans, you think about it over again, as my wifes student loan payments just kicked in, and those are a *****.

[Alex Anderson]

I hear and understand what you are sayin but if you are joining just for the money there wont be as much love for the Core in my opinion. I may go the Warrant officer route in the future but dont knock the enlisted side. The Senior Enlisted have more respect from the lower ranks vice. An Officer who reads and goes through courses on how to train Marines. So it really is based on what exactly you want there is a split line between Officers and Enlisted then there is the Warrant Officers in the middle. This is off his question. But I had to reply to you since I am enlisted and had to make a comment. :)

[Alex Anderson]

* I see you are active duty so you should understand this as well vice just telling him to become an officer!

[MD8724]

I'm not knocking the enlisted side. :)

Just saying, when the Corps issues me a car, cell phone, cable, etc., then I will take the money side of it out of my thinking.

[Sgt Leprechaun]

Moved to Ask a Marine....and I'd like to see a more fleshed out profile. Also, read our site rules.

[Marine84]

Bulldawg - you and I should talk. What part of town are you in?

[haebyungdae]

Linguist. You will most likely get some sort of middle eastern language or Korean, perhaps Russian (or a variant) or Chinese. The likelihood of Spanish is less then those listed prior and the chances of another type of romance language is slim to none. Someone that is there at DLI would be better suited to give information on what is hot or not. The way I see it, the middle eastern languages will continue to be in demand and seems that the number of Asia-pacific language linguists (Korean specifically) will be held at its current level for right now with a decrease over the next couple years (again this is my perception).

Additionally, linguist is, as can be imagined, a mentally demanding job, but one thing that is not often known is that it can be physically demanding depending on where you get stationed and what your billet is. If you end up in a Fleet Marine Force unit (Radio Bn), the chance of getting this billet would be slightly less then 50 percent. (search wikipedia for Radio recon or radio battalion). Other then the FMF Radio Bns, linguists go to letter companies (google "mcsb+usmc" click on the dot mil links), which is strictly a desk job with limited deployment options.

[temarti]

If you have already acheived your degree at UGA, why would you not put it to work in the Officer ranks? You have the opportunity to do so unless there is something in the background keeping you from it.

[BULLDAWG]

I finally went and saw a recruiter this week! I am already scheduled to go to MEPS on Monday! All my paperwork has been submitted as of this afternoon. I already had the security clearance from when I was working with the OSO.

Many people like my parents are upset that I want to enlist rather than pursue a commission, but this is what I want and what feels like the right thing to do.

I have been reading about enlisted to officer programs...seems like a great path...

If I decide that is what I want...

Plus if I decide to go for Judge Advocate...post 9-11 GI Bill paying for law school sounds great...

IM EXCITED

[BULLDAWG]

I dont know much about Recon but Combat Engineer and MAGTF Planner are A critical MOS. This is from the Other Marines I work With. MAGTF Planner you will need a higher security clearence but over after that it should keep you interested. Combat Engineers work well stateside but do their best while deployed you see alot of great things. As far as your PFT it seems you are squared away andwill fit right in. We are trying to weed out the bad bugs in the Marine Corps. If you are willing to be better than average I welcome you to attemp to join this brotherhood.

I have to pick my top three MOS at MEPS according to my recruiter. CE and MAGTF may be my second and third spots but I want to look into electronic warfare as well...

:banana:

[BULLDAWG]

Linguist. You will most likely get some sort of middle eastern language or Korean, perhaps Russian (or a variant) or Chinese. The likelihood of Spanish is less then those listed prior and the chances of another type of romance language is slim to none. Someone that is there at DLI would be better suited to give information on what is hot or not. The way I see it, the middle eastern languages will continue to be in demand and seems that the number of Asia-pacific language linguists (Korean specifically) will be held at its current level for right now with a decrease over the next couple years (again this is my perception).

Additionally, linguist is, as can be imagined, a mentally demanding job, but one thing that is not often known is that it can be physically demanding depending on where you get stationed and what your billet is. If you end up in a Fleet Marine Force unit (Radio Bn), the chance of getting this billet would be slightly less then 50 percent. (search wikipedia for Radio recon or radio battalion). Other then the FMF Radio Bns, linguists go to letter companies (google "mcsb+usmc" click on the dot mil links), which is strictly a desk job with limited deployment options.


Thanks for the excellent information on the post and others...

Linguist is my top choice now...I am hopefully taking the DLAB when I go to MEPS on Monday...

If not Monday then soon after...

HOW CAN ONE IMPROVE THEIR CHANCES OF GOING TO RADIO BNS?
I DO NOT WANT A DESK JOB BUT I UNDERSTAND "THE NEEDS OF THE CORPS." HIGH PFT/CFT?

Also...

DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT THE SITUATION AT DLI LOOKS LIKE THESE DAYS AS FAR AS LANGUAGES FOR NOOBIES GOES?

[BULLDAWG]

If you have already acheived your degree at UGA, why would you not put it to work in the Officer ranks? You have the opportunity to do so unless there is something in the background keeping you from it.
I originally was working towards a commission right away, but decided I would rather be enlisted and maybe in the future I feel more qualified to assume that kind of role...this way I learn more about the Marine Corps and the military in general prior to commissioning (if I reach my goals)...I can make better decisions with that extra knowledge...I know the sentiment you expressed...but this feels like the right thing to do for me...

Plus, there are some great perks!!

Money is not the driving factor...but the idea of graduate school/professional school being paid for is great...especially considering the job market right now...law school is something I may be interested in, just want to find out more about what Judge Advocates do...

Life is short...but I do not mind spending at least 3 to 4 Years enlisted, I do not care if that "sets me back" in the Officer pipeline as people have expressed to me...the additional knowledge I would have as a "Mustang" is well worth it IMHO...

:beer:cheerz

[Apache]

Every MOS is critical to the total mission
There is always a need for leaders
You will exceed what you think are your limitations physically and mentally

[BULLDAWG]

Now sworn in and slated for boot 20111212!! :bunny:

Selecting MOS soon.

DLAB next week.



Guaranteed E2 out of boot. Goal is LCpl out of boot, even if I don't get it, it is good to set the mark high.

Studying up on some good information and PTing like mad. :mad:

I got a 98 on the ASVAB and my recruiter said I could do any job so what in your opinion are other good MOSs besides linguist?

Also, is there anything along the lines of a MARINE DIVER? I like swimming.

[BULLDAWG]

Scratch that part about Marine Diver...did a little research...see that it goes with Recon...

:yes:


Other questions are fair game.

[BULLDAWG]

*Testing to see if I have "poolee" status