View Full Version : Considering Options, Requesting Opinions...
Greetings Marines, <br />
<br />
A little bit of background info on myself: I am a 21 year old college student that was medically discharged from MCRD Parris Island in 2010. The day I was separated from recruit...
josephd
10-10-12, 01:09 AM
TAKE THE SCHOLARSHIP!!!.....
I know it's the Army but honestly that is a once in a lifetime opportunity. You'll commission in the Army and be an officer which can open more doors for you than enlisting in the Marine Corps could ever do.
Thank you for the advice, sir. Accepting the scholarship definitely seems like the logical choice to make. However, I just can't stop dwelling on the fact that I didn't graduate boot camp and become a Marine.
On top of that, I have been completely disgusted with the ROTC program so far. Out of 45 Cadets, around 5 of them are capable of passing the Army PFT. It's not uncommon to see Cadets show up to class with their velcro name tapes and patches in the wrong spots. What's sad is that the majority of our Battalion is made up of former active duty soldiers or current National Guard members, and they are still not capable of wearing the uniform correctly or passing the PT test.
I am not trying to bash the Army, as I respect all branches of our armed forces, these are just observations that I've made. Perhaps I'm being too critical, and just need to be thankful for the opportunity I've received. Any advice is still welcomed.
Thanks again, Marines.
il duce
10-15-12, 01:30 PM
TAKE THE SCHOLARSHIP!!!.....
I know it's the Army but honestly that is a once in a lifetime opportunity. You'll commission in the Army and be an officer which can open more doors for you than enlisting in the Marine Corps could ever do.
agree 100% - the opportunities that exist for an officer (regardless of the branch) are overwhelming compared to an enlisted Marine, the pay is exponentially higher, and people have to salute you ;)
Hi again Marines,
I doubt anyone is really interested in this thread or my situation, but I thought I'd go ahead and give an update. I've been cleared by 3 specialists to re-enter the Marine Corps and now I'm just waiting to hear back from BuMED. My recruiter says I've got about a 50/50 shot at getting back in... Not the best odds, but I'll take it.
The scholarship opportunity has been revoked... Unfortunately I will not meet the credit requirements by the end of next semester to be eligible. I am a good student with a 4.0 GPA, but when you work full time to put yourself through school, there are only so many credit hours you can squeeze into one semester.
The good news is that I'm one step closer to becoming a Marine. My recruiter and I have worked together to compile about 50 to 60 pages of documents proving that I'm physically capable of meeting the demands of Recruit Training. Now we just have to sit back and let the powers that be make their decision.
Your thinking is all over the target so to speak. Number 1, you were medically DC from boot camp. Even with waivers your chance of winning the lottery is better than being accepted into OCS. Why? The physical rigors demanded of officer candidates are certainly more demanding than enlisted boot camp (training paradigms are distinctly different)).
Number 2, why would the Army "offer" you an OCS scholarship before determining your final eligibility? A formal offer essentially removes that opening for an eligible candidate.
Number 3, you will pursue Army OCS (which is now moot) but blood runs in your veins for the Marine Corps. That's commendable but had you "begrudgingly" chosen Army, I wouldn't want a boot lieutenant with this kind of attitude in my platoon. Listen, Alder, you are going into the military and as an officer (in any branch of service), your job is to keep your people alive. It's not all about called a Marine. In the end, good luck and think not what the service is going to do for you, but what you for them...more so with the Marine Corps.
Semper fi,
I agree that I've been a bit scatter brained lately. Sorry for not being a little more detailed in my original post.
I've been to Marine Corps recruit training before, but I was sent home after being injured and told that I could return in 6 months. Needless to say, the process of getting back in has taken MUCH longer than 6 months. So I decided that during that down time, I'd go back to school an earn some college credits. My school has an ROTC program, so I figured I'd take the class and see what it was about. I had to get medically cleared by them first, of course. Once I was cleared, I was offered a scholarship contingent upon me completing 43 credit hours by the end of the academic year. Due to my schedule and financial situation, that just isn't going to happen.
ROTC was never really something I set out to pursue, it was just a class that I decided to take while still working on my waiver to re-enter the Marine Corps. I honestly don't see myself as being of officer caliber, nor do I have the desire to become one. It takes a certain kind of person to pursue that route. Also, to clarify, I am not attempting to gain a commission from the Corps either. My goal is to return to Parris Island and become an enlisted Marine.
My apologies for throwing this topic off course, I didn't mean any disrespect towards any specific branch of service. My discontent was aimed more towards a particular ROTC Battalion, which I realize isn't a reflection of the Army in any way.
I guess my question has been answered for me. Thanks for your responses, Marines. If it's ok, I'll give an update again when I receive a yes or no answer for my waiver from the Marine Corps.
Tennessee Top
11-05-12, 09:53 PM
Let us know how it turns out and good luck. <br />
<br />
You never did explain what your medical discharge was for. Were you injured/sick?
I had a virus that caused me to cough up blood. I was never told exactly what virus it was...
Rocky C
11-06-12, 04:46 PM
Best of luck to you, take care of your health and keep us posted.
Thanks for all of the encouragement, Marines!
I've been told by my recruiter to expect an answer by the end of this week. They could say yes, no, or choose to send it to a med review board. (I believe that was the term he used.)
Well anyway, I just want to say that regardless of the outcome, I have a ton of respect for you Marines. Thanks for all the help you offer on these forums!
Good morning Marines,
It looks like my persistence over the past couple of years has payed off. I'm good to go and heading to MEPS next week to take my new ASVAB, physical, and swear in. It seems unreal to me that I am getting another shot at the title, and there's no way I'm coming home this time unless I'm a Marine.
In the mean time, I'm still attending college this upcoming Spring semester while in the DEP and participating in ROTC as a non-scholarship Cadet. I belive my credits will earn me contract PFC before I ship out.
Although I am a fairly new member here, I've lurked on the forums for quite some time and this is the place I come when I need some new motivation. Thank you all for taking time out of your day to help out wannabe's like me!
Tennessee Top
12-08-12, 12:14 PM
You are still on your journey. You took a small detour but now you're back on track. Good for you. The road is not smooth and there will be roadblocks along the way as you have already experienced. Keep your eye on the destination and your foot on the gas pedal. I'm glad you're getting a second chance because it sounds to me you will take advantage of it. Continued good luck.
My congratulations to you, and best of luck in your future with the Marine Corps. The Marine Corps continually look for a "Few Good Ones..." You've defined your starting point. Keep up the good work.
Semper fi,
MunkyVsRobot
12-08-12, 05:56 PM
TAKE THE SCHOLARSHIP!!!.....
I know it's the Army but honestly that is a once in a lifetime opportunity. You'll commission in the Army and be an officer which can open more doors for you than enlisting in the Marine Corps could ever do.
This.
Being a Marine is a pride thing, every other branch offers the same thing if not a little bit more. dont take this the wrong way but youd be an idiot not to take the opertunity.
Im not a huge fan of the Army either but if they told me they would pay me to go to school and then put me through OCS id be signing that paper right away. There is a lot less bullcrap that you have to deal with.
I in no way am saying the army is better than the Marine Corps either I earned my title and I am as Moto as the next guy but looking at it straight black an white. Think of it this way its like getting offered a job by 2 companies 1 company only offers you a job working the docks but it is a popular company and the more blue collar side of the working world and the other company offers you a managerial job less popular but they will pay for training, training that will help you years after you leave. Which job would you take?
This.
Being a Marine is a pride thing, every other branch offers the same thing if not a little bit more. dont take this the wrong way but youd be an idiot not to take the opertunity.
Im not a huge fan of the Army either but if they told me they would pay me to go to school and then put me through OCS id be signing that paper right away. There is a lot less bullcrap that you have to deal with.
I in no way am saying the army is better than the Marine Corps either I earned my title and I am as Moto as the next guy but looking at it straight black an white. Think of it this way its like getting offered a job by 2 companies 1 company only offers you a job working the docks but it is a popular company and the more blue collar side of the working world and the other company offers you a managerial job less popular but they will pay for training, training that will help you years after you leave. Which job would you take?
Very good way of looking at it. Yes this is the life you want. Being called a Marine is one of the best feelings in the world. But if you really want to help your future. Look into those Army options. The green machine that is the Marine Corps offers much fewer options. I am proud of my title but at the end of the day. If someone had offered me anything from another branch in the form of an officer program I would have more than gladly looked at it.
Hi Marines,
I thought I'd give you all another update. After getting my waiver approved to go to MEPS, I discovered that I had to get two additional waivers before being allowed to swear in. I'm proud to say that my waivers were approved and I am now shipping to MCRD Parris Island on December 16th.
Thank you for your motivation and support Marines! I'm glad I made the decision to turn down the scholarship for now. I decided that college would always be an option after my enlistment is over, and becoming an officer later down the road is a possibility. However, as of right now that is not my goal. First I need to follow through with the commitment I made to the USMC. Thanks for sharing your opinions and wisdom with me everyone!
Rocky C
06-29-13, 02:56 PM
Thank you for the PM and Congrats to you as your persistence has paid off so far.
Your status on the forum is now changed from " Marine Friend " to " Poolee/DEP ".
Please square away your profile ASAP with all fields filled out to reflect the changes.
Thank you and best of luck.
Thank you, sir!
I've filled out the appropriate profile information now.
Congrats and Good Luck in December.
Don't give up on college. Continue to take courses once you hit the fleet.
Congrats
NOW,,, go earn the title....
Thank you both very much! I definitely plan on staying in school until I leave for boot camp and will continue to take classes while on active duty if possible.
mccmuffin
07-02-13, 09:03 AM
Alder my son just graduated from MCRDPISC in May his Platoon Guide and the Honor Grad from his Platoon was injured on T52 his first trip to PI.He spent almost 2 years and 5000 of his own money to get a 2nd chance.He made the best of it.You can make it happen.Glad to see you stuck with it and Good Luck
Alder my son just graduated from MCRDPISC in May his Platoon Guide and the Honor Grad from his Platoon was injured on T52 his first trip to PI.He spent almost 2 years and 5000 of his own money to get a 2nd chance.He made the best of it.You can make it happen.Glad to see you stuck with it and Good Luck
Wow, that is some serious dedication. Hopefully I will get the opportunity to be my platoon's guide, but if not, I hope to pass on as much knowledge to the other recruits as I can during the early stages of training.
Thank you for your kind words also sir.