View Full Version : why joining the military
lately i have been considering joining the military alot. with a choice only between marines and the army. i have yet to decide what i want to go into, but after reading this forum i think im going to try and make the passage to become a marine. i know it wont be easy, it wont even be close to being easy. but i have had enough of being a civilian. right now im a sophomore in college a big university, and just dont think i belong here, i could be doing so much more stuff with my life.
the one thing that completly puzzles me however is this. people that look down upon the marines, or the military in general. WTF ARE THESE PEOPLE THINKING?!?!?!?!?! if i had two job applications and saw one was a marine, bam, hired on the spot. how can people talk about veterans, i try my best to be as respectful to you guys as i can, and in the future, i hope people will do that for me. i have the upmost respect in everyone that has been in the military.
id just like to give my 2 cents in about that. thanks for reading. i hope one day i can become on the few and the proud.
ringoffire
12-12-05, 06:08 AM
FYI msf-When spelling Marine, capitalize the M. I'm just the wife of a Marine and did not go thru boot, therefore do not carry any rank. I couldn't give you any advice, because I have not "been there". All I can say is if you trying to decide between Marine & Army-Go for Marine.
This site is filled with good advice, so read what these guys/gals have to say.
Tallboot
12-12-05, 10:46 AM
If you for Army youll regret not Enlisting in the Marines. Marines are much more harder and have much higherstandards and much much more discipline. They are more effecient killers, and the warriors of this nation. Army isnt bad or anything but it doesnt compare to the Marines.
p8ntballsnipr1
12-12-05, 12:04 PM
Thats right tallboot, tis all about the Marines with a capitol M!! Marines are here to sreve with the best, Ive said it before and ill say it again, If I go I want to go with the best of the best, The Marine Corps the Army with all respect due to Marine Soldiers on this site, but they way i was brought up was the Army was byfar easyier than the Corps, Espirit de Corps means alot to me becuase i was brought up by Marines. still jsut a poolee with 8 months left i cant really give u advice about the Corps or the Army, but hell
if you want to be an Army of one....then go for it
but if you want to be a Marine ... then you have to EARN it!
and if that just dont say it all, ask a Marine on what to do
Semper FI till the DAY I DIE!!
Nagalfar
12-12-05, 12:20 PM
There will always be people who, to use your words, "look down at Marines", with out any doubt the most common reason for that is, they dont have what it takes to become a Marine, so rather than stand up and be something close to a man, and say, I dont or didnt have what it takes to me a Marine.. they "look down at Marines".. Speaking from the Marine end of that stick, we love those folks, they are a great source of entertainment, were else could you find so many people willing to stand up and make a arsehole out of themselves! our history and tradition speaks for itself WORLD WIDE.. what have they done lately? LMAO...
(For more indepth info see: Sigmund Freud, subheading, SOUR GRAPES!)
Ferg69to73
12-12-05, 01:15 PM
I was in the Corps from 1969 to 1973, working on aviation electronics. After '73 i was in the army national guard for 3 yrs, and in 1980 fid 4 yrs in the Navy. Pick the Marines, my friend! There is no comparison :)
As for people down on the military? If i had a double PhD in Sociology and Psychiatry, i still couldn't figure out those whose very freedoms depend on our miltary and still bad-mouth the armed services.
If you want the Best, be a Marine.
I see that you are in college, sophmore year - two more years to go for the diploma. You've gotten a "call from the wild" and you think that you're missing out on all the "fun" that the military has to offer? Why can't you do both - the military and college? Matter of fact, my son is currently in the Air Force Security Forces and finished his last 3 years while in the military. It took him 5 1/2 years to do it, but the nice thing about his situation, (which I have to keep reminding him) is - now he has a quality education and "doesn't owe a dime"! Its been completely paid for - compliments of Uncle Sam and the military. Up until a year ago he had intentions on becoming an officer but sometimes there are persons (military or civilian) that can "crush a dream" in a heartbeat. Irregardless of your intentions, you still need your education, not only for yourself, but for all the persons that you come in contact with, especially the Marines. Ever hear of the phrase "either lead, follow, or get out of the way"? Well, the Marines are always in need of a good leader. Once you decide what you want to do - "set a goal" and make it happen, its that simple. Joining the Marines was the first real decision that I made on my own. People tried to talk me out of it of course, said I was crazy, believed it was a stupid idea, etc. Then it becomes a battle in ones mind to prove all the disbelivers wrong. Its a very small percentage that join the Marines actually compared to the rest of the services because its not for everyone - just the ones that have to prove to themselves that they are above the ones that said they couldn't do it! If you enjoy a challenge then this is the right place! You'll come out of it a better person because of the disipline and pride that they instill in you. Once you finish with boot camp and advanced infantry training you'll have a good background to start dealing with life in general. Thats when you can go out drinking with all your new buddies, jump out of airplanes without a parachute, attack a tank with a k-bar knife, take on 10 of the Army's best and not even work up a sweat!! Oh, to be your age again and know what I know now!!! I wish you well.
BOOGIEMAN44
12-12-05, 07:52 PM
As One Of Our Brothers Said Not Long Ago,the Marine Corps Is The Only Military Service That Calls It Self For What They Are..."MARINES" The Army Has Soldiers, The Navy Has Sailors, The Air Force Has... Well, What Ever They Have, The Point Is, Marines Have Marines, Nothing Less Than Perfection Will Do, In Your Right Hand, You Have An Army Of... One, In Your Left Hand You Have The Most Feared, Fighting Force In The World, THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS, I Don't Think The Choice Is A Hard One To Make, Unless Your Not Up To The Challenge, But, Your The Only One That Can Make That Call.
i think that i am going to put school on hold next year, which would be my junior year and do something different. whether it be the Marines or the Army. Either one is a good way to get my on a right path.
why does the navy "hate/look down upon" the Marines. i would have no reason as to think why they would
christine_06
12-12-05, 09:11 PM
very good point Tallboot.
msf- the military is a very good career to have and you'll go far in life with it. well here's my 2cents about what branch to choose. i'm not just saying this cuz i'm a Marine recruit but from experience. i think if you're choosing between army or Marines, you should go with the Marines because they are not going to promise you anything or any job like the army will (and the only reason i know that is cuz my sister was enlisted in the army, but she never went to boot camp cuz they screwed her over before she left). the Marines are a very elite branch and they don't just let anyone in, you have to earn everything you get but most importantly you have to earn your EGA and then and only then can you call yourself a Marine. Marines are highly resepected by most people who believe in the military, they are the ones who get sent to take care of a job while the army gets sent in to do clean up. hopefully you figure out what you want to do, good luck.
DuckSauce
12-12-05, 09:16 PM
"The President's Own"
...thats all I need.
Wake up every morning, just another glorious day to serve the Corps!
Do you want to better yourself and stand out or just mix with the crowd?
"Uncommon Valor was a common Virtue"-Admiral Chester Nimitz
over and out,
PFC Welbaum
BOOGIEMAN44
12-13-05, 07:07 AM
why does the navy "hate/look down upon" the Marines. i would have no reason as to think why they would[/QUOTE]
LETS LOOK AT THIS SHALL WE?? THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS IS THE MOST FEARED FIGHTING FORCE IN THE WORLD, THE NAVY WEARS.....BELL BOTTOMS, ANY MORE QUESTIONS. :D
Tallboot
12-13-05, 10:51 AM
Navy Training involves cups of tea and late nite television -- im not going to disrespect the Navy or anything, My Grandpa was in WW2 (fireing shells at japan) dont expect the navy to get off there boats and grab a gun and run into the battle field and do somthing. Airforce and Navy are basically for college money and rescue missions. Marines go Air, Land, Sea by thereself. -- As for your question you are a sophomore in college -- you could just finish out college and go to OTC and become a Marine officer, your call ...
Tallboot
12-13-05, 10:51 AM
Navy Training involves cups of tea and late nite television -- im not going to disrespect the Navy or anything, My Grandpa was in WW2 (fireing shells at japan) dont expect the navy to get off there boats and grab a gun and run into the battle field and do somthing. Airforce and Navy are basically for college money and rescue missions. Marines go Air, Land, Sea by thereself. -- As for your question you are a sophomore in college -- you could just finish out college and go to OTC and become a Marine officer, your call ...
outlaw3179
12-13-05, 11:25 AM
Both the Navy and the Marine Corps fall under the same department. We just happen to be the mens department .
BOOGIEMAN44
12-13-05, 08:36 PM
Both the Navy and the Marine Corps fall under the same department. We just happen to be the mens department .
AND THE NAVY WEARS....BELL BOTTOMS...:D
As I would say to my kids and grandkids, "Dude and Dudette, "what are you thinkin,'?"
Unfortunately my one son has a medical condition that won't allow him to join the Corps, but he would join in a minute. Coming form a military family, my Dad was career Air Force, he knows how I feel about our Country, and the Honor to serve. He absolutely admires the Corps and its values, which I have instilled in him, and his sisters since the day they were born. (As for my three daughters, one is a CPA, one is an R.N., and one is currently in college studiyng to become a teacher at NIU).
'Nough rambling about me. The big question is, WHAT DO YOU WANT OUT OF YOUR LIFE? If you choose to leave college and join the military, what are you after? Excitement, adventure, "A soldier of one?" Then join the army. (A'int Real Men Yet,). :) Or join the Corps, where you will learn that you are not a "soldier of one", but a member of the greatest fighting force that the world has ever seen.
I could keep going and going but ultimately the decision is yours. Search your heart, and base your decision on that. Good luck, don't rush your decision, and be happy with the path you chose. :yes:
Semper Fi.
Ron
magicalx
12-13-05, 10:14 PM
Joining the military is a decision that sometimes cannot be explained. Everyone does it for a variety of reasons...whether it's for the college money, adventure, travel, patriotism...but one thing is for sure...for those of us that have made the journey, this is what it comes down to:
"When I go back home, people ask me, "Why do you do it man? What are you some kind of war junkie?" You know what I say...I don't say a f*cking thing, because they don't understand. They don't understand that it's about the man next to you. That's all it's about."
Having the life of a friend in the palms of your hand is an experience that the Marine Corps can offer in ways that no other service can.
Semper Fidelis
Exactly the opposite! Most of the time the Marines are looking down at the Navy because most of them do not have the physical conditioning that the Marines put you thorough. Because the Marines are a branch of the Navy, some of the schools that we go to are mixes classes. There were about 13 Marines and about 40 Squids (Navy personnel) in our Parachute Rigger school at Lakehurst, New Jersey. Most days we would go on a 3-5 mile run to get our legs in shape. I can remember picking up a few squids that were winded and throwing them over our shoulders and we would just keep on running down the road.
Now, the part of the Navy that almost all Marines look up to are the Navy Corpsman. These are the guys that travel with the Marines everywhere we go and have proven over and over their bravery in combat situations. There have been many that have given their life trying to protect a fallen Marine, thats why they are held in such high reverence.
But, overall, I wouldn't be caught dead in bell bottom trousers and that little white hat that the Navy wears. And most of all, blood doesn't look well on a white uniform - its undignified!! On green and blue jackets its not as noticeable!!
By the way, in the Navy's defense. They put us through some pretty tough water courses - only 9 of our whole class passed those - they were pretty nasty as I recall.
And lastly- why would anyone want to wear an Army uniform-has no class, hangs down & wears like "last night's dogs dinner" - just isn't my idea of a uniform that looks and makes you feel good like the Marine uniform. It wrinkles in the back and has some dumb looking chevrons, and a badge on the right side that informs the wearer of his name - in case one forgets who he is.
Tallboot
12-15-05, 12:40 PM
ARMY (Aint Ready for Marines Yet) ... Regardless of what you choose ... Marine Corps training is the hardest because it has to be, its required that your able to do it if your going to be a Marine ... other branches? its easier because requirements are lower. We dont need people that are going to be crying scared, and calling for there moms in the middle of a battle.
Wyoming
12-16-05, 07:01 AM
Now, the part of the Navy that almost all Marines look up to are the Navy Corpsman. These are the guys that travel with the Marines everywhere we go and have proven over and over their bravery in combat situations. There have been many that have given their life trying to protect a fallen Marine, thats why they are held in such high reverence.
Never once did our Medics buy a round. It was something that just wasn't allowed.
Old Marine
12-16-05, 08:37 AM
In the end it really does not matter which branch of service you choose as we all support each other. It takes all the branches of the service to win a conflict/war and that is the bottom line.
Serve your country and be proud to do so.
If you make it and earn the title, you'll be much more prouder of yourself in knowing you've accomplished something not many people can. But if you want to be part of the any and the many, that's fine too, nothing against that. Me personally, I have pride in knowing that I can look down on our sister services. Seeing how nasty they are, I know that I am a cut above. On the streets, I get a lot more respect when telling them I'm a Marine, everyone's so interested in my life. Many people talk about being in the Army, trying to take pride in that, but there's just no interest in the Army anymore, at least what I have found. Everyone wants to know how life in the Marines is, where I have been, what I have seen, and they always ask me about boot camp. I'm glad I chose the Marines, but the Marines aren't for everybody.
lorix, do you look down upon the rangers, green berets, delta forces, airborne divisions?
moose0311
12-16-05, 07:10 PM
Well if it will help any the Marines will give you the selfrespect and dicipline to do anything you want in life, I know since I got out I started out on my own I have lived on the streets at first and worked my way up, I now have a wonderful wife & 2 great kids and, my friendships that I made while in the corps will last for ever I am still intouch with them & looking for others. Thats been 20yrs now, we have been forged like a fine sword never to be broken & when I meet a fellow Marine, we always have that bond and can talk for hours my Dad was a Marine as was my brother & alot of family we have had a Marine in every battle or conflict as far back as my Grannie can remeber,SF
Tallboot
12-16-05, 09:49 PM
I doubt any Marine looks down apon the Rangers, delta forces, airborne or w/e ... i just dont think a Marine Compares his line of duty or what he has been through with a other branch. They are all patriotic, and atleast man/women enough to serve in there country in some way. Personally i talked with a Army Ranger, found out he had been in vietnam -- i told him i was enlisted into Marines and he shook my hand, and we talked about 2 hours about Military ( i had just literally met the guy ) id never look down on him.
msf,
A Marine will NEVER disrespect another member of our military. It's just that our basic training is far superior to any others. The people that you named have had advanced training. It would be like comparing me, a former "Winger", to a Recon Marine. No comparison. I cannot do his job, he cannot have done mine.
What ALL Marines can do is pick up his or her weapon and mow the grass on the front lines. Regardless of our MOS, the thing that sets us apart from the other branches of our military is that we are qualified (albiet, with some refreshing for some, myself included) to hit the ground running, and ready to kick some a**. We are trained warriors, and we will always demand that respect from our "sister" services. That's why we are MARINES!
Ron
CplClark
12-21-05, 09:02 PM
look into PLC platoon leaders course, the marines will pay for your college and start your traning to become an officer, not sure on the details but dont let your college go to waist.
cowgurl_Marine
12-27-05, 06:28 PM
Hey I tell you....i am a young Devil Dog and I don't look down on any branch I just like picking on them. but If i had the choice to pick again I wouldn't choose any other branch. Marines have given my alot of confidence I didn't have before. I know I didn't slack off in boot and I am proud of what I went through and hope the Future recruits gets the same training I did. If I could pick for you I would defentaly go with the Marines. but like I said It is all your choice
P.G.,
Well stated, my young Marine. Keep motivated, and continue to keep your positive attitude.
Semper Fi
Ron
murfdog
12-30-05, 06:58 PM
Do what is in your heart. If the Marines are what you think you want to do than do it.
Semper Fi
Rdy2gopoolie
01-19-06, 08:36 PM
you should read "downing the marines" forum. basically everyone is saying do what YOU want to do. YOU have to WANT it not just maybe ill see you or hope to be one of you but i will see you i will be your brother/sister in arms. but only if YOU want it. also as to the "the army has soldiers, the navy has sailors, the air force has....., and the marines have marines" i read that yea all that is true except that there is not marines in the marine corp but the marine corp in the marines is the difference b/w the branches. Good luck with your choice.