What's YOUR reason?

[alexpw62]

This is intended for all the poolees/wannabes here. I'm wondering what specific reason(s) you have for your interest in enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. What inspires you to want to take a shot at earning one of the most coveted Titles in the world? What drives you to choose the path of Service to your Country instead of just assimilating into the private sector like most people?

First of all, I want to say that I am not yet a poolee, but will most likely be one very soon. As of now, I'm just a wannabe with nothing but the utmost respect for all Marines and the job that they do. So here's why I'm humbly hoping to one day, *fingers crossed*, earn the Title Marine.

The reason for my interest in the Marine Corps, first and foremost, is that I have always felt, as an American citizen, I owe it to my country to serve. Not only that, but I owe it to our country's past warriors, who gave their lives so that we could have independence and freedom. I don't want to be a freeloader; I want to earn the good life that is only possible because I was born in America.

Also, my mother was in New York on 9/11 on a business trip, and she was just a few blocks away from the Twin Towers at the time of the attacks (she actually saw the first plane hit). She wasn't hurt, and thank the Lord everything turned out fine, but there was a half-day period that I did not know whether my mother was dead or alive, as all the phones were down in Manhattan and I had no way of communicating with her. The memory of that experience was another major motivating factor in my decision to consider serving instead of just going straight to college.

GOOD LUCK to all you poolees, and THANK YOU to all Marines!!

[Master Sephiroth]

http://uweb.txstate.edu/~rw04/intro/PHOTOGRAPHY/IMAGES/9-11-pic1.jpg This was one of my reasons for wanting to join.

http://www.ctv.ca/archives/CTVNews/images/20040513/beheading_american_040513/160_beheading3_20040511.jpg This was another.

But as you probably know, I can't join. Just saying why I wanted to. Why the Marine Corps? Simple. Because they are the best

[MKinney]

I've always admired what the Marine Corps has done, especially throughout WWII. People ask why I didn't join the USAF if I wanted to be an Engineer and I just say that I wanted to be put through the hardest training and be part of the best our country has to offer.

Oh and of course, Dress Blues.

[Kp42]

9/11. All of this people who take thieir freedoms for grantide will never understand why any human being would want to be a Marine.
One of the most challenging things a human being can ever do, I want to see if i'm good enough to be one of the few who are.

[GriT]

Honestly, I used to plan on joining the Army. I didn't even know about the Marines when I was younger. A buddy of mine and I signed up for a cadet organization when I was 12. You have a choice of becoming a Marine, Naval or Army cadet. The program parallels the real military as close as possible. The bootcamp instructors are ACTUAL Marine/Army former Drill Instructors/Sergeants.

I was shocked when my friend said " lets go Marine! " because they were warning us on how intense and hard it was to be a Marine Cadet. They said " It was above the rest ". Well, he talked me into it. Once I became a cadet and learned about the history and customs and the " first to fight " traditions I was hooked.

I am 15 today, still part of the cadet program and still in Awe of the United States Marines. Scince, I have visited Quantico, seen 2 shows presented by the Marine Corp Silent Drill Team and learned so much about the Corps, and still have so much to learn.

I have the upmost respect for the Marine Corp and am anxious for the day I am given the chance to earn the title Marine.

[JGNichols]

This is an excellent thread alexpw62, thank you for starting it.

I have always wanted to serve my country, ever since I was old enough to understand exactly just what and who it was that protects our nation and keeps us free. I am also, by nature as well as nurture (I come from a military family), someone who sees a military lifestyle more appealing in many ways than a civillian lifestyle.

However, as I got older, I did not maintain the physical fitness required to make serving in the military much of an option. I always had the desire, but I was not doing the hard work needed to make that desire a reality. Finally, I was sick of being hamstrung by something as simple as eating too ******* much, and I jumped on the problem without mercy. I changed my entire lifestyle, and I challenged myself to the point where I am now both willing and fully able to serve my country.

So, why the Corps? Because, when I sat there looking at the Army information packet, I knew that I would always wonder if I had what it took to earn the Title. I had proven to myself that I had what it took to become a soldier, but could I become a Marine? As I thought about it, considering and weighing all that is going on in the world and with my own life, I knew without a doubt that if I didn't even attempt this challenge, I would always regret it. I have done what it took to reach my own goals before, and now I will do what it takes to meet one of the greatest goals I have ever set before myself.

There are a million other reasons as well, but that one above all stands out in my mind as the reason I want to join the Marine Corps. I don't want to look back and wonder and regret. Marines don't have that problem.

Semper Fi, Marines

[fraser]

I was in a Marine Cadet program and it was something I enjoyed more than anything I have done in my life and ever since then I have wanted to be a United States Marine.

[PerXes]

I signed up because I want to be a Marine.

[Changingforever]

I joined to learn how to kill!

But seriously... I lack many things personally. Joining the Marine Corps will allow me to explore myself and the world. There's still so much to do and see, and being an ATC will probably help get me places. :)

[The Sandman]

1.)God
2.)Country
3.)Family

[BGMFH]

I want to be part of the BEST fighting force in the WORLD.

[Tallboot]

Reason for Enlisting ... I get a feeling about it when i say Marine Corps ... The combination of Attacking my country (and others) for terror. Its a step from Little boy .. to crossing over that line and Being a Marine.

I could join any Part of the Military and say the same things .. but i dont get that "gut" feeling when i see the other branches. I chose the Marine Corps because simply its amazing a Smaller amount of Marines, with the old equipment of the Army .. can still outdo them .. what does that tell you.

By the way the Dress blues represent everything A Marine stands and they look damn good

[christine_06]

the main reason for me would probably be because if your gonna be apart of something that protects your country then you should be a part of the best and for God, Country, and Corps......

[Zippo]

because i've wanted to be a soldier my entire life.. so i decided to join the best.
the army just seems too plain.
and someone's got do it.

[Parker-0321]

i want to be one of the few, i want to be one of the proud, i want to be part of the BEST DAMN FIGHTING FORCE ON THE PLANET. i want to wear the dress blues. theres no one else i would want to fight with.

[hunter06]

I origanaly planed on joining the Air Force but then after 9/11 i new i wanted to go and fight. I also want to be able to say that i have acomplished more in 4 years then most people can in a life time. If your going to join the military, why not go all the way. I want to prove to myself that i have what it takes to become a United States Marine.

Plus the Dress Blues are pretty bad ass.

[KMichael]

I was going to join the Air Force until my boyfriend at the time took me in so he could check in with his recruiter and it all went down hill from there... I talked to him for a couple weeks and then in june i signed my papers... Okay... Now thats outta the way here's why I joined:

1... The title
2... the history
3... the challenge
4... travel opportunity
5... Dress Blues
6... to prove a point and...
7... to do something no one else in my little crap town will do...

OOH RAH!

[AmyG]

First and foremost, I joined just to be a Marine. I also joined because of the Heritage, the Pride, the Camraderie I see. I see it, I read about it, and all I can say is, I want to be a part of that. I love anything that's like family, and the Marines are a family. On top of that, I joined because the Corps values, Honor, Courage, and Committment, are the epitomy of my personal values. And lastly, I joined because I love to take on a difficult challenge, and if becoming a Marine isn't a challenge, then I don't know what is.

[LittleDevilDog]

I have to say, my younger days were JUST like GriT's. I didn't even know about a Marine Corps until I was about 12 or so. Glad as he!! that I found them though.

What motivates me to join is a mix. The brotherhood, the Title, for my country which is the LEAST I can do, and 9/11. That really hit at home. To this day, I can hardly beleive what I saw.

I WILL earn that TITLE, and I will SERVE THIS FINE COUNRTY as a UNITED STATES MARINE!

Oooh Rah!


Honestly, I used to plan on joining the Army. I didn't even know about the Marines when I was younger. A buddy of mine and I signed up for a cadet organization when I was 12. You have a choice of becoming a Marine, Naval or Army cadet. The program parallels the real military as close as possible. The bootcamp instructors are ACTUAL Marine/Army former Drill Instructors/Sergeants.

I was shocked when my friend said " lets go Marine! " because they were warning us on how intense and hard it was to be a Marine Cadet. They said " It was above the rest ". Well, he talked me into it. Once I became a cadet and learned about the history and customs and the " first to fight " traditions I was hooked.

I am 15 today, still part of the cadet program and still in Awe of the United States Marines. Scince, I have visited Quantico, seen 2 shows presented by the Marine Corp Silent Drill Team and learned so much about the Corps, and still have so much to learn.

I have the upmost respect for the Marine Corp and am anxious for the day I am given the chance to earn the title Marine.

[Lithium]

Reasons in order of importance:

1) 9/11...It sucks having to sit in a classroom and watch that Sh** happen and not be able to do anything about it for 6 more years...
2) The Title....The Marines are the toughest motherfu**ers!!!
3) The Respect....I want to go back to my H.S. (where I hardly get any respect from students or teachers) and prove to them that I could do it and then just see the look on their faces when I walk in.

[jinelson]

Lithium knock off the cussing it doesent impress anyone and doesent make you a Marine. If I can refrain from doing it in public so can you.

[chrisnica]

Want to serve this country proudly. No better place to do it then the United States Marine Corps. Would never go for any other title, other then a Marine.

[PooleeNGN]

1. pride; even being in DEP i feel a great amount of pride that i am doing what a few can only dream of
2. discipline
3. best fighting force in the world
4. defending freedom
5. and the self glory you feel deep inside when u save someone's life

[Lithium]

Lithium knock off the cussing it doesent impress anyone and doesent make you a Marine. If I can refrain from doing it in public so can you.


Sorry...I wasnt trying to impress anyone...its just me being stupid...wont happen again :(

[rproctor922]

I've been on th other side (Army) now I want to prove that I can be one of the best.

[CrazyBrave83]

This post is a wealth of motivation. You've all got your reasons...remember them. They'll be the only thing you can hold on to while at Recruit Training. You lose sight of the reasons you enlisted, and you'll have a much harder time.

[Lepke]

I'm joining as an 03. Ever since I can remember, literally, I have wanted to be a Marine. Not only a Marine, but a warrior, so Infantry is the only way for me. I'm 17, will be DEP'ing in this July to live out my childhood dream and I will admit that I've never been this excited/nervous/scared/happy. Yes, I said it, I'm scared. I dont want to f***ing die or get maimed/crippled, but f**k it, I'm willing to accept the possibility of it happening. And 9/11, and all the beheadings and other BS that goes on just makes me want to join even more. Those beheading video's, as terrible as they are, do wonders for military recruitment. To all you dudes shipping out to MCRD soon, good luck. I'll see you there in a minute.

[OneDayAMarine]

I'm not a Marine... but Espirit de Corps

[Static_Sky25]

as CB83 said very motivating, seeing alot of the reasons I joined up myself.. Ooh-rah to the motovated recruits we have here...best of luck to all of you...

but as Ssgt. Nelson stated lose the vulgarity, it has no place on these pages... you are all guest here so lets try not to crap on the porch so to speak

[enthusedhopeful]

To whip my dumb ass into shape and build character. Besides the privite sector is pussy and boring, i need to have some fun. Besides if your gonna do it you had better go the route of the finest individuals that ever walked this earth.

[enthusedhopeful]

For all of you wanting to go marine you need to read this!!!
http://www.leatherneck.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28959

[22DevilPup87]

It's a burning desire that's in me. I'm not quite sure why, but I remember when I went on my college interview to VMI I was asked the same question: Why do you want to be in the military, and especially, why a Marine? I tried my best to explain it then, and I'll try again, but I don't think I'll succeed. It's the honor, the title, the knowing that I'd be defending American freedom as we know it, and the sense of duty. I've always had a hard time explaining this, but Marines and Marine-wannabes always tend to understand despite my lack of articulate explanation.

The question I can better answer is: Why now? I've wanted to be a Marine for years and years, but at first a wonderful perk to that was getting away from home. Then after that a nice perk was going to be not having to figure out how to make it on my own by getting a job and setting up a place to live because the Marine Corps would take care of that. During neither of those stages in my life did I take my desire seriously enough to fully pursue the Marine Corps. Now things are different. I'm on my own. I have a decent job. If I wanted to remain a civilian, I could -- but I don't. I'm in the midst of doing what I have to do to enlist now because my mindset is more motivating. It's out of sheer desire and will that I'm taking my dream seriously and making it a reality. It's not to get away from a situation I don't like or want to avoid -- it's purely to get into an environment where I know I'll love my life and thrive.

[devildoghopeful]

It's a burning desire that's in me. I'm not quite sure why, but I remember when I went on my college interview to VMI I was asked the same question: Why do you want to be in the military, and especially, why a Marine? I tried my best to explain it then, and I'll try again, but I don't think I'll succeed. It's the honor, the title, the knowing that I'd be defending American freedom as we know it, and the sense of duty. I've always had a hard time explaining this, but Marines and Marine-wannabes always tend to understand despite my lack of articulate explanation.

I know EXACTLY how you feel. As a student in the UK, I'm ALWAYS being asked why I want to become a Marine and when I give an answer (the Title, the Honor etc) it never seems sufficient. I like to think that I'm well read, but my vocabulary doesn't extend nearly to the point of being able to accurately describe how I feel about the Corps. I just feel like I've only expressed a tiny amount of my feelings about the Marine Corps and I actually get angry when I realise that my explanation for why I want to join sounds kind of feeble.

:usmc:
:iwo:
:flag:

[Cperschke]

It's a burning desire that's in me. I'm not quite sure why, but I remember when I went on my college interview to VMI I was asked the same question: Why do you want to be in the military, and especially, why a Marine? I tried my best to explain it then, and I'll try again, but I don't think I'll succeed. It's the honor, the title, the knowing that I'd be defending American freedom as we know it, and the sense of duty. I've always had a hard time explaining this, but Marines and Marine-wannabes always tend to understand despite my lack of articulate explanation.

The question I can better answer is: Why now? I've wanted to be a Marine for years and years, but at first a wonderful perk to that was getting away from home. Then after that a nice perk was going to be not having to figure out how to make it on my own by getting a job and setting up a place to live because the Marine Corps would take care of that. During neither of those stages in my life did I take my desire seriously enough to fully pursue the Marine Corps. Now things are different. I'm on my own. I have a decent job. If I wanted to remain a civilian, I could -- but I don't. I'm in the midst of doing what I have to do to enlist now because my mindset is more motivating. It's out of sheer desire and will that I'm taking my dream seriously and making it a reality. It's not to get away from a situation I don't like or want to avoid -- it's purely to get into an environment where I know I'll love my life and thrive.

Wow, This may sound corny but you took the words right out of my mouth. I find myself in the same position as you. I already live on my own, I already have a good job.(I am a shift supervisor too.) I moved halfway across the country from my family.(just an hour or so from Parris Island) I allways wanted to serve. Only recently has it been serious and I have been dedicating my life to becoming a Marine. The strangest part is when people ask why, I allways think "why not." As though I wonder why they don't want too. Furthermore I know as a "poolee-wannabe" I am not supposed to use the word but There is a phrase that explains exactly why, a phrase that says everything. Everything I ever wanted, everything life should be, everything brotherhood should mean. The phrase?

"Semper Fidelis"

It says it all. This is the only answer I am able to give anymore, the only answer that seems right. I'd like to apologize for using a prohibited word, especially in my first post. I only used it as an attempt to explain my deep deep motivation, not to "steal it". Also I wanted to say hello the community here. I have been lurking for some time and decided to answer finally.

[17wannabe75]

I was always going to join something i have a familly history in the military, But my father was the only Marine. I grew up around the OOORAH! and the Marines Hymn, and the Semper Fi attitude, and wanted to be a part of that as weel, thats why i am joining.

[K8 Mac]

It seems as though the majority of us have replied the same way i am, but here it goes any way: I joined the Marines because they are simply the best. I have gone through four years of Navy JROTC and had oppertunities and offers to go to the Air Force and the Army but i would rather be one of the few and the proud. Sept. 11 was a horrible thing and definately made me think about how i could help America, but it was not the major reason why i chose the Marines. The one thing in life i want to do is make a difference, and i see myself being able to do that in the Marine Corps
thats why i joined.

[Mama]

I was going to join the Air Force until my boyfriend at the time took me in so he could check in with his recruiter and it all went down hill from there... I talked to him for a couple weeks and then in june i signed my papers... Okay... Now thats outta the way here's why I joined:

1... The title
2... the history
3... the challenge
4... travel opportunity
5... Dress Blues
6... to prove a point and...
7... to do something no one else in my little crap town will do...

OOH RAH!

okay...what happened to that bright eyed sophomore who came home and pestered me about the USMC Band after a Marine had been in talking to the class that day????

Gee...bratling

[mirabito2]

I have a passion and loyalty to my country that far exceeds my feelings of that nature for anything or anyone on this god given earth. My heart heaves when I think about what it will feel like to make it to the status of U.S. Marine and stand beside others that I shall grow and change with through the process of basic training. I don't care how much pain it takes to become a Marine. Bring it. I will work harder for this than anyone who has ever known me thought possible, and I will not fall short. I will not give up. I will push to the point of breaking, then break some more to shed this shell of "civilian" and let the improved self shine through. I love this country, and through good or bad times I will do everything in my power to be true to it.

[Voeltner]

Originally, I was thinking of joining the Army. Then I researched all the branches. Of course, the Marine Corps appealed to me the most. Everything from the challenge of being a Marine, pride of belonging, war, and about everything else in between influenced me.
My way of trying to recruit other people into the Marines is "The Air Force will give you the best housing and least amount of work, the Navy will let you see the world and play with technology, the Army will give you rank upon rank, but the Marine Corps will show through in your heart even till you die. Are you ready for that kind of change?"
Also, another reason for joining the Corps is that if I was going into the military, I wanted to be best prepared for war. The Corps does exactly that.

[devildoghopeful]

I have a passion and loyalty to my country that far exceeds my feelings of that nature for anything or anyone on this god given earth. My heart heaves when I think about what it will feel like to make it to the status of U.S. Marine and stand beside others that I shall grow and change with through the process of basic training. I don't care how much pain it takes to become a Marine. Bring it. I will work harder for this than anyone who has ever known me thought possible, and I will not fall short. I will not give up. I will push to the point of breaking, then break some more to shed this shell of "civilian" and let the improved self shine through. I love this country, and through good or bad times I will do everything in my power to be true to it.
WELL SAID THAT POOLEE!
Mirabito2 I must say that I like that attitude and I feel proud to say that I also often feel exactly as you describe. Although I'm half British, I've always felt that my loyalties were with the USA (don't ask me why) and your post has helped me put words to my feelings....If there was a civilian equivalent of 'Semper Fi' or 'Ooh-Rah' I'd be using it right now.

'It takes 42 muscles to frown, it only takes 3 to pull a trigger' - Dunno who said this.

[butcher]

I have always wanted to join the armed forces, but none of them seemed like they could push me enough. That was until I saw an advert on television whilst on holiday in America for the USMC.