View Full Version : My son wants to join Marines
ksmamato2
04-28-08, 03:45 PM
My 18 yr old has been planning on joining the Navy for the longest, but last night he told us he wants to go Marines instead. He was in 6th grade on 9/11 and from that day on we've known that he was going to serve in the military. I'm going to support him with whatever decision he makes, but honestly - the Marines scair me. The boy has a huge heart and the most patriotic of any 18 year old I've ever known, I know being a solder and serving is his dream. Any one care to share some first hand experience w/ the Marines? I'm also smart enough to know that the media spins so much and focuses on the negatives, they aren't best friends to any branch of the military, but especially not the Marines . . . I'd like to hear from some people who have first hand knowledge.
thewookie
04-28-08, 04:17 PM
My 18 yr old has been planning on joining the Navy for the longest, but last night he told us he wants to go Marines instead. He was in 6th grade on 9/11 and from that day on we've known that he was going to serve in the military. I'm going to support him with whatever decision he makes, but honestly - the Marines scair me. The boy has a huge heart and the most patriotic of any 18 year old I've ever known, I know being a solder and serving is his dream. Any one care to share some first hand experience w/ the Marines? I'm also smart enough to know that the media spins so much and focuses on the negatives, they aren't best friends to any branch of the military, but especially not the Marines . . . I'd like to hear from some people who have first hand knowledge.
1. The Marines scare me, too. But they scare the enemy even more.
2. Heart is a good quality and we like to see that.
3. Mamm, we get our fair share of bad press but it's all part of the job. Sometime we create our own bad press but again it comes with the territory. Most Marines on active duty couldn't tell you what the press is saying about them, because they're fighting and winning battles, not listening to the media. I suggest you turn off the TV or change the station.
Your son will be fine.
My first hand knowledge is it will change his life, forever. It is very unlikely that he'll regret it, I can't say that for the other branches. But in the Corps he'll be in good hands; trained by the greatest warriors our country has. He will eat three meals a day and he will have unlimited future potential, if and when he decides to get out.
Oooh, and one more thing though,,,he will not be is a soldier if he joins the Marines. We are Marines, plain and simple, call us little green amphibious monsters, if you will, but please not soldiers, Mamm.
egbutler1
04-28-08, 04:56 PM
The Marines is a scary thing. But after serving for 4 years and in a war I am glad of what i did. The Marines gave me something that none else could have given me. They gave me honor, tradition, and many other untangle-able qualities and abilities. I can understand your fear for your son and his willingness to join the Marines. But I would encourage him he will be trying to be one of the best of the best. He will be part of the finest origination in the world and while i can't sit here and guarantee his safety i can tell you he will be much safer than he would be in any other fighting force and get a ton of of great brothers out of it. I can only imagine what your going threw, I put my parents threw hell and back before i joined.
The Marines changed my life. I experienced things I would have never experienced as a civilian. As a whole the Marines made me a stronger, more disciplined individual. The Marines are the best trained service out there with the most loyal brothers. Marines don't just fight for God and country, but for the men in his unit beside him, or any Marine in the area. There will always be Marines around him watching his back. He will be fine.
sparkie
04-28-08, 07:35 PM
Mamm, I was so introverted before joining, I couldn't face a cashier at the store 'cause I was afraid I would make a mistake and be judged.
Ask around about ole Sparkie. Introverted? Not. The Marines have great things to offer,,,,, like manhood, honor, destiny, and lotsa bullkrap too numerus to bring up. Life is a risk. He could join, or forever wish he had.
ksmamato2
04-28-08, 09:52 PM
Thank you all for your replies. I appreciate you taking time to reply to my post.
Also, thank you for all that you do to serve our country. Thank you and God bless you and keep you safe.
Isn't it funny how when a Marine does something wrong it is blown up and the fact that he is a marine or former Marine is mentioned?
What about if it is a former soldier, airmen or squid? nope it is only mentioned that so and so comitted a crime, why do you think this is?
It is because we are the best and people look for ways to make us look bad. One incident does not make everyone bad.
Yes the Marines are hard and it is scary, but would you rather you son be under trained and stuck in the same war or do you want him to have top of the line training?
Why settle with another branch when he can be elite? Have every military branch in the world fear him because he is a US Marine, some countries fear us so much they will not even look our direction.
When I was deployed in Iraq we laughed at the other branches because of their lack of training and discipline.
Once we were in an area with the Army and when we packed up and left no more than 30 minutes after we were gone they fell under attack. I believe that they were afraid to attack while the Marines were there.
yellowwing
04-29-08, 04:30 AM
The Marines are the best trained service out there with the most loyal brothers.
That is the Truth.
Dear Sir, The Marines tought me a lot. And they will teach your son also. I've been out of active duty for almost 20 years now. I still see myself as a Marine and always will.
Gator347
04-29-08, 09:37 AM
I am not a Marine. My dad was a Marine (enlisted & retired USAF Maj.) and my son is a Marine.
My father was buried as a Marine (Not Air Force) and after attending my son’s graduation at Parris Island, now I know why.
You will TOO!!!!!!!!!!!
Fear not. He'll be in good hands.
DAMNPROUD
04-29-08, 11:42 AM
My son left yesterday for parris island and im only proud not sad.this is what he wants to do and that is an honorable thing in this day.cant wait to see these young men strut across the parade ground in july
keith
Gator347
04-29-08, 12:08 PM
Now the hard part. Write, write, write, and relax. The DI's will get him through. :evilgrin:
Ya done good dad!!!!!:thumbup:
Ya'll will be in our thought and prayers.:angel:
awbrown1462
04-29-08, 12:36 PM
Once a Marine Always a Marine
Cudadad
04-30-08, 08:28 AM
My son left yesterday for parris island and im only proud not sad.this is what he wants to do and that is an honorable thing in this day.cant wait to see these young men strut across the parade ground in july
keith
Write lots of letters and relax. The Di's will complete the job you started, and a d--n fine job you have done. The pride of seeing my son on the Parade Deck is only surpassed by the day he was born.
Cudadad
04-30-08, 08:35 AM
My 18 yr old has been planning on joining the Navy for the longest, but last night he told us he wants to go Marines instead. He was in 6th grade on 9/11 and from that day on we've known that he was going to serve in the military. I'm going to support him with whatever decision he makes, but honestly - the Marines scair me. The boy has a huge heart and the most patriotic of any 18 year old I've ever known, I know being a solder and serving is his dream. Any one care to share some first hand experience w/ the Marines? I'm also smart enough to know that the media spins so much and focuses on the negatives, they aren't best friends to any branch of the military, but especially not the Marines . . . I'd like to hear from some people who have first hand knowledge.
Best decision my son made, and as the commercial says "Marines don't take applications, they take commitments". He may enlist but you will be drafted in.
Gator347
04-30-08, 09:04 AM
Best decision my son made, and as the commercial says "Marines don't take applications, they take commitments". He may enlist but you will be drafted in.
SOOOOOO True!!!!:scared:
ScottsMom
04-30-08, 11:39 AM
I agree with Cudadad...... November 21, 2007, my son became a Marine and the pride I felt the first time I saw him as a Marine was the proudest moment for me other then the day he was born.
Joining the Marines was the BEST decision my son could have made for himself. He comes from a family of Marines and I don't think he really saw himself doing anything different with his life.
I am and will continue to be, the proudest mother of a United States Marine!
egbutler1
04-30-08, 11:57 AM
Once we were in an area with the Army and when we packed up and left no more than 30 minutes after we were gone they fell under attack. I believe that they were afraid to attack while the Marines were there.
I hear you on that. We had to take over an AO from the Army because they kept getting hit by IEDs. Needless to say we let our presence known in the first few days by hitting em' hard. We never got hit by an IED or an Ambush. Than once all was "safe" they took us out and put the Army back in, not even 2 days later they where already getting hit by IEDs and ambushes. I thought it was rather sad. When we would convoy around Iraq all our gunners where standing upright on the look out for anything. The Army's gunners where never seen in the turret. We got hit a few times by IED's and never suffered one injury but some how the Army lost tons of guys even though the gunners where nowhere to be found. If we got hit though it was on, ever thing was searched or shot to hell with in 700m of our pos. The only time we got ambushed (it was pretty freaking bad and we did some stupid things to get into a crappy situation) it was because the army called us for help and we rolled up there they must have thought we where Army but we shut em' up after 4 hours of fighting. We once had to go rescue an army unit from one of the ambushes they got into, when we got there they where 20 clicks away from the ambush site with mass casualties when we asked em what happened they said "10 farmers where digging in a field and than they picked up RPGs and AKs an lit em' up" I asked the SNCOIC where the ambush took place and he said 20k away. Turns out even though they had 6 gun trucks they ran away even though one of their humvees was completely disabled.
My 18 yr old has been planning on joining the Navy for the longest, but last night he told us he wants to go Marines instead. He was in 6th grade on 9/11 and from that day on we've known that he was going to serve in the military. I'm going to support him with whatever decision he makes, but honestly - the Marines scair me. The boy has a huge heart and the most patriotic of any 18 year old I've ever known, I know being a solder and serving is his dream. Any one care to share some first hand experience w/ the Marines? I'm also smart enough to know that the media spins so much and focuses on the negatives, they aren't best friends to any branch of the military, but especially not the Marines . . . I'd like to hear from some people who have first hand knowledge.
Just got the news from my son yesterday. That he wants to go Marine. Now I fill let down and betrayed. Even hard for me to back him on this. He's just did turn 18 and graduates high School today. not much I can do to stop it. Been hardly a time in this Nations history when someone in our family has not been serving. All I ever wanted from him was to go Seal or even SWCC, maybe even CB. BUT MARINE?
I'll at least be present for his high school graduation.
Sorry.. I'm a little hurt. Yes I'm EX Navy.
CplKJSpevak
05-22-08, 04:48 AM
All of you parents who's kids want to join, or have joined "Job Well Done"...as far as the Media goes?....I think it was Ronald Reagan who said "The world looks to America for leadership, and America looks to it's Corps of Marines".....
NoRegrets
05-23-08, 10:45 PM
Just got the news from my son yesterday. That he wants to go Marine. Now I fill let down and betrayed. Even hard for me to back him on this. He's just did turn 18 and graduates high School today. not much I can do to stop it. Been hardly a time in this Nations history when someone in our family has not been serving. All I ever wanted from him was to go Seal or even SWCC, maybe even CB. BUT MARINE?
I'll at least be present for his high school graduation.
Sorry.. I'm a little hurt. Yes I'm EX Navy.
All the branches are fighting for the same purpose. Be proud of him And Semper Fi:evilgrin:
Marie
yellowwing
05-24-08, 01:41 AM
Miss Kathleen, we will take the greatest care of your beloved Son. We will train him to be the greatest warrior of shock troops of the last great Super Power. "Before us none may stand, beside us none may fail!"
Each and every Brother of Our Beloved Corps will hold him and watch him to return him safely to you.
Momof2Marines
05-24-08, 08:48 PM
As a Mother of 2 Marines, just support your son. that is what he needs right now. And be very proud that he has made a decision that will change his life forever. Please write letters while he is in bootcamp that means the world to new recruits. If you have any questions as a Mom I can help, have been though it twice.
Cyndy
VPMM Randy and Jerry:flag:
MyCorps
06-02-08, 11:37 AM
The Marine Corps will take you sons and daughters and mold them into some of the finest individuals you will ever meet. They will learn that they can survive any situation, think through any problem and make clear logical decisions. They will be physically and mentally tough. The Marine Corps take care of it's own, Always.
It is an Honor to have your children in Our Corps.
Never believe what the media says or prints. Our Marines are doing a damn fine job and are making life easier for the people of Afghanistan and Iraq. The latest troop surge is working. The best thing you can do for them is prayer. Let them know that they have your total support. They will be alright.
slimmy07
07-12-08, 10:35 PM
ARMY
NAVY
AIR FORCE
MARINES
What do all these branches have in common? They are ALL part of the DOD. They ALL have the possibility of going to war. The BIGGEST difference between the MArines and other branches is Marine Combat Training. Every Marine learns marine Corps MArtial Arts and EVERY marine is a rifleman, therefore no matter what job your son/daughter does in the Marines he will have the proper training to defend himself. ALL branches are on the ground in Iraq/Afghan/HOA. ALL. Will your son have the training to defend him self if NEEDED???