Would like an opinion.

[Jamessherrill]

Hello my name is James Sherrill, I am 17 now and just graduated. I have been planning on joining The Marines for a while now. Recently I have been having seconds thoughts about it. reason being, I have had multiple Marines tell me "Dont do it" but then have others say yea its great. It is very difficult to make this decision, which could be a career choice. So i would like to here your thoughts and opinions about this.

Thanks, James

[Cpl Heglar]

James you need to fill your profile out then you will get a response to your question. Site Rules.

[Jamessherrill]

Dave, You make a very valid point. Pros iv heard, Toughest branch, boot camp is great, and you earn the title a Marine. (the list could go on) cons, heard after bootcamp they (screw) you around a lot, some other small stuff. But yes.. it is my decision. I have just been thinking about my future ALOT since i started my 12th grade year, im done now and its time to make the final decision. which will play out my whole future. So i guess my purpose about this post would be to ask some Marines why, or why not they think joining the marines would be a great decision.

[Tennessee Top]

If you're having second thoughts then don't do it. We don't need wishy-washy people in our Corps. We are looking for someone with the desire and fortitude to earn the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor and that ain't you. There are plenty of wannabes out there today who know exactly what they want...we'll take them (they don't have to listen to what other's opinions are).

You're still young and have time to figure out what you want to be when you grow up.

Good luck to you.

[USNAviator]

Dave, You make a very valid point. Pros iv heard, Toughest branch, boot camp is great, and you earn the title a Marine. (the list could go on) cons, heard after bootcamp they (screw) you around a lot, some other small stuff. But yes.. it is my decision. I have just been thinking about my future ALOT since i started my 12th grade year, im done now and its time to make the final decision. which will play out my whole future. So i guess my purpose about this post would be to ask some Marines why, or why not they think joining the marines would be a great decision.

James it doesn't sound to me as if you're ready to make a decision let alone a commitment of this nature

My advice would be to go to college for at least a year and mature a little bit. As Top said you're still young, you have plenty of time to make up your mind. If you can go to college away from, that would be a big plus

[Jamessherrill]

Well sir, with all dew respect.. at this point in time it is time for me too grow up. I have trained with my recruiter and the DEP for a long time. So beleave me when i say I do have the desire for the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor. As far as wishy-washy people are concerned.. I am not one of them. All I wanted were some words of advice for someone who is interested in the Corps.

[USNAviator]

Well sir, with all dew respect.. at this point in time it is time for me too grow up. I have trained with my recruiter and the DEP for a long time. So beleave me when i say I do have the desire for the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor. As far as wishy-washy people are concerned.. I am not one of them. All I wanted were some words of advice for someone who is interested in the Corps.

Well you want advice, be a little more forthcoming with your info. You failed to mention that you're training with a recruiter and with DEP. You gave the impression you were trying to make up your mind but I see that's already done

What's the problem here? Are you looking for some sort of positive reinforcement? Are you looking for motivation?

Talk with your recruiter, sign a contract when you turn 18 and do your best.

Let me ask you, why do you want to be a Marine?

[Jamessherrill]

For any moment, dont think I am a teenager who thinks he knows it all. Almost all my life I have wanted to make decisions on my own, now is my chance. The chance to go out there and make something of myself!

[USNAviator]

For any moment, dont think I am a teenager who thinks he knows it all. Almost all my life I have wanted to make decisions on my own, now is my chance. The chance to go out there and make something of myself!

Well good luck to you. Still not sure what you're looking for here on LN.

[Cpl Heglar]

James it sounds to me that you have had your mind made up for some time and you have been speaking to people and have ran across some individuals claiming to be Marines telling you not to do it and are having second thoughts. Everyones experience in the Corps vary, Some of the Marines that were stationed with me had horrible attitudes didn't like to run or do PT so of course they had a bad experience. I was able to maintain a high level of enthusiasm and excelled as a Marine. Most of my experiences in the USMC were positive, Hell I even loved boot camp - biggest playground in the world for men.

If you already have your mind made up listen to the positives and not the negatives. Stay positive and you will do well, If you have a bad experience brush it off and move forward don't let it weigh you down. Stay focused and you might earn the title United States Marine!

Cpl Kevin D. Heglar
USMC

[ammermda]

You've been given a lot of great advice. I just want to point out your own words: "could be a career choice." ("Could" is the key word, in case you missed it.)

4 years is nothing. If you don't like it after 4, get out. If you do, keep going. I don't see the problem here.

[Tookie22]

The Corps is what you make out of it. Yes there is BS, BUT there is that everywhere. You will have your good days and your bad days but honestly who doesnt. Towards the end of your intial contract, weigh the pros and cons. Im not going to lie you will hate it for a while, BUT everything changes with rank, boot drop, maturing. If you cann't tell I capatilize "but" because of my original statement. The only way you would know is to try it. If you didn't try, would you regret it and keep asking what if? Just some food for thought.

[Tookie22]

And to add to my original post about Marines "playing" with you after hit the fleet. From personnal experience- In EMV we were woken up in the middle of the night to set up OE-254 ( radio antennas) on top of some isos with a full combat load. Then proceded to be deprived of sleep for 3 days. At the time I wanted to cry hazing or b*tch about this and that and how unfair and stupid it seemed. Not even 5 months later I was setting up another 40 foot antenna on top of an MRAP in the open by myself trying to establish communications with the battalion because we were in a firefight. We then proceded to take contact for over a week constantly being harrased by small arms as well as inderect fire assests that the bad guys aqcuired. So WE ALL did not get much sleep. Now that training was it really my NCOs Fn with me? They trained me to the best of their abilities and for that I am thankful for. Famous quotes in the Corps- There is always a purpose to the madness. Everything is done for a reason. and my favorite, shut up and suck it up cuz one day you'll thank me.

[rufus1]

If you do decide to do this it is going to leave a mark. You will never be the same person you are now. Once you earn the title it will be with you for life. It has been a positive in my life for the most part. I retired as a Captain with 27 years with the N.C. Dept. of Corrections Division of Prisons. I was also a platoon leader with the Prison Emergency Response Team (PERT) special operations and tactical unit. I walked and managed some of the people that thought they were bad individuals. Some people like to hunt animals but when you hunt other human being it brings in another aspect. With the building blocks that the D.I. and the Marine Corps stacked and molded it made me the person I am today. The Marine Corps transforms your average kid into a man that when you go into a situation no matter how hostile you can make decisions. You aquire what they teach you and you can be a leader and be able to dig down deep inside when things are bad dealing with them even if you have to back up and regroup sometimes. Good luck with your decision.

[Sgt Leprechaun]

I don't think you can answer any more than you already HAVE. The lad, who obviously needs assistance with spelling, at minimum...got the answers he was searching for. Cold feet....nerves...whatever.

Good responses, all.

v/r