Question from an older poole

[kiddkilowatt]

Hello, I signed up here at leatherneck.com a couple weeks ago

and I've been reading the mentor forum since then. I feel like I'm

in somewhat of a unique situation. I'm a poolee now and I'm 24

years old. I've finished 2.5 years of college and I have aspirations

of becoming an officer, but would like to spend some years

enlisted first.

Are there any drawbacks to joining 5 or 6 years later than a lot

of people? Will I be able to finish my degree while in the Marine

Corp like my recruiter assures me I will? Is it going to be too late

for me to get into any enlisted to officer programs? Any advice

would be great. Thanks in advance.

[wrbones]

The worst disadvantage is that you'll be the 'Old Man" in recruit training. If you can handle that, you'll be ok.

SixGuns and Mikky will have some answers for you about the other stuff. Your recruiter should have the answers as well.

If I remeber right, you have til yer 27 to enter any of the officer programs. The Warrant Officer program MAY have different age qualifications. Better wait for SixGuns to be certain on that one.

It is possible to finish college while you're in the Corps. Not easy, but possible.

[wrbones]

Some info on OCS


http://www.leatherneck.com/forums/sh...&threadid=2826


PLC is another option

http://www.leatherneck.com/forums/sh...&threadid=4423


something to think about anyway.

[JChristin]

I joined the Marine Corps at the same age. You'll do fine. There were older recruits than I in boot. If I remember correctly, we had one woman who was 30. It was rough for her. But she did it! Believe she had served in the Army earlier in her life.

However, it was harder for us "older" ones when it came to running. That was one thing I remember vividly.

With online college degree programs today, this may be an alternative to consider to earn your college degree. As long as it is done with an accreditted college/university it may not present too hard of a challenge.


Semper fi,
jchristin

[wrbones]

http://www.lifelines2000.org/service...asp?RootID=439


http://frontpage.auburn.edu/nrotc/Th.../NAM/chpt3.htm


http://frontpage.auburn.edu/nrotc/midnregs/appb.html


http://www.mci.usmc.mil/procedures/d...ds/ACL2001.pdf



http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/enmgt/s...rogs/rotc.html

[Sixguns]

You're talking to a guy who has a B.A. and MBA. College can be an achievable goal for you. Officer programs are comptetive, but as a Marine you are used to it. There are several programs to lead you to a commissioning. MECEP, MCP, ECP and a few more. Once you get settled at your first duty station, carry yourself down to the base education office to pick up your college studies again. Not unlike what JChristin states, you need to make sure the "online"school is accredited and recognized by the USMC. Also, you may deprive yourself of tuition assistance money (Free College Money) if you go with the "online" course of action. This is why you need to get with your base education office.

As a recruiter, I personally enlisted a 34-year-old recruit and shipped others to recruit training as an NCOIC who were in the same boat. The key for you is physical fitness preparedness. If you are a PT stud, you will have it made. Older guys are looked to for leadership and maturity for the younger recruits. Older recruits usually end up in leadership positions because of this too. Trust me, my years of experience tell me you will be fine if you are a PT-a-holic.

Best wishes for your success in training.

[kiddkilowatt]

Thanks everyone, another question if you don't mind. Becasue I have so many college credits I'm eligable for the advance rank program. Should I go for it? Is there any stigma or unwanted attention attached to those who are going to graduate Pfc?

[wrbones]

Not for PFC. Some folks look funny at L/Cpl's right outta recruit training, though.