What do you think is the hardest part about being a Marine?

[commdog7]

I think boot camp was the hardest, but only because I learned a thing called discipline- I was able to stay out of trouble and go where I needed to go in MCT, MOS school, and the fleet.

[MLMonk]

MarinesFTW...since Marines aren't allowed to post in the poolee forum, he posted his thoughts on boot camp for all of you poolees to read here in the "Marine Mentor" forum. So what if he spoke a bit about SOI/MCT training and MOS school.
You talked smack to a LCpl in the Marine Corps by telling him what kind of questions he should post and where. Again, this is the "Marine Mentor" forum. Boot camp questions by wannabes and poolees should be asked in the Ask A Marine forum.
I'm one of those Marines who pounce on wannabes and poolees like a wolf on baby sheep because of some of the questions that are asked. While it is great to want to know what your MOS and being out in the fleet is going to like, some of the questions asked can be answered by using the search bar or even by your Recruiter.
In my opinion, wannabes and poolees should focus a bit more on getting thru boot camp, then focusing on what life is like out in the fleet. You don't make it thru boot camp, then you don't have to worry about the fleet.

I'm failing to understand on where his original post he actually talked smack. I think he was just emphasizing the fact that Poollee's aren't allowed to discuss anything other then bootcamp, and he does not see the reasoning behind that, and possibly wants to know why, because I am too wondering that, considering bootcamp is a very small time in your Marine Corps career, yes sure, it is where it all started, but lets face it, the only people who don't make it through are mostly medically discharged. Very few don't earn the title for some other reason. Hell, being beligerant is not even one of them, unless their SDI really does not like that recruit.

[MarinesFTW]

Thank you LCpl. I wasn't telling him where to post anything, I was telling him why the Poolee Hall is that way. I was just trying to inform him of exactly what was going on. I really wish we could ask further questions reguarding our future but then again its never the same for everyone and for some of us, our questions would be an outdated answer in a year. I guess once we earn the title we can ask our NCO's and SNCO's.

And to trmptplyr's post, I do trust my recruiter, but its the way I am, I like finding out my own answers, I dont like asking 5 million questions that would take 3 seconds to look up. Even though its there job, getting asked non-stop questions from a kid would get a little old real quick.

[MLMonk]

Thank you LCpl. I wasn't telling him where to post anything, I was telling him why the Poolee Hall is that way. I was just trying to inform him of exactly what was going on. I really wish we could ask further questions reguarding our future but then again its never the same for everyone and for some of us, our questions would be an outdated answer in a year. I guess once we earn the title we can ask our NCO's and SNCO's.

And to trmptplyr's post, I do trust my recruiter, but its the way I am, I like finding out my own answers, I dont like asking 5 million questions that would take 3 seconds to look up. Even though its there job, getting asked non-stop questions from a kid would get a little old real quick.

Your welcome. I saw what you were trying to say, and I agree. I really think that you all should not be limited to just bootcamp questions. It's pointless, considering what ever path you choose in the Marine Corps determines what road you take for the rest of your life.

If I found out what reserves was really like, I wouldn't be here, I wouldn't try and get into college and become a pilot like I am now, I wouldn't even consider getting a commission, or have the chance like I do at this point in my life. Yes, passing bootcamp is a big part of it, but it's a small part in the big picture. The Marines on the forum sometimes go too far in trying to answer your questions, and you have to think, it really is all just on the internet, it's not in real life, you cant touch the person you are talking to, so why not just answer the questions the people ask about the Marine Corps, and let them decide wether it is the right service for them to join.

[mercury2671]

The hardest part of being a Marine is losing brothers. Boot camps tough, MOS school yea that too, but its friends not making it home that is the hardest thing of all to deal with.

[Tracylaud83]

13+ years in, Have been out almost 14 years now.
Hardest part is and always will be the "Funerals"
As a SSgt, losing one of your own was the hardest, but losing any fellow Marine is hard.

[BlknGld0311]

My honesty bothers some "extremely" motivated cohorts of mine, but I'll tell you the truth--- for ME, it's the standards.

After 5 1/2 years, it's still extremely difficult for me to not worry about being watched or looked at. Even by fellow Sergeants. I still hate being called Devil Dog, but I can't tell a 1stSgt not to do that. That would just bring about unnessecary attention.

Perfectly placed chevrons, matching shaded cammies, perfectly centered ribbons, field day field day field day...man, there's a million of em.
Still though, I've survived.

I even asked my SgtMaj (he's very down to earth, and only 7 feet across the hall from me--a very accessable resource) this same question. He said exactly this "31 years of unyielding standards can wear you out. That's why I'm getting out at 32 years" Amazing guy.

But look at it this way--- THIS is exactly why we are the best. Sometimes that means holding ourselves to so high a standard that it takes everything you've got to keep it up. Makes a man proud, wouldn't ya say?

[sparkie]

MarinesFTW,,,,,,,,I got your back. You're duin fine.
Hardest part? Memory is soft, so I have to refeer to the here and now.
For me, it's The Wall. And loosing more with age. I love my Brothers and Sisters, I regret I can't help barely a one of them.
-----
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One other thing as hard as hell for me,,,,,,,A dead Marine on the evening news. God knows I would go cover someones rear if I could.

[Twitchell]

But look at it this way--- THIS is exactly why we are the best. Sometimes that means holding ourselves to so high a standard that it takes everything you've got to keep it up. Makes a man proud, wouldn't ya say?

One other thing as hard as hell for me,,,,,,,A dead Marine on the evening news. God knows I would go cover someones rear if I could.


That's exactly why I'm trying to get more time in. I don't know how many Marines I've talked to, in any realm of jobs, and you just can't top the Corps experience. It's the same with me, Public Safety, Wildland Fire, what ever. Great jobs, and hard to get. But it's just not the same. Sometimes you hate it more than anything, yet at the same time would you trade your experience for a Million dollars? Seriously? I'd like to say yes, but at the end of the day, MARINES.

[Juicemang]

Being around non-Marines.

Couldn't agree more. After over a year out it's looking like I'm about to re-enlist in the Reserves. ERRR!

[Rocky C]

What do you think is the hardest part about being a Marine?

Remembering it's all about TEAMWORK!!!
Yes, we are all individuals but we function as a Team.
The backbone of every successful Unit and Mission is Funtioning as a Team.

And at the end of your active service you will see that not all function as a team.

That's why I can't deal with those who are not Marines.......

Semper Fi,
Rocky

[ZSKI]

Why do you not ask your recruiter questions? Do you not trust him? I don't understand why you feel the need to do independent research on your own when you have a great resource of Marine Corps info available to you.

I wouldn't trust a recruiter as far as i can throw him, the two i had where bolth njp loosing rank. Look get all the info u can and then decide all that homosexual country patriotic bull**** they feed u won't mean **** when your deployed away from family possibly taking fire. I love the fact that i made this decision but i was still lied to. But now that rant is done i think the hardest part of bieng a Marine is actually living up to the standard of bieng a Marine. Being Physically fit, mentoring junior marines, not lying and all that.

[chili77bowl]

hey, LCpl...how bout you cut the kid some slack...you ain't no hat, and you sure ain't a Combat Instructor...I failed to see his disrespect...but then again, you get your jollies kicking puppies on the street too, huh?

When someone corrects you and they are in the right, the proper answer would be, "Thank You"

The only thing to me that is lower than a recruit is a Lance Criminal trying to act like a big dog...so if you want to reply and talk smack to me, remember to scream "Aye, Staff Sergeant"...

Hey, kid...you're doing fine...I respect the hell outta you for correcting him.

hey poolee!!
i posted this topic for people like you. be grateful that i did this for you.

your lucky i aint like your recruiter and lie. just you wait till you are standing on those yellow footprints, scared to sh!t. make it to that point then talk smack. and you must stand at attenhut and scream "aye sir" when you attempt to talk smack. just remember that you are less than a recruit. and recruits are at the bottom of the ****pile.

know your place poolee!!!

[Smitty Puffs]

hey, LCpl...how bout you cut the kid some slack...you ain't no hat, and you sure ain't a Combat Instructor...I failed to see his disrespect...but then again, you get your jollies kicking puppies on the street too, huh?

When someone corrects you and they are in the right, the proper answer would be, "Thank You"

The only thing to me that is lower than a recruit is a Lance Criminal trying to act like a big dog...so if you want to reply and talk smack to me, remember to scream "Aye, Staff Sergeant"...

Hey, kid...you're doing fine...I respect the hell outta you for correcting him.

haha Quoted for the truth.

[GuitarNineteen]

Listen guys,the Marines is probably one of the very best organisations in the world.It lines you in with a purpose to your life like nothing else. You feel very connected,especially to the other Marines.You feel real truth,and things really matter.We're small,but special.When you need to feel a reason and you won't accept any BS, talk to a Marine. I guarantee you won't get any BS answer especially from the older ones. This is no joke. I swear to it. I have a family. Also watching as my older friends who I counted on are passing away,I'm almost 43 now. These guys are really true people. This is a family,so you will never regret it.You have my word on it. The motto of the Marines is SEMPER FI wich means ALWAYS FAITHFUL. You will never regret the decision. All the best guys.