I have a load of questions.

[FutureMarine993]

I'm going to split it up with numbers to make it more simple.
Ok, I'm 17 and I decided to enlist in the Marine Corps after High school. I think the benefits mentally and physically are better than monetary benefits. I was raised by a single mother of four. So I don't have that many privileges.. We are a very poor family. Scumbag dad left after 3rd grade. I wanted to ask you highly respected Marines some questions.

1) Does the military pay 100% For Colleges? I'm thinking ahead because after the Marine Corps, I was going to become a police officer. Was going to use the G.I bill college benefits for a bachelors in criminal justice. ( Need it for promotional reasons, I want to be the best that I can be).

2) Ok, Don't laugh.. I can't swim. I can swim in the 5 feet area but any higher and I would sink like a 100 pound dumbbell. I was watching a Marine Corps advertisement http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9aq7r5NPXI
and that highly motivated me. But you see, I'm dirt poor, and can't afford swimming lessons. Would they teach me during swim week? I don't want to slow down, I want to progress faster and become the best of the best. I was always looked down upon because of my financial status... and It breaks my heart seeing my caring Mom working her ass off for me and my siblings.

3) I'm pretty healthy, I think I can ace the PFT with a 300. I still have a year to go before I talk to my recruiter, so the 18 Minute 3 Mile might be possible. I Can do 20 pull ups and 100 crunches in 2 minutes. I'm just worried about MEPS. I have Gynecomastia.. so would it effect me anyway? It does effect me emotionally, because yea.. I have puffy nipples. I think It would hurt with BDU on, because It is pushing the subcutaneous glands down onto muscle fibers, causing friction. I'm 5-11/6 Feet and 200 Pounds.

4) Even tho I said monetary gain isn't ''as'' important to me, Well I kinda lied there cause It is important. I wanted to use only the money I needed for important things like soap and toothpaste and crap like that. ( I'm not going to buy snacks, no entertainment like laptops, ipods and etc.[That's what friends are for ] and I have no dependents. I was thinking of sending all of my monthly saved gains and giving it to my mother for a period of 2 years.

5) I'm not sure what MOS to choose from. I was thinking of 5711 for CBRN Defense specialist. Yea I know, a POG Mos. I truly respect Grunts ( Can a civilian call Marines Pogs and Grunts? I'm not sure, sorry If I offended). I know they work there asses off and they truly do deserve all the respect in the world. I was always interested in stuff like that, I did my research and I hear Its the most boring MOS out there for a Marine heh. I took the ASVAB during my sophmore year and got a 130 on my GT score. Do 5711's even get deployed to like Afghanistan? I don't worry about deployment because I really don't have anything in this life. (Except my loving family, I'll meet them in Heaven If I do die). I know ASVAB during sophmore year doesn't count, but it shows how you would most likely score.

6) This forum is very interesting, And I will be updating, even hopefully changing my status as a "'Marine Friend'' Into a Active Marine during the years of my life.

7) How do I make a smooth transaction with my recruiter? Do we have any kind of sign on bonuses or any other bonuses, because this really does matter to me and my family. A few grand I can send to my Mom would be a life changing and heart breaking moment for me. This all started when a Marine recruiter came by my highschool. I was thinking of joining the Army but while I was talking to him outside, he told me to think about it and took my information. I called him by rank, and his supervisor by rank that gave them a happy grin and glint in there face(Sgt and Master Sgt). I think I had a good impression on them, I was really respectful.

8)My older brother was thinking of going active army but deciding to go reserve. His army recruiter came by and asked for him. They left to go to MEPS I think. I don't have a car.. does the recruiter actually drive you to MEPS If you don't? Because I think my brothers recruiter drove him there.. or there having a secret relationship (Sarcasm).

P.S. I hope I haven't offending anyone by my questions. Just a confused teen trying to enlist to the best Branch there is. Thank you.

[BR34]

1. You can use tuition assistance while serving to have your tuition costs covered. And depending on the school you go to books may be included. As for GI Bill: http://www.gibill.va.gov/

2. I know plenty of Marines who can't swim, including SNCOs. They will attempt to teach you in boot camp. If you can swim in 5 feet of water though, there's no reason you can't swim in 5000 feet of water. Nothing changes. And you don't need money to learn how to swim. Just get a friend to teach you. I think you'd be much better off knowing how to swim when you go to boot camp.

3. No idea.

4. What was the question? It's your money, you can do whatever you want with it, as long as it's legal.

5. Anyone/everyone can deploy, no matter the MOS. If the MOS isn't needed in a combat zone you can do a IA billet and deploy with a different unit doing a different job. Or you can do non-combat deployments.

6. That wasn't a question either.

7. Bonuses vary by MOS and time of the year (shipping bonus). I don't know if you rate one, but I assure you it won't be much.

8. The recruiter is responsible for transportation to and from MEPS.

Call a recruiter.

[Backhaus 1103]

One good thing about deployment is you'll make a lot of money. You'll walk away from your first with about $15,000 as a single lance with no dependants or allotments.

They do give out some bonuses, but it's not much (around $5-15 grand) and you ussually have to sign five or six years. Just do four then reenlist and get about four times that as a bonus.

[BR34]

One good thing about deployment is you'll make a lot of money. You'll walk away from your first with about $15,000 as a single lance with no dependants or allotments.

They do give out some bonuses, but it's not much (around $5-15 grand) and you ussually have to sign five or six years. Just do four then reenlist and get about four times that as a bonus.

HA! Depends on MOS.

I reenlisted Thursday and I'm only getting 4500 BEFORE taxes (25% federal and 4% state taxes). Military ain't the job for those looking to get rich, especially in the Marine Corps since we are slashing numbers and incentives to stay in.

[Old Marine]

Go see a Marine Recruiter. He can answer your questions better than anyone on the internet.

[Backhaus 1103]

Wow I guess things have changed in seven months. Guys in my company were reelisting for like 40 before taxes.

[DESwiger]

Just do it, don't ask! If you are joining for the bennies', then join the air farce! Join because you have a desire to make a difference and serve with the best group of warriors ever. Semper Fi does not mean, 'only if' but ALWAYS FAITHFUL. No apologies - just old Corps and proud to serve.

[BR34]

Wow I guess things have changed in seven months. Guys in my company were reelisting for like 40 before taxes.

You 03?

The max for yall right now is 24,250 for Sgts and above.

The Corps is downsizing.

Here's a list of bonuses.

http://www.usmc.mil/news/messages/Pa...MIN341-10.aspx