Son Wants to Join Marines - What Say You?

My son is contemplating joining the Marines out of high school. Because I believe that when it comes to major life matters, we need to make well informed and intelligent decisions, I am trying to gather as much information as possible that might help him, so thought I'd ask here. A couple things to consider:

• We can afford to send him to college (Or at least I know we can find a way).
• He's a member of the National Honors Society, Distinguished Scholars, and will graduate at the top of his class from high school.
• Please do not make this political. I really need some good feedback, so please don't kill the thread with comments that don't help or cause it to get deleted.
• My intention is to help my son make a decision, so positive and negative experiences are welcome, but let's try not to argue, okay?

What I'm ideally looking for are opinions from people who have direct or indirect experience with the Marines, and preferably in the not too distant past, but I gladly welcome any comments that you think may help my son make an intelligent decision. Thanks in advance.

Enlist or an officer program? With his smarts he should try for an OTS if at all possible.

Why Marines? Nothing against them, my father is a Marine (ret.) but when I decided to join the military out of HS he drove me to the AF recruiter.

Whatever branch I think the military is a good thing, its a great transition place for someone leaving home for the first time. You get to be on your own and make your own mistakes but you have a very big safety net and some good structure to help you learn to be independent. But he also needs to make sure he is getting something out of it. Dont just sign up without a guaranteed job in a good field. There are many skills to be learned and developed in the service, but if you go in without that guaranteed job you will end up as the toilet scrubber/bullet catcher.

So overall I think its a great idea, but go in with your eyes open and make sure you are getting something out of the deal too.

Military experience usually serves you well afterwards. Since he appears to be quite bright, good possibility for achieving officer status. Personally, I think The Few,The Proud, The Marines is a very honorable course. We have a number of active duty guys on the forum, I'm sure they will chime in soon.

If he's smart enough, he should try to become an officer. West Point, Annapolis, Colorado Springs beckon.

Had some friends in my Engineering class that went through school with the Army ROTC. Worked really well for them. They got tuition assistance, qualified for officer school upon graduation, and went AD as engineering officers in the army. They got the best of both workday out of it. College education, military experience/pride, and got to be elective about their military career. I sometimes wish I had went that route and would encourage my children to go that way if military service is in their future. I also know of some highschool classmates that went into the coast guard and have been very happy with their career.

with the smarts, he should look into their rotc for the marines.....my cousin did that to go to Purdue's flight school. He just retired after 20yrs.

Basically, it all boils down to his choice, just make sure he knows what he is getting into(without trying to scare him). Something harder than he has ever done, and will definitely give him opportunities abound. Just make sure he sees it as a challenge not to back down from and he should be fine.

In reply to nocones:

This was the direction that I was thinking. A good friend of mine is a Load Master in the core and is in for the long haul. Seems very happy, however, even though he is very smart, he didn't do any sort of officer training and I think that will limit him overall. I think if he wants to join any branch, talk to a recruiter about what college grads they need, do ROTC or whatever they can do for people in school. I am fairly well educated (masters level) and think that while you may not learn anything in school, no one will look at you without it. Military negates a lot of that but in 10 years if he wants to exit and join civilian life, he will find it difficult without SOME degree under his belt.

Military experience is good, but a 4 (or more of course) year degree will be better for him if he is not planning on making a career out of it. What are his long term plans? I work with some Marines that aren't making E36 M3. Even with military, its just hard to find a good paying job without the degree. Can he get a bachelors degree in the service?

If he wants to join the service anyway, look at the options he may have with other branches. I work with veterans at one job and deal with them at the surplus store.

With the information I have now, if I we're trying to join the service, I would try for the Coast Guard. Many people underestimate what they really do. They are the smallest of the branches (I think) and are called on often in emergency situations. I know I would find it more challenging and fun.

Best of luck and I'll send some warmth, light, and blessings your family's way next casting I do. This is an important life decision and whichever he chooses will be the right one.

I seriously wish I had gone in the service and gotten my rotary wings and logged massive hours of flight time. The civilian market for rotary wing/helicopter pilot jobs is pretty good. Most pilots are ex-military and from the Vietnam era, there will be a large demand soon.

I agree with JThw8, go in and get in OTS and get an education and a job that will be useful outside of the military as well.

I would second (third?) the idea that your son explore an officer's program.

My distant (yes, I know you said you wanted recent experience) with the Armed Forces is that the Navy has some of the best schools for occupational training. I went through my schools with guys that had left the Air Force just for the better schools in the Navy, and said the rep was deserved. I bring this up, because depending on your son's occupational training including most officer training) he will be trained in Navy schools.

My experience having served with many Marines is that if you are looking for "an experience", the Marines will give it to you. By that, I mean that in the Air Force, Navy, AND Marines, you are usually trained for a "job", BUT, part of EVERY Marines job will be fighting....which is not the case with the "average" sailor or airman.

Finally, advancement in all the services is "political" to some degree. Be it the lowest enlisted person to Joint Chief of Staff, some "schmoozing" will always be involved and the "lower on the totem pole you are...the more butt you will need to kiss to advance. I can't say for the Army, but Marines REALLY have to kiss butt while a sailor can often advance with a few well placed light pecks on the cheek. Some people see nothing wrong with that, to me, I was often glad I wasn't a Marine. Can your son, who I would think is already quite disciplined if he's an Honor Student, bring himself to "play the necessary games 24 / 7 ? If not, I'm sure the other services will be falling over themselves to get him.

I've given a lot of thought to the decisions I've made in my life. Joining the Navy was the smartest move I've ever made, and I could go on all day as to "why" if given even half a chance.

That being said:

If he wants to go now: do your best to help him select a job that will serve HIM well in the future. I told the recruiter I didn't care where I went and that I wouldn't mind being a cook, my parents thought I should try aviation. Now there's one time I was glad I was open minded. I ended up an Aviation Electronics Technician (the same job is available as a Marine) and the rest is history.

If he is willing to wait: I think he would be better off as an officer, and that means a bachelors degree. The treatment is a lot better as an officer, but the road to get there is longer (isn't it always?).

Oh, and rumor was last I heard, the Marines are so filled up that they are only recruiting 18 year olds. Thats rumor, so take it with a grain of salt.

It's an honorable choice and possibly profession. A couple of things come to mind - military experience is valued in the workplace, however, keep in mind marines are on the pointy end of things and if there are boots on the ground beyond special forces, the first ones are marines. In country living conditions will be harsher than other service branches and there is a higher risk that you will be in a position where someone will try to kill you or vice-versa. Multiple, frequent, deployments are an incredible strain on relationships. Having people trying their best to kill you tends to bring about the onset of PTSD in about 10% of highly trained people (that's an under-reported stat - maybe more like 25%). Oh, there are no ex-marines. Only active and inactive. The experience will be a defining one. Give lots of thoughts to training/specialization. There aren't a lot of civilian career paths for small weapons specialists, there are for tech - intelligence, communications, signals, ground electronics

chaparral wrote: If he's smart enough, he should try to become an officer. West Point, Annapolis, Colorado Springs beckon.

Quantico

OCS, officer candidate school, for the Marines is in Quantico VA.

There are a few different ways to get in/through.

ROTC type programs split the OCS into two summer "schools" before commission. There is also a straight through 10 week program for college grads. Additionally, there is a "mustang" program for enlisted to officer program. Post OCS you commission and get more schooling.

In 2008 a new program was started which payed 1/3 of your college debt every year. Ask a recruiter if that program still exists for commissioned officers.

There is also a certain draw to being a grunt, regardless of your perceived intelligence.

See what he really wants to do. Joining the military is a lot like going to college. Eventually you need to figure out a career or major of study. If you don't have goals in the military they will figure it out for you, and it is going to be in a place with the most need, and there is a reason there are vacant spots in that field.....

Either way, GOOD LUCK!

I came out of High School in a similar mind set, except I wasn't an Honor Student; congratulations.

I didn't want to spend the time and money going to a college only to find out later I hate my chosen field. Viet Nam was still alive so no Army, they go to Nam. No Marines, they go in before the Army. I figured if the ship went down, I swim better than I fly, so I joined the Navy. In hindsight if I did it again I would probably have joined the Coast Guard, skills learned have more application to my life after the military.

I work for the Dept. of the Army now, have for 40 years. Damn that sounds old! As a Veteran I have seniority over others in a lay off. If they had a lay off the second day I was here, I would stay and a non-vet with 40 years service gets the gate.

If your son has the smarts and dedication to follow through, definately go in as an Officer regardless of the branch you choose. When you get serious and talk to a Recruiter, get it in writing. Make him guarantee a school or two. Get it in writing.

My dentist was a Navy dentist; they paid for his schooling, he repaid them with 7 years of Service. He said in the private world you drill & fill for years before you get into anything good. In the military he had major reconstructions, rebuilt accident victims etc., experience you just can't buy.

Good luck with the decision and let us know how it ends.

Dan

The Marines I know managed to get into OCS and now run supply outfits. If he wants to be a Marine, he needs to pick a specialty that can be done far behind the lines.

As a father of two sons, I'd only say to encourage him into whatever specialty is done far from the front lines. Ideally from within a building.

I knew a few people that were in the ROTC at Texas, through which their schooling was paid for, and once they graduated they paid it back with 4 years in the service, but would enter as an officer and got a better pick of what they were doing than if you were to just enlist.

that might be a way for your son to get his education paid for and then get a head start in the military if that is what he really wants to do.

As others have said, I highly suggest he explore an ROTC program at a university.

Some of my information might be a little dated (I was in ROTC back in 1988) but I've talked to people more recently.

Here is why-

1. The first two years of ROTC are non-commitment. If you decide that military life is not for you, you can drop out. However, they can (and sometimes do) send you to air assault school, etc. and there is an ROTC camp that gives a taste of the military life.
2. Unless you've got a really in-demand occupational specialty, the heaviest demand for those with military experience is for officers and NCOs. The corporate world wants people with leadership experience.
3. A college education opens doors that being a veteran won't. Combine the two and you've got a serious leg up on a somebody with either, but not both.

If your son finds that he does NOT like ROTC and doesn't really like for college, with the ROTC background and a year of college, he should be able to enlist as an E-3. That means more money and a faster promotion into E-4. Plus, when it comes time for any NCO testing, those college credits will matter somewhat.

As for the Marines, that would be my last choice. Air Force, (Navy, Coast Guard, Army- all the same), then Marines, in that order.

I also want to add: Right now, he could call up a local ROTC program and ask to visit, talk to people, talk to people in the program and probably sit in on a class and formation.

Whatever you do, do that BEFORE you talk to any kind of recruiter.

You might also see if there is a Reserve or National Guard unit near you that has the MOS your son is interested in and talk to some of those guys as well.

They will have the latest information and be up to speed on the current environments in the various branches of service.

Which brings me to another point: Joining the reserves doesn't mean what it used to. Total Force means that somebody in the reserves might be sent to a hot zone just like an active duty person might be. However, he can be in the Reserves as an enlisted person and go to school at the same time.

Let me preface this by saying I've met a lot of smart, well educated enlisted guys, and I don't think less of their choice.

But berkeley me if I'd have enlisted, if a commission was possible. If nothing else than that the pay is light years better...

I did the college/ROTC thing, it worked out really well: I got the college experience (drink drink drink, girls girls girls!), got commissioned, got my wings. If he's got a huge boner to fly, an Academy slot is better odds, at least Air Force side. Not my gig though. Military life has been very good to me, my good times bucket is much fuller than my E36 M3ty times bucket, I'd highly recommend it.

Protip: don't bother asking a recruiter about commissioning stuff, contact ROTC departments at schools he's interested in (as has been mentioned).

ROTC or an Academy all the way.

Osterkraut wrote: Let me preface this by saying I've met a lot of smart, well educated enlisted guys, and I don't think less of their choice. But berkeley me if I'd have enlisted, if a commission was possible. If nothing else than that the pay is light years better...

Quoted for truth. When I signed up I was offered a shot at the AF Academy. At the time my mentality was 4 and done so I didnt want the extra commitment that came with an academy slot and I went enlisted.

I ended up sticking around for 12 years and regretted that decision for most of them.

First question would be, what does he want to do in the Marine Corps?

Keep in mind the Marine Corps has a very tiny budget compared to every other branch of the military(maybe the Coast Guard is close). Due to the tiny budget, the equipment is typically crap that we had. I started to realize that at my first duty station at Kadena AFB. I got to compare our Navy/Marine Corps junk to the Air Forces' seemingly brand new EVERYTHING, lol. I remember one time telling some airman about where our shop was at because he had no idea any Marines were stationed there. When I told him the shop, he thought it was a DRMO yard, basically a military junkyard. I just laughed. Just about everything I had issued to me or equipment I had to use was falling apart aside from my uniforms and the last barracks I lived in.

So my background, I was enlisted from 1998 to 2003 in the Marine Corps as a 6075(6074) Air Separation and Cryogenics Technician. Went in as a Private got out as a Corporal. I can tell it from the air winger side of things.

Originally I was planning on going into the Air Force because I grew up being absolutely in love with military aircraft. A friend of mine in high school was already signed up for the delayed entry program(DEP) and both of his parents were former Marines. He got me to go talk to his recruiter and I got sucked into the don't be a dork in the the Air Force, "We have the best uniform", and "We are tougher" stuff.

At the time(1998), you could sign up for 3 general MOS(job) choices. My three choices in order were:
1. Aviation Mechanic w/ Secret Security Clearance
2. Aviation Mechanic
3. Aviation Ordinance

I ended up with the first choice and never did anything that required my secret clearance for anything that I know of. So basically I got what I picked.

I'd say 70% of most Marines(in the air wing) always joked about being tired of the Marine Corps in some form. It seemed like the status quo. The new and shiney "I'm a Marine" wears off about a year in. But in all honesty, I think it is a great way to learn budgeting money, living on your own(although having a barracks roommate, lol), respect for others, hard work ethic, and of course discipline.

When it came time for reenlistment or getting out in 2003, I was planning on getting out and switching over to the Air Force. However, the Air Force wouldn't take me at the time because I would of had to go back through a tech school since my MOS didn't transfer over equally.

At any rate, would I do it again... Absolutely.
Would I suggest it to someone... Absolutely.
Would I have my own kid do it... Absolutely(but not if it was my daughter, no USMC)

In all honesty, you will learn discipline in all branches of the military, the biggest difference is how tough Marines make it. Its not as much of a physical toughness as much as a mental toughness. I think the biggest difference is having E36 M3 equipment.

With all of that said, I would say your son has the smarts that he should be an officer. No matter what branch, he should be an officer. If he has a choice, stick to the aviation side of things because the career paths are much better.

I appreciate your son's impulse to serve. My questions is what is he trying to accomplish? The Marines may be the best place for him. It is hard to judge without knowing what he wants to accomplish and/or what the attraction is.

mtn wrote: ROTC or an Academy all the way.

I second that idea. My brother and 3 of his brothers-in-laws all went one of those routes. Some did their 20 and some got out as soon as they could, but I have never heard any of them say they regretted it.