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I'm two seconds away from enlisting in the Marine Corps. Here's why:

I gotta get my college on. I can't afford it. Way back in the day when I was getting out of high school, I was nominated (not appointed) to the U.S. Air Force Academy. I had way above average scores on the SAT, ASVAB and AFOQT and I was nav qualified. I was not appointed due to my eyesight and therefor lack of pilot qualification.

Since then, I had a horrible year at Texas A&M in the Corps of Cadets. I have a college GPA under 2.0, although my high school GPA was 102.77 on a 120 point scale... an 'A' average. I ranked 108 out of 580 graduating seniors which put me in the top 18% of my class. I split my shin in half during the first semster of college and my grades never recovered for the year. The 4-year AFROTC scholarship I was awarded was then revoked.

I've spent the last four years working and learning things about life and putting real-world experience under my belt. I've proven I have the ability to excel, but my determination and stick-to-it-ivness have been lacking. Here's my goal:

I want to go to the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, MD. I have the ability and I need to show I have the determination and the will to succeed. The idea I have is to enlist in the Marines and pursue an appointment in the fall of 2003 before I'm too old to apply. The Marine recruiter thinks that I'd stand a better chance being an active duty enlisted man rather than being in the Active Reserves and going to school while juggling military obligations and a job. I can see where he's coming from, although his primary motivation is to get me to sign papers.

I'm spending this week contacting USNA admssions reps and calling other people I know who are in the military who might be able to help me get in, or at least offer some insight.

My question is to anyone enlisted in the USMC about Marine life and what you think about my whole story. If I get a positive response that I'd have a fighting chance at becoming a cadet at the Academy, I'll ship off to San Diego for boot camp the first week of June. I'm getting stressed...

smoothy1995 is a marine

there are others that post on the VA boards that were in/are in the marines too but i forget who exactly so i won't say

D Davis is one too.

Stay away from the USMC, trust me I have been posted on two different Joint service posts and the marines HAVE IT THE WORST!!! PERIOD END OF SENTENCE!!! Step back for a second and look at all the possibilies: 1) what happens if you don't get accepted? I'll tell you: you will be an E-nothing in the USMC and it will suck bizzalls, big time. If you want to go to college go see your army recruiter, tell him you want some fast college money. Enlist in the NG or Reserve for a few years. You'll get some good dough for college, and be back at home ready for school to start at the end of AIT. Go to a college that has NROTC or AFROTC or whatever you want, you can go the first two years off your Army college money, you won't have to contract with the ROTC guys until your ready to be a junior, then you can get them to break your reserve contract and re-enlist as an ROTC cadet. Also, you said you hurt your shin, you think that's gonna help with the 13 weeks of hell and brimstonethat is USMC Boot Camp??

I can't comment on life in the Corps today, I know things have changed since I went through MCRD San Diego in '86. The Crucible looks fun, but I didn't have to do that. Of course I don't think you would have to worry about the more physical DI's anymore.

The Marines don't lead soft cushy lives. There are things that will certainly be challenging, but I can assure you this; few things you will ever do will give you the sense of accomplishment or pride in being able to claim the title of United States Marine. The experience was one of the best in my entire life! There are days when I wish I had stayed in.

What I'm certain hasn't changed is that you get out of it what you put into it. Go in with the right attitude, keep your mouth shut and react as quickly as you can to any and all direction with the best of your ability and you'll get through it. After Boot Camp expect more challenges, but you will be prepared to deal with them. Almost every challenge I face today in the professional world can be addressed with the same values and ideals which the Marine Corps instilled in me.

Semper Fidelis

Mark

my brother was a Marine as well.. he's one bad ass dude. he loved being in it but it was grueling too..

USMC boot camp @ Lejeune was insane from what i saw when i went down there to his graduation, and also from what he told me he tried to play it down, but i mean duuuudde.. heh
later he then went off to Okie for a year..

Marines do have it rougher than others, IMHO.

if you DO end up getting into the marines and all i wish you luck!

BWAAAHAAAHAAA!!!!!!!! Sorry, but you typed that perfectly

Infuryum, if you seriously want to get into the military and are mainly doing it for college, I have to agree with OhSigmaChi; the USMC may not be the way to go. That split shin will come back to haunt you in boot camp. They've lightened up some parts since I was there, and toughened up others. In San Diego, your best friend and worst enemy will be all the hills you'll be hiking. The E. Coast guys have sand fleas, but we had hills - miles and miles of hills. Some of them even have names!

For a smooth ride I'd say try the USAF. I've met a few guys since moving to AZ that are in the USAF and they're stories typically pale in comparison to mine. Keep in mind I was a Computer Tech (ASVAB around 97%), so grunts and other infantry guys have it even worse. Part of the USMC lifestyle is proving you're the best by forcing the worst conditions upon yourself and your troops. That's right, "we're better and we'll show you why" is how things are done.

If you seriously don't think you'll be bothered by the physical routine and mental "abuse", then go for it. I'm glad I did it. It really helped me later to be able to focus on situations and not be distracted as easily. I can deal with pressure much better than I ever could before the Corps.

But, that shin you've had problems with would worry me. Imagine injuring it again and being stuck in Boot Camp for 3 or more months while it heals Total boot camp time - 6 months. That doesn't sound like much fun to me. I seriously think when I was in boot camp I got a hairline fracture in my foot, but I damn sure didn't say anything because I wanted to get the Hell outta there ASAP!

I hope this gives you some insight. I'm not trying to make it sound like a nightmare, but to some people it becomes one quickly. One recruit commited suicide while I was in S.D. by jumping from the 3rd floor of a barracks. I'd hate for you to regret it for years to come only because you weren't fully informed of how it can be. If you need any more info, I'll be glad to offer it.

You will miss the National Meet & we need you there!

i was enlisted, i never left though, it'd be a waste with my sat scores and asvab everyone said. so im waiting till im 20 and then hitting up the air force.

Hmmm, being that I seem to be the only one here that has a postive attitude on the corps here is what i have to say......

Actually i will say this first... THE ARMY FUDGING SUX!!! I would never ever ever ever ever ever put myself through the hell you will experience and the shamefullness that you will undergo in the army!!! I mean they have freggin stress cards that they can whip out at any time during their recruit training!!! what is that crap,
" Oh , hold on there Osama, I think you are stressin me out to much, you need to go away. I have my stress card!!"

What in the frick is that!!! If you cant handle a piddly little drill sergeant talkin to you then you dont deserve to be in the service, ... try havin a marine corps drill instructor in you face, and he dont know nothing but yell at the top of his lungs...

I will say that the Marine Corps has been the best experience in the world for me!!! I will never regret it and I would never ever want this experience taken away from me!! yeah you will see me complaining cause it is hard at times, but then again what isnt. I have everything paid for and no worries on insurance, except for car , but thats another story in its own

And I dont who it was that said you will be an E-nothing.... but that is totally wrong, for one I picked up CPL (E-4) in less than 1.5 yrs in the corps with 12months of it in school where i can not pick up the rank of an NCO!! and im up for sergeant (E-5)!!! and the marine corps is changing the way it promotes so that you can get promoted quicker!! AND... it is the only branch in the service with meritorious promotions, which is how i picked up all of my rank!! so i have no problems with it....

I think personally that every male should experience the marine corps.. yes the marine corps is not for everyone, but it is an experience that no one will regret, and the benefits you get out of it is endless.. which is what i may elaborate on in the next post, cause i think ive already written a book so far... but more to come..