Recruit
Marines
Responses: 21
14
14
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I remember the cries that greeted every recruit platoon in its "forming" at PI, "You'll be SOOORRRYYYY!"
Seriously, before my departure to boot camp, a Marine NCO told me "It is an experience you would not pay a dime to go through. But after you have gone through it, you would not sell that experience for $1,000,000 if it was possible to sell it."
Seriously, before my departure to boot camp, a Marine NCO told me "It is an experience you would not pay a dime to go through. But after you have gone through it, you would not sell that experience for $1,000,000 if it was possible to sell it."
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CW3 Harvey K.
CWO3 (Join to see) - Did they still have the Quonset huts at the 3rd? I was in the 1st, and was only quartered in a Quonset for the last week at the rifle range.
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CWO3 (Join to see)
Nope, brick 3 stories in 78, same as chow hall and BN CP. They all bordered on the Parade Deck. Receiving was old white WWII buildings but they rebuilt all of that years ago. I've seen PR clips about the new Receiving and others. All brick, glass, chrome etc. Quonset huts at E Beach and things like target shack at Range then. Seems Gas Chamber was Quonset, maybe not. I spent a lot of time in there. SDI took my mask and kept sending me back in, for entertainment. Told me my mask was misplaced so go back in and look for it. I was not entertained but played along. What were the options, right? It was all in fun and I liked being screwed with in a good humored way a lot better than being on the hit list. It wasn't dangerous but it was natural to panic when the hatch was blocked from outside. After awhile the CS loses effect, except for when they fire up a new canister or pellets in the burner.
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CW3 Harvey K.
CWO3 (Join to see) - Thanks, Gunner. Good to hear they finally replaced the Quonset huts. I recall the gas chamber well. After they had us remove our masks, we had to march around the hut singing the Marine Corps Hymn (2 stanzas I think) before they let us out.
They put us through that right after they fed us a field mess (K rations, I think), and a bunch of guys lost that lunch they just had.
They put us through that right after they fed us a field mess (K rations, I think), and a bunch of guys lost that lunch they just had.
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CWO3 (Join to see)
CW3 Harvey K. - lots of Quonsets at first duty station Iwakuni, sounds about right on CS chamber, just remember snot running everywhere, I got a lot of it and almost got used to it, I liked most all the K rats except the ham n limas (Ham n m'f***ers), Ks weren't around very long after I joined, seems MCRD was only time I ate any, remember making a little field stove for trioxane tabs out of short K-rat can, be sure and sprinkle a little salt on tab due to fumes, take it easy, S/F
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PV2 J M Listen and observe those around you and emulate the best practices. Learn from your mistakes, and do not make the same mistake twice. Be a squared away Marine at all times. Continue your education, as there will be life after the Marines. Good luck.
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The Marine Corps is a single Corps. The Army has what, 20 Corps worth of units? The Marine Corps is focused on doing one thing extremely well. The Army has many focuses. The Esprit de Corps of Marines is for life. Not so *all* of the Army. So, it comes down to one main question - what do you want out of your service? And if you decide on the Corps, go to boot camp with one solid thought in mind: I WILL GRADUATE. Makes the hell and WTF moments non-consequential.
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CWO3 (Join to see)
Motivation will get you through it, and life generally. So will a positive mental attitude. Luck helps too.
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8
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Why are you considering entering the military service?Having a mission/reason will provide guidance.
I didn’t, it all worked out, back then, there was no social media to query or recruiters with any innate desire to guide a recruit. My guy said, “Sure, just sign here!”
I didn’t, it all worked out, back then, there was no social media to query or recruiters with any innate desire to guide a recruit. My guy said, “Sure, just sign here!”
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CWO3 (Join to see)
Hopefully after hearing this many times he'll heed. It really is important because when things get tough it might get you through it. Motivation.
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7
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First of all....you don't join the Marines. You Join the Army, you Join the Air Force, you Join the Navy or you Join the Coast Guard. If ypu are looking for a challenge and want something yo push you past who you think you are then you can try to earm the title of a United States Marine.
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7
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Keep your nose clean and make good grades. Be a responsible citizen while deciding. Do research on all services. Make sure you're joining for the right reasons and that the service you choose will best provide it. Talk to former servicemen for their input. Make your choice after thorough research and go for it. Study for ASVAB because a high score will look good on your record and help you with future options should you stay in. Give thought to what you really want in case you have a choice of MOS (job). Many think they want high-tech but later wish they'd joined Infantry or other Combat Arms. Each will prepare you for your future but in different ways. After that get in shape. The best shape. There is a lot of info online about the requirements and suggested workout strategies. I did none of this. Just called USMC Recruiter one day and told him I wanted to join. He laughed and asked what jail I was in. This, because most do a lot of window shopping. There are also wannabes that hang out at all the Recruiting Stations but usually never join. Many are not qualified. I did try to get in better shape and am glad I did. Most of it is in your mind and if your mind is right you'll make it. It does help to be in shape though. Good luck with your future. You'll be fine.
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5
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I am old army; mainly because my father was army also. Did my time in Vietnam with the 173rd Airborne Brigade of which I am proud to have served. If I had it to do all over again I believe I would have gone into the Marines. Having a number of veteran friends who were Marines I have come to see that there is a much higher sense of pride in who and what they are. Their training is much more demanding and intense than any of the other branches of the military, but what you get in return is a camaraderie that carries on long after you leave your enlistment. I haven't found this to be so much within the army rank and file.
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5
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Advice: once you decide, commit and don't look back.
Decide. Commit. Finish.
Whatever branch. Whatever MOS.
Decide. Commit. Finish.
Decide. Commit. Finish.
Whatever branch. Whatever MOS.
Decide. Commit. Finish.
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3
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Jordan,
I will approach this one slightly differently... Before you raise your hand to do anything, do research as the others have stated... But do this for yourself - because this day in age you have a lot to both gain, and lose. Make a trip to one of the local VA regional Hospitals. Walk around one of the sitting rooms and have a seat next to some of those old guys and gals. Ask them why they did it? You might find that many of them didn’t have a choice - because they were in an era of drafts! Now ask them if they made it a career, if not, why, why not? What would they have done differently as a young man or woman?
Now that you have some more information than just a few people here... Some folks here are on active duty, some retired, and some veterans. You will find that though there are many different view point towards the services, each service has its pluses and minus in one way or another. More time at home vice away on deployments or on ships, more technically trained in specifically somebareas, better geographical assignments (depending on the MOS/Skillset). A few different arbitrary examples, an Army MP will guard GITMO, FT. Leavenworth, the White House. An Air Force Security Guard can possibly guard Air Force One or military top secret guarded bases 24/7. The Marines will guard Embassies and provide Naval ships Security. Each has their own K-9 units. Army has CID and Navy has NCIS. All of these are similar, to a point, with different promotion systems and rates and times to which you may get promoted. For example. If you are a good test taker, the Air Force Promotion System takes tests for promotions, where as the Army has localized boards and then Centralized boards for SFC/E7 and above. Promotions might come faster or slower in certain MOS’s, as well as the opportunity for civilian education depending on deployments. Married life is not easy by any stretch and anyone that tells you that it is or will be is lying. The military isn’t for everyone.
All that stated, not trying to scare you off, not trying to keep you from your endeavors. This decision comes easy for some and is the most difficult for others!
No matter your job, you will undoubted wear the uniform of whatever service element you choose. You will find an aweful lot of Interservice rivalry between the services - similar to sibling rivalry within a home, we literally despise each other on game day! But know this, we are all Brothers and Sisters, and wear our US Flag with pride when our time was called! You will find no other Armed Forces in the world that fight as ONE UNITY when called upon to defend a nation! And yes, after we have left the Military, Retired, there are still fun pokes and jabs, as we like to keep the spirit alive. But know this, we have gained much respect and admiration for one another through the years as comrades in arms!
All the best in your decision making... I know you will make the right choice for you and your future - would love to have another Brother! I am still trying to get my son to go in as he figures out life working at a grocery store at 22.
I will approach this one slightly differently... Before you raise your hand to do anything, do research as the others have stated... But do this for yourself - because this day in age you have a lot to both gain, and lose. Make a trip to one of the local VA regional Hospitals. Walk around one of the sitting rooms and have a seat next to some of those old guys and gals. Ask them why they did it? You might find that many of them didn’t have a choice - because they were in an era of drafts! Now ask them if they made it a career, if not, why, why not? What would they have done differently as a young man or woman?
Now that you have some more information than just a few people here... Some folks here are on active duty, some retired, and some veterans. You will find that though there are many different view point towards the services, each service has its pluses and minus in one way or another. More time at home vice away on deployments or on ships, more technically trained in specifically somebareas, better geographical assignments (depending on the MOS/Skillset). A few different arbitrary examples, an Army MP will guard GITMO, FT. Leavenworth, the White House. An Air Force Security Guard can possibly guard Air Force One or military top secret guarded bases 24/7. The Marines will guard Embassies and provide Naval ships Security. Each has their own K-9 units. Army has CID and Navy has NCIS. All of these are similar, to a point, with different promotion systems and rates and times to which you may get promoted. For example. If you are a good test taker, the Air Force Promotion System takes tests for promotions, where as the Army has localized boards and then Centralized boards for SFC/E7 and above. Promotions might come faster or slower in certain MOS’s, as well as the opportunity for civilian education depending on deployments. Married life is not easy by any stretch and anyone that tells you that it is or will be is lying. The military isn’t for everyone.
All that stated, not trying to scare you off, not trying to keep you from your endeavors. This decision comes easy for some and is the most difficult for others!
No matter your job, you will undoubted wear the uniform of whatever service element you choose. You will find an aweful lot of Interservice rivalry between the services - similar to sibling rivalry within a home, we literally despise each other on game day! But know this, we are all Brothers and Sisters, and wear our US Flag with pride when our time was called! You will find no other Armed Forces in the world that fight as ONE UNITY when called upon to defend a nation! And yes, after we have left the Military, Retired, there are still fun pokes and jabs, as we like to keep the spirit alive. But know this, we have gained much respect and admiration for one another through the years as comrades in arms!
All the best in your decision making... I know you will make the right choice for you and your future - would love to have another Brother! I am still trying to get my son to go in as he figures out life working at a grocery store at 22.
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3
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I agree with the previous posts. I spent 2 yrs in the Army Reserve and then did 20 yrs in the Navy. If you are wanting to serve your country good for you. Not every person can be the man down range, and those down range need the support to be there. All services are great and have their specialities. If there is something you are already good at or desire to be good at, use that and the right branch to serve in bettering yourself, therefore bettering your country.
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