I want to serve at least 20 years as a rifleman in the USMC. What would be the merits of taking this path?

PV2 J M — Sun, 29 Oct 2017 20:45:33 -0400

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Oct 29 at 2017 8:48 PM

SPC Erich Guenther — Sun, 29 Oct 2017 20:48:38 -0400

That is actually impossible as each service including the USMC has a move-up or move out policy. So you might serve as a rifleman for maybe 4-8 years, if you still had that job title afterwards the USMC would start to move you out of the service.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Oct 29 at 2017 8:53 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Sun, 29 Oct 2017 20:53:14 -0400

Ok, good thoughts, high hopes. Now 1- rifleman is a position, not a rank and according to my jarhead buds, is not a branch, since all Marines are riflemen 1st. If you want to stay in the Infantry branch, then 20 is possible, just keep in mind that there may be detours along the way, and you will have to get promoted of get out. I spent 22+ years (Army Infantry), but my time was split between staff and troop time, which keep me in Infantry slots and also made sure I got promoted along the way.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Oct 29 at 2017 9:01 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sun, 29 Oct 2017 21:01:45 -0400

PV2 J M I think You are Getting Outstanding Advice from Several Comrades in Arms. All Marines are "Riflemen" Time to Set You Sights Higher! The Marines I Worked with were Kings! Masters of the Information Warfare Community. Shooting Is Good. Being a Spook Is Better!

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 29 at 2017 9:07 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 Oct 2017 21:07:23 -0400

PV2 J M I would recommend that you look at all career paths that are offered by the Marine Corps. As you gain rank, you would be something other than a 0311. The rank range for a 0311 is from Private to Sergeant. keep in mind that the best plans change, and there is life after military service. While you serve, continue your education for an eventual civilian career. Have you looked at the communications field, as in MOS 0621, Field Radio Operator?

https://www.thebalance.com/marine-corps-enlisted-job-descriptions-3345303

https://www.thebalance.com/usmc-enlisted-job-descriptions-and-qualification-factors-3345756

https://www.thebalance.com/marine-corps-enlisted-job-descriptions-3345341

Marine Corps Job Description for Rifleman

Marine Corps Enlisted Job Descriptions, MOS details, and qualification factors. MOS 0311 -- Rifleman

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Oct 29 at 2017 9:15 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Sun, 29 Oct 2017 21:15:11 -0400

If you manage to spend 20 years as a Marine Infantryman it’s my opinion you’ll retire embittered, injured, and unemployable. After 4 years as a Grunt, find your way into an MOS with high civilian employability.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 29 at 2017 9:19 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 Oct 2017 21:19:28 -0400

I see that you are young and ambitious but don't limit your career. You need to make well informed career decisions. First, as stated elsewhere you can't just be a rifleman for 20 years. You will promote and take up leadership position. In those position you will be leading soldiers rather than shooting your weapon system. Plus, even in the infantry you will be placed in various positions. I have been in the infantry for about 16 years as an officer and enlisted. I have been in Recruiting, Observer/Controller, Ranger Instructor/Platoon Trainer, and an Executive Officer. I have also been an Infantry Scout, Bradley Section leader, Squad Leader, and Platoon Leader. So there is a lot more than just pulling the trigger.

Also, I used to want to be a Marine when I younger. Then I weighed my options. The Marines really just offered infantry. The Army offered me an Airborne Infantry contract. I went to the Army. I believed the Army had more opportunities than Marines did. I haven't regretted it yet.

The Army will always be in the fight first. I know the Marines say that but the Army has Airborne units that are capable of having boots on good anywhere on earth in less than 18 hours. If things go sideways you will need to have landing zones set up to receive troops and equipment. Airborne Forces are going to be the quickest way to secure them.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Oct 29 at 2017 9:53 PM

SGT Philip Roncari — Sun, 29 Oct 2017 21:53:54 -0400

Jordan Masters-This is your lucky day young man,to get to ask a question like yours to this group of professionals,their responses are based life experiences both in and out of the Military my advice is to listen to them.

Response by Sgt Wayne Wood made Oct 29 at 2017 9:59 PM

Sgt Wayne Wood — Sun, 29 Oct 2017 21:59:57 -0400

Dude... max out your ASVAB or whatever they call it these days then drive your recruiter insane by telling him you want Combat Arms, Infantry.

Unlike the Army, in the Marines you really CAN BE ALL YOU CAN BE. But you have to prove it EVERY SINGLE DAY.

If you MAX the ASVAB then the only limit is you... if you don’t max it you start at a disadvantage.

Fool everyone, show ‘em Marines ain’t stupid or crazy, just eccentric.

Buckle up buttercup... it’s a helluva ride.

Oh yeah, ask about mandatory Class B billets... i tried to avoid ‘em but shit happens.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Oct 29 at 2017 10:05 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Sun, 29 Oct 2017 22:05:39 -0400

PV2 J M Jordan you are not being fair with RP. What military MOSs do you qualify for. Then we can recommend one that is rewarding and fruitful later. MANY service members go into extremely BASIC military positions. Many of those, deciding they do enjoy military life do re-up. In another branch or for another MOS!

The Marine Corps is superb training and is renown for having Marines mature during their service. The Marines are also primarily known as Assault Infantry. That 0311 MOS gobbles young men, after one hitch, many become disillusioned and depart. RP is suggesting you embark upon a career that is more sustainable than Infantry, any Infantry! As others have said it a Noble field. Please do not disregard the Army’s Infantry, Ranger, Aysemtrical Warfare Group and SF communities.

Response by Maj John Bell made Oct 29 at 2017 10:12 PM

Maj John Bell — Sun, 29 Oct 2017 22:12:43 -0400

It depends on what you mean by a 20 year rifleman.
_Every Marine is a rifleman, not everyman serves in the Table of Organization & Equipment (TO&E) billet of Rifleman.
_If the rifle team structure is the same as when I was last in a rifle company, there is only one rifleman in a fire team, and that is generally the junior, and least experienced Marine in the fire team
_There is no such thing as a 20 year Lance Corporal and there is no such thing as a Gunnery Sergeant or First Sergeant filling a TO&E rifleman's billet.
_Your value to the Marine Corps improves from being well-rounded and serving in as many positions as possible that are appropriate for your experience level, for an appropriate amount of time.

Response by 1SG Russell S. made Oct 29 at 2017 10:19 PM

1SG Russell S. — Sun, 29 Oct 2017 22:19:19 -0400

Good luck with that.

Response by Sgt David Wyble made Oct 29 at 2017 10:27 PM

Sgt David Wyble — Sun, 29 Oct 2017 22:27:45 -0400

Believe me. Once you hit Staff, the glory days are over bro. You will get lost in the bureaucracy of day-to-day office politics. As you try to suck-off the next boot-ass Officer in hopes of getting a good FITREP, you will reflect upon your poor decision to re-enlist.

You will find yourself wanting to stay later and later at work as you find that marrying that girl from Oceanside with 4 kids maybe wasn't such a good I idea after all.

The daily monotony will build and you will gain a cynicism about the Corps that will come to encompass your entire life. Soon you will will want you Marines to feel your pain. So formation will get later and later in the evening as the DGAF in your soul builds.

As your Dependa gets bored at home, she will make your life a living hell at home as you look for ways to off yourself and make it look like an accident so your sick mom can claim your SGLI.

.... And all this could have been preceted by slowing your roll and taking a deep breath

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Oct 29 at 2017 10:55 PM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Sun, 29 Oct 2017 22:55:22 -0400

I wasn't a Marine, but I can tell you t hat every Marine will say that all Marines are riflemen. That being said, there is nothing wrong with wanting to be and infantry Marine. If you are dead set on doing the full 20+ years, then being infantry isn't a bad thing at all if you can handle the job. If at a ytime you think that you may not go all the way to retirement, I would say that you should look into MOSs that have civilian equivalents so that your skills will be easier to transfer into the civilian world.
As far as merits of the job, it really depends on how you look at it. If you can hack it, there is job security. If you don't mind the moving around, you get to see parts of the world that many Americans prob a ly will never see. You'll make friends that you will have the rest of your life and you'll have plenty of stories to tell your grandchildren when you get old.
I say all of this, but make no mistake, the military is a war fighting force and you better get comfortable with the idea that you may be required to deploy to combat whenever Uncle Sam feels like it.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Oct 29 at 2017 10:57 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sun, 29 Oct 2017 22:57:34 -0400

PV2 J M I Can "Shoot" My Son in Law Can "Shoot" My Eldest Granddaughter Can "Shoot" Your Going to Have to Up Your Game! This is No Longer Your Great Grandfathers Military, What Else Do You Bring? I'm a Spook! My Son in Law was a CIWS Technician. Bring It On Lad!

Response by MSgt George Cater made Oct 30 at 2017 12:06 AM

MSgt George Cater — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 00:06:16 -0400

Good Grief, as Charlie Brown said. The MOS manual hasn’t changed THAT much. Most answers launched off into the ‘every Marine a rifleman’ tangent w/o addressing the (apparent) actual question.
1st off, Rifleman is a specific enlisted MOS, 0311-Rifleman: Private through Sergeant in the 0300 Infantry Occupational Field. Other 03 MOS’s are 0331 Machinegunner, 0341 Mortarman, 0351 Assaultman. There used to be 0321 Basic Recon and there are others like LAV crew that I forget. You can enlist for the 03 field and keep your primary MOS even if you volunteer or get drafted for a B billet like MSG Duty, Recruiting or the Drill Field. But assuming you want to keep getting promoted, once you make SSGT you become an 0369 Infantry Unit Leader - SSgt - MGySgt. Once you make Gunny (in any Occ Field) you choose whether you want to be selected for 1stSgt/SgtMaj or stay in your MOS as a MSgt/MGySgt. Few Marines do 20+ years without pulling some type of B billet. I did 4 in 24 years alternating with tours in the Fleet in rifle battalion

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2017 1:27 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 01:27:50 -0400

I wish I was as focused as you are asking questions while in high school.

I think some of us here are being too tough on you. Don't let the sarcastic remarks get you upset. I read most of the responses before before answering here. Most of these men have served in infantry at one time or another and so their wisdom is true. Infantry does result in the possibility of getting flat feet, bad knees or a bad back.

I know that if I would have gone Infantry when I joined the Army National Guard at age 31, I would not be here now at age 55. The Marine Corps purposely is picky on keeping young men and staying in for 20 years is hard. If I were you, get the education out of the way first.

The Marine Corps is part of the Navy and they expect you to be tough and almost crazy because your
rate of survival is going to be low in actual combat.

I have been in the Army Reserve and National Guard. The Marine Corps is an awesome and tough!

My uncle was a Marine lieutenant who went to Vietnam in 1965 on a C-130. He was signal but not Infantry. What these other veterans have said is true, you will be a grunt first then team leader, then squad leader and later platoon sergeant helping to help the lieutenant do the admin in the platoon as well as help with the casualties. He could also take over if the platoon leader is killed or wounded.

So you can't be a Rifleman or a grunt forever. You could end up being a first sergeant which is the top Sergeant in the company. You that may move up and be a master sergeant working in the battalion staff and maybe even make it to operation sergeant major or even sergeant major where you work alongside the lieutenant colonel of the battalion. Yes, you will still have to qualify with your weapon and your civilian education will be a requirement as well as other service schools to stay competitive with other sergeants who want to get promoted to the next rank.

I went in the army with a college education and I was an e-4 specialist which in the Marine Corps would be equivalent to a corporal. I had my bachelor's degree and I went to officer candidate School in the California guard and I became a lieutenant at age 33 years 9 months period in the active-duty I think you can't be an officer older than 29 years old.

Too bad you could not go into ROTC in college and get your commission in the Marine Corps or the US Army. Marine Corps also offer special forces called marsof and the Navy Seals if you go Navy. The Army offers ,as well as the Marines, Airborne positions. Both the Army and the Marines offer military police, police, artillery, and they also have mechanized Infantry which means you can ride around in an armored vehicle or you could be dismounted Infantry. There is even cyber warfare and other Specialties within the military which could help you with civilian skills like signal that could help you have civilian skills when you get out.

I did not go active duty like most of these people here, I went Army National Guard and Army Reserve. I worked various civilian jobs over the last 23 years and I have moved between State National Guard and the Army Reserve. Mine is a little bit different of a path but it is also a consideration since if you were to become a commissioned officer through ROTC, only the top 1/3 get active duty positions.

You can still have the best of both worlds and be a Citizen Soldier like me. I have served in a combat zone on two different deployments. I lost by first sergeant to a suicide car bomber in Afghanistan in 2009. I have gone through four or five ramp ceremonies where soldiers were killed and we were honoring them while they were taking their casket on to the C-130 to go back home for burial. I know I have given you a lot to think about as well as the men and women here who have given comments.

I give you a high five for asking us these questions. We are here to help you so you do not make some of the same mistakes we did. Take your time and make sure you have a trustful recruiter. I had a recruiter who was honest with me. He told me, at age 31, that I had a chance to be an officer because of the 35 year old Max. In the Army National Guard, you can be commission one day shy of your 35th birthday but in the Army Reserve if it's only 32 and a half.

You are a young and there is no issue but if you decide to join the military later, at least you have the knowledge now. We here on rallypoint will be here to help you with anything you may need to know and even point you to the right direction because others here may actually be able to send you messages on who to contact. Thank you for asking us for guidance.

Response by SSG James Behnke made Oct 30 at 2017 7:22 AM

SSG James Behnke — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 07:22:07 -0400

A whole lot of respect from other Marines and Service members.... but not much else. Aside from the leadership experience you gain from being in such a challenging profession, there is not a lot that equates from being a "grunt" to traditional civilian job experience. I am not trying to dissuade you from your decision, just know that you need to take advantage of things like the GI Bill and Tuition Assistance to make yourself more marketable to jobs on the outside once you complete your service.

Response by SGT David T. made Oct 30 at 2017 7:52 AM

SGT David T. — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 07:52:12 -0400

I said the same thing before I joined. I was bound and determined to be Infantry. Despite ASVAB scores that qualified for every job in the military, I chose to be a ground pounder. As it turned out, that wasn't the ideal career for me. It was nothing like the movies, and pretty much was a sucky existence most of the time. This is not to say I didn't have any fun. I did, but not enough to keep doing it. I ended up changing my MOS at the first opportunity. Which leads me into my next point.

You do have to consider what happens after you get out. If it is after 20 years or 4 you will get out at some point. Infantry doesn't translate to the civilian world. What I would suggest, is going to MEPS with an open mind and seeing what all you are qualified for and what is open. Select a career path that you are interested in and that you can leverage into civilian employment. You can do it as a grunt, but it takes a bit of creativity and abstract thinking on the resume. I don't even put down anything from my time in the Infantry on my resume other than I was in the Army at the time. I had to consolidate my 9 year Army career into one job entry. So other than being in the military, it is of no use on my civilian resume.

I am not trying to discourage you, only suggesting that you look at all the options and the next few steps after the military. Whatever you decide to do, I wish you well and hope it works out for you.

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Oct 30 at 2017 1:47 PM

CW5 Sam R. Baker — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 13:47:29 -0400

That is a serious load to endure, not as an Infantryman, but all together just saying you are going to do 20 in the first place. I spoke those words same as you 30 years ago and well, not as a Infantryman, but Military Policeman. I was seriously only signing up for three and out to get a position in the local police department, but when the Army forced me to GI Bill, I argued that I could get TA and fund my college through that program and did not need to forfeit the 100 a month. Well I did do 20 and now 30, and I have not used that GI Bill forced on me, but trust me that deciding now is awful early, physically that Infantry life is hard and breaks down a lot of folks. A lot of our current PAO folks and many others are those who physically can't do the mission anymore rucking. Get in, enjoy it and look for opportunities to grow individually, professionally and above all, enjoy what you do while serving.

Response by MSgt Gerald Orvis made Oct 30 at 2017 1:58 PM

MSgt Gerald Orvis — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 13:58:26 -0400

I believe it will be all but impossible for you to be an 0311 Rifleman for twenty years. You may qualify and start out as an 0311, but various factors will come into play to alter your MOS and duties as you proceed toward retirement. You can remain an 0311 through the rank of Sergeant, but once you get promoted to Staff Sergeant, you will be converted to an 0369 (Infantry Unit Leader) and be expected to know and be able to handle ALL the infantry weapons, and you will be more valued as a leader than as a shooter. When you become eligible for promotion to E-8, you'll have a decision to make - Master Sergeant (a technical specialist) or a First Sergeant (MOS 9999, a unit leadership and administrative advisor to his/her commanding officer). If you become a 1stSgt, your primary job is leadership and you can be sent anywhere, not just to infantry units. I've seen more than a few 1stSgts with ground-pounder backgrounds who ended up as 1stSgts in air wing units, logistical commands and so forth. It's the same when they reach the rank of Sergeant Major (MOS 9999) - they can be sent anywhere. So staying a rifleman for one's entire career is highly unlikely. Additionally, the needs of the Marine Corps can play little tricks on you. I spent my first seven years in the Corps as an 0351 (Anti-Tank Assaultman). In 1973, as I was preparing to reenlist, I was told that since the Vietnam War was winding down, the Corps was downsizing and didn't need so many grunts, so I had to either lateral move into another MOS, or get out. I couldn't stay as an 0300. I chose to be an 0211 (CI Specialist), and that's how I ended my active duty career fourteen years later. Had that little bit not come up, I'd probably stayed in the 0300 MOS for the rest of my career. The bottom line is that the same sort of thing may happen to you.

Response by GySgt Charles O'Connell made Oct 30 at 2017 6:20 PM

GySgt Charles O'Connell — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 18:20:28 -0400

I'll assume that you mean you want spend your career in Infantry. But a career encapsulates more than just an MOS. There will be assignments to "B" Billets (Recruiting Duty, Embassy Duty, Drill Instructor. When you advance to the SNCO ranks you could find your self assigned to an Aviation unit as a Squadron Gunny, or even Sgt Maj. My point is, don't limit yourself. If 03 is what you want, go for it, apply yourself to be the best you can be at it. But foremost and always, be a Marine, serve our Corps to best of your ability no matter what assignment you are ordered to.

Response by Cpl George Canfield made Oct 30 at 2017 8:25 PM

Cpl George Canfield — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 20:25:08 -0400

Right now you see only the Eagle, Globe and Anchor. Get in, survive, grow personally and professionally and you will discover that the Corps has much to offer to the individual Marine. Good Luck, young man

Response by PV2 J M made Oct 31 at 2017 8:53 AM

PV2 J M — Tue, 31 Oct 2017 08:53:00 -0400

I am wanting to eventually make it to a CSM battalion commander level

Response by GySgt David Lemanske made Oct 31 at 2017 10:01 AM

GySgt David Lemanske — Tue, 31 Oct 2017 10:01:02 -0400

Every Marine is a basic rifleman first and foremost. You will qualify with an MOS or job and then as you are promoted your responsibilities and MOS will change. The Merit is to carry the honorable title of United States Marine!

Response by LCpl Russell Wallace made Nov 1 at 2017 11:42 AM

LCpl Russell Wallace — Wed, 01 Nov 2017 11:42:23 -0400

There are not merits of being in the infantry. You learn to hate everyone, fuck everything, and drink anything.

Response by Cpl Franklin Holbrook made Nov 6 at 2017 12:44 AM

Cpl Franklin Holbrook — Mon, 06 Nov 2017 00:44:06 -0500

Sorry -but I signed on GUARANTEED INFANTRY as an 0311 (1990 - 1994) and gentlemen I'm telling the young men to NOT JOIN the USMC as it's not the same. You're better off ascertaining a SKILLED TRADE and linking up with a "MILITIA" or well-armed people.

The Commandant & SGT Major of the USMC should've "RESIGNED" the day OVOMIT pushed "Homosexuals" to serve and IDGAF about General Mattis -he's no different an has forgotten the principles of the TRUE CORPS -------------> NO WOMAN has any business barking or giving orders to "MEN" -yet alone a female officer directing the men within the INFANTRY -stay OUT and prepare for whats coming within our own country.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 8 at 2017 6:02 AM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 06:02:51 -0500

Good luck. I’m a infantry marine now. Just understand it’s hard. And the life is different. You’ll always be gone and away from you’re family which is nice untill you have a wife and kids. Then you’re in the field 2 weeks out of a month for 8 months (some times over month long Feilds ops) then you deploy for 8 months. The job is stressful and there is a lot to know once you make team leader and squad leader. It is a life changing experience.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2017 8:46 AM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 03 Dec 2017 08:46:24 -0500

Once you pick up staff you're barely an 03 anymore . You take up more of an admin role . Once you hit the fleet you'll realize you don't wanna be in a line company or a grunt at all anymore . It's not what it's cracked up to be

Response by LCpl Sír Gingery made Dec 5 at 2017 7:46 PM

LCpl Sír Gingery — Tue, 05 Dec 2017 19:46:15 -0500

Best Merritt is you can drink a lot quite frequently!

Response by LCpl Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 12 at 2017 2:48 PM

LCpl Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Dec 2017 14:48:17 -0500

Trust me, being an 0311 or even 03xx for that long is not only difficult but challenging. Difficult because of how broken you can and will become both physically and mentally, but also challenging because you won't be runnin and gunnin for that long unless you go marsoc which is different. Now the challenge is that you will go from a grunt to a desk jockey because you're going to be needed in the office with plt sgts and commanders that need competent marines to handle the paper work for your platoon. You'll still hike and do field ops but you won't doong cool shit like you did when you first get to your unit.

Response by SSgt Norberto Gonzalez made Dec 24 at 2017 8:18 PM

SSgt Norberto Gonzalez — Sun, 24 Dec 2017 20:18:10 -0500

Enlist...

Response by LCpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2018 7:22 PM

LCpl Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Jan 2018 19:22:47 -0500

Don't

Response by LCpl Kenne Schneider Jr. made Jan 5 at 2018 1:30 PM

LCpl Kenne Schneider Jr. — Fri, 05 Jan 2018 13:30:49 -0500

My two cents... learn to achieve perfection in diet and discipline. Get every muscle fed and ready. Meditate. Learn to quiet the mind to silence. Learn to think very quickly and slow down reality, in a sense. Learn to keep your wits in high stress situations, I guess is what I'm saying but it extends beyond that. Learn to calculate every move or twitch of your muscle and make it muscle memory. Start with taking hap ki do. You don't want to be fumbling with magazines and flares, boot. Haha it all really depends on how much time you have before you're eligible to go. The biggest thing that I can tell you is to throw away any preconceived notions you have about people. Those boys become your brothers. You become men together and that's something no one else can know. Regardless of race, where they come from religion, whatever. Those boys are your brothers and that takes commitment. You will learn a brotherhood your own family won't understand. And lastly, the courage, in the face of any danger or ridicule to stand for what is right and just. To stand with your brothers regardless of any fear and fight. Courage to face down any fear and overcome it, shut it down and calculate your move. It is wondrous what a wise and righteous mind can accomplish.

Response by GySgt Dj B made Jan 6 at 2018 5:50 PM

GySgt Dj B — Sat, 06 Jan 2018 17:50:33 -0500

There's no way you can say you want to do that. Life changes. One of my Marines said the same thing with only a year in the Corps. He was forced out just a couple years later for discipline issues. Wives, kids, unit changes, poor leadership.....Things change. Saying you want to do that.....too soon.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2018 12:40 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Jan 2018 12:40:10 -0500

Bad knees, bad back, bad shoulders... GREAT memories!

Response by SPC David Willis made Jan 10 at 2018 12:57 PM

SPC David Willis — Wed, 10 Jan 2018 12:57:34 -0500

You probably wont be blowing stuff up and shooting bad guys in the face for 20 years. Eventually you'll get promoted out of the "door kicker" role. Not that you cant still be in the infantry field, you just wont be a rifleman. In the Army the only way to really stay in the role you're talking about was going to selection and trying to go into the groups. Most guys who had been in at least 15 years though were in various S shops or HQ companies, and at the ground level leading a platoon.

The move up or move out policy does suck though because it gets rid of good soldiers that just want to do their job, yet may not want a leadership position.

Response by GySgt Dj B made Mar 21 at 2018 10:15 PM

GySgt Dj B — Wed, 21 Mar 2018 22:15:12 -0400

I had a young LCpl check in to my unit (0311). A common question for newbies was "how long you got left in the Corps?" His ( douchebag) response was "19 and a half years!" He was NJP'd and out after one tour. Me, couldn't do 20 years as an 03. Held three MOS's in 22 years. Don't have a plan.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2018 7:19 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Mar 2018 19:19:13 -0400

You'll only know for sure after the 20 years.

Response by 1SG Dennis Hicks made Mar 22 at 2018 8:38 PM

1SG Dennis Hicks — Thu, 22 Mar 2018 20:38:59 -0400

Your all over the place with your posts, figure out what you want and go for it until then this ADHD about the Marines and Army won't get you good answers.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2018 9:48 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Mar 2018 21:48:53 -0400

Is that after your Army enlistment? Be prepared for bad knees and back unless you're in a mechanized unit i.e. LAV, Bradley, Armor etc. Some avoid it by taking good care of themselves, but it's almost an occupational hazard due to the lifestyle of long humps. Whatever you choose I hope it works out for you.

Response by Sgt Jon Mcvay made Apr 21 at 2018 7:57 AM

Sgt Jon Mcvay — Sat, 21 Apr 2018 07:57:46 -0400

You will be one fit bad ass

Response by PFC William Williams made Apr 30 at 2018 2:57 PM

PFC William Williams — Mon, 30 Apr 2018 14:57:43 -0400

Go to P.I. then get back too me!.