US Army or Marines

[JohnnyCage]

I really want to sign up for one or the other, preferably the Marines. But my parents are too fucking worried and stuff. I told them what i want to do, which is to sign up and take whatever job they give me and try to get put in as infantry rifleman or assistant automatic rifleman. But my father keeps telling me retarted things like "theyre just a bunch of grunts and when you come out of iraq you wont be able to get a job" and "youll be in 120 degree heat in heavy cammies, just riding in a convoy guarding trucks and the only action you will get to see is your friends being blow up by IEDs and roadside bombs." and he says "Im worried about you wanting to go over there and kill them, it worries me your ready to kill people" or something like that even though thats the point of me going. Its really pissing me off because they dont understand and wont listen.

 they want me to go to military school and be an officer and have a desk job as a lieutenant, but i dont think i could sleep at night knowing that the other marines are out there dying while i am making more money and better benefits by doing nothing and i think that what makes me any different that i should be spared if they arent. I feel like telling them why they wont let me sign up but theyre willing to have other parents loose their children for their freedom. Now i cant get a ride to go to the recrutment place or to boot camp and im being held back from what i want to do and i dont know what to tell them. Any advice?

[coneytt]

The first question is, Are you over 18?

If so, if you really wanted to go you could call the recruiter and they will come get you. Every Marine recruiting station has a delayed entry program that works with young'n and their parents. Find out about their program and maybe that will help convince your parents. Also, end the killing talk, the Corp is about much more than that and if you don't see it, maybe you should consider another branch.

Coneytt (E-6 of the US Marines)

[Bad Bob]

EVERY Marine is a rifleman. So, ya don't have to "chose" that.

My thought is this.... What do ya want to do when you get out?
Cop?
Work with computers?
Aircraft engines?
Whatever, the Corps probably has a job/school for it.
Present, to your folks,the Marines as a means to an end... training and a job in the future.

[JohnnyCage]

Well I am sworn in and am in DEP until shpment on August 18th. Now i get to pick three jobs and will most likely get one i pick. I have a question, would a Pfc or LCpl be able to be 0311 machine gunner with a gt score of 117, and once he completes the machine gunner course at the school of infantry? When i pick the jobs, do i pick the MOS such as infantry or field artillery or do i choose the specific job such as machine gunner or artillery cannoneer?

[coneytt]

You should be able to pick up the MOS you choose with a score as such. I'm telling you man, you are going to be kicking yourself in the rear by choosing infantry. All Marines are rifleman, and you will get your time in "the shit," just remember these three things:

1) Infantry gets treated like shit by everyone including their own.
2) Promotion in infantry is virtually impossible.
3) When you get out, your job options will be limited to only a cop, however cops take in non-felons too, so you can see your competition.

Pick a job that will allow you to be in the shit but also have advancement opportunities such as anything in communications (fast promotions and is stationed in infantry/ grunt battalions) or logistics (this job will be important after you get out)

In my company, even the computer guys were in the shit. How do you think all of those special gismos are hooked up in Iraq and Afghanistan, because of those guys.

Furthermore, by performing well in any job in the Marines, you will be eligible for Recon/ Sniper School, and you could even get to those special duties even as an administrative guy.

I remember, I was just like you. I didn't care what I was going to do, all I new is that I wanted to be a Marine. I went in open and got put into communications. I performed well and went on a special duty, which i was able to meet the president, collin powell, and rice. Less than a year later I got out and the only job I could get, besides becoming a cop, was cleaning toilets (house keeping) in a hospital.

BE SMART BRO, and do a job that is beneficial in the future. Your poor decisions now will get catch up to you in the future so make smart choices now and work towards the life you want after you get out.

[usmc2ndreconbn]

Good luck man. Semper FI!!  You'll love it.

[Jack Tragic]

You should be able to pick up the MOS you choose with a score as such. I'm telling you man, you are going to be kicking yourself in the rear by choosing infantry. All Marines are rifleman, and you will get your time in "the shit," just remember these three things:

1) Infantry gets treated like shit by everyone including their own.
2) Promotion in infantry is virtually impossible.
3) When you get out, your job options will be limited to only a cop, however cops take in non-felons too, so you can see your competition.

Pick a job that will allow you to be in the shit but also have advancement opportunities such as anything in communications (fast promotions and is stationed in infantry/ grunt battalions) or logistics (this job will be important after you get out)

In my company, even the computer guys were in the shit. How do you think all of those special gismos are hooked up in Iraq and Afghanistan, because of those guys.

Furthermore, by performing well in any job in the Marines, you will be eligible for Recon/ Sniper School, and you could even get to those special duties even as an administrative guy.

I remember, I was just like you. I didn't care what I was going to do, all I new is that I wanted to be a Marine. I went in open and got put into communications. I performed well and went on a special duty, which i was able to meet the president, collin powell, and rice. Less than a year later I got out and the only job I could get, besides becoming a cop, was cleaning toilets (house keeping) in a hospital.

BE SMART BRO, and do a job that is beneficial in the future. Your poor decisions now will get catch up to you in the future so make smart choices now and work towards the life you want after you get out.

Theo...your advice is rite "on point".