Marine Officer?

[dc67]

I for one, appreciate everyone who serves their country, no matter what brach of the service. With that being said, you could never understand the pride of being a Marine. I dont mean to be a smart ass, it's just the way it is. I dont understand a lot of things I have never done either.

Doug



"There are only two kinds of people that understand Marines: Marines and the enemy. Everyone else has a second-hand opinion."
Gen. William Thornson, U.S. Army

[Old Rusty Pipe]

Why not...

I totally agree with dc67 and Southron Boy. The Marines feel a sense of pride and camaraderie that I will never understand. Even when I've worked with Marines, most of them have a certain 'hard-core ness' to them that is both respectable and intimidating. The reason I never joined the Marines was because of the sheer strength of character and will coming off of the recruiter. Certain things are sacrificed for the kind of strength. It's not something I'm willing to become.

From a second opinion here, Marines are the modern American warrior culture. So there is no confusion, I do not mean to say that the Marines are LIKE a warrior culture. I believe that they are. That is something that you will never understand unless you are a part of it. So to understand the Marines, one must be immersed in a warrior culture. For those on the forums, that is most likely other Marines; but you never know.

The mission does define the military service. There is an entire world's history for the Marines to trace their practices across. Ancient traditions still manifest even in the modern military. Another ancient history is there for those in the Navy, amongst which I am counted. Seafaring cultures and practices stretch back millennium. The Naval historian who stops at the founding of the Navy in 1776 isn't doing the topic any justice. To understand where the Navy is, you have to understand what it means to be a sailor. There is a history there that must be taken into account. We talk about Poseidon, not Zeus. It's not just a history lesson it's practices passed down.

There is a strength there too, though of a different kind than most of the Marines I've met. Put many of them on a ship and and send them out to sea. The majority will adjust, but most won't love it. It's a sailor culture, not a warrior one.

As far as I'm concerned though, the Marines are like my favorite brothers. The relationship between Navy and Marines is unique amongst all the branches of the military.

[Southron Boy]

As a kid, to me, "Military" = "US Army", as most ignorant people still see it. I had the mentality that the entire military only accepted killing machines, and the mission was always kill and conquer. Also, that it was only an option if you did poorly in high school.

I won't lie, I joined the Air Force because of the "chair force" stigma attached to it. I got what I wanted, sitting at a desk and reaping all of the benefits every branch offers, for less of the headache. Call it selfish or unpatriotic, but it's why I chose the Air Force. I knew I'd have the most time available for schooling, everybody I spoke to said the Air Force was the most laid back, etc...

The Soldiers and Marines have more guts than I ever will, but I live by the motto of "work smarter, not harder".

Virtually every Marine I have ever met has had that cocky 'Hoorah!' attitude and gloats the prestige of being a Marine. I don't disagree with having pride or glory in your service, as it increases espirit de corps. I don't know what you have against it when it's very common, in all services.

I joined the Air Force for the benefits and a resume-builder, but I am proud to serve my country. Would I have still joined with out the benefits? No way.

LANIER,

As was obvious from my post, I am an "OORAH!", gung ho Marine. I am proud of what we have been, what we are, and what will continue to be. Please note that I didn't tell Farmerboy to not have pride in the United States Marine Corps, America, possibly becoming a Marine, or pride in his Battalion or platoon. Every Marine (OORAH) is for watering Esprit de Corps. What I did say was that if he is on a personal glory hunt, wants a resume' builder, or thinks "Captain of Marines" is an impressive title, then for him to stay away from my beloved Corps. Every Marine knows (and learns in bootcamp) that there are NO INDIVIDUALS in the United States Marine Corps! You learn that every private is part of a fireteam, which are part of a squad, which are part of a platoon, etc. You are there--not for yourself--but for the Marine on the left and right of you. You are there for your brothers.

Old Rusty Pipe understands the Corps very well as a Navy brother. The Marine is the modern-day Spartan and understands that his mission is often to "kill and conquer" as you remarked in an earlier post. That may be difficult for you to understand with your "chair force" mentality and when you stated that the Marines and Soldiers have "more guts than I ever will". I respect you for serving our country, but your previous posts ring of a "what's best for me" attitude rather than an honest desire to serve.

In the Marine Corps, with its warrior culture and primary focus of mission accomplishment, what is best for the mission, America, or the Marine Corps is not always what is best for you as an INDIVIDUAL. That is why senior NCOs in Iraq have led their Marines into house searches, when they could have taken a back seat. It's what possesses a Marine to jump on a grenade to save his squad. It's what drives a SGT to return for a wounded private.

NCO's and Commissioned Officers have a special mission that is NOT ABOUT THEM, but about the men they lead and the mission at hand! If you were an E-1 or E-2 in my squad, LANIER, I would not presently recommend you for leadership just based on your posts. You lack the understanding of what it means to serve unselfishly. In the Corps, that is a liability.

[MadMax396]

Hello All,
I am really enjoying my internship down at the Capital. However, I am in the process of figuring out what my next step is career wise and, well the economy sucks! I have been looking for jobs and really haven't found a large market for a 17 year old with no experience in any field except for alfalfa. So I was considering all my possibilities and found that I have all the qualifications to become a US Marine Officer (assuming I pass their tests etc). So what is your opinion? I would only sign up for 4 maybe 5 years and the pay starts at 40 Gs. Is that a good idea?

Thanks

Hey Farmer Boy. Look at all the services. Navy OCS has excellent duty as Well as the Army Officer and Warrant programs. There are very few things in the world more honorable then being a Marine Officer. Also the military is a tough road. So I am sure you have everything it takes for any service. 40 G's is the tip of the Iceberg. Check out all the services thoroughly if you are interested. Either way whatever you do I am sure will turn to gold my good man. Its just helpful if there is a lot of gold in there to start with.
So choose wisely
I wish you all the best in your choosing whichever way you go.

[Gary]

WOW, I had a few disagreements with Southron Boy before but I totally agree with what he said. You better have your head on right if your going to be a Marine or Soldier in today's world. If 4 and out is what your thinking, you might be in for the shock of your life. Think hard about Afghanistan and what you see on the news, because it can become real right quick. Your a little naive it seems and nothing can wake you up like reveille at 0400 every morning. Captain in the Marines "sounds" and is very honorable. It isn't just given to you. Meet and greet some Marines that have been to the hot spots and then decide. Thinking about it in bed is a whole lot different than regretting it in a cot. The new MRE's aren't that bad though, especially the spaghetti. Still, it ain't Ma's cookin.

[Southron Boy]

Gary,

The spaghetti is great! Ha ha. Any way, just got in from field training at Fort Campbell. Sleeping on the ground and eating MRE's---what a life. Oorah!

My mama can't you see!
What this Corps has done for me!
Put me in a barber chair;
Snip snap and I had no hair!
And if I die in a combat zone;
Box me up and ship me home!
Put me in a set of dress blues,
comb my hair and shine my shoes!
Pin my medals upon my chest!
Tell my mama I did my best!
My mama don't you cry;
Marine Corps motto is do or die!

The Corps changes your mindset. Duty becomes paramount. Pain becomes a good thing. And the Marines on your left and right become your focal point: Their mistakes will kill you. Yours will kill them.

Every Marine Knows ...

[Gary]

I did a 5 week in a twenty man tent in Korea, great experience but you had to keep your food closed tight so the rats wouldn't get it. Ate spaghetti a lot. Put a canopy over my cot to keep the leaks off but that didn't work. We would bivouac in our boat unit, that made me realize I was made for that more than a bunk on a ship. Give me some free weights and a heavy bag and I'll tent it anytime over a ship. Took the coldest showers I ever had over there except the few times I jumped in the back of the deuce and a half and rode the mile down the road to the shower. For the life of me, I don't know why, the Koreans went all over the outhouse seat if you know what I mean. I don't know if that is how they marked their turf or what, THAT I don't miss. Pohang memories.

[Southron Boy]

Roger that. I understand Iraqis are the same way when it comes to porter uh... johns.

[thestumps]

as a 17 year old i had 2 choices: goto college with the rest of my friends, somehow figure out how to pay for it via loans, etc or become a Marine like i always wanted to as a kid. i decided on the latter and have no regrets. here is a little background of my military career:
- graduated boot camp MCRD San Diego, meritoriously promoted to PFC for being a Squad Leader
- Meritoriously promoted to Lance CPL for being honorman out of School of Infantry
- Two combat deployments to Iraq (2005, 2007)
- One combat deployment to Afghanistan (2008)
- In 4 yrs of service in the USMC my highest rank was SGT, and I was a Squad Leader of 16 devil- dogs.

I will tell you this though when you go Officer like you want to, even after you complete your service for 4 or however many years you decide to stay in you can be called back at ANY TIME the Corps needs you. That is a FACT look it up. So if you only want to do it because you think it will look good on a resume, etc I would think about it a little more. Oh and by the way in order to receive the title Captain you would have to be in at least 5 years or so is the average to pick- up that rank. Nothing is ever given, its earned. But the key thing is that at ANY time if the Marine Corps needs you they will call you and you are obligated to do it because you are and Officer, enlisted don't have to after they fulfill their time in the IRR.

[Gary]

That's the really scary part. Even when your out, your in. Your resume tops any frickin degree anyday, hands down. I smell a warrior. Make a hole, coming through.......