Marine Officer?

[Farmerboy]

Minimum age is 17 but I would probably enlist right after I turn 18.

[creationstory]

I'm curious just as I am sure others are, how did you get your bachelor's so early-on?

he examined his way thru everything.. i read it b4....he's a smart guy with a good support system behind him...

[Farmerboy]

I understand that every branch is elite, there has never been a country with such a great armed force as the US. I do think that the Marine Corp is the "elite of the elite" for the reasons you suggested.

[Farmerboy]

he examined his way thru everything.. i read it b4....he's a smart guy with a [SIZE="4"]good support system behind him[/SIZE]...

That about sums it up!

[dc67]

Marine Officer Programs - Officer Candidate Course (OCC)

[Farmerboy]

Thanks for the link. I have been to another site that documents the journey of class 186 through OCC. Pretty intense... yet thrilling for me!

[Southron Boy]

Thank you all for your replies!

The reason I am looking at the Marines is because I view them as the "elite" branch and feel that being able to put "Captain in the US Marine Corp" would really make me stand out. I also want to challenge myself! If I did a 4 year term, I would only be 21 or 22 when I get out. Not too many people have a bachleors and 4 years of service as an officer at that age!

Farmerboy,

I would like to mention a couple of things that may assist you in determining your path:

1. The United States Marine is the meanest, greenest, most elite fighting force on God's green earth. He is a combatant, whether he holds an Admin MOS or an Infantry MOS. The Marine is a warrior among warriors with mission accomplishment as his main goal; he is given the dirtiest, most dangerous missions in the darkest places of the world because Washington knows he WILL succeed because Success is every Marine's heritage. Yes, we are elite. Few men know the feeling of being a United States Marine and seeing an aged Marine WWII or Nam veteran in the grocery ailse, and when the Old-Timer recognizes your high and tight, he hollers out, "Good to go, Devil Dog! Keep up the good work!" Few know the sweetness of that tear welling in your eye as you exchange Semper Fi's, thank him for his service, and go on your way. Few have experienced that rushing feeling their arms or that thumping in their chest. Esprit de Corps. If you stood on the yellow footsprints, marched across that parade deck, if you pinned on that Eagle, Globe, and Anchor ... you know.

2. Marines are in a serious business. I commend you for your ardent educational pursuits and internship at the State Capitol. I, too, interned for a State Senator, was a state-wide director in his Lt Governor campaign, and was one of those "well beyond my years" kind of kids. Presently, I am one of the youngest elected law enforcement officials in Arkansas. So, understand that I don't intend it as an insult when I say that--at 17--you are still very young. I don't despise your youth. However, assess your reasons for joining the Corps very carefully--espcially as an officer. You have been given some good advice on this forum, and some not so much. Make no mistake, if your reason for joining the Marine Corps is for future educational pursuits, join the National Guard--they have the best educational programs. If you want the title of Marine as a resume' builder, political or otherwise, keep your stinking butt out of my beloved Corps! If you want job security in this current economy---make 40 or 50 "gs" a year---become a postal worker; great pay and benefits package! If you want to lead my Marines because you want some recognition that you are young, up and coming, and a "Captain of Marines", do us all a favor and jump off a bridge. The United States Marine Corps doesn't have a place for Marines on a pride or glory trip. If that is YOU, stay the heck away from my Corps because I wouldn't want you within visual distance, and you wouldn't want me to get a hold of you.

However, if you believe in the spirit and traditions of my beloved Corps, which are the traditions and heritage of these United States, if you believe in God, Country, and Corps (in that order) and that Honor, Courage, and Committment are the foundation of good character and the principles behind your oath to our sacred Constitution, and if you want to lead Marines because they are aggressively accomplishing a mission that they are given to do by a chain of command that they are told is important to the life of America, and if you want to look out for their welfare and well being and give them confident, dependable leadership, without malice or self-adulation, then you MIGHT have a place in my Corps. Whether you can pass the hardest military basic training in world is entirely up to you and your motivation. Just weigh your intentions.

A Lance CPL of Marines

[caitlyn4321]

As someone who's supervised all services, including marines, I can echo what Southron Boy said so far as that if you're going to join the marines you'll need to do it for the right reasons. That holds true for all services, but especially the services who are GOING to sleep in a tent and get shot at.

If you're doing it because you want to say you were a marine on a job application, you'd be surprised to find out that the person reading it likely doesn't understand what that really means beyond "you were in the military". Unless they were a marine themselves, military will likely be just military to them. By the time your 4 year tour is done you'll be out and be just another 23 yr old starting a new job with a degree, unless you mos translates to a civilian career.

If you want to do something to stand out, have a masters and a job or intern.

If you want to be in the military, look at all the jobs you can do and pick one from the services.

If you want to do something that will get you a job when you get out, get a cleared job in the military.

If you want to have an exciting job, look into the elite units of each force. Combat controllers have lots of glory and lots of fun but the freedom of a chairforce environment. PJs too. Best of both worlds. Rangers and special forces make good officers with a fulfilling job. There are some really interesting intelligence jobs, preferably one that keeps you moving like army humint.

If none of that is what you want and your mind is set on being a Marine, you'll probably like it and are likely doing it for the right reasons.

Personally looking back on things I know I couldn't hack it as a marine. I do what I do very well and chose it when joining. I couldn't handle joining up and not having it in my contract what my job would be. If I was staying in I'd likely go the humint route, but just joining and saying "do with me what you will" isn't my thing. Ultimately the job I wanted chose my service. If I was joining again and not going humint, I'd go air force A friend of mine is thinking of joining and I've firmly established that I get veto powers on all of his choices and he can't sign anything wthout my approvals Its too easy to join in a contract thats too open ended.

The economy isn't good, the military will help you ride it out for sure. Just make sure you're doing exactly what you want. You don't want a 4 year obligation you're unhappy with. Its an opportunity to get to do some crazy stuff. I have been a part of things and have a background most people who aren't in the military wouldn't believe, I love that I did it, and its set me up for the next few years nicely. It could have easily been 4 years of hell if I came in without a job in my contract and was just assigned a job out of uncle sams magic hat. I luckily knew what I wanted to do before I did it and the military let me do it. If you know what you want, the military may let you do it too.

[Professor_Adam]

Thank you all for your replies!

The reason I am looking at the Marines is because I view them as the "elite" branch and feel that being able to put "Captain in the US Marine Corp" would really make me stand out. I also want to challenge myself! If I did a 4 year term, I would only be 21 or 22 when I get out. Not too many people have a bachleors and 4 years of service as an officer at that age!

As a former Marine and future Army officer, agreed. Go for it.

[LANIER]

The United States Marine Corps doesn't have a place for Marines on a pride or glory trip.

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.