Marine Officer?

[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