Son wants to join marines
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Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Haines City
My brother is off to Iraq next week (Army), my cousin is in Washington D.C. (Marine) and i served 6 years as an Electrician for SH-60 b though f (Navy). While every service is different in one way or another the fact is he can (if ASVAB score permits) work at the job of his choice.. Some services allow you to "strike" for a job which you may not have scored enough to qualify provided you accept coming in "undesignated". When i went in, I didnt know a mechanic and an electrician were two different positions and i couldnt make up my mind on what i wanted to do as there were other rates within the realm of aircraft maintenance. I finally decided on becoming an electrician and upon reaching E-4 i "struck" for AE and scored high enough to not only get promoted to E-4 (AE3) but go to school for it if i chose which i didnt... All services have these positions as they all have aircraft.. You cant make him change his mind if its in his heart to serve as a Marine. I understand your concern and fear for his safety but all branches are dangerous and all run a great risk of death. It all depends on what he wants to do and where he is sent.
Captain Mike is right in what he says.. Recruiters will whisper sweet nothings in your ear and dont count unless ITS IN WRITING!!
P.S. SEALS get paid more?? Where does he get his info??
Captain Mike is right in what he says.. Recruiters will whisper sweet nothings in your ear and dont count unless ITS IN WRITING!!
P.S. SEALS get paid more?? Where does he get his info??
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Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Haines City
Originally Posted by Harpoon,Sep 30 2008, 10:36 PM
I am a veteran. There is something almost mystical about people picking the branch that fits them. It isn't a logical choice, it is an emotional choice. People don't get it wrong often. Trying to push him into another branch might not be natural, and could be a big mistake.
I was in the Air Force Special Operations area. We trained with Marines and I fought with them in combat. They are prepared and dedicated men and women. Your son will be in good hands and will be ready to go.
Don't worry too much about Iraq. Much of the fighting is over and it is a much safer place than it was a year ago. Afghanistan is still hot and there is a good chance that new recruits will go there, but the environment is much more predictable.
I'm sure you raised a good kid, I'm sure he will be fine, and I'm sure you will be surprised how much he has grown when you see him come back from assignment.
I was in the Air Force Special Operations area. We trained with Marines and I fought with them in combat. They are prepared and dedicated men and women. Your son will be in good hands and will be ready to go.
Don't worry too much about Iraq. Much of the fighting is over and it is a much safer place than it was a year ago. Afghanistan is still hot and there is a good chance that new recruits will go there, but the environment is much more predictable.
I'm sure you raised a good kid, I'm sure he will be fine, and I'm sure you will be surprised how much he has grown when you see him come back from assignment.
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Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Tallahassee, FL
Originally Posted by ArchAngel2K,Oct 1 2008, 06:48 AM
Marines are a bunch of loose cannons. better yet trained robots. you tell them what to do and they go and do it. if the kid is smart he should really think about joining the navy Seals. They get paid better and they have much much better jobs available after your done like FBI CIA. Navy Seals think for them selves.
This comment is so idiotic, in its entirety, that it only shows how ignorant you are.
I have no doubt that if you ever become a Navy SEAL, the odds of which are extremely slim, you will have to fight alongside Marines. I hope that you then gain some perspective, and moreover respect, for men you have never known who risk their lives for you every day.
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Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Tallahassee, FL
Oh and 
with what has been said by a few others:
- Even if he doesn't make Recon, it will be at least a year before he gets deployed, at which time the Middle East will hopefully be a safer place, and probably one with fewer Marines, who are an expeditionary force, not an occupational force.
- If he goes infantry, it will be difficult to find a comprable civilian job, unless he goes FBI, CIA, Secret Service, or merc, but he can find very well-paying jobs. Private defense contractors pay well for Marines infantry, especially Recon.
- People can tell which branch they want to go into ... it is best to let him make the choice for himself.
- Support from you, in whatever way you can give it to him, will be highly beneficial to your son. No matter what happens, your son needs to know that his family loves and supports him.
and from my own experience
- There is no other way to get a comparable experience. If he really wants to do this, it will make him happy, and in the end I think that as long as your son is happy and fulfilling his dreams, while at the same time doing a great part to help people, you are being the best parent you can be.
- When you see him four years from now, and he is even more fit, disciplined, and driven, and has stories about all the countries he has been to and all the great people he has met, I think that you will be excited and happy for your son.
- The military, on the whole, has a different class of person than you find in the civilian world. The kind of person who dedicates themselves to something bigger than their own agenda is rare, and no matter what your son does after the Marines, he will be a great person for having gone through it all.
with what has been said by a few others:- Even if he doesn't make Recon, it will be at least a year before he gets deployed, at which time the Middle East will hopefully be a safer place, and probably one with fewer Marines, who are an expeditionary force, not an occupational force.
- If he goes infantry, it will be difficult to find a comprable civilian job, unless he goes FBI, CIA, Secret Service, or merc, but he can find very well-paying jobs. Private defense contractors pay well for Marines infantry, especially Recon.
- People can tell which branch they want to go into ... it is best to let him make the choice for himself.
- Support from you, in whatever way you can give it to him, will be highly beneficial to your son. No matter what happens, your son needs to know that his family loves and supports him.
and from my own experience
- There is no other way to get a comparable experience. If he really wants to do this, it will make him happy, and in the end I think that as long as your son is happy and fulfilling his dreams, while at the same time doing a great part to help people, you are being the best parent you can be.
- When you see him four years from now, and he is even more fit, disciplined, and driven, and has stories about all the countries he has been to and all the great people he has met, I think that you will be excited and happy for your son.
- The military, on the whole, has a different class of person than you find in the civilian world. The kind of person who dedicates themselves to something bigger than their own agenda is rare, and no matter what your son does after the Marines, he will be a great person for having gone through it all.
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Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Tampa
Originally Posted by ArchAngel2K,Oct 1 2008, 09:48 AM
Marines are a bunch of loose cannons. better yet trained robots. you tell them what to do and they go and do it. if the kid is smart he should really think about joining the navy Seals. They get paid better and they have much much better jobs available after your done like FBI CIA. Navy Seals think for them selves.
Joined: May 2007
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From: Tampa
Ehh.. I scored a 98 on the ASVAB (in 12 grade, required for my OJT class), and I didn't stop getting mail and phone calls from every branch for an entire year!
College Education FTW! I still respect all the military folks, my best friend from high school joined the Army. I think mechanical engineering in the civilian world sounds more fun for me though. (Are you reading this, Honda??)
College Education FTW! I still respect all the military folks, my best friend from high school joined the Army. I think mechanical engineering in the civilian world sounds more fun for me though. (Are you reading this, Honda??)