joining marines
 

i'm 99.99999999% sure i'm going to be joining the marines after this school year. i was just wondering what you all thought of the marines, good or bad. i'm not sure whether i'm going to enlist or do the officer program. i'm probably gonna do the PLC(platoon leaders class) which is two six-week training sessions. then if you pass with a 'C' average you are commissioned as a second lieutenant.

my only hesitation though is that i might not be able to join because of my wrist. last thanksgiving i tore a ligament in my wrist and had surgery this may to repair it. they put two molybolts in to hold the ligament together. the marines said i can't get in if i still have the bolts in. so i'm going to have them taken out this november probably. what do you all think? go for it? or am i crazy? or should i do some other branch?

personally I'd say don't do it but it just depends on your situation and how you feel about joining the service. There are ALWAYS other options but it just depends on how u feel.:)

no offense to anyone in the army or marines, but I always thought that they just Reprogramed you ...

Marines and most other armed forces can be very character building. They can also give you a great deal of benifits, health care for the rest of your life, college tuition VA loans, etc. Just remember that this all comes with a price, however many years you spend with them and the fact that soldiers do die, and they die in peacetime and in war. (pause for somber moment)
Anyway, I've seen people have bad experiences and people have good experiences, you take in with you most of the issues that can cause problems, ie chemical dependency, mental illness, etc. If you have any of these, I'd stay very far away as the physical/emotional stress of the service can cause a breakthrough.
I'd worry about that wrist, and even if the marines don't take you with it, the navy or air force might.

I'm behind the Marines 100%! I support our troops in just about everything they do. If joining the Marines would work out for my future, I'd do it in a heartbeat. The Marines have balls and do the real work I think. (no offense to other branches, they too work hard). That's awesome, I'm glad for ya man. Keep it up!

I'm active duty Air Force, and I say more power to you! Keep in mind during boot, that it is all a mental game. Keep the will power to drive yourself forward physically, and remember the rest is all mental training, and you'll do fine.

If they won't let you in medical, try the Air Force, they have waivers for everything. Everything!

If you still have some doubt as to which service, take a little more time and ask questions of people in the services to find out if it is what you expect and/or want. Keep in mind, that once you pick a service, it is irreversible, though you can switch services after a while. A lot of people have done it.

Good luck!

Re: joining marines
 

my dad is an E-9 in the marines and he's had a great career, although the pay isn't all that great when you first start off at the lower ranks. unfortunately, i know a few active duty guys that have had to take up second jobs just to support their families.

if you have a degree, go in as an officer. why make less money going enlisted?! i'm enlisted in the air national guard (i didn't have my degree when i joined, but now i do), but if i were active duty and had to live off of my military pay, i'd DEFINITELY become an officer. :bt:

im in the coastguard, and i love it. im basacally a state trooper on the water,

Keep in mind that you can walk away from the DEP at any time. Just demand for a DEP release letter. But man why the Marines? Can't be the benefits ... Good Luck!