Ok, so I've read the FAQ, the come here wanna-be thread and have used the search button(and it answered a lot of questions funny, huh?). Yet, I'll still probably post something that is flame worthy, but here it goes. Sorry for the length.

But I've still got some questions that I can't seem to find the answer to.

I'm going to be a junior in H.S. and I've been weighing different options before college. Thought about study abroad, getting a job and the military. Thing is I don't want to spend too much time away from school and get out of the swing of things. I know most, if not all enlisted contracts are 4-4, 4 active duty, 4 inactive reserves. But I've heard that you can get other options like 2-6, 3-5, 6-2, but they are pretty hard to get. The 3-5 option sounds intriguing. Enlist at 18, go in active duty for three years, get out at 21, go to school graduate when I'm 24-25 and go back to the military as an officer.

But I'm guessing it will be nearly impossible to get a 3-5 yr contact and the shortest I'm going to get is 4 years?

How hard is it to get a 3-5 contract in the Marines? I'm a pretty smart kid(sorry, this is going to sound braggy, I don't like tooting my own horn), top 10% in my H.S. class, Eagle Scout, some other stuff, and someone who actually took me seriously told me I should score in the 99th percentile in the ASVAB and get to pick basically any job I want.
Thats the other problem I run into. A lot of people that I talk to about my post-H.S. plan thinks I'm "too good" for the military and say if I really want to I should try ROTC or a service academy and become an officer. Well I do eventually want to become an officer, but it can wait a few years. I'm politely try to say to hell with them and nobody is "too good" to serve their country. But this is the kind of thing that ****es my off about civilian life sometimes, haha. I'm still not used to it. My dad retired from the military a few years ago and we haven't moved in over 5, and haven't lived on a base(with people like us) in just as long. And quite frankly I miss the military lifestyle.

Then my parents are going to be a whole other problem. They aren't against the military, my dad is a retired Coastie, but I brought up the Marines once and my mom freaked out, screaming I'd get killed. It will be a fun conservation if I actually do enlist



Ok, so kind of back to the main topic. I guess I could do a 4 year contract and that is probably what I will get. I'm guessing a 3-5 contract will limit what kind of MOS I can choose, correct? I'd kind of like to do 02 intelligence, but apparently it will take a while to get a background check, and the extra schooling, that I probably would not be able do it on a 3 yr contract, maybe not even 4?
So, now I'm trying to figure out another MOS that may suit me. I don't really want Infantry, just because I don't think it would suit my talents. I'm not afraid of combat, and I know every Marine is a rifleman and pretty much any job in the Marine is going to have some risks. And if I was afraid of them, you wouldn't be reading my post right now.

I've got the brains, not the brawn. I'm working on getting in shape, and I've got a long way to go, haha. I'm not obese by any means, and I play a few sports, but I could lose some weight, get faster. I've got a little less than 2 years to get into decent shape and I think I could do it.

Any other recommendations for other MOSes (is that right?) that I could research that I'd have to rely on my head mostly for?


Oh, like I said I'm an Eagle Scout, so I'll go in as an E-3. Not sure how helpful that will be, I'll ask the recruiter how quickly I could advance. Do you think it is possible to make it to E-5 or even E-6 in 3-4 years? I'm diligent, so if it can be done, I think I can do it, but it might not even be possible.



Any other basic tips while seeing the recruiter? I know not to sign anything, especially if I'm just a junior.

I've got more questions, but like I said I'm going to see a recruiter kind of soon and I'll him some things.



Thank you guys for your service. You guys do the hard work and dirty work and, as Marines, you are the best. And honestly, that is part of the reason I'd like to join you.


Thanks, that's all for now

I got a question for you, how do you get to be a e-3 for being an Eagle Scout?

Congrats on achieving Eagle Scout; however the highest rank you will receive for that in the Marine Corps is PFC.

BTW, E designators such as E1, E-2 etc. are pay grades not ranks.

If you do not want to go infantry, which in my personal opinion is where every Marine should spend some time, preferably on the first enlistment, and you want a mentally challenging job which requires the ability to function under pressure I suggest Air Traffic Control Maintenance or Air Traffic Control. In atc maintenance you can go navigational aids, communications or radar maintenance. There are many other excellent challenging and interesting jobs fields. Go to About.com Marine Enlisted jobs and read about those that interest you. Having done some reading on this board you should be aware that you normally can only be guarenteed a job (MOS) field not a specific job.

My Marine Corps background includes infantry, comm and electronics maintenance as well as atc maint. and tech control. ATC Maint is the field that I most enjoyed (air conditoned adventure )

Regarding what you might score on the ASVB or other exams when you complete the exams and they have been scored you will know where you stand. Don't make assumptions or listen to other peoples BS. That could set you up to go down in flames. I hope you do well.

Regarding promotions. Marine have been promoted to Sergeant and Staff Sergeant in four years or less. Being promoted to Sergeant is far more common. There are multiple factors which will influence your chances including the MOS field. The number of vacencies in the in the MOS field. The qualificatins of the other Marines in that MOS field and your qualifications. If there is a war going on or not. There are other factors more intrensic such as how well you work with other and your superiors perception of you. Basic Marine skills such as shooting are factors as well as physical fitness.

quote:

Originally posted by jimnsc:
Congrats on achieving Eagle Scout; however the highest rank you will receive for that in the Marine Corps is PFC.

BTW, E designators such as E1, E-2 etc. are pay grades not ranks.

Oh, I'm sorry. I thought Eagle Scout gets you the E-3 paygrade. Maybe do they do that in another branch? But not the Marines?
Well PFC is not a bad start.


Thank you guys for all of the replies, that was very quick.

Do any of you have any experience with any of the contract questions? I know my recruiter should know, but I don't want him to burst out laughing if it's a really dumb question or something.



Thanks again.

quote:

Originally posted by HollywoodMarine:

quote:

Originally posted by somanychoices:
Any other recommendations for other MOSes (is that right?) that I could research that I'd have to rely on my head mostly for?
Learn a foreign language. Not only will it open doors, but it allows you to add it as a secondary MOS.

I'm taking Spanish now in High School, in level 3, could go on to AP Senior year or stay at regular 4. Honestly I'd rather not take either senior year, but if it could help me.

But then again, I don't know how fluent or good I'll be at the language to qualify, so it may be out of the question.


Thanks again.

So many choices, let me out it this way. You will earn everything in the Marine Corps, rank included......Hint Hint. If you looking for a easy choice there is always the Air Force, They Aim High....

quote:

Originally posted by somanychoices:
I'm taking Spanish...

Eh, Spanish is almost a second language spoken amongst the Grunts. You should aim for something that's in high demand within the Marine Corps... MOS 2700 - Linguist... foreign language speakers needed.

quote:

Originally posted by HollywoodMarine:

quote:

Originally posted by somanychoices:
I'm taking Spanish...

Eh, Spanish is almost a second language spoken amongst the Grunts. You should aim for something that's in high demand within the Marine Corps... MOS 2700 - Linguist... foreign language speakers needed.

Oh believe me, I'd love to, but my school only offers Spanish and Latin. I'd like to take German or Italian, but they don't offer it.
And I'm sure I couldn't really learn the language in 1.5 years (or learn it well enough to qualify).
I read your other post and it is basically what everyone in law enforcement, CIA etc... has been telling me, learn Farsi, Arabic or something like that. Some schools in my area are starting to teach Arabic, but not mine yet.


Thanks

quote:

Originally posted by somanychoices:
Some schools in my area are starting to teach Arabic, but not mine yet.

You might want to ask your counselors about an extension program with other high school or at a community college (for HS seniors only and free of charge).

quote:

my dad is a retired Coastie, but I brought up the Marines once and my mom freaked out, screaming I'd get killed.

Remind him that the only Coastguard member to ever earn the Medal of Honor (posthumously) did it saving Marines. There is no guarantee of survival in any branch of the military. It's by it's very nature, risky.

So did my mom....she came around later...

Make sure you ask to see the "benefit tags"...

Somanychoices, you write well and you obviously think things through. Good Man. Just don't forget to make life long memories now that you can share with your children and grandchildren when their time comes in your life. Enjoy your youth because you only have one shot at it so make the most of it. Your time in the Corps will take care of itself in it's own due time. Best of luck in whatever lifepath you choose. You'll do well Son.