I'm a 17 year old female who will be graduating high school this year and am considering joining the Marines. My problem is that I don't know whether to enter as enlisted or an officer. I've gotten a lot of different feedback and simply can't decide. My mother was a Marine and my stepfather was both a Marine and in the Army. Both insist I start as an officer or not at all, however, I'm thinking about trying to go mustang. Can anyone help me?

Do what you think will be best for you.

Ask yourself, are you a leader, a follower, or if you want to work your way up.

If you are a leader (or have the desire to lead) then become an officer. Saying that, you need to have college in your future and you have to decide what you want to study (it may or maynot relate to being in the Marines. Bottom line, you have to have a bachelor's degree if you want to be an officer in the Marines).

But if you are a follower or you think your best route is to work your way up to leadership, then enlist.

Whatever route you choose, do it because YOU think it's good for you, not because your folks suggested it to you or they want you to go that route.

quote:

I'm thinking about trying to go mustang.

That's easy to say. If you enlist, you may/maynot change your mind about that, so take things one step at a time.

Officers make policy, Enlisted inforce policy.


Semper Fi

Johnny Blaze

That brings me to another question (though I am still open to any and all comments concerning the first) what exactly is the difference in what I would be doing if enlisted as opposed to officer. I have a general idea, but I could use some more information.
And again, I still can't decide and would very much appreciate any help, opinions, experience, etc. Please and thank you.

I have a question relating to this subject as well. I know enlisted men and women can mustang and serve as an officer. If an officer, however, decided that the idea of being in the enlisted ranks was more attractive to them, could they enter the enlisted ranks after their time as an officer has been served? I assume they would have to go through RT.

Thanks

Mike

After reading the title of this thread I thought the topic was going to be cage fights.

Sooo many people state that they plan to join the Marine Corps as an enlisted Marine, and then become an officer at some later point.

They say this as if it's a sure thing. As simple and easy as just filling out some forms or something.

Well, there are no guarantees. There are several different officer accession programs, but none of them are guaranteed. Honestly, in some ways it's easier (and more sure) to become an officer before enlisting, than it is after enlisting.

The choice to enlist or become an officer is a personal one. Both are equally necessary. But you should understand that if you enlist, there are NO guarantees you'll be able to become an officer. Perhaps you can, but it is NOT a given.

quote:

Originally posted by CWOSKI:
Sooo many people state that they plan to join the Marine Corps as an enlisted Marine, and then become an officer at some later point.

They say this as if it's a sure thing. As simple and easy as just filling out some forms or something.

Well, there are no guarantees. There are several different officer accession programs, but none of them are guaranteed. Honestly, in some ways it's easier (and more sure) to become an officer before enlisting, than it is after enlisting.

The choice to enlist or become an officer is a personal one. Both are equally necessary. But you should understand that if you enlist, there are NO guarantees you'll be able to become an officer. Perhaps you can, but it is NOT a given.

Very true!

I've known several people who said they were going to enlist and go for MECEP. This was of ocurse before Boot Camp. Not one of them fulfilled what they planned.

Enlist to enlist and go from there. If you decide somewhere along the way (of your enlistment) that you want to become an officer, then more power to you.

If not, it's not the end of the world.

quote:

They say this as if it's a sure thing. As simple and easy as just filling out some forms or something.

Agreed. I have never actually heard the term "go mustang", as if it's an enlistment option. Like SgtLT said: you should enlist because that's what you want to do, then keep your options open: stay enlisted if you like it, go to school and become an officer if you want to go that route, instead. Plenty of enlisted folks could be officers if they wanted, but they're good at what they do and happy where they are - you might be, too.

Many parents seem tell their kids to become officers, maybe because they want you to go to college first... or because they simply think you'll be aspiring to something higher/more important (which isn't really the case). You need to decide what YOU want to do.

That said - and keeping in mind that I am NOT Marine officer (former Marine enlisted, Navy officer: that's what happens when the Corps. says you're too old ) - the duties of an officer versus enlisted will vary depending on which job you're in. In general (and this is military-wide, not Marine Corps.-specific, and VERY generic), officers manage people more than they perform actual, physical tasks. There are exceptions, of course, but that's one broad way of thinking of it. If you're a hands-on person and are more interested in actually having a specialized job, enlistment might be a better option for you.

My theory is that the cream rises to the top. The Marine Corps. usually doesn't offer commissions to enlisted Marines who aren't worth it and haven't proven that they can do it. Again, there are exceptions, but the Marine Corps. seems more adept than the other servcies at spotting good leaders, probably because there's a "culture of leadership," even in the enlisted ranks (where you will be pushed to lead, even as an E-2 or E-3). So if you enlist and you really have what it takes to be an officer later on, you can probably become one by applying yourself (you'll also then have a unique perspective that a lot of officers don't get).

quote:

Posted Thu 16 August 2007 09:46 PM Hide Post
I have a question relating to this subject as well. I know enlisted men and women can mustang and serve as an officer. If an officer, however, decided that the idea of being in the enlisted ranks was more attractive to them, could they enter the enlisted ranks after their time as an officer has been served? I assume they would have to go through RT.

Thanks

Mike

First of all. Mustang is just a name given to Officers who were prior enlisted. It's not a "process" that you can go through or enlist for.

Second. Yes, officers have resigned their commission and reverted back to an enlisted rank. Nothing worth going into in this forum.

I just want to clarify that by no means did I intend to make becoming an officer seem "simple and easy" and I apologize greatly if that is indeed what was insinuated. I know the opposite is true and of course there are no guarantees. I was only trying to keep my question short and direct.

I expect a degree of pain, hard work, dedication, and discipline, but honestly, that's what appeals to me. I KNOW I'm capable, not to sound arrogant, but it's the strongest feeling I've ever had and I'm not letting anything hold me back. Even if I stumble you can be damn sure that I'm gonna get back up and be better than ever. I'll push myself to the brink and beyond; that's not a question. I just want the chance. All I need to know is which path to take to get there.

quote:

Originally posted by Selena1323:
All I need to know is which path to take to get there.

Myself and my fellow Marines have already told you some variables and factors, it's UP TO YOU to decide which road you want to take.

I told you, if you have the desire or ability to LEAD then straight out, go for commissioning and forgo enlistment. (Remember, you have to have a college plan, too!)

But if you feel that you're just going for officer to please mommy and daddy or you're a follower who wants to develope her leadership skills then enlist.

Findout from the two which you are. Then YOU DECIDE!

I appreciate your comments SgtLtUSMC, you've been very helpful, but I feel the need to point out that I'm not asking for a concrete answer. I understand that I have to choose for myself, I only wanted some feedback to help me make that leap. But again I do value and respect your responses.

Secondly, please don't think my parents have anything to do with my decision. I was only referring to them to say that although I'm familiar with the military, my closest sources are bias.

Furthermore, my parents and I have a very unhealthy relationship to the extent of which close family and friends had previously suggested therapy and legal emancipation. Hence, I would sincerely appreciate if no one else commented on them.

quote:

Originally posted by Selena1323:
I appreciate your comments SgtLtUSMC, you've been very helpful, but I feel the need to point out that I'm not asking for a concrete answer. I understand that I have to choose for myself, I only wanted some feedback to help me make that leap. But again I do value and respect your responses.

Secondly, please don't think my parents have anything to do with my decision. I was only referring to them to say that although I'm familiar with the military, my closest sources are bias.

Furthermore, my parents and I have a very unhealthy relationship to the extent of which close family and friends had previously suggested therapy and legal emancipation. Hence, I would sincerely appreciate if no one else commented on them.

Very well.

I only mention your folks because you referred to them and from experience, doing things to please anyone (no matter how well meaning) leads to unhappiness. I've been there.

Anyways, be your own person. If you don't have any college plans, then by all means enlist and go from there. If you're an open minded person and you're looking direction, then enlistment will be a good place to start. If people oppose it, then too bad, so sad. That's their problem, not yours.

That brings up another question. Although I don't have any real "plans" for college (in fact I don't even know where I'm gonna live once I graduate), I do want to go to college, an actual college, not an online course. I'm having trouble meshing my military and college aspirations. Any suggestions?

Thank you sir for the correction of the terminology as well as the answer to my question.

Mike

To selena, find several nationally accredited universities that interest you and apply to them. Once you are enrolled as a student, contact your local Officer Selection Officer (OSO). Your OSO will give you all sorts of information on the various OCS programs and which one suits you.

And what if I don't want to be an officer?

Then call an enlisted recruiter...this isn't rocket science.

I'm just trying to get my options straight so I can make some sort of plan or outline at least, and I can't talk to a recruiter until after I graduate. I can't wait idly till then.
I would appreciate a little more detailed information and maybe some courtesy.