I've come down to the decision of enlisting in the USMC as active duty. I'm not set to go to take my ASVAB and go through MEP's etc. etc. until next Thursday, although I did score an 89 on my little pre-test so here's where I need everyone's help!

I've talked things over with my recruiter and have decided that my ultimate goal/desired destination within the USMC is to become a scout sniper. Now I know that may be a generic aspiration and yeah you would go through boot camp then SOI with an MOS of 03XX and then try to qualify for RECON, but he and I have developed a different route.

Once I go through boot camp and SOI I would enlist in what's been described to me as Presidential Support?! once I go through all my training and qualifications for that I would earn my Secret clearance level and have the right recommendations/ qualifications for RECON school.

I understand that it is a long and very time consuming route to my goal but is that a possible goal? is there an ample amount of slots available to get into this "Presidential Support" position?

All help/words of advice are GREATLY appreciated!

Jordan

P.S. let me know if I left anything out or if there is any information you all would like to know in order to help with guiding me down the correct path!

Why would you so through all that other useless crap just to be a scout/sniper? It would be FAR less time consuming just to go the direct route and get in a line company (infantry unit) and try out once the STA Plt. indoc was announced. That's really all it takes.

The only "recommendations" you need is a high first class PFT, not be a dip-sh*t, and destroy the indoc with a never-quit attitude. Do a search on this site, Im sure something will come up as far as the STA indoc is concerned.

Your recruiter, if he actually developed that route for you, is a fucking idiot.

I agree with Apollo and get to the FMF. Once you're there, they will announce STA indocs and go do it. Gotta be hard though !!!! PT hard all of the time and study and practice your land nav. Pay attention on the range and master those marksmanship skills. One thing they will not teach is optical center in the rear sight appature. Learn it and practice it. That will make any shooter at a minimum a 235-240 shooter and good luck !!!! And yes, your recruiter is a friggin idiot. Go from SOI directly to a grunt unit. 3rd Marines is nice this time of year.

quote:

Originally posted by __Apollo__:
Why would you so through all that other useless crap just to be a scout/sniper? It would be FAR less time consuming just to go the direct route and get in a line company (infantry unit) and try out once the STA Plt. indoc was announced. That's really all it takes.

+1

If you want presidential support, then apply for it with the intention of performing its mission, not to (necessarily) use it as a stepping stone to somewhere else.

If you want to be a scout sniper, then go the necessary routes that will take you there. True, you can still become a scout sniper after serving in presidential support (not direct from there), but again, why waste your time there if being a sniper is what you want?

Check THIS if you want to go sniper.

quote:

Originally posted by SgtLtUSMC:

quote:

Originally posted by __Apollo__:
Why would you so through all that other useless crap just to be a scout/sniper? It would be FAR less time consuming just to go the direct route and get in a line company (infantry unit) and try out once the STA Plt. indoc was announced. That's really all it takes.

+1

If you want presidential support, then apply for it with the intention of performing its mission, not to (necessarily) use it as a stepping stone to somewhere else.

If you want to be a scout sniper, then go the necessary routes that will take you there. True, you can still become a scout sniper after serving in presidential support (not direct from there), but again, why waste your time there if being a sniper is what you want?

Check THIS if you want to go sniper.

thanks for the words of advice guys! the more I look into it the more I like the idea of presidential support FIRST and eventually make it scout sniper school...I'm ineterested in going the route that's been laid out for my right now because that way I get all the possible qualifications that I can get and I'll get a well rounded experience with the USMC... whatever I choose I'm simply eager to serve my country in the best way possible!

Thanks,
Jordan

P.S. that link that you posted (SgtLtUSMC) was an awesome read! thanks!

quote:

Originally posted by JordanJVega:
thanks for the words of advice guys! the more I look into it the more I like the idea of presidential support FIRST and eventually make it scout sniper school...I'm ineterested in going the route that's been laid out for my right now because that way I get all the possible qualifications that I can get and I'll get a well rounded experience with the USMC... whatever I choose I'm simply eager to serve my country in the best way possible!

Thanks,
Jordan

P.S. that link that you posted (SgtLtUSMC) was an awesome read! thanks!

Then best of luck to you!

Remember, when you are in Presidential Support you will be put under the microscope because you will be representing the Marine Corps more. There will undoubtly be more political BS, but that's part of the game, especially in D.C. But if it'll help you and your career be more well rounded, then more power to you.

My advice is be "open-minded." Some young Marines who go in with high career aspirations get discouraged when they finally make it to their Presidential Support billet because of the said Political Atmosphere.

Just think that's not the rest of the Marine Corps and that's just one aspect of it. Just try to learn from the good and the bad of the political atmosphere and then press on.

Before you know it, you'll be in a Fleet unit, then hopefully, Scout-Sniper School.

Good luck to you!

quote:

Originally posted by SgtLtUSMC:

quote:

Originally posted by JordanJVega:
thanks for the words of advice guys! the more I look into it the more I like the idea of presidential support FIRST and eventually make it scout sniper school...I'm ineterested in going the route that's been laid out for my right now because that way I get all the possible qualifications that I can get and I'll get a well rounded experience with the USMC... whatever I choose I'm simply eager to serve my country in the best way possible!

Thanks,
Jordan

P.S. that link that you posted (SgtLtUSMC) was an awesome read! thanks!

Then best of luck to you!

Remember, when you are in Presidential Support you will be put under the microscope because you will be representing the Marine Corps more. There will undoubtly be more political BS, but that's part of the game, especially in D.C. But if it'll help you and your career be more well rounded, then more power to you.

My advice is be "open-minded." Some young Marines who go in with high career aspirations get discouraged when they finally make it to their Presidential Support billet because of the said Political Atmosphere.

Just think that's not the rest of the Marine Corps and that's just one aspect of it. Just try to learn from the good and the bad of the political atmosphere and then press on.

Before you know it, you'll be in a Fleet unit, then hopefully, Scout-Sniper School.

Good luck to you!

UHRAH sir!

Once again thanks for all the help! I'm overnighting in the Crown Plaza at the moment awaiting MEPS in the morning to be swarn in and whatnot... scored an 84 on my A.S.V.A.B. which qualified me for Presidential Support!

Semper Fi,

Jordan