Hello, I'm currently in college and will complete my 4 year degree in criminal justice next spring. I have always wanted to join the Marines since I was 7 years old. I almost was about to go to OCS last summer, but I could never make the high score on the ASVAB. Not only that I disovered that I was colorblind. This was devasting to me, because my dream (and only reason for joining at the time) was to become a pilot. Since I was colorblind I was DQ'd.
I went to a 3 day OCS bootcamp where I got a taste of being yelled at. They made the boot camp even harder than OCS, because they wanted to weed some of us out. During that time I had doubts about the Marine Corps. I would never be a pilot and I realized I didn't want to lead Marines. The moment I said to myself I didn't want to lead Marines I knew I shouldn't go any further since I would be setting myself up for failure.
Now it is almost 2 years later. I feel I have matured more since that time. Every single day since I sent my email to my recruiter saying I would like to discontinue my pursuit in OCS, I have been haunted by this. Not a day goes by that I say to myself, "You need to become a Marine", it gives me headaches at times because I try to supress it. It has been eating me alive for almost 2 years. Also at that 3 day OCS bootcamp I was in line to say "Good Evening staff sergeant" to my DI before we entered out barracks. Well.... when I get nervous I stutter, so when I went up to speak I stuttered 3 times!! In front of 20 other cadets! The DI said, "Are you stupid or something!?" I hated myself and when I finally got the words out the DI yelled at me and said "You won't make it! You won't make it!" Those words ecohoed down the hall as I was running down the barracks hallway Those words have haunted me to this very day. If I join I will use that to my advantage, because when people say I can't do it, it makes me want to prove them wrong.
Sorry about my little rant there, but I just needed to get that out of the way so you could see where I was coming from.

Now my questions:

1. What benefits or advantages do I have if I join the Marines enlisted with a 4year degree?

2. Since I'm studying criminal justice I would like to be an MP. I think this would help me get job experience and get hired at more competitive police departments.
I was studying an "about.com" article about MP's and it said you needed perfect color vision to be an MP, so could someone clarify that for me if that is correct please?

3. How long does my MEPS records last for? If I decide the Marines is for me, I would like to join before my medical stuff expires. Since I had the shyest bladder for the piss test and I don't feel like getting my *** and balls checked out by an 80 year old doctor again.

Thanks for reading and any advice is greatly appreciated!

SC is going to be along pretty soon and do exactly what he tells you because you're asking an awful lot and it'll help us help you better.

As far as leading Marines, if you hang around and do anything long enough you're going to be put in charge of somebody doing something and it won't be an option you can refuse. Orders are orders so we do what we're told when we're told and it's literally as simple as that.

Don't let anyone psych you into anything based on some perceived past failure or success because it always comes down to sustained daily performance in whatever we do. Consider that life is about learning and moving forward and that we're our own worst critics. Don't be hard on yourself and move on as it's not worth the wasted energy by holding yourself back.

As for us, we're Marines simply because we chose the Corps based on our warrior culture and wanting to belong to the Brotherhood/Sisterhood of Marines. We're not about what we can get out of it, rather what we can contribute to it. Everything else is merely a matter of the lifestyle.

quote:

Originally posted by 14352569:
Now my questions:

1. What benefits or advantages do I have if I join the Marines enlisted with a 4year degree?
You will be more mature than most of the other recruits in your platoon. You may be tasked with additional duties since you are older and have a degree. More than likely you will contract as a PFC.

2. Since I'm studying criminal justice I would like to be an MP. I think this would help me get job experience and get hired at more competitive police departments.
I was studying an "about.com" article about MP's and it said you needed perfect color vision to be an MP, so could someone clarify that for me if that is correct please?
I appreciate the fact that you would like to get an edge over your competition getting hired at a civilian agency, the MOS you have in the Marine Corps really does not matter. The agency I currently work for has members from all branches and all MOSs. As for your colorblindness, according to the MOS Manual that I have, it is not waiverable. But to be sure, contact a recruiter.


3. How long does my MEPS records last for? If I decide the Marines is for me, I would like to join before my medical stuff expires. Since I had the shyest bladder for the piss test and I don't feel like getting my *** and balls checked out by an 80 year old doctor again.
Not sure how long the records are on file for, but considering that it has been/will be over a year, you will probably have to do the physical again.


Thanks for reading and any advice is greatly appreciated!

Numbers,
Since you have not filled out your profile, we have no choice but to call you your screen name. OK, we have some un-written rules here in the Wannabe Forum. Please click HERE. Read through the links, do some research and we will be more than happy to answer questions to clear things up. If you graduate next spring, consider getting in touch with a recruiter soon. That way you can get into DEP and get this process moving.

Thanks for all the information so far Marines.

I'm so confused why you would need perfect color vision to be an MP. I can see colors perfectly, but I just can't see those stupid numbers in the dot diagrams! This whole thing is really bumming me out. Anyways... I just had a few more miscellaneous questions if you don't mind.

1. Is there a reason why my MOS wouldn't matter in a civilian agency, more specifically a police department? Or is it since you were in the military they look at you more highly when applying for a job?

2. Do you need perfect color vision for Infantry also?

3. How many years are you in the Marine Corps if you enlist?

Thank you for your time Marines.

quote:

Originally posted by 14352569:
Thanks for all the information so far Marines.

I'm so confused why you would need perfect color vision to be an MP. I can see colors perfectly, but I just can't see those stupid numbers in the dot diagrams! This whole thing is really bumming me out. Anyways... I just had a few more miscellaneous questions if you don't mind.

1. Is there a reason why my MOS wouldn't matter in a civilian agency, more specifically a police department? Or is it since you were in the military they look at you more highly when applying for a job?

2. Do you need perfect color vision for Infantry also?

3. How many years are you in the Marine Corps if you enlist?

Thank you for your time Marines.

Well it would be kind of hard to walk into a court room, and say "Your Honor, the car was blue/green, or red/yellow". And you can't see it.

Answere's

1. Because Marines are just that, Marines.

2. The last time I checked, No...........

3. 8 years.

Semper Fi

Johnny Blaze

quote:

Originally posted by 14352569:
1. Is there a reason why my MOS wouldn't matter in a civilian agency, more specifically a police department? Or is it since you were in the military they look at you more highly when applying for a job?

What it really comes down to is the traits and principles that you learn while you are in the Marine Corps. You are a mature and stable person who can work in a stressful environment with a team.

Most, if not all, agencies will train you the way they want you to be trained. Although experience may be a nice thing to have, it is not a prerequisite. For example, I was an 0861, Fire Support Man, it has nothing to do with Law Enforcement. I currently have four officers working for me who are prior service. One Infantryman, One CH-46 Crewchief, One Coast Guardsman, and One Infantry Officer. All of them do a great job and had no Law Enforcement experience coming on the job.

I could be wrong, but I think the MEPS physical is good for 2 years.

Numbers, remember at the top where I said to do exactly what SC tells you? He's 5-0. Why are you still asking questions without following his directions??? If you think I'm being a butt head, think of what it's going to be like for you in boot camp and worse ... the Fleet when you don't do what you're told when you're told.

Slow down, look up the links, read the material and then come back. I see real promise in you but you're trying to take shortcuts and that will only hurt you in the long run. Marines learn not to which is why PDs like to Veterans which SC wrote you above. Slow down Tiger, do it right. It's all good.