Why does everyone I tell about me wanting to join the Marines say I'm stupid? I have been telling my mom since I was a little kid that I was someday going to be a Marine. Now that I'm 18 and can go sign up without her permission she tells me I'm making a huge mistake and that I shouldn't throw my life away. I tell my friends and other people about my decision and they just look at me like I'm stupid. Everyone ask me why and I tell them it's the only thing I have ever been sure about in life. Well sorry for the rant and bad grammar. Going to the recruiter this Friday hope I can get in, wish me luck.

Your one of many that go through this. If you want to be a Marine then nothing will stop you, it's earned not given. Being the ripe old age of 48 I can tell you lifes lessons are this way also, but you learning it at a younger age so you will be years ahead of your peers.....good luck and hope you do get in...

I wonder why....once every other week or so....a wanna be posts a thread like this....

Gunny, there not as smart as we are...yet...

Truth be told,...Id venture to say that those who feel he is throwing his life away have never been a part of something bigger than them selves. Explaining is uselsss because they cant comprehend....

Sir's thank your for you posts and hopefully soon I can become part of this big brotherhood. Friday is taking so long to get here.

Joining the Marine Corps was the best decision I ever made. Throwing your life away? It's actually the exact opposite. You'll learn more about yourself, your freedom, and the world than most people. There are so many misconceptions about the Marine Corps such as we're all brainwashed, we don't get paid as well as the other services, you can't go to college while you're in, the list goes on and on. Don't get caught up in the hipe. Those who have and believe these misconceptions have never served in the Corps.

my uncle died in Vietnam and he was a Marine, so my mother was completely against me going in.

however, after i presented the options i had otherwise(damn few), showed the benefits of joining the military, (several) as well as the need to mature and see the world a bit, i won her over.

i'm going through this same thing again now with my wife since i'm trying to get back in. she is actually fairly supportive of it, so i'm pretty lucky in that respect.

you'll have to try and do the same. if not, hopefully they will support you and pray for you.

Thanks all for your input.

quote:

Originally posted by 15631892:
Now that I'm 18 and can go sign up without her permission she tells me I'm making a huge mistake and that I shouldn't throw my life away.

I think we can all say that when you invite her to your graduation day as a Marine, she will be the proudest Mom there.........

quote:

I think we can all say that when you invite her to your graduation day as a Marine, she will be the proudest Mom there.........

This may be the only topic on this entire message board that I will ever be qualified to address :-)

You see, 6 months ago I was one of those moms shouting "What? The Marines? No way!" to my son. I fought valiantly against him and, I'll admit, even somewhat unfairly. But 4 months ago I found myself signing for this 17yo to follow his dream, and off he went to MEPS and the DEP. He ships to boot on Aug 18.

Since then I've learned many things. Thanks to online resources, books and videos, I've come to think even more highly of the brave men and women who have trod those yellow footprints before him. I've watched my son swell with a confidence that has come from his improved physical fitness and the camaraderie that is there even among the poolies and recruiters. And as high school graduation approaches I've watched parent after parent bemoan concerns for their unmotivated and unfocused boys, while I am confident in the man I am watching my son develop into and proud of the choice he has made.

All I can say is that as a mother you want the best for your son and you want to keep him safe. But there is danger in walking across the street, and I have to say that 4 months of being a mere poolie has been the best thing in the world for my son. And you had better believe that when he walks across that parade ground in San Diego come November, I WILL be the PROUDEST mom there, count on it.

15631892, the harder they initially fight you, the harder they will fight for and support you. It just means they care about you.

Many thanks to all of you for your service.

I know that responses from wanna-be's are not happily received by a few Marines on this forum but this topic is one that I feel that I may be able to help this person.

When I decided to join I was around eleven, honestly. I was always interested in doing more to help those that needed it. I am now sixteen almost seventeen and I am graduating from high school early so that I can enlist earlier. When I told my parents that I wanted to join the Marines my mother started crying and wouldn't talk to me for a week. My father was just as sad/scared and said to me something I believe all people should live by "Do something that you would rather do than eat or sleep." I told him I want to push myself past my limits and prove to everyone that I am capable of things I haven't even thought of yet.

My father also told me to make a list of reasons why I wanted to join and to give it to my mother to try and help her understand she raised a young man that would one day become more than a man, but become a Marine. She was the person that suggested I DEP as soon as I am ready.

People may think you are stupid, dumb, and have no future anymore, those people are people that just can not comprehend that there are men and women out there who are willing to give themselves to a greater purpose other than themselves.

Once again sorry for the intrusion just trying to help in any way possible.

I think its hard for any parent to let go.....especially during a war. Its just them coping outwardly with their feelings....

My dad dumped my rack and tore up my room when I joined...I think back and now have reason to believe it was a mix of his Vietnam War PTSD as well as his feelings about my decision to join coming together to an apex of emotion....every parent is different...