I am trying to decide if I should join the National Guard or the Marine Corps Reserve unit. I have a strong passion for the Marine Corps and everything that it represents. My grandpa was a Navy Corpsman attached to a Marine Corps unit in Korea, so part of me wants to go to boot camp where my grandpa and my father went.
The other part of me wants to join the National Guard because my little brother who is my best friend in this world is just finishing basic and the National Guard recruiter said I could get into his unit. It would be kind of cool to go through all of my future military experiences with my little brother.
Just want to hear your thoughts on my situation as I am having a rough time deciding. I appreciate all of the advice you have to offer
You pretty much got the jest on what I had to add on your other thread. If you are worried about not serving alongside your brother, then I have news for you... the 30+ Marines in your platoon are your brothers. Those guys will fight tooth and nail for each other. They're the best brothers I've ever had the pleasure of serving with.
Those are some great points guys. Thank you for those comments. Yes my grandpa was a Doc and in the Navy, but he went to Boot Camp in San Diego, and so did my dad. So I thought it would be neat to go to boot camp the same place they did even though they are 2 entirely different Boot camps! For me I have done as much research on the Marine Corps and I really like the pride that Marines seem to have. I am going to school for my associate's in Criminal Justice right now, but books will only teach you so much. I want to learn how to defend myself and learn how to react quickly in hostile situations. Every fiber of me wants to be able to hold the title of Marine. I was just wondering what the guard was like and if serving next to your blood brother is a terrible idea or a good idea. I want to be an MP and have already met one of the guys that would be in my unit here in minneapolis. He seems like a great guy and I have heard that the comradery in the Marines awesome. My relationship with my parents is great, so you are right, that would be an awful thing to lose 2 sons in one blow.... Again thanks for the advice guys
The Marines will teach you how to use a firearm but when it comes to hand-to-hand, the Marine Martial Arts Program sucks. It's better to take Krav Maga or something when you are off duty.
In some of the MOS' such as Marine Security Forces, they will teach you CQB which is good for police work.
I received my two year degree in Criminal Justice after my stint in the Corps and then decided to go into the computer industry.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: OSPF_0311,
The Marine Corps dosent need you,it can USE you but dosent NEED you, the decision should not be hard, think of all the branches as sports teams, we are Varsity and everyone else is JV is you want to join the guard then have fun! but remember that when its all over you just did what 1.4 million are doing now, or what 202,000 Marines are doing as we speak.
Personally, I'd look at every branch of military service. Each one has pro's and con's. I looked at every branch prior to making the decision that was right for me...not my parents, siblings, friends...but for me.
The Marine Corps is not for everyone, but then again neither are the other services. make a list of your goals and if the military helps you achieve them then you only need to decide which branch gets you to your endstate.
