This comes up all the time and given that this war is for all practical purposes finally in the end phases, expect recruiting to return to higher standards again. This doesn't mean you're not worth something, merely that the Corps will have a lot of people trying to fill increasingly fewer openings.

There is always Americorps and other great organizations that help our communities in very big ways and service to America is still service no matter how you perform it. In fact many of us Marines here volunteer our time through various veteran's organizations as well as local community groups so these aren't just idle words.

Help out where you can and plug people into other groups where you can't. This isn't about your own egos, it's about putting something back into our Country which we love. After all, if we all don't take care of each other, then who will?

Being an American isn't about picking up a rifle and winning medals for it. It's about living our convictions to step up and help when we can. After all, thats what motivated us to pick up the rifle in the first place and why we became Marines. Be your own kind of Marine and help out in your own way. It's only through all of us working together that we truly make America a better place for us all.

Best of luck to you in all your endeavors.

What do you mean by saying they are raising the standards? Do you mean they are granting fewer waivers or they are just turning people away?

And Soldiers Angels is ALWAYS recruiting as well. No medical waivers to worry about with us.

Fewer new enlistees and fewer waivers. When wars end there is always the cost of taking care of the veterans who just fought it so it always means less department of defense dollars. Less budget = less people. It doesn't mean you still can't get in. It means I wouldn't wait if I really wanted to go because this thing is almost over now.

Soldiers Angels is a really cool organization. Thanks for the heads up.

There is always USCG Auxillary or the Civil Air Patrol, I know its not exacually kicking down doors and shooting but they do alot for their communities and both are fine organazations.