Originally posted by 7081664: Airmen say, "I'm in the Air Force." Sailors say, "I'm in the Navy." Soldiers say, "I'm in the Army." Marines say, "I AM A MARINE."
That's why.
Would the Chief of Staff of the Air Force call himself an Airman? Would the Chief of Staff of the Army call himself a soldier? Would the Chief of Naval Operations call himself a sailor? Would the Commandant of the Marine Corps call himself a Marine? We all know the answers.
Because I want to give something back to my country. My grandfather was a Marine at Iwo Jima, and he died before I was born, but I still feel a connection. The military has always been of interest, and the Marines are the most appealing out of all the branches. I was in Quantico last spring, met the pilots of Marine One and lived on base. I could go on to college, have alright SAT scores, but I want to enlist in Infantry instead.
And pay no mind to my screen name, that was before I knew where I was headed.
Why do I want to become a Marine? I want to be something more than myself. I have always quit just about everything I satrted . I want to earn the title Marine. When somebody askes me what I do, I want to be able to tell them that I am a Marine.
I want something more in life. I want to look back and be proud of my life's accomplishments. It has taken me 21 years to realize one's success in life may never be judged monetarily or in fiscal achievement and where I come from it is. Happiness doesn't come with anything but happiness. I want more. I will get more and become more. Many people say "don't do it" and "your gonna die!" those same people and just plain scared to say "I AM A MARINE."
Outstanding work people. These are all great answers where you revealed who and what you are. Now what do you all see that is common within these posts?
For what it's worth, the answers posted here are exactly what I heard from many who successfully completed recruit training when I worked at MCRD San Diego when the war first began.
This is what it takes to earn the Title: a burning commitment simply to become a Marine. Anything else and the Recruit generally drops out or is washed out because they lack this simple truth within themselves.
You're on the right track people. My compliments as your true character is shinning through. Well done.
Now again, what are the commonalities you see in your collective posts above?
Pride is one of the major commonalities, belonging or duty being the second. Anyone else have their recruiters show them the cards with words like "honor" "adventure" "duty" on them, and then have to pick the three that apply the most?
Originally posted by userARMY: Pride is one of the major commonalities, belonging or duty being the second. Anyone else have their recruiters show them the cards with words like "honor" "adventure" "duty" on them, and then have to pick the three that apply the most?
I went to a Navy recruiter with cards like that. Most of them delt with money or benefits. I told him none of these cards applied to me because I wasnt joining for the money, I was joining to serve my country and make a difference. When I told him that, he looked at me and started laughing. I was thinking WTF is he laughing at? After he laughed at me for saying that, I knew I was going to go into the United States Marine Corps.
Out of all the replies the major commonality is that none of us said anything about benefits and money. I think the difference between the services is that we joined to GIVE not take. We joined to become Marines. Everything else is just a bonus.
Only reason I can give for wanting to serve in the marines is so that I have a sense of purpose. I have considered working on becoming a police officer after i graduate highschool, but that wouldn't be enough, I wouldn't be helping enough people. I have always wanted to help out people whenever I can, and I figure if I go in the marines, I would be able to help out alot more people than I could if I became a police officer.
Okay so heres why i joined the Marines I wanted the toughest challenge out there for one. I think life is all about living it to the fullest and the hardest. Yeh its not the easiest way to do things, but its worth it in the long run..or thats what im told... Plus i wanted to be part of something bigger than just me. Be part of something to be proud of.. and being part of the Marine Corps, is deff. something to be proud of..Also the Marines offer so much, college money, experience, traveling all around the world.. they offer something thats hard to come by any where else.. and the most important reason i joined , to stand up for what i believe in, my country thats free. And i know freedom isnt well.. free..i think that especially now, our country needs our people to take the stand and do what it takes to keep our country the way it is..I think that someone has to do it, so why not me?
Originally posted by 16031323: Okay so heres why i joined the Marines I wanted the toughest challenge out there for one. I think life is all about living it to the fullest and the hardest. Yeh its not the easiest way to do things, but its worth it in the long run..or thats what im told... Plus i wanted to be part of something bigger than just me. Be part of something to be proud of.. and being part of the Marine Corps, is deff. something to be proud of..Also the Marines offer so much, college money, experience, traveling all around the world.. they offer something thats hard to come by any where else.. and the most important reason i joined , to stand up for what i believe in, my country thats free. And i know freedom isn't well.. free..i think that especially now, our country needs our people to take the stand and do what it takes to keep our country the way it is..I think that someone has to do it, so why not me?
I want to be a Marine just for the uniform, I think they are cool as hell. LOL
Honestly, I think there is no greater honor in the world to be called a Marine. I am 23, dont have any kids or wife or anyting.I dont have any direction in my life. Ive had numerous dead end jobs and I feel I am nothing. I feel the Marine Corps can give me the direction I need in becoming a somebody instead of being a nobody.
I have looked into other services but no of them are appealing to me. I dont want to be just another soldier in an army of one. I sure as hell dont want to be a seaman, and I just cant imagine being an airman. Im not ragging on the other services, they all have their respective places in our nations history, but just saying "Marine" gives me a chill. I want the challenge, I want the adventure, I want the title, United States Marine.
1. I'm going into Law Enforcement. The Marine Corp. will prepare me for the rigors and dangers of law enforcement.
2. I'm in the top 10 of my class, I've always done my best at everything I do. I feel as though there was a branch to be a part of, it would be the Marines. They seem to be the toughest guys out there.
3. I really want to challenge myself. I'm a 4.0 student and I've never really had to do anything for it. I learn things quickly and it seems like sometimes it comes to easy. I want to prove to myself that I'm just actually that good.
4. I want the title. The prestige that comes with it. I want to be a U.S. Marine, because not many people can really say they've been there. That goes along with being the guy at my 10th High School reunion going, "Oh, you day-shift manage the McDonalds? I'm a Marine."
5. I love working with people, figuring things out, and I really love to shoot. The Marines seems to be a good place to do all of that at once.
Honestly up until around June of 06 I thought I would go right into Army and try to become a Ranger. I always had The Marine Corps as my second choice. Recently I've come to realize that the Marine Corps appeals much more to me. When I sat down with the recruiter I asked about money and benefits. He told me "We don't buy you" That had an impact on me, at first I was taken aback and his bluntess but I realized I liked that alot better than having the army recruiter entice me with money I may not even qualify for.
I always said if I served I wanted to be with the best, and I always new in the back of my head that the Marine Corps was full of the most prestigous and bunch of guys out there. Like I saw somebody post earlier, if I ever go to my highschool reunion, run into an old friend or just talking with some people at a party I won't tell them I work at an office or I'm in college right now, or washing dishes or whatever, I'll be able to say I'm a Marine.
My family still thinks I'm trying to enlist in the Army, once I tell them I've made up my mind on the Marine Corps god knows what'll happen. When my mom asked me why i told her because I wanted money for college, which was partially true but mostly because America is the greatest country, there are alot of things we've done wrong, of course but when you look back our history we are the closest thing to a perfect country. I figure I'm a good representaion of America in a way. My dad is from Guyana my mom is of European descent, I'm just a conglomerate of all the best things, like America is. Most people take me for being Arab, I live in practicaly an all white town where alot of people are ignorant (not nesscarily racist though it's definetly there) and some people find it amazing that someone like me would volunteer for the military.
Another reason is to prove to myself and everyone else I have what it takes. I haven't really accomploshed anything really special, and I want to be remembered for doing something few others have ever done. I can't really put into words all of the reasons why, it's just overwhelming, I know it's corny as hell that's one reason why I don't tell most people why I want to enlist.
I want to take the fight to the enemy, I guess I may be a naive 17 year old but all I got to do is think of the twin towers, even if Iraq had nothing to do with it. THe way I see it we're there now we can't just leave the country in shambles then who's the terrorist.
There's so many reasons I really can't get the words out it reallly is overwhelming I just hope that I have what it takes and my medical issues don't bar me or I really don't know what I'll do.
THis is copied from a topic I made awhile ago, some stuff may be off like me looking into the army but all the medical stuff is here.
I'm 17 yers old, high school senior. I am trying to decide between the Army or Marine Corps. Anyway I met with the Marine recruiter first, he seemed cool at first now after meeting the the Army I'm a bit sketchy. I have some medical issues, one of which was that I'm currently taking Atteral for ADD, the Marine recruiter told me just not to tell anyone and I'd be fine. After reading some other posts I konw that's not true. I haven't gone to MEPs or anything so I should be good if I come clean with that to the Army guy and a few other issues that might be a problem. COuld anyone tell me how these will effect my joining either of these to branches of the service.
I have mild scoliosis,I went to a spinal doctor he said it would not effect me joining the military. It does not inhabit me physically.
I have ADD and I'm taking a small dose of Atteral. The Marine recruiter said I could just stop taking the meds and I'd be fine. I scored a 68 on a practice ASVAB if that makes a difference. I haven't told the Army Recruiter about this.
When I was 13 or 14 I had to take pills for migraines, I barely had them and used it as an excuse to get out of school (I was a bit of a case.) but I guess it doesn't matter since it's on my medical record. THis completely slipped my mind and I didn't tell either recruiter.
When I was in 8th grade I got caught shoplifting and was brought home in a police car but no formal charges, just a warning. Also recently my friends and I were walking down the street late at night and were suspected of vandilism in the area, me specifcally for some reason (I live in a almost all white town and I'm and interacial child, just saying...) we were cuffed and put in the car but after 10 minutees of questioning we were let go, mistaken identity.
Also I have a freidn who is considering the Marine Corps, I know the Army has this thing were if you and a friend sign up you can go to basic together or even your first actvive duty assignment. I was wondering if the Marine Corps had something like this, at least letting us both go to basic together. My decision will be made soley on my own for my reasons but it would be cool if we both decied to join the Marine Corps that we could go to basic together.
Also if I join the Army I want to be with the elite guys, the Rangers were as with the Marines I'm not really sure yet, I always had more knowledge on the Army, can some people give me the skinny on Army Rangers and being a Marine in general?
Also if I qualified how could I be a Designated Marksman are you picked or can you volunteer.
Sorry for the length but I would reallly appreciate any answers and all feedback, I've waited to join the military for a long time and need to know if theres even a chance they wont accept me, becasue if that's true I need to figure out what the hell I'm going to do after high school.
Originally posted by eaglehcky4: What are your medical issues?
Hippity Hop, MOB Stop! Eaglehcky4, reread the rules on the top of the wannabe forum. Just so you can remember-If you have no direct experience pertaining to a question being asked... refrain from posting in response to that question. Be advised... this forum is not a substitute for your Recruiter, and you will not get definitive responses pertaining to Medical issues. M14 EBR, reread the rules too.
