Why? Want to be the first kid on your block to get a bunch of confirmed kills huh? Slit a few throats along the way, what the heck. Come home with a bunch of medals so you can impress the girls with your manliness. Yeah yeah yeah.

MANY of us went for that sucker hero image just to find ourselves very scared youngmen trying to keep from getting shot and trying to understand what the heck happened when we got home.

So what say we dispense with the hero for a day BS and you tell us in very realistic terms what job in the Corps would really excite you to get up in the morning?

Just make it something you believe you'll have fun with because truth be told there's a better than even chance you'll never use it once you discharge. Why? Simply because you won't be the same person who enlisted therefore you'll have different interests.

Talk to us, this is really why we're here.

So true


All I wanted to do was to fix airplanes...

I'm trying to be a mechanic. Currently, I'm a senior in high school and I'm taking automotive classes at a community college.

That's keeping it real and very attainable. Good for you. Now the question is, are you doing this for job security when you get out or something you really want to do because it's your thing?

If it's your thing then make it happen because good mechanics are worth their weight in gold in the Corps.

If it's for job security when you get out then pick something else because with the new GI Bill you can train your backside off in anything you want after you release from active duty.

I'm not trying to sway your decision, merely help you make one that will truly benefit you in the long run of your life. The choice is your's, make it a truly good one for you.

Best of luck in whatever you decide.

Well it's been something I've wanted to do for awhile now. Even though it may be just a pipe dream, after the Corps, I want to become a professional boxer as well as be an auto mechanic.
So I'm not too worried about going to college afterwards.

There are no bad jobs in the Corps, just some bad attitudes. If you do your best at every task assigned and keep a positive attitude life in the Corps will be much better for you and for everyone with whom you serve. Understand that Marines are Marines 24/7. The Corps and the mission come first.

Facts: Combat and even being in a combat zone suck. There is no glory, just satisfaction when a job/mission is completed to the best of your ability. You will see and experience things that will leave scars forever. At times you will be so exhausted and so stressed that you will need to pull from everything deep within you and keep going. There will be disappointment. There will be sadness. There will be loss. Some of this remain with you for the rest of your life. You will probably walk with ghost. Hold them in your heart and remember them with kindness. Some times it is ok to cry.

If any of this is not acceptable you do not belong in the Marine Corps.

Heh, I know a friend of mine that is just like this. All he talks about is wanting to kill people over in Iraq and sh*t like that. I would like to think Im joining for the right reason. I just want to be out there helping our guys out, and being one of those people doing something to help out.

quote:

Originally posted by KCrispy:
Heh, I know a friend of mine that is just like this. All he talks about is wanting to kill people over in Iraq and sh*t like that. I would like to think Im joining for the right reason. I just want to be out there helping our guys out, and being one of those people doing something to help out.

Your friend is an IDIOT!

Semper Fi

John

quote:

Originally posted by jimnsc:
Facts: Combat and even being in a combat zone suck. There is no glory, just satisfaction when a job/mission is completed to the best of your ability. You will see and experience things that will leave scars forever. At times you will be so exhausted and so stressed that you will need to pull from everything deep within you and keep going. There will be disappointment. There will be sadness. There will be loss. Some of this remain with you for the rest of your life. You will probably walk with ghost. Hold them in your heart and remember them with kindness. Some times it is ok to cry.

Wow, that was beautiful. No truer words have been written here.

quote:

Originally posted by GyJDIrwin:

quote:

Originally posted by KCrispy:
Heh, I know a friend of mine that is just like this. All he talks about is wanting to kill people over in Iraq and sh*t like that. I would like to think Im joining for the right reason. I just want to be out there helping our guys out, and being one of those people doing something to help out.

Your friend is an IDIOT!

Semper Fi

John

Amen to that John.

KC your friend is like a lot of Marines who enlist with a very insecure personality. They use other's opinions for self validation as they live their lives with false bravado. He's headed down a dangerous path which will yield little comfort or solace until he comes to terms with the consequences of his hurtful actions and thus ultimately himself. If he does find his true self he'll grow into a kind gentle soul who'd rather help than hurt.

Truth be told many Marines enlisted with this same mentality and they grew into fine men. Remember, you're all enlisting at the ripe young age of 17-18 so in many ways you're still just kids. Ha ha ha don't become upset Tiger because every Devil on this Forum was exactly the same ... a big kid with a big weapon which did as much destruction to us as it did to our perceived enemies.

You never have to worry about your motivations because as long as you believe you're doing the right thing and stick to it you'll always be a winner in your own eyes. It's not about what other people think about us because inevitably sometimes they'll agree or disagree based on their own ideas. What matters most is who we believe ourselves to be.

This isn't to say never take another person's feelings into consideration because we all do in our everyday lives with the people around us. Just be as true to your core self as possible and you'll do just fine.

You're a good man KC. I look forward to seeing you on IFC or whichever ring you choose and getting my car fixed by a true professional.

Doesn't matter why you join originally. What it all comes down to is you are there for the guy next to you.

quote:

Originally posted by Deanosaur:

...So what say we dispense with the hero for a day BS and you tell us in very realistic terms what job in the Corps would really excite you to get up in the morning?

Just make it something you believe you'll have fun with...

Talk to us, this is really why we're here.

Deanosaur

I don't know what MOS would excite me in the morning. What I can say is that I have given enlistment "A LOT" of thought (I have wanted to be a Marine since I was 12). Unfortunately, life got in the way and I am now a 27 year old athlete (AIDA, Competitive Free-Diving) facing the end of a career, working 15 hour days 7 days a week and training for competition at least 3 hours. I often end up just staying up 2 or 3 days in a row, eating on the run and taking 15-20 minute naps on break (believe me I have learned to sleep anywhere.) When I do get a day off I either go camping or spearfishing offshore. I don't want to be a "scout/sniper combat kill'em all hero" as you put it but I know I want to be a Marine and that's enough to get me up in the morning.

So, I pose this question in response to your post; what would be a good fit for a guy like me?



Thanks ahead of time guys for any responses.

And Thank You ALL for serving, EVERY single one of you is a Hero, period.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: 21521610,

If you have all that energy, then Infantry would be what you are looking to do.

I should clarify: I work 15 hours a day because I am the only full-time employee. Until, Sept. 2008 I had a budget for a staff of about 20 but the economy has led to cut backs. It's myself and two student workers limited to 20 hour per week each, and trust me if they could figure out how to squeeze them out too they would.

I am going to enlist under Open Contract. To serve as a Marine is what I want and I will do what ever job is needed of me.

As my profile states, "God willing, I will enlist in Jan. 2010." I was diagnosed with ADD in 7th grade, put on medication, taken off in 9th grade, put back on in college, taken off again, and I was given a sample of a drug for stress 6 months ago (which by coincidence is used for ADHD also) so I have to wait my 12 months off meds and take some classes this fall to get a waiver.

Thank you for the response.

Oh and before I get jumped for being a troll yes that is my real name and my father's and my uncle's call sign in the Navy. I've caught hell for it since 3rd grade.

quote:

I am going to enlist under Open Contract. To serve as a Marine is what I want and I will do what ever job is needed of me.

Very good attitude!

quote:

Originally posted by SgtLtUSMC:

quote:

I am going to enlist under Open Contract. To serve as a Marine is what I want and I will do what ever job is needed of me.

Very good attitude!

Good attitude, but not so good of a call. I went open contract on my first enlistment and got stuck in an MOS that I detested. Trust me, you are going to spend a lot of time in your job, and if you don't enjoy it, or can even tolerate it, you are going to be one miserable Marine.

You sound like an intelligent person. Find a field that you can use your noggin in. Or, just pick Infantry. That is a very demanding and challenging field. JUST DON'T GO OPEN CONTRACT.

I hear the Marine Corps has Civil Affairs. THat seems like a pretty interesting field.

quote:

Originally posted by 21521610:
...working 15 hour days 7 days a week and training for competition at least 3 hours. I often end up just staying up 2 or 3 days in a row, eating on the run and taking 15-20 minute naps on break (believe me I have learned to sleep anywhere.) I don't want to be a "scout/sniper combat kill'em all hero" as you put it but I know I want to be a Marine and that's enough to get me up in the morning.

...what would be a good fit for a guy like me?

I'm telling you, working those long hours, short naps, eating on the run... that sounds pretty typical for an Infantry Marine. As for the rest... yeah, you'll fit in.

Thank you all for the responses.

I will look into the Civil Affairs and for now I will plan on putting 03XX.

I read the Day in the Infantry thread, sounds great to me.

Good luck, and best wishes.

Mike I agree with Hollywood about you going Infantry as it's a great beginning for a lot of specialized work. You sound like someone who truly enjoys physical challenge, you're committed to making things happen by using your head so you might want to get with DeepRecon to discuss that option as well. They do a lot of water work at times so given you like that environment you may want to ask him about Force Recon as an ultimate goal.

Gene is totally correct about NOT GOING OPEN CONTRACT. Four years can either go by fast in something you like or feel like an eternity in something you don't.