Son is going in the Marines - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

raymr · #1 05-25-2010, 06:28 PM

He's 21, looking for some direction in life, has some college education in engineering and business. He wants to continue his education in the military while doing something different. I told him theres lots of other ways to do things that are different, but he said he made a decision. We talked about the risks and rewards, but I never served so I don't have any personal experience to draw from. I do back him fully. Any sage words of wisdom out there?

t walgamuth · #2 05-25-2010, 06:55 PM

Most Marines are gung F'ing Ho.

I know of a few who did not like the experience. Although if my son wanted to do it I would discourage him because of the extra danger of the fact that the Marines are known for going into the most dangerous situations first.....

It will most likely be a good experience for him and odds are he will be just fine. When he comes out he will probably be ready to focus on the most important things better and perhaps complete that engineering education. His college will probably be respected in the corp. more than it would be outside at this point.

All you can do is respect his decision and pray extra until he gets out.

Best wishes.

The Clk Man · #3 05-25-2010, 07:00 PM

YEP!!!!!! tell him to get out as soon as he can. The Army told my war hero son who received 2 purple hearts along with many other medals the same thing, they would pay for his college as soon a he enrolled in college they called him up for military service. The sent him to Afghanistan with very little training. when my WAR hero son came back from Afghanistan the Army refuse to pay for the semester that he missed while he was in the war. As for the sign up money, the military charged him for everything he needed to live except food. I come from a long time military family and I don't like how the Military are lying to these young men and women. IF YOU WANT OUR YOUNG PEOPLE TO FIGHT YOUR WARS, PLEASE KEEP UP YOUR END OF THE DEAL.

Txjake · #4 05-25-2010, 08:30 PM

Congratulations to your son. His courage to serve his country during the time of war voluntarily is highly laudable. We owe him.

SwampYankee · #5 05-25-2010, 08:50 PM

I've got no sage advice to offer, only thanks.

If he's got his heart set on it, he should go. I come from a family with a long history in the military. I let my mother talk me out of continuing that tradition and I've regretted it ever since.

The Clk Man · #6 05-25-2010, 09:01 PM

My "Sage" advice is offered above. "Head To It"

TnBob · #7 05-25-2010, 09:08 PM

Pecking order for best to join
USAF / Coast Guard
Navy
Army
Marines

Very little Marine training works well in civilian life unless you just want to toe the line.

WVOtoGO · #8 05-25-2010, 09:22 PM

THINK HELICOPTERS !!!

Tell him to go Army, with a 15-T, MOS.
Even better, the Coast Guard equivalent.

Become a Warrant Officer and 15-T post maintenance flight test/check pilot.

Good luck to him, and thank him for serving.

Cheers -

Shelby

shoe · #9 05-25-2010, 09:27 PM

No sage advice but My utmost thanks for his choice to serve our country. it is couragous young men and women that allow us to speak our minds in places like this. He will be in my prayers

Hatterasguy · #10 05-25-2010, 09:47 PM

My friend is a LT in the Marines, he is very hard charging. He was disapointed he isn't getting sent right over to the sandbox. Now he is trying to get into MARSOC.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wijlLEriWYg
Tell him to remember to say Sir a lot.

raymr · #11 05-25-2010, 10:05 PM

I'll convince him to at least talk to the other branches before signing anything. It seems boot camp is pretty much the same, and they all have education opportunities. The big difference is during deployment, and maybe a particular mindset that goes with it. How realistic is it that he would actually get officer training with his partial college work?

WVOtoGO · #12 05-25-2010, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raymr

How realistic is it that he would actually get officer training with his partial college work?

Hence - Warrant Officer first.

- S

Ara T. · #13 05-26-2010, 12:22 AM

Good luck with that.. does he have an associates degree at least

732002 · #14 05-26-2010, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raymr

I'll convince him to at least talk to the other branches before signing anything. It seems boot camp is pretty much the same, and they all have education opportunities. The big difference is during deployment, and maybe a particular mindset that goes with it. How realistic is it that he would actually get officer training with his partial college work?

He can always apply for a NROTC scholarship in the future. I can't say "how realistic" but we have a family member in NROTC and there are students in NROTC with him that are older and have already served in the fleet.

Hey-Hof · #15 05-26-2010, 01:37 AM

Kind of long but here it goes.

As a retired Air Force Master Sergant, I am prejudiced towards my branch of service. Why did I join the AF? It seemed that I needed direction in my life other than the one I was going in. And let me tell you I was definitely headed down the wrong street. After lots of research, I found that the AF had more jobs that I qualified for based on the ASVAB scores (Military recruiting tests) that would directly relate to the outside or civilian world. Just in case I didnt like the military or things just didn't work out, I wanted to learn a skill so as to market myself after the military. I agree that the Marines are a breed apart and deserve all the respect they can get. But I can be selfish too. I looked at it from the aspect of what was best for me. Recruiters will promise all kinds of jobs and tell you how that particular military job will relate to the outside world. But how much time will be spent in that job, if you get the job you want, rather than doing miltary training or war skills training? My experience in the AF was you did the job you recruited into way more than war skills training.

The education opportunities are pretty much standard for all branches. However, it's kind of hard to go to school if you spend a lot of time deployed to the desert or out on training exercises. My opinion is the AF is as close to a 9-5 job as you can get and still be in the military.

So, what first? Your son needs to study for the ASVAB and see what jobs he qualifies for. The ASVAB will give a score for General jobs, Electrical type jobs, Mechanical jobs, Administrative jobs, etc. You can actually get a book from the library to help study for the ASVAB. Recruiters dont really like it when people do their homework and check into what the other branches offer. But one branch may offer the job he is interested in rather than another. Dont let a recruiter push him into something he may regret later. It's kind of like dealing with a car salesman--dont be afraid to walk away.

So what can I tell you as a parent to make you not worry so much? Military training is second to none. Technology is saving our soldiers lives more and more. From weapons to camo, unmanned aircraft, to super up-armored vehicles. Technology is getting better all the time.

I have much respect for all branches. Each branch serves a specific function to the security of our nation and it's war fighting capabilites. We cannot function effictively even if we were missing just one branch. It just so happens that the AF was what worked best for me.

If he can get in as a Warrent Officer of Officer, that would definitely be the way to go.

I hope this helps.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode