Marine Corps recruiting letter

Best thing I ever did was to join the Marine Corps. It will teach you discipline that you will use the rest of your life. Don't join thinking your gonna learn a trade you'll put to use in the civilian sector because honestly a lot just don't crossover. Embrace it and enjoy it for what it is a life experience. You will meet every walk of life, from city slickers to cowboys and everything in between so be prepared. To get prepared for boot camp, learn to do everything fast and I mean EVERYTHING, run a lot work up to a minimum of three miles every couple days do a lot of sit ups, pull ups and squat thrusts. In 1980 they announced they were reinstating the draft, a couple days later I got into it with my boss at work. I was twenty years old and knew everything of course, I quit on the spot told my boss "FUCK YOU I QUIT I AM GOING TO JOIN THE MARINE CORPS" I drove straight to the recruiters office, when the recruiter asked what my trade was he said there was a two month waiting list. I asked what can I do with no waiting, the Gunny said Infantry, and I said "whats that?" lol when he told me I said sounds great, I've been playing war as a kid ever since I can remember. So a 0311 (rifleman) I was. I meet a ton of people, went a bunch of places, got paid to work out, shoot weapons and HURRY UP AND WAIT! GOOD LUCK HAVE FUN! OOHRAW!

 

Read this statement very carefully. And then read what I'm going to say even more carefully.

I don't talk a lot about what I do but here's some advice. My company hires pretty much exclusively retired/ex-military. Mostly Navy and mostly CPO level or above enlisted. If you want to do well when you depart the military - and your leaving will likely be a decision you don't make, staying in for the full 20 is hard and about to get a lot harder - your combat vehicle of choice should be a desk and your weapon should be a college degree. If you REALLY want a cake job post-military, get your ass into procurement while you're in. Contractors will be falling all over themselves to hire you when you get out. It's a write your own ticket gig. Wish I'd done it.

It's the least glamorous job ever but it's the jackpot.

Think in those terms. How will I make this pay when I'm out? Employers need people who can read, write, work without supervision, not embarrass themselves or others, know how to conduct business and ideally have a college degree. You can learn and get all this in the military, in any branch.

One last word. They may well try to sell you on a combat slot. Combat/infantry guys have real limited options when they get out. Sucks cause they usually give the most, but it's a fact. You might think the combat experience will help you land an LE job, but if you wanna be a cop and are joining up, the better course of action is to become an MP.

I wish you luck. It's a hard job. A lot of guys come out a lot better off than when they went in, so it's frequently worth it. Don't rush it, don't make a decision based on something you read or saw in a movie, and (no disrespect, but some hinky shit frequently happens) don't believe a word your recruiter says. Get it in writing before you sign anything.

 

If it was the Air Force, lots of math and science to prepare for engineering coursework and become a pilot.

The Army prefers History, as in learning from it. Pilot rotary-wing aircraft.

Marines...I dunno...

 

I'll chime in just to set some reality on expectations. The Corps is about 80% infantry (Combat Arms), which is what I went in as for my first 4 years. It was hard and rewarding depending on your perspective. Don't expect to be a 0321/8654/ or even a 9962 (Recon/Recon jump/scuba/ and jump). It's kinda like everyone who thinks they're going to become a seal or a pilot. Reality is very slim on who qualifies and makes it through for any of these positions. Be the best at everything you set your goals on, but don't beat yourself up if it doesn't happen....that's life! I can understand why some would say don't go in looking to have skill sets for the civilian world, but I guess again it depends on your perspective. Most military members do transition very well into the corporate world because of the attitude/motivation/integrity/character and most of all leadership skills they honed in the military. I joined when I was 17 and never looked back. Best decision I made in life and now am retired working in the corporate world still supporting our military. Good luck on your aspirations and make decision based on your objectives.

 

Thank you for not bashing and complaining about the Corps or telling the kid to join a different service.

OP, the Marine Corps really is what you make of it from the high speed low drag combat arms/special operations part of the Corps to the Admin, Supply, Logistics, Mechanics, or Pilots. The Marine Corps has a lot of oportunities that are up for the taking and thats just it you have to TAKE them because they rarely given out freely. Do you best stay motivated and do what you want to do.

Like my SgtMaj says "show me your friends, I'll show you your future" don't let negative people influence your decisions or sway your judgement on YOUR FUTURE.

PS. If you are committed to join, get in the Deplayed Entry Program as soon as you can. Poolies are starting to get backed up on the going to boot camp. If you want to go to boot camp the summer after you graduate do it as soon as you can. Right now poolies are looking at being in the DEP 9 plus months from the time they sign-up.