USMC future questions...

[Rolling_Thunder]

Alright guys - I need some unbiased opinions on service in the goold old USMC. I'm thinking about it and have talked to a recruiter but find me one of them that tells the truth...

I am eyeing MOS 8541 - what is the chances of me actually getting the MOS I choose ?

[chicane67]

Yeah... I might know something about that. And its not 8541 anymore... its 0317.

First of all, don't ever take what the Recruiter says as the truth.

After that realization, you will need to score an minimum GT of a 100 on your ASVAB. You must be a volunteer. You will need to enlist as a standard 03 and then attain the rank of E-3 (Lance Corporal) before you even submit your package. You must qualify as a Rifle Expert in the current fiscal year. You must score a First Class PFT in the current fiscal year. You must have correctable vision to 20/20 in both eyes. It is in your best interest to obtain a First Class swim qual... but its not mandatory. There is also a highly recommended list of other 'pre-qualification' MCI or FAM courses that you should take...

And all this.... before the Division MEF will even find out if there is a slot available in the funded quota from HQMC... and then submit your package 60 days out of the class date.

The recruiter can not guarantee an MOS... with the exception of 03... BUT, they can steer your paper work (career path) into the correct prereq's to put you into a position... that you may be where you need to be for that opportunity when it becomes available.



If you can swallow all of this and are still interested... you and I need to have a little chat.

[MrQuick]

yep, and also. make sure you are in top shape before you sign. CARDIO CARDIO CARDIO!!!

[paul67]

sorry

[va72mlibu]

I do not know if it's been posted in the US but over here it's been on the news the suicide rate for returning service men from afganistan and iraq is running at over 160 a week which is more than in combat. I'm not anti war, as for what they have to do, I do not envy any of them.

I'm throwing a BS flag on that one. Paul, please do at least a LITTLE research before posting something so inflammatory. I found this after a 2 minute search:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...081502443.html
Of course Soldiers returning home from war kill themselves sometimes...so do people from EVERY OTHER WALK OF LIFE. It's a tragedy in every case, but please don't try to shock Rolling Thunder out of the Corps.
You want some real world advice on active duty miliatry or combat, you let me know.

[paul67]

It was reported on our UK bbc radio 5 national station last night. Your VA do not have the figures as they do not colat them, the US reporter said. It was not not to be inflamtary I have no issue with the troops being over there.

[paul67]

see previous

[Damn True]

Are you making the assertation that the BBC is privy to figures that the Department of Defense and Veterans Administration is not privy to?

C'mon man.

[paul67]

No,but your press at the moment has got problems with reporting ie fox, only saying what i heard he did say that the VA were not impressed with his report, and that they also say they need a lot more money to look after the troops coming back as the extra $1billion is not enough. I would not remomend any body to join the army in which ever country,if they want to join 1 join the airforce or navy. Dad was in the airforce. Over hear to save money our troops are being put into NHS hospitals as they have scrapped the millatry 1s.

[Damn True]

Well Paul, one can't believe what one hears or reads in the media. It matters not a whit if it's the NY Times, Wall St. Journal, Fox or the BBC. They are all biased in one way or another and each is pushing their particular agenda so I think we ought to leave THAT subject out of the discussion.

That said, we have a bunch of current and former Marines here that I'm certain will have far more personal experience than you or I can provide.

I would encourage them to advise the young man on what his expectations should be.

[kamaroman68]

Go back to school!! Ex air force. Chris

[paul67]

Damn True , I Agree

[texasdvldog]

for the most part... a recruiter CAN NOT guarantee you a specific job, of course there are exceptions. What they do is put you in a "field". I went to my recruiter and she asked me what I was interested in doing. I told her that I wanted to be an electrician. So I ended in the "mechanical/electrical field" So after boot camp can you imagine my surprise when they told me I was going to be a diesel mechanic!

Word to the wise, recruiters are "salesmen" They have to get their quotas every month. If he/she "promises" something, make damn sure it's on paper and signed by him/her. Or else it don't matter if he promised the moon, it aint gonna happen.

Also you have to think about life after the Corps. make sure you pick an MOS (job) that you can utilize in the civilian sector. I.e. mechanic, admin, jet mechanic etc..

yea being a "scout sniper" sounds cool and all. But after the military, what are you gonna do? become a mercenary or something??

I spent 22 years in Marine Corps..loved every minute of it.

[chicane67]

Oh yeah... Fox... Fair and Bias ?? That is pure comedy. The media is the ultra liberal fabric of our society. And what has been stated is the BBC playing propaganda spin doctors right before another countires primary election ?? Huh. Go figure.

Anyway... I wont try and talk you out of going into (especially) the USMC. Its just like college... except you get to travel to places you would never see otherwise. LOL... But I have to echo kamaroman68. Think school... unless you are going to sack up and be a career Marine. And just like our brother texasdvldog stated... YOU HAVE TO THINK ABOUT YOUR LIFE after your time in service. THAT... cannot be overstated.

Dont get me wrong... there are jobs out there that can suit an MOS like that of 0317 post service... and I know that all too well, but its is a different lifestyle and those jobs dont grow on trees. You might even want to look into 0321 or get involved with the 02. The 02 community can steer your career through your time and service... and everything after your time in service. You need to network the entire time while active, so that you can have something on the back end of your EAS. It took me 9.5 years post active duty to go back and get a degree... and that is when I made a career path change. Well... sort of.

[go-fish]

I guess I am one of the few who had a decent recruiter. I walked in and told him what I wanted and got it. He looked at me as if I was a gift. He was used to having to woo kids and keep on them. I was 22 and was 100% ready. Not saying he lied to the kiddies but with my situation he was just glad to have a surefire "fill" and didn't hold back on the details, all of them.
If you go in and they see you as someone who has done research on your prospective job and know Marines first hand then it will go well. If possible, get a Marine to go with you to let him know you are being shown the ropes.
Lastly, as said before, get what you want in WRITING. The most important thing. It won't matter what was promised once that bus rolls through the gate without some ink on paper.

Funny story: My recruiter told me to go to boot camp with nothing but a toothbrush and maybe a extra pair of undies in case the flight got delayed.
Got to boot camp and everyone had suitcases. We were instructed to line up and drop everything. All I had was a toothbrush and undies. They wanted to hear the bags drop all at once and make one collective sound. We had to do this till they were satisfied. So there I was, picking up and dropping my toothbrush and undies over and over.

Tip: Just bring a toothbrush!

[Aceshigh]

I am eyeing MOS 8541 - what is the chances of me actually getting the MOS I choose ?

Depends on the needs of the Marines.

If it's undermanned, chances are good.
If it's OVERmanned, chances are not good.
If it requires a special school you need to qualify to get it.

First of all, don't ever take what the Recruiter says as the truth.

Yep, rule #1.

You are a quota # to them, nothing more.

for the most part... a recruiter CAN NOT guarantee you a specific job, of course there are exceptions. What they do is put you in a "field". I went to my recruiter and she asked me what I was interested in doing. I told her that I wanted to be an electrician. So I ended in the "mechanical/electrical field" So after boot camp can you imagine my surprise when they told me I was going to be a diesel mechanic!

First part is true, no recruiter can choose your career for you. They WILL try to steer you into one if it's undermanned though....so be careful.

Just remember Rule #1. You are a quota # for a recruiter, they are not your friend.
Their job is to fill manpower for the needs of the Marine's or whatever service they represent, so remember that......and never sign ANYTHING
until you speak with a service member OUTSIDE of the recruiters office whom you can trust first. That's my advice.....so you understand everything.

You have to take the ASVAB and qualify at a M.E.P.S. station, then you will speak with a career counselor type of person who will ask you
what you want to do, and they will show you some jobs that you qualify for, then you choose one that you qualified for and sign your contract.
MAKE SURE on your contract it shows your schools or you won't get jack......it's a contract
Once you take that ASVAB they are going to push you to sign a contract of SOME kind right away......don't, take what they offer you and walk. Trust me.
Once you speak to someone who knows their sh** about your job offerings and you're happy with it, go back and sign.....ask questions first, but take a few days to sign.

That's how it worked for the Navy process, and I know Marines go through the same M.E.P.S. that we do so it can't be much different.

[BA.]

Well said Aces High.

(and the other Service guys up there also...}

I got lucky and got electronics and data communications but they *DID* make me a TANK DRIVER at first. The drill instructor said. "YOU'RE SMALL, that's why they want you driving tanks!!"
LOL.

Anyway, I was allowed a phone call to my recruiter and Thanks God he was able to get it changed to the electronics thing!! Whew!

Like Aces said, they can put you where ever they damn well please, same goes for Duty Stations. Just do the BEST you can on your ASVAB and it will at least help you get started on the right path.

Good luck Tuefle pup.

[chicane67]

That's how it worked for the Navy process, and I know Marines go through the same M.E.P.S. that we do so it can't be much different.

Well.. sort of. The only difference is the MARINE CORPS is the mens department of the NAVY.

[OHCbird]

Paul67-
Join the Navy or Airforce? That's funny- No disrespect to my fellow brothers here, but I (Navy) probably have more live combat experience than most of them. How funny that you would jump in a post like this to spout your less-than-educated position...

Chicane- 'Mens Department'... funny, but I'd agree 90% of the time. Too many Navy guys acting like Blue Union members (Sorry AF).

[Aceshigh]

Well.. sort of. The only difference is the MARINE CORPS is the mens department of the NAVY.

[Service Rivalry humor on]
You mean cannon fodder for the Navy right??

We drop you guys off to do the hard work while we play video
games and drink coffee. Whose the smart one's ??? LOL
Last I checked we get paid the same too.

Marine's - My A** Rides In Navy Equipment.
At least our logo doesn't look like a Doo Doo bird sittin on
a golfball with an anchor shoved up it's arse.