Posted on 06/16/2010 11:34:05 AM PDT by keats5
My 20 year old son has informed us that he intends to enlist in either the Army or Marines, after his first year of college. He did alright in college, but he is not set on any particular civilian job. What he really wants to do is something in the military, and he wants to do that full time without waiting to complete another three years of college.
He was majoring in exercise science with a mild interest in physical therapy down the line, but he's not enthralled with those majors. He would seriously consider being a lifer in the military. He has also expressed interest in Police, FBI, CIA type work.
He is in amazing shape, as he is a gym rat who gets up at 5 AM every morning to work out 2-3 hours before work/ school. (By the way, he did not get this drive from his parents.) He is above average intelligence, fine at math, science and well written. He has talked to an Army recruiter and was told he would have to decide on a job before he began training. So far, he is interested in the pathway to an Army Ranger. He still needs to talk to a Marine recruiter.
Do any of your FReepers have some wisdom to share? He would like to eventually get his degree, ideally while in the military. If he serves his four years, could he gain some college credit in the military? If he switched into the reserves while he got his degree, would that affect his pension? Which civilian jobs could he aim for from a Ranger background?
Anything you could share would be most appreciated. Thanks.
Army.
He should be a medic and go to Ranger or Airborne.
The Army is so much vaster than the Navy’s street crew. Way more opportunity, slots, schools.
He could be a medic in the field for a few years, then as he get’s older switch up to Physician Assistant school, or a technical medical occupation when living out of rucksacks, truck and plywood gets old and he starts thinking about a family. After he retires he’ll be immensely well set for a second civilian career.
I’d say wait for about 6 months, and see if his services are needed in the 2nd Continental Army.
Air Force may be fine for some reasons, But if you are looking for a follow on Career. I will tell you what my Brother in Law told me.
“There are not many job openings in the Civilian market for a Guided Missile Technician.”
You mentioned he is interested in medical area. Enlist in the Navy become a corp man (corpseman according to obama) and he can work with the Marines.
Finish school first!
Thank your son for his service.
“Can he squeeze his head in a jar? If so, Marines...”
He has a large head, but he’s determined.
_______________-
BAHAHAHAHAAAAAAH!!! Post Of The Year, Mom!
Colonel, USAFR
Or the Army of Northern Central Virginia
You should be very, very proud of your son. His willingness to serve sets him above and apart from most others of his age. I truly appreciate his decision.
As others have said, he needs to learn more about the two services to see which will supply what he is seeking. Although the Army and Marines have some overlapping functions, they have very different cultures (besides the fact that the Marines are a sea service, and some of his time may well be spent at sea).
As others have said, the Army is a larger, more bureaucratic service, more dependent on technology than the Marines, and perhaps offering better and broader preparation for post-military life; the Marines pride themselves on doing more with less, on being self-sufficient, and they have the sense that being a Marine is the pinnacle, an end in itself.
To an outsider, the Marines can be a peculiar lot. Some authors have likened them to a religious cult, with their traditions and ceremonies, and the remarkable oral tradition of their history which is their scripture. They have a Creation Story – which, of course, takes place in a Philadelphia tavern. There are the years wandering in the wilderness after the Viet Nam war. They wear meticulously-maintained vestments, the service and dress uniforms which have changed little in the last 100 years. They have their saints, saints with names like O’Bannon, Daly, Basilone, Puller, and Krulak. They celebrate a universal Holyday each November 10th. They practice self-effacement for the good of the Corps, neither needing nor wanting any name other than “Marine.” And they have a single, immutable, uncompromising purpose: to support the rifleman on the ground.
In fact, every Marine officer with whom I have ever spoken has described his experience leading Marines in almost religious terms, using words like “solemn honor”, “sacred responsibility” and “privilege”. This is no accident. Just as the recruits at Parris Island or San Diego are inculcated with the rich tapestry of Marine Corps history and tradition, so is every new lieutenant imbued with the philosophy behind his role as an officer of Marines. In the administrative “wing” of the Basic School (it’s actually more of a hallway) there hangs a plaque, a reminder to all those who will train these young men and women. It reads:
“In every war, Marines have borne a heavy burden far out of proportion to their limited numbers. This fact stands as a silent tribute to the individual Marine. Our present Basic School student will soon be leading Marines. It is your mission to educate this young officer and thereby make him worthy of this privilege.”
One of my acquaintencences, who saw heavy action in Viet Nam leading a rifle platoon, now holds two doctoral degrees, has founded a number of successful companies, and currently manages all of the research grants for a prestigious Ivy League university. Reflecting on his time as a Lieutenant of Marines, he told me that he considers having led Marines in combat the highest achievement of his very successful life.
I have nothing but deep respect for all the services. Your son should do his homework, speak with the recruiters (and realize that they may be stretching the truth a bit) and make his choice after careful deliberation.
You have done well. Help him as you can, but ultimately this will be his decision.
If he thinks the military is a break from school he is in for quite a shock.
US Marines are the “few” for a reason - the best of the best of the best, sir.
If I were him, I’d lock in the Associates Degree, with all his General Ed courses first. That’ll put him years ahead when he finally decides what he wants to do.
My experience was in the Army. In order to get promotion beyond E4, you had to have a certain amount of promotion points. A lot of promotion points could be gained by college credits. In fact, in my particular MOS, without some college credit, it was damned hard to make SGT.
At any rate, depending on what military job he settles down into, he can start taking college courses while in the Army/Marines, and those college credits he has locked in can be used toward a degree. If he decides to go through OCS, he’ll be a lot closer to the degree requirement.
There’s my 2 cents.
“- If he can't decide between the Army and The Marine Corps, as if they were the same, then the Marines don't want him.
Semper Fi ...”
If he just wants to be in the military he should go Army, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard
If he wants to be a Marine there would be no question or option in his mind.
I never thought I want to be in the military so I'll join Marines, I was just I want to be a Marine.
Your brother-in-law is mistaken.
Not only is the Air Force the best branch for a military career, it is also the branch that has the best opportunities for a job in the technology field as a civilian afterwards, and is the branch that gives you the best chance of surviving to see it.
Airforce. All of the benefits of military service will far fewer drawbacks. Better food, housing, fewer hazardous assignments. Plenty of opportunity for leadership, technical knowledge and experience.
Second choice Navy. As above except more time away from family and more hazardous assignment.
Third choice Army.
I served 4 years with the Marines, I have a tremendous amount of respect for Marines but I would never recommend the Marines to a kid. In my experience, Marines are a breed to themselves, you don’t tell them to join, they grow up dreaming of joining. If they aren’t driven to be a Marine, the Marine Corps is probably not the right place for them.
I know you are not a liberal wackoo!!!! I just think that waiting for this kid who is already 20 until Obama gets out is crazy especially since he does not have much to do with an E-3 or E-4. The officers have more dealings with his crap than enlisted. I mean we have not gone anywhere because of Obama. We are still in the same areas that President Bush had us in.
The army has more boats than the navy. :)And more parachutes than the Air Force, too, so I reckon those boats must be lifeboats : )
My son just got out of the Marines, so I am a bit prejudiced, but I am so proud to tell everyone that my son was in the Marines. Also, they have the best dress uniforms IMO.
I’m a product of Army ROTC. I retired as a Lieutenant Colonel (Special Operations Planner).
Your son should look at all 4 services. Each is different.
Once he decides which service, he should very seriously consider staying in college and getting commissioned via ROTC.
Even if he decides to enlist, he can get his commission in various ways. Educational opportunities in all services are tremendous.
Remind him that any job has a downside. That’s just life.
If he gets his degree first, he could enter as an officer rather than an enlisted. If he decides he wants to enlist first rather than completing a college degree, he should seek out a program that would put him in officer training if possible. If he intends to pursue a career in the military, it would be a smart move to try to get a leg up early.
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