Corps joins special ops ranks

USMC Website | June 20, 2003 | Cpl. Jeremy M. Vought

[ExSoldier]

Do you have a college degree? Is my first question and if that is affirmative, why aren't you an officer? Forget a career in the army, being an officer is a fast track to other professions. Like a psyops officer can usually look at a job with CIA or NSA or DIA.

let me give you the same advice I was given as a young 2nd Lieutenant going off to my Officer's Basic Course there: Don't worry about the folks there for airborne training....'cause they just think they're BAD but STAY AWAY from the Rangers because THEY ARE BAD!

Keep your mouth shut around other recruits about having any college....especially if you think you might wind up in OCS someday or they will make your life a living hell. I have seen this done.

Stay out of trouble, pay attention to the "OFF LIMITS" list in the barracks. These are businesses that have been known to abuse soldiers. This is especially true of the "adult entertainment" on good old "Victory Drive" the main drag in front of the gate.

There is a large store near the main gate at Benning called "RANGER JOE'S" and it has all the high speed gear to make life in the field more comfortable. They'll even sew the "cat's eyes" on your patrol cap which gives a soft glow in the dark spot so you can spot your buddy on a night patrol and if he suddenly falls off a cliff, you won't immediately follow him to the same fate. Anyway, it's got a lot of cool stuff. Now I'm not suggesting you actually buy gear here without first consulting the chain of command. I was an officer, and pretty much had a free hand in my personal field gear as long as it blended with the issue stuff.

[2111USMC]

"I'll give it to the marines...they create superior marksmen."

Amen.

(You've got the best tagline I've ever seen on FR!)

[ExSoldier]

"You've got the best tagline I've ever seen on FR!"

Thanks, but I can't take the original credit, it was something I once saw on a bumper sticker, at a gun show.

[knifegy]

hello, i was reading this forum and i was wondering if anyone might be willing to give suggestions for joining the USMC scout/snipers and then Force Recon

-I understand that both are extremely difficult to admit into, but nonetheless, any suggestion would be appreciated

[ExSoldier]

Welcome to Free Republic. You joined today. I'm not a marine, but I'm honored to know many as family and friends. I'd think you'd have to demonstrate OUTSTANDING capability first as an ordinary grunt (as if there is such a thing as an "ordinary marine") for several years. The training and thus the EXPENSE that goes into those two jobs (sniper and Force Recon) is enourmous and they won't take just anybody. Join the Corps first then see if you can make the grade. The secret is to excell in all that you do that relates to those occupational specialities.

[macmedic892]

Thank God it's the Marines.

I was worried for a moment that it was the Corps of Engineers, all set to replicate the fine work they did for flood control in and around New Orleans!

[ExSoldier]

So you're a 91 X-Ray, right? At Fort Sam? That must be something medical, if I remember my army forts. Sorry...I was one of those crossed Idiot Sticks (crossed rifles) they called infantry. Had I been so foolish as to say what you said in the company of my peers (Infantry Officers) Id have been drawn and quartered and for good reason! Infantry is infantry. I see no difference between marine or army infantry in either fitness or capability.Put 'em all in jeans and t-shirts and in one huge stadium and after awhile you'll hear all the same conversations taking place. Complaints about chow, training, idiot officers, and B.S. "details" that have to be pulled. CQ is the same in all the services. Don't EVER tell anybody in the army that you're there because you didn't have the balls to be a marine....not if you want to stay in one piece!

[ExSoldier]

91x, sir. Is, not was... I report for BCT 21Oct03.

Damn this thread is almost FOUR YEARS OLD! This guy might have served a full tour and been discharged by now. Or he could be DEAD for all I know. wow.

[BnBlFlag]

"Don't ever tell anyone in the Army you didn't have the balls to be a Marine".
We had a guy (A screwup commonly referred to as a "Shitbird" in the Corps) in Boot Camp at Parris Island that, when asked sarcastically by our Sr. D.I., why he joined the Marine Corps and "come down here and make my life miserable". He replied "because the Army wouldn't have me, Sir". Then the fun began.

[D. Brian Carter]

Not dead, thankfully. Successfully completed my obligation, went from PV1 to SGT in 3 1/2 years and regretfully medically discharged. Now a DA Civilian, FYI.

[ExSoldier]

Thanks for the update.

Welcome home and thank you for your service!