Sgt Grit Marine Forums

Hey there, possible future Marine just reaching out to current/former Marines for some info.  I wanna join the Marines, theres no doubt about that.  I can't think of anyone more proud to be who they are then a Marine.  Not only that, but family members and friends are also beaming with pride.  I mean, at my High School Graduation, my friends brother attended (fresh Marine), and everyone was walking up to greet him and shaking his hand. 

 That out of the way, I still wish to see the world.  I would love to service my country, but I admit, as self absorbed as this may sound to some of you, I wish to get something out of this as well.  I wanna be a Marine, but I wanna see the world.  That's why its been a pull for me between the Marines and the Navy.  I wanna travel to many countrys, go offshore and party with fellow Military men, relax a little, I'm not too interested in being in Iraq or Afghanistan my whole 4 years.  I heard that if I wanna travel, I should do something with Avonics, that way I'd be on an Aircraft Carrier with the Navy, seeing the world, but still be a Marine and helping my fellow Marines.  Basically, I'm not all into the whole Infantry thing, but I still wanna be a Marine ya know? 

What I'm asking you guys is will I get the see the world?  Or only through a particular MOS?  Do I have to spend a lot of time in combat?  Do I get lots of leave time to relax?  Is there lots of fun to be had in the Marines?  Women? (^.^)

I appreciate any help, and I double checked through everything to make sure I spelt Marine with a capital "M"!

You forgot to mention how hot you'll look in your dress blues.

And people have been known to "fall off" aircraft carriers.

onceaslayer:

Hey there, possible future Marine just reaching out to current/former Marines for some info.  I wanna join the Marines, theres no doubt about that.  I can't think of anyone more proud to be who they are then a Marine.  Not only that, but family members and friends are also beaming with pride.  I mean, at my High School Graduation, my friends brother attended (fresh Marine), and everyone was walking up to greet him and shaking his hand. 

 That out of the way, I still wish to see the world.  I would love to service my country, but I admit, as self absorbed as this may sound to some of you, I wish to get something out of this as well.  I wanna be a Marine, but I wanna see the world.  That's why its been a pull for me between the Marines and the Navy.  I wanna travel to many countrys, go offshore and party with fellow Military men, relax a little, I'm not too interested in being in Iraq or Afghanistan my whole 4 years.  I heard that if I wanna travel, I should do something with Avonics, that way I'd be on an Aircraft Carrier with the Navy, seeing the world, but still be a Marine and helping my fellow Marines.  Basically, I'm not all into the whole Infantry thing, but I still wanna be a Marine ya know? 

What I'm asking you guys is will I get the see the world?  Or only through a particular MOS?  Do I have to spend a lot of time in combat?  Do I get lots of leave time to relax?  Is there lots of fun to be had in the Marines?  Women? (^.^)

I appreciate any help, and I double checked through everything to make sure I spelt Marine with a capital "M"!

Kid Gloves first..... (think its Spring Break Fever & a Buffy fan 'onceaslayer')

You want to see the world, buy a cruise/airline ticket.

Most your questions are already answered around here, but I shall do it once again.

No you are not wrong for wanting to get something out of your experience should you join and make it.

Now on that note, Avionics on Carriers if I'm not mistaken are handled by the Navy.  Gunny Miller will correct me if I'm wrong on that.  And just because your Avionics is no guarantee you will end up on a carrier even within the Navy.  They fly Helos off many ships and land based units as well.

Seeing the world, you want that guaranteed in the Marine Corps make sure you get 0311 Infantry with the 1st / 2nd / or 3rd MARDIV.  Nearly guaranteed to be deployed at least once a year.

When you sign up you get a choice of signing for an Open Contract or for a general and secondary MOS.  Open means whatever they have slots for when you check into MCT is going to be what you get.  Seen it go from anything from Infantry to Computer Programmer.  When you sign for a general/secondary MOS, you are slotted provided nothing goes wrong and the needs of the Marine Corps do not change, you will be sent to that MOS school.  Once there you will get your Specific MOS.  Life within the various MOS's various as much as the colors in a box of 128 Crayolas, each is different.  The one thing that will hold true is that all Marines are Riflemen first, that means if the $hit hits the fan they can yank your @ss to the front line in a heartbeat.

See the World - depends on your MOS and your Unit.  I've known Infantry Marines that never left the States in their 4 years, others that were deployed like clockwork every 6 months.  I know a Computer Programmer that ended up constantly deployed, they just kept him on deployment transfering him unit to unit.  You will see what the Marine Corps wants/needs you to see.  That could be a desk at an I&I center in the Midwest or it could be a barren tundra like desert in Northern Afghanistan, all depends on the needs of the Marine Corps.

Fun / Women, didn't get issued either in Boot Camp.  I had my fair share of both, sometimes a little too much of both.  But if that's your reason for joining you would be sadly disappointed.

Relaxing - sure you learn to sleep with eyes wide open and completely aware of your surroundings.

Combat - just never know honestly.  You hope like he!! that you never have to, but constantly train to make sure your better at it than the other guy.  Paraphasing Patton here "You don't win war by dying for your country, you win wars by making the b@st@rd die for theirs"

All and all I'm sure you have more questions, now ask them if you like.  Browse around here some more, use the search function cause it most likely has been asked before.  Use the stickies in the Newbie's section, many of them will tell you where to direct questions and how.

 

Yeti

MapleLeaf:

You forgot to mention how hot you'll look in your dress blues.

And people have been known to "fall off" aircraft carriers.

ML,

Ya know I looked great out of them too.

So basically your saying I won't ever be stationed in at peace countries such as Italy or whatnot?  I don't mind going to combat, but I would love to be also stationed someone nice for a bit also.  Or even in my spare time?  Do Marines travel the world with eachother on their leave?

onceaslayer:

So basically your saying I won't ever be stationed in at peace countries such as Italy or whatnot?  I don't mind going to combat, but I would love to be also stationed someone nice for a bit also.  Or even in my spare time?  Do Marines travel the world with eachother on their leave?

It is possible to be stationed outside of CONUS in a peaceful country.  We have bases in Oki, I spent 2 years there.  I think the minimum time there is 2yrs, when I was in it was a 1yr unaccompanied tour.  If you want a chance at being stationed in Europe join the Navy/Air Force/Army.  You'll have to ask the Recruiter but there used to be an option you could sign to guarantee East / West / or Overseas.  It didn't guarantee a Unit, but did put you in a general local. 

As far as Marines traveling on leave together, it happens a lot.  If you read around the board you will hear all sorts of stories of the swoop lanes and all.  When I was in Oki, we would catch flights up to Mainland Japan and go to Tokoyo for a weekend.  I got to see a lot of sights while I was over there.  When Stateside, I would make many trips with fellow Marines.  Going down to Fl, going up to Pa, even going out West.  Its all in the friends you make. 

 But I will tell you this, if all you want is travel and fun, you aren't going to get it in the Marine Corps or any other branch of service.  Save your money, and go on a road trip when you graduate High School.

Yeti

I see it now, no matter what branch, you still have to do your duty.  It's all about the friends, what you make of it, and your offtime that counts.

 Kinda seeing it now, and this made me even more interested in joining the Marines.

I think maybe.... you should think hard about it....you are a Marine all the time and not just 9-5.  I don't think "you do see it" it's about being part of something that is bigger than you or your friends....WTF... off time that counts!  Marines who think / talk like that normally are the owns showing up to the chow hall with a beard on a saturday morning telling the DNCO to "chill out" its a weekend.  I call them Sh1tbirds.

onceaslayer:

I see it now, no matter what branch, you still have to do your duty.  It's all about the friends, what you make of it, and your offtime that counts.

 Kinda seeing it now, and this made me even more interested in joining the Marines.

No you don't see it at all.

Your NCOs and Officers will not care if you have a grand ol' time or not.

1. Mission Accomplishment

2. Troop Welfare

In that Order.  That's how it is done.  If the Mission require you be on Post for 3 weeks solid with enough time to catch a Head Call once a day, guess what thats what you do.

I managed to have the travel because the Mission allowed for me to have a 'good time'.  Your really need to pull your head out of your @ss and think.  Party time is over time to grow up.

Yeah kid go see the recruiter ... i mean travel agent for your once in a lifetime adventure holiday, you will get to travel to distant, exotic and beautiful lands, meet interesting people, behold their ancient cultures and customs, and kill them.

In case you forgot as so many seem to these days this nation is at war, if you dont have the brass to volunteer then go get a camper van for your travels, and leave the "fun" had during downtime to those who are willing to earn it.