the marines have been stalking me for somedays

[Ace Pace]

The CIA? Christian In Arms?

If you're not a desk jockey, your life expectancy is not that great. As my dad put it, "If I was still doing what I was doing, I'd be dead, like all my friends."

where do you get that from? it isn't the 50's with CIA having secret wars!

and belive me, I know someone who is a Field OFFICER, he writes alot

[Hethrir]

If you want a good special force, come to Australia and join the SAS: the l337!

[Gil Hamilton]

I dont like swimming.

and after the marines, Ill want a desk job

Well, you know, the name is "Marine" for a reason. You are going to be expected to be a capable swimmer if you join the Corp.

[Gil Hamilton]

MARINE: Muscles Are Required Inteligence Not Expected.

Any questions?

Reminds me of a story an older friend of mine told me (keep in mind is former army and hangs out with marines, so his jest is in good nature).

"During WW2 where they got a great swell of new recruits to go fight the war, they had to determine who was going to the Army, the Navy, and the Marines. So they got this big jar. When testing the recruit they'd put the jar on his head. If the jar wouldn't go on very far, they packed them off to the Army or to the Navy. If the jar stopped at their nose, they were packed off to the Marine Corp. That's why Marines are known as Jar Heads today."

[Enforcer Talen]

I dont like swimming.

and after the marines, Ill want a desk job

Well, you know, the name is "Marine" for a reason. You are going to be expected to be a capable swimmer if you join the Corp.

true, true. Ill learn.

and, 500$ a weekend is *much* better then minimum wage.

[Zoink]

bullet-sponges

This is my new favorite word, thanks! (I needed something to replace "canon fodder")

[Death from the Sea]

By the way if you are going to join, do it all the way and go active duty, the benefits are MUCH better.

[His Divine Shadow]

Why not

If I told you that I'd have to kill you.

Looks over at Hemlock

You and what army

That army *points to a small army of mutant cyborg emu's with lasers attached to their heads*

Oh, and go army!

[Solid Snake]

Marine Recon is by invatation only. You cant wake up one morning and say: Hey! I'm going for recon! Nope, nope, nope. If you want to have a good military expirience, join any other branch. Air Force has the best life. Dont join the Navy if you dont like being on a tub in the middle of the ocean for 6 months at a time. If anything, join the Army. That may be biased, because I'm in the Army, but try out all your options.

It's great that the stuff your recruiter is handing to you is convincing you, because that means he's doing his job. A recruiter once told me that if i join now, he could get me to Ranger school, because there was a slot open. He told me this without even looking at my ASVAB scores (hell, i hadnt even taken it yet)
Think for yourself, be a little bit skeptical of your recruiter, and keep your options open. Dont enlist without knowing what you're getting into.
Good luck, hope you get the MOS you want. And dont get KIT

[RogueIce]

MARINE: Muscles Are Required Inteligence Not Expected.

Any questions?

NAVY: Never Again Volunteer Yourself

ARMY: Ain't Really Marine Yet (Bwahahaha!)

AIR FORCE: Always In Repair For Our Really Crappy Equipment (if you can do better, go ahead, but you get the point)

[Trytostaydead]

It's great that the stuff your recruiter is handing to you is convincing you, because that means he's doing his job. A recruiter once told me that if i join now, he could get me to Ranger school, because there was a slot open. He told me this without even looking at my ASVAB scores (hell, i hadnt even taken it yet)

ASVAB are a joke.. they're even easier than those standarized test to see you're reading at a 9th grade level in the 12th grade. Okay, then again some of the questions are really befuddling.. "What type of saw is this?" WTF? LOL

[RogueIce]

ASVAB are a joke.. they're even easier than those standarized test to see you're reading at a 9th grade level in the 12th grade. Okay, then again some of the questions are really befuddling.. "What type of saw is this?" WTF? LOL

The "hardest" part of the ASVAB for me (besides that damn shop stuff I knew nothing about) was that Mathematical Computations part or whatever it's called. Where you have like thirty seconds to do those pretty simple problems. I would've scored much higher there than I did, except it took me longer to bubble the fucking thing than it did to answer the questions...if only I coulda circled the answers or something else.

[Wicked Pilot]

and much to my surprise, Im finding them persuasive.

I am interested in improving my physique, leadership ability, and bank account, and being in the reserve can improve all three.

any advice?

You can do all those things in any service. The question is what kind of job and life would you want while you are in.

Let me quote for you retired AF First Sargeant Rod Powers from http://www.usmilitary.about.com:

Should I Join the Military?

First and foremost, you should decide if you should even join the military. As I said, the military is not for everyone, and some people find that out too late. Ask yourself why you want to join the military? Do you need a job? Do you want to serve your country? Are you thinking of making the military a career, or just do a term or two? Is it for the college benefits? Is it to learn a trade? Do you want to travel the World for awhile? Just need some time to "mature?"

Before you join, recognize the fact that a stint in the military is not civilian employment. It's not just like having a regular job. You can't just up and quit anytime you want to. You can go to jail just for being late for work. (Granted, it's unlikely that a commander would impose nonjudicial punishment, or court-martial action the first time you are late for work, but it would be entirely legal for him/her to do so -- See Article 86 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice [UCMJ].) No matter how high your rank, no matter which service you join, there will always be someone telling you what to do, and when to do it. Many times you won't like or agree with your orders, but you take a solemn oath to "obey the orders of the President of the United States and the lawful orders of those appointed over you." Disobeying those orders can have serious consequences. If you can't live with this simple fact, save yourself and the government some valuable time and money, and don't enlist.

In a civilian job, if you don't like your boss, or don't like the job, you can simply quit. Not so, in the military. I get email all the time from recruits who just graduated basic training and/or technical school (job training), asking how they can "quit" the military. The short answer is that you can't -- unless it is for a valid hardship reason (i.e., someone in your immediate family is terminally ill, and your presence is required). The military can throw you out for several reasons, but you can't simply quit because you don't like it. If the military decides to throw you out (discharge you), the consequences of the discharge (depending on the type of discharge you're granted) can follow you the rest of your life.

If you like to smoke a joint once in a while, don't join. The military uses random, no-notice urinalysises, and -- if you're found positive, you may very well go to jail (as well as being discharged). The DOD urinalysis test can find THC in your urine for three weeks after you've smoked a joint.

If you're a woman, know that there are some jobs and positions which are not open to you (most in the Marines, fewest in the Air Force). If you're homosexual, or bisexual, understand up front that you may not engage in homosexual activity while in the service (on or off duty), and you may not tell anyone of your homosexuality. To do so will result in an immediate discharge.

In today's military, expect to spend a significant time away from "home." The average Navy enlisted person can spend a significant amount of time each year at sea. On any given day, 40 percent of Navy personnel are assigned to a ship or submarine, and 30 to 40 percent of those ships will be deployed to sea (2002 statistics). Depending on your Air Force AFSC (job), and duty assignment, you may find yourself spending up to seven months out of every year deployed to such garden spots as Kosovo, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Afghanistan, and Turkey. The Army deploys a significant amount of folks to beautiful downtown Afghanistan, Bosnia and Kosovo. The Marines are also scattered around (although not in as great numbers as the other services). However, unlike the Army (and like the Navy), a Marine may find him/herself spending significants amount of time deployed to sea on Navy and Marine Ships. Even if you elect to join the National Guard or Reserves, these branches now spend a significant amount of time deployed to areas such as Bosnia, Kosovo, and the Gulf.

Which Service Should I Join?

Next, you'll need to decide which service you are interested in. Sometimes, you'll know this in advance. Perhaps you had a friend or relative who served or are serving in a particular branch of the military and you want to follow in their footsteps. You should give this matter much study. Each of the services are different, and some people may be more suited (based upon qualifications, temperament, and/or interests) for one service vs. another. Make sure you select a service that *YOU* are interested in joining, based upon *YOUR* interests. Don't join a service just because someone else liked it, or expects you to. It's your life, your interests, your decision.

The Marines are, without argument, the most "military" of all the services. If you join the Marines, expect to eat, sleep, and breath "The Corps," 24 hours per day, seven days per week. All Marines are considered a "rifleman" first, and whatever other MOS (Job) they hold second. This is attributable to the high level of marksmanship training that all Marines receive. The Army is probably the second most "military." Many Army Combat Arms units, such as the elite Rangers, are just as intense and "gung ho" as the Corps. The Navy, while not as "rigid" as the Marines and Army, has many deep-set customs and traditions which are immobile. For the "gung-ho" sailor, the Navy possesses, probably the best-known special operations force -- the Navy SEALs. The Air Force, tied with the Coast Guard, as the "least military" service, also has it's share of "gung ho," in the the elite Combat Controllers and Air Force Pararescue forces.

(Note: Recruiters see lots of folks who want to enlist and serve in one of these elite fields. The truth of the matter is that most people who apply for the "elite" programs wash out due to the very rigorous training requirements. If you enlist to become one of these "elites," and you wash out of training, you don't get to quit. You'll be required to serve the remainder of your enlistment contract in a different job).

If you like shooting (a lot), and want a complete change of lifestyle, to include a deeply ingrained pride of service, commitment, and sense of loyalty, the Marine Corps may be just what you're looking for. This may be a minor point, but it is very telling: When you ask an airman what he does, he will respond, "I'm in the Air Force." When you ask a sailor what she does, she'll respond, "I'm in the Navy." If you ask a Marine what he does, he'll say "I am a Marine."

If you want a little more flexibility in your lifestyle, but still want a strong sense of being in the military, the Army may be for you. If you like to crawl through the mud and blow things up, using the latest and greatest of "blowing up toys," consider one of the Army's combat arms branches. You'll likely get all the time "in the field," that you want.

The Navy is probably the best place for those who like to travel -- a lot. There are few ratings (jobs) in the Navy that won't spend a significant amount of time at sea. This might be great if you are single, but might be something you'll want to think about if you have a family.

The Coast Guard has the advantage of having a real, "peacetime" mission, in active law enforcement, rescue, and ocean safety. On the "down side," the Coast Guard only has 23 enlisted jobs to choose from, and you usually cannot get a "guaranteed job" at the time of enlistment. On the plus side, pretty much all of those jobs directly relate to the civilian job market. Additonally, with fewer jobs, the Coast Guard doesn't "specialize" as much as the other services, and one may get a wider range of experience within a specific job.

Of all the services, the Air Force is probably the most (but not exactly) like having a regular job. The Air Force is, in my opinion, far ahead of the other services in many "qualify of life" issues such as dormitories and base housing units. If these things are important to you, then the Air Force should be something you look into. However, in terms of educational requirements and overall ASVAB (Armed Forces Vocational Appitude Battery) scores, the Air Force (tied with the Coast Guard) is the hardest service to get into.

There are also differences in education benefits, assignments, job guarantees, and education programs, and enlistment/re-enlistment bonuses, which we'll discuss in the later chapters.

Once you've decided what service(s) you're interested in, you may wish to make appointments and talk to the recruiters of all of the services that interest you. Don't begin the enlistment qualification process, however, until you're fairly sure what service you want to join. It's unfair to make a recruiter do all the work to pre-qualify you, set you up for testing and medical, then back out and join a different service, instead.

[EmperorMing]

MARINE: Muscles Are Required Inteligence Not Expected.

Any questions?

NAVY: Never Again Volunteer Yourself

ARMY: Ain't Really Marine Yet (Bwahahaha!)

AIR FORCE: Always In Repair For Our Really Crappy Equipment (if you can do better, go ahead, but you get the point)

US ARMY: Uncle Sam Aint Released Me Yet;
Backwards: Yes My Retarded Ass Signed Up

[EmperorMing]

Good post, Wicked.

[Solid Snake]

Army=Aint really marines yet


Marines are marines cause they are too dumb to join the Army. So, if Army folks such as myself, "aint really marines yet", I guess that means that in order to be marines, we must devolve into a bunch of muscle-brained retards who use outdated equiptment.

[Solid Snake]

ASVAB are a joke.. they're even easier than those standarized test to see you're reading at a 9th grade level in the 12th grade. Okay, then again some of the questions are really befuddling.. "What type of saw is this?" WTF? LOL

The "hardest" part of the ASVAB for me (besides that damn shop stuff I knew nothing about) was that Mathematical Computations part or whatever it's called. Where you have like thirty seconds to do those pretty simple problems. I would've scored much higher there than I did, except it took me longer to bubble the fucking thing than it did to answer the questions...if only I coulda circled the answers or something else.

I know almost nothing about shop. "What is this saw used for?" Uhh, to saw shit?
Math has always been a problem for me, so that was probably the hardest. And my mom bitched at me all night before the ASVAB, so i was fucking falling asleep during the test.

[Enforcer Talen]

well, I plan to sign up. they've given me a pre training list - doesnt look too rough.

they want me to shave my head and depaint my fingernails before I go tho.

this is disturbing to me.

[Enforcer Talen]

Im thinking, short mohawk.

and -

oh god it hurts!

there is a pack of proto marines a lot farther ahead then I - ex jocks, maybe. so I have to get in shape, to their level, to get in shape, to marine level.

it, understandably, hurts.

so they gave me a manual - a 365 day plan, ok, your starting to work out, and a 30 day plan, oh shit, your about to die.

Im trying the 30 day one.

[Enforcer Talen]

of course, I am making it harder, cuz I want to be top 1%.

I just walked 6 miles in 90 mins.

ow, ow, ow, ow, ow. . .

[jegs2]

and much to my surprise, Im finding them persuasive.

I am interested in improving my physique, leadership ability, and bank account, and being in the reserve can improve all three.

any advice?

If you feel like you want to physically push yourself, submit to absolute authority, become an a member of a cohesive team, and become an efficient killing machine, I say go for it.

One thing about Marines -- I've never met a man that wasn't proud to be one, and as they are fond of saying, "There is no such thing as a 'former' Marine! Once a Marine, always a Marine! Semper Fi!"

[EmperorMing]

and much to my surprise, Im finding them persuasive.

I am interested in improving my physique, leadership ability, and bank account, and being in the reserve can improve all three.

any advice?

If you feel like you want to physically push yourself, submit to absolute authority, become an a member of a cohesive team, and become an efficient killing machine, I say go for it.

One thing about Marines -- I've never met a man that wasn't proud to be one, and as they are fond of saying, "There is no such thing as a 'former' Marine! Once a Marine, always a Marine! Semper Fi!"

Semper Fi, Do or Die!

[Enforcer Talen]

and much to my surprise, Im finding them persuasive.

I am interested in improving my physique, leadership ability, and bank account, and being in the reserve can improve all three.

any advice?

If you feel like you want to physically push yourself, submit to absolute authority, become an a member of a cohesive team, and become an efficient killing machine, I say go for it.

One thing about Marines -- I've never met a man that wasn't proud to be one, and as they are fond of saying, "There is no such thing as a 'former' Marine! Once a Marine, always a Marine! Semper Fi!"

sounds like a plan

[Knife]

If you feel like you want to physically push yourself, submit to absolute authority, become an a member of a cohesive team, and become an efficient killing machine, I say go for it.

One thing about Marines -- I've never met a man that wasn't proud to be one, and as they are fond of saying, "There is no such thing as a 'former' Marine! Once a Marine, always a Marine! Semper Fi!"

Talen, the best thing you can do is just get some running time in before you go. Running is about 60% of the PT you'll have in Boot. Also, it will help immencely in forced marches.

All this if you did decide on my beloved Corps. If you did, you'll either love it or hate it. There is no in between. As far as the hair, I went in with a full skull full, but others shave before hand. Your choise. If you do go, think really hard about what your going to do after you get out.

Use that to get what ever MOS you'll get. Don't be a grunt if you want to be an office manager. And don't be an admin geek if you want to get out and be a cop or something. Plan for the future as such.

On Marine Recon. What ever MOS you get, if your serious on getting into Recon; jump for every chance to go to various schools. Some of those schools would be;

Jump school
Ranger school
any survival school you can get but Navy's SEAR school is the best
Rigger school (repel master and such)

Doesn't hurt to be a really fucking good shot either.
Study your knowledge (slang for pertnet info on tactics and such)

[Enforcer Talen]

just walked 4 miles.

tomorrow I run/walk 12, this time with water. Ive done it before, can do it again.

Im told, being in the reserve, i cant make it into recon, but I like the schools you mentioned. always wanted to jump out of an airplane.

I want to stay in new england when Im in the cia ^^ but trotting about in a combat suit on weekends in the meantime sounds like a delightfully good time.

as for hair, Im going to shave my mullet and nail it to my wall, and keep a ponytail based at the top of my skull. also shave the sides of my head.