The other post contradicting this one, is from two years ago. I found the excerpt from a website while randomly surfing the net and I found it interesting. I didn't know if any of it was actually true, but because I thought it was interesting, I posted it for others to debate on the subject. Mostly in hopes that someone with military experience would reasonably debate the ludicrously outlandish statements instead of take the bonehead 'red-blooded American' approach. To my disappointment, most were just as curious as to the truth as I was and the only disputers seemed to throw the darts at me. Disappointing.

Two years later, I can actually dispute that post based on facts and the little experience I have in my Marine Corps career. Throw the darts if you will since this is actually coming from someone serving. I feel as though its necessary to post this to disprove the misconceptions about the military, the service members and the lifestyle that we must live as the nation's enlisted. Perhaps some clarification will encourage others to join, or maybe it'll just be a good read. Whatever the case, I hope you take something from it.

1. Education.
Although a bit difficult with obvious time constraints, it is possible to obtain a BA in 4 years. There are a handful of collegiate institutions available on each base that offer both classroom and online courses. Guess what? Its completely free, in a sense. The Montgomery GI Bill is for use post-military career. The smart route, if you're pursuing graduate study, is to complete your BA through the use of tuition assistance, and obtain a Master's (and then some) once you get out. The ability to demonstrate positive leadership ability, combined with tangible education from a respected school (University of Maryland, for example) is a stepping stone to better employment once the military chapter of one's life is over.

2. Pay and Living.
We're not rich people. Its possible to invest and maintain an upstart business, or even work a part time job, but let's face it; two steady paychecks every single month, with benefits, and no utilities to worry about is a pretty sweet deal. The barracks I live in resemble the same dorms that are at the University of Texas- San Antonio. They aren't glamorous, but they'll be clean? Why? You clean them every Thursday; top to bottom. It seems a little asinine for an adult to be told when to clean, but the quality of life is a definite improvement from those who have lived in financial underprivileged households. And for a young man or woman, just starting out in life, this structure of pay housing is a stepping stone to living life when the military is over.

3. Community.
I don't like every Marine that I meet, nor do I respect every one of them personally, but I'll be damned if I don't recognize a Marine in some strange location, salty or green, and don't give them a casual, "Oorah." This gun club isn't the largest, but we're known for sticking together. I've met a lot of people that have lived their lives as loners and couldn't find acceptance. Sure, you'll have cliques here and there and people that still feel as though secluding themselves is the best remedy for their own sanity, but someone is always going to have their back. Esprit de Corps.

These are just a few reasons. I can tell you that, for me, the list goes on. This can be a more appropriate thread for a reasonable discussion about joining the military.

Damn I am really thinking about joining the military man.

it's up to you if you do decide. but make sure you compare because not everyone is the same. and you might wanna think about what you wanna do in the service. because they might not need firemen but put you in something that's "similar" but yet no where near what you want to do. TRUST ME! i thought i was going to an accounting job when i joined but instead i got a "counting" job. counting bullets that is and man that sucked like hell!! i was pissed at my advisor for suckering me into a stupid ass job like that. and he made it sound all great and that it's exactly what i was looking for. man, they are slick so be careful!

You were an ammo tech.

What recruiters won't tell you is that you are in control of your own contract. Don't sign on the line unless you're guaranteed what you want.

you know what? i liked be an ammo spec. because i was able to do crap that not a lot of others got to do. man, i drove those PLS's and 6 ton fork lifts. plus i was able to get away from my plt for ammo drops. but i was a desk jockey before i got out so

I have a pretty good idea of what I want to do in the military, but every time I think about going in, I always find a reason not to. Ugh that is life I guess.

HA! you dont know me. in 9th grade was the very first time i ever made it to home base in kick ball. in softball i hit the ball a total of 3 time in a week. and in soccer i missed the ball when it came to a stand-still (almost fell on my butt. ouch).

i WOULD die.

well, the choice is really up to you, but if i had to do all over again, i would've signed for a 2 year contract. and instead of sleeping with my counselor to get that stupid ammunition specialist job, i would've went with like finance or something.

I would love to join a fire dept in the military, but I know that the risk over in Iraq is hella crazy.

well, see if you can find some firemen soldiers. i don't know any but you can try.

I will, but it such a big commitment for two years ya know.

yeah...but those two years can go by so fast that you don't even realize it is 2 years. you'll spend 3 months at basic, then however many months for your job training and then the rest is at your first duty station. so those 2 years will just zoom by you.

I know, I wish I could have joined right out of high school. I would have been in a better position.

yeah...well what can you do right? what's done is done

True indeed, ah well, there goes that idea.

Don't let some misled, former Soldier, lead you in the wrong direction. Recruiters will only tell you what they feel as though they need to. You can do whatever the hell you want in the military if you step to them knowing what you can/can't do. If you want a guaranteed contract, granting you the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) as Marine Corps Crash Fire Rescue, then make that known. With an MOS like that, there are often benefits involved. Ask questions, b.

True thanks alot man, I am really going to look into this stuff now.

I got accepted into Cornell University, The University of Michigan, George Washing University, University of Pennsylvania, and The University of Chicago. I joined the ARMY instead and ship for basic in June of '08.

Do I question my decision? No. Will I regret it? I hope not.

Wait a minute, you got accepted into all of those places, and instead went into the Army? Wow! That is a big risk eh! I wanna go so bad, but I know that if I do, I will be even further behind in college.

Honestly, if I had the means to afford an Ivy League school like UPenn, I would've gone the officer route. You'll go a lot further with a commission. Good on you, though.

Of all branches, what made you choose the Army? Air Force Avionics is in dire need for intelligent people.

I am not going to front, I remember back in school, my instructors told me that the air force was thought of as being the weakest branch. Apparently they do next to no pt at all and other things like that.

True.

But they have extremely techincal jobs that need people with a high IQ, versus a dedication to being in shape.

I want to be able to get my work out on too, maybe navy? I don't want to go to f*g land though, no offense.

It all depends on what you do in the Navy. There are some cool ass people in the Navy. But there's something strange about a guy who's a refridgerator technician, with little time on his hands, will never see combat, and is on ship with other guys just like him for 8 months. Yikes.

Naval Corpsman (medical) are the shit.

True, I am going to put a timetable on it though, if things don't start falling into place by June, I am going to start looking at military options.

Don't join the Marine Corps.