Any military folk in here?

[Laxplayer201092]

Hey all just wondering if anyone in here is current or ex mil... I will be joining the marines delayed entry program in late October and going to boot sometime next august I think.. Anyone have any advice or tips? Recruiter hasn't really promised me anything so I don't have Anything to get in writing lol. My mos is going to be infantry in all liklihood, but I may go into the armory fields depending on my asvab scores..

Thanks guys!

Brian

[David in FL]

22 years as a Marine officer.

My advice. Make sure you're in good physical shape before you leave. Your recruiter will likely have you doing some PT and will test you on the Physical Fitness Test, but that's not enough. Run a lot. Do push ups and pull ups to develop the upper body strength that you'll need for the various obstacle and confidence courses. When you get there, keep your ears open and do what you're told to do immediately, without question. Boot camp is very much a "do as I say" type experience....don't try to buck the program, there's a reason for everything that they do. Keep a positive attitude and you'll be surprised at the young Marine that exits at the end.

Good luck and have fun!

[DavidFehertysBike]

Two years in the army after HS. But since you have gone red i have no advice for you..

[n8ron]

I spent 6 years as a Navy Nuke on Fast Attack Submarines.

Glad I did it. Glad I'm out.

Most of the best people I have ever met were while I was in.

Tips & things to remember:
-It's all a game, play it their way.
-It's not your job to come up with a better way.
-Do what you are told, when you are told.
-In Boot Camp, the days will drag, but the weeks will fly by.

[Laxplayer201092]

Thanks to all of you for your service, first off..

I spent 6 years as a Navy Nuke on Fast Attack Submarines.

i actually knew a guy who ran something nuclear on LA class subs..loved it lol Thanks for the tips!

Two years in the army after HS. But since you have gone red i have no advice for you..

Seems as if alot of the army guys arent too fond of the Marines..Then again the army recruiter had alot of lies to tell me..

22 years as a Marine officer.

Well i have been running pretty much everyday, and some form of lifting or physical exertion.. playing lacrosse mostly..Did you enter as an E1? or as an officer?

[Golf'nBiker]

22 years as a Marine officer.

Excellent advice here. US Army (RET), who else is awake at 0430? I'd like to add, as a former DI, put your all into everything you are instructed to do..you are not going to excell at every task, however if your heart is in it, you'll be suprised.

[zrlaegel]

GO TO COLLEGE !!!!!!!!! Or at least change your MOS to something that will give your marketable skills when you get out. if 03 is what you really wanna do then go fsu and try and get pendelton as a duty station.........whatever you do....... avoid 29 palms...lol

[WilsonWedgeMan]

1st Battalion/8th Field Artillery -25th Inf Div....great unit...now disbanded. was a surveyor for the 155s... now a 27 yr employee w/ Dept of Veterans Affairs Med Center. have had the honor to serve others who've served, from WW1 to Afghanistan... living history. whoever gave the advice about being sold out is absolutely correct. regardless of the branch of service, once you leave for basic/boot camp, you MUST take on the soldiers attitude that you're now becoming a part of a new family, with hard times and good times. forget about what you left behind, until you go back for R&R...; you can't think about anything but what's expected of you in the moment... and you WILL succeed.. I'm proud of ya,Marine.

[JGus]

Retired Army here.

Best of luck on your enlistment!

My advice, as I always told my Soldiers:

1. Be where you're suppose to be, when you're suppose to be there.
2. Take pride in wearing your uniform, it's a privilege.
3. Do your best in everything you do, big or small, it is all important.

If you do these three things everything else will fall into place.

[MI Rob]

Thanks to everyones service that has posted in here.
I am also most likely doing the delayed entry program for the USMC. Have not talked to a recruiter yet though.

[Marinemike]

Been in Ma Corps for a bit over 9 years now. I came in enlisted, but have since gone through a commissioning program. Good on you for enlisting. Think really hard about your choices though. Once this train leaves the station you can't get off. The first year you are in is going to be the toughest year of your life. You won't want to repeat it ever, and except for a few moments here and there it isn't very rewarding either. But trust me, it getss way, way better. The Marine Corps is home for me. There are other forums that are military specific that a lot of guys like you hang out on where you can probably get questions answered. The best source is your recruiter though. Unless he's a turd or you're a turd he'll help you with everything you need help with. He'll even give you ways that you could end up going to bootcamp as an E-2. Best of luck to you.

[Uber$winG]

Anyone have any advice or tips?

Lax,

Former military… I did my bit for king and country in the U.S. Navy. I actually lucked out in the assignment of my command… I was assigned to a pre-com ship in NASSCO shipyard in San Diego so I never really had to go to sea – except for ship’s movement to Bremerton, WA. A few things you can do before boot camp: Like others have indicated, try to get in the best shape you can get into – running, push-ups, pull-ups, and sit-ups. Learn the General Orders and the phonetic alphabet. And if you’re really gung-ho, wake up a quarter to midnight and stand watch in your living room for four hours – it’s called the “balls to four watch,” you’ll love it. Thanks for serving… stay frosty.

[WUTiger]

Greetings to Laxplayer, fellow Devil Dogs, and Army, Navy, and USAF comrades,

I was active duty during the 1970s - enlisted and later officer - and retired out of the reserves in 1997.

Like others have said, show up in shape. Keep pushing ahead in boot camp - it really will end.

Then, when you get out in the Fleet Marine Forces, be supportive of the young corporals and sergeants who are in charge of you. They have a big job to do, and they can do it a lot better if you cooperate. This leads to teambuilding, and will help your fellow Marines and you survive better in combat.

And be sure to enjoy it. Being a young Marine is one of the best things in the world.

Semper fi!

Also: Marine is always spelled with a capital M .

[FHopper]

Retired Army here.

Absolutely! 1. Young people seldom know the meaning of the word NOW, you will. 2. You will check your gig line for the rest of your life. 3. When you do your best others know they can count on you; the highest complement a soldier can give another soldier.

[Laxplayer201092]

Thanks so far everyone... Taking the asvab on the 13th at school.. Have any idvice for that?

Thanks!

Brian

[Dormie]

Greetings fellow Marines, Army, Navy, Air Force!

1987 - 1995
3rd FSSG, 3rd MarDiv
MSG Detachment, Athens
MSG Detachment, Cape Town
2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd MarDiv (Desert Storm)

OP,
You've been handed some great advice in the previous posts. Follow it, and you will be in good shape.

[Lefty-Golfer]

The best I can offer is if you are stateside learn how to look busy doing nothing.

If you are overseas keep your gameface on.