4 answers
Troy
Student
Yuma, Arizona
1
Question
Updated
2034 views
I have a question on the usmc?
I am a seventh grader in crane middle school and I would like to be in the marine core but I don’t know how much it pays or what goes on your resume if you switch jobs. I would like to know what I need to do before I try to join besides being 18+.The reason I want to be in the marine core is that most men in my family have served wether it be border patrol ,marine core, or the army I have wanted to be in the marine core since I was about 10, I have also been in young marines to get a taste of it and I think it is cool.
4 answers
Ross Christensen
Culinary Director
21
Answers
Eagan, Minnesota
Updated
Ross’s Answer
Figure out what field you want to be in besides rifleman, the Marine corps has everything from pilots to tuba players so almost any career you want will be available in the military.
Once you figure out what you want to do in the Marine corps go to the recruiter and ask for a guaranteed specialty, where you are guaranteed to become whatever career you want. The Marines will take care of your training pay is lower than civilian work but your housing and food is free so that doesn't matter you actually can become very wealthy if you work in your career properly.
The best advice I can give you is to use your GI Bill early and often you should always be buying a house, saving for college, and saving money for your future.
Once you figure out what you want to do in the Marine corps go to the recruiter and ask for a guaranteed specialty, where you are guaranteed to become whatever career you want. The Marines will take care of your training pay is lower than civilian work but your housing and food is free so that doesn't matter you actually can become very wealthy if you work in your career properly.
The best advice I can give you is to use your GI Bill early and often you should always be buying a house, saving for college, and saving money for your future.
Great thanks for answering! I would like to also thank you for your time. I am hoping to be a riflemen or a pilot. I will try to follow your what you said about using the GI Bill early.
Troy
Richard A. (Tony) Eckel
49
Answers
Updated
Richard A. (Tony)’s Answer
Ross,
The military services are a way to gain two things that employers are interested in; Discipline and Technical Experience. The discipline is all about following orders and respecting authority. Experience is all about technical training and the level of responsibility that a very junior person is given in the military, At 19, I was repairing and maintaining helicopter electrical systems and flight controls flying off destroyers at sea.
Before joining, if that is your choice, a recruit needs to show discipline and motivation through good grades in school and aptitude in technical areas, like tool use and computers. The military, including the Corp, is relying more on technology and brains. Advancement and rank are enhanced by being smart and working hard.
For the Corp in particular, physical fitness is really important. Boot Camp (recruit training) is all about fitness and discipline, so if a Marine is in great shape on day one, that Marine will be a leader throughout their career.
Discipline and moral character are important as well. The services don't want members with histories that show a disregard for rules and laws. This includes drug use and delinquency. Would you want someone next to you with a weapon who can't follow orders or is under the influence? It is a recipe for a short career!
Pay is the easiest part of this discussion: Every service member wears a rank on their sleeve and that rank determines their base pay which is adjusted based on when their service started and the number of active years served. This is published annually in many areas like:
https://www.military.com/benefits/military-pay/charts
It's one of the cool things different than civilian life; you know everyone's pay!
Good luck,
Tony
The military services are a way to gain two things that employers are interested in; Discipline and Technical Experience. The discipline is all about following orders and respecting authority. Experience is all about technical training and the level of responsibility that a very junior person is given in the military, At 19, I was repairing and maintaining helicopter electrical systems and flight controls flying off destroyers at sea.
Before joining, if that is your choice, a recruit needs to show discipline and motivation through good grades in school and aptitude in technical areas, like tool use and computers. The military, including the Corp, is relying more on technology and brains. Advancement and rank are enhanced by being smart and working hard.
For the Corp in particular, physical fitness is really important. Boot Camp (recruit training) is all about fitness and discipline, so if a Marine is in great shape on day one, that Marine will be a leader throughout their career.
Discipline and moral character are important as well. The services don't want members with histories that show a disregard for rules and laws. This includes drug use and delinquency. Would you want someone next to you with a weapon who can't follow orders or is under the influence? It is a recipe for a short career!
Pay is the easiest part of this discussion: Every service member wears a rank on their sleeve and that rank determines their base pay which is adjusted based on when their service started and the number of active years served. This is published annually in many areas like:
https://www.military.com/benefits/military-pay/charts
It's one of the cool things different than civilian life; you know everyone's pay!
Good luck,
Tony
Bhagesh Pant
Information Technology
17
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Bhagesh’s Answer
That’s an awesome goal, Tony. You’re already on the right path by being part of Marine core and thinking ahead. To join, you’ll need to be at least 17 with parental consent (or 18 on your own), have a high school diploma or GED, pass the ASVAB test, meet physical fitness standards, and go through a medical exam. Starting pay for enlisted Marines in 2025 ranges from about $2,000 to $2,800 per month depending on rank, with additional allowances for housing and food that can boost your income. If you switch to a civilian job later, your resume should highlight leadership, teamwork, accomplishments, certifications, and military experience translated into civilian-friendly language. Right now, as a seventh grader, you can prepare by staying active in young Marines, focusing on school, building physical strength, and learning about different Marine roles. Here are some official and helpful websites to guide you on your journey
www.marines.com
www.marines.mil
https://www.marines.com/become-a-marine/requirements/physical-fitness.html - USMC Physical Fitness Requirements. Details on the Initial Strength Test (IST), Physical Fitness Test (PFT), and Combat Fitness Test (CFT).
https://www.military.com/benefits/military-pay/charts - 2025 Military Pay Charts
It’s inspiring that you want to follow in your family’s footsteps, and with your dedication and early interest, you’re already showing the kind of commitment the Marine values.
All the best!!
www.marines.com
www.marines.mil
https://www.marines.com/become-a-marine/requirements/physical-fitness.html - USMC Physical Fitness Requirements. Details on the Initial Strength Test (IST), Physical Fitness Test (PFT), and Combat Fitness Test (CFT).
https://www.military.com/benefits/military-pay/charts - 2025 Military Pay Charts
It’s inspiring that you want to follow in your family’s footsteps, and with your dedication and early interest, you’re already showing the kind of commitment the Marine values.
All the best!!
Donna Hull
Engineer
101
Answers
Columbia
Updated
Donna’s Answer
Troy;
Pay in any branch of the Military is based on your rank. As you are a Young Marine, make sure you get to Young Marine Rank of Gunnery Sgt. and have your recruiter document it in your enlistment contract.
Please understand that although Young Marines is teaching you principles of Leadership, Discipline and Teamwork, dependent on your Commanding Officer, it is a long way from actual Military service. I am an Adult Leader in Young Marines for the Maryland, Fort Meade Unit, if you ever want to talk, as your Unit Adjutant to look me up or you may be able to look me up in your account.
As you reach the age in which the Recruiters will talk to you, it is best to know what type of career you want in the Military. That being said, the recruiter will tell you it is the needs of the branch at the time you enter, so you may have to wait or choose another career path. Just think about it and make sure what you choose is something you will enjoy. Many individuals join just to get out of their current circumstances and take what ever is offered and have a bad experience in the Military.
Have a plan B. My son wanted to be a Marine Medic. Marine Medic's are actually Navy enlisted who are assigned to Marine Units. So there was never a guarantee that he would be assigned to a Marine unit. In speaking with the recruiter there was never an opening for a Medic. He worked with the Recruiter for 2 years. During that time he was volunteering with the local Fire Department and was credentialed at an EMT. Eventually, he received an offer to join the next Fire Academy for a paid position. He gave the recruiter an ultimatum to have an opening by November or he would no longer be interested. Today my son is a Senior Fire Fighter in North Carolina.
I say this because as much as you have dreamed to be a Marine, it may not be meant to be. But I do wish you the best. I spent 10 years in the Navy and absolutely loved every minute.
https://www.marines.com
https://www.marines.com/about-the-marine-corps/roles.html
Pay in any branch of the Military is based on your rank. As you are a Young Marine, make sure you get to Young Marine Rank of Gunnery Sgt. and have your recruiter document it in your enlistment contract.
Please understand that although Young Marines is teaching you principles of Leadership, Discipline and Teamwork, dependent on your Commanding Officer, it is a long way from actual Military service. I am an Adult Leader in Young Marines for the Maryland, Fort Meade Unit, if you ever want to talk, as your Unit Adjutant to look me up or you may be able to look me up in your account.
As you reach the age in which the Recruiters will talk to you, it is best to know what type of career you want in the Military. That being said, the recruiter will tell you it is the needs of the branch at the time you enter, so you may have to wait or choose another career path. Just think about it and make sure what you choose is something you will enjoy. Many individuals join just to get out of their current circumstances and take what ever is offered and have a bad experience in the Military.
Have a plan B. My son wanted to be a Marine Medic. Marine Medic's are actually Navy enlisted who are assigned to Marine Units. So there was never a guarantee that he would be assigned to a Marine unit. In speaking with the recruiter there was never an opening for a Medic. He worked with the Recruiter for 2 years. During that time he was volunteering with the local Fire Department and was credentialed at an EMT. Eventually, he received an offer to join the next Fire Academy for a paid position. He gave the recruiter an ultimatum to have an opening by November or he would no longer be interested. Today my son is a Senior Fire Fighter in North Carolina.
I say this because as much as you have dreamed to be a Marine, it may not be meant to be. But I do wish you the best. I spent 10 years in the Navy and absolutely loved every minute.
Donna recommends the following next steps:
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