4 answers
Guinevere
Student
1
Question
Updated
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I want to be a marine like my father, but I don’t know where to study or how! Does anyone have any suggestions or advice?
I want to stay in the marine branch so I need tips! Please help! I also don’t want to tell my dad I want it to be a surprise for him!
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3 answers
Kim Igleheart
Career Counselor | Police Officer
1831
Answers
San Antonio, Texas
Updated
Kim’s Answer
Guinevere,
As you know, the Marines pride themselves on being the best of the best. It's not just about the physical and academic. There's a level of mental/emotional maturity as well. A pride in the Corps.
You didn't say what grade you are in. I would recommend taking the practice ASVAB on-line to get an idea of where you stand on that entrance test. I would definitely consider joining ROTC, as well as sports. Teamwork is crucial in the military, and sports will help you to develop that.
Bootcamp is a strange experience. They have an approach where they want to "tear you down" and then "build you up." They will do things to provoke you that you aren't allowed to respond to, like tear apart a bed that's perfectly made and have you re-make it, over and over. If you can do 105 pushups, they'll make you do 110. And on and on.
I hadn't considered this before now, but, getting involved with acting might actually help you in learning to control reactions to such things. Possibly.
Whatever you do, when they ask why you want to be a Marine, don't say, "well, my Dad was a Marine." Because, there's no such thing as a "Former" Marine. Your Dad IS a Marine, now and forever! And, you should also say something about being interested in serving your country.
Thank you for your interest in protecting the US of A!
As you know, the Marines pride themselves on being the best of the best. It's not just about the physical and academic. There's a level of mental/emotional maturity as well. A pride in the Corps.
You didn't say what grade you are in. I would recommend taking the practice ASVAB on-line to get an idea of where you stand on that entrance test. I would definitely consider joining ROTC, as well as sports. Teamwork is crucial in the military, and sports will help you to develop that.
Bootcamp is a strange experience. They have an approach where they want to "tear you down" and then "build you up." They will do things to provoke you that you aren't allowed to respond to, like tear apart a bed that's perfectly made and have you re-make it, over and over. If you can do 105 pushups, they'll make you do 110. And on and on.
I hadn't considered this before now, but, getting involved with acting might actually help you in learning to control reactions to such things. Possibly.
Whatever you do, when they ask why you want to be a Marine, don't say, "well, my Dad was a Marine." Because, there's no such thing as a "Former" Marine. Your Dad IS a Marine, now and forever! And, you should also say something about being interested in serving your country.
Thank you for your interest in protecting the US of A!
@Kim Igleheart ~ You are not far from it when you've mentioned the Acting. They may not all teach this in all acting classes, but it's called playing opposites. I remember it from my beginning acting training. It's where one reacts totally opposite then expected. So if a bed is messed up repeatedly, the person can play it smiling and happy to do it over and over again. It's just a minute technique taught briefly so I don't know if a whole acting class or all acting classes use that.
Michelle M.
Thanks Michelle! I've always been an easy read when it comes to my emotions, and know I could have benefitted from such training! I think a Marine is supposed to remain stoic with a poker face through it all. My Dad (Air Force) gave a facial expression once during a promotion board and it cost him.
Kim Igleheart
Yes, you're right ! For acting, this playing opposites is for character development during rehearsing. We don't want anyone being Gomer Pyle, LOL. My dad was a Sgt. in the Army Air Force during WWII.
Michelle M.
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach
1091
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Guinevere,
There are 2 main paths to become a Marine: you can enlist as a Marine or you can commission as a Marine Officer.
To be eligible to enlist you need to be between 17 and 28 years old, be a legal resident in the US and have your high-school diploma or GED. As a new recruit, you need to pass the Initial Strength Test (IST) as well as the Vocational Aptitude Test (ASVAB). You can then enter recruitment training, which lasts 13 weeks, or go into the delayed entry program (DEP) which prepares you for recruitment training.
To commission as a marine officer, you have to be between 20 and 28 old, be a US citizen and have earned a high-school diploma as well as a bachelors degree. You'll go to Officer Candidate School (OCS). Your exact path will depend on the education you bring to the table and the occupation you chose/qualify for in the Marines.
Common paths to becoming a Marine Officer are Platoon Leaders Class (PLC), Officer Candidate Course (OCC), United States Naval Academy and Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC).
The best thing you can do as a young person is to work on your physical fitness and do well in your education.
Another good idea would be the Summer Programs at the US Naval Academy:
https://www.usna.edu/Admissions/index.php
I would also recommend that you talk to a recruiter to get more detailed information. You didn't indicate where you live, so I can't point you towards a recruiter. You can request more information here:
https://rmi.marines.com/request-information
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
https://www.marines.com/become-a-marine/requirements/general.html
https://www.marines.com/become-a-marine/process-to-join/become-an-officer.html
https://www.usna.edu/Admissions/index.php
There are 2 main paths to become a Marine: you can enlist as a Marine or you can commission as a Marine Officer.
To be eligible to enlist you need to be between 17 and 28 years old, be a legal resident in the US and have your high-school diploma or GED. As a new recruit, you need to pass the Initial Strength Test (IST) as well as the Vocational Aptitude Test (ASVAB). You can then enter recruitment training, which lasts 13 weeks, or go into the delayed entry program (DEP) which prepares you for recruitment training.
To commission as a marine officer, you have to be between 20 and 28 old, be a US citizen and have earned a high-school diploma as well as a bachelors degree. You'll go to Officer Candidate School (OCS). Your exact path will depend on the education you bring to the table and the occupation you chose/qualify for in the Marines.
Common paths to becoming a Marine Officer are Platoon Leaders Class (PLC), Officer Candidate Course (OCC), United States Naval Academy and Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC).
The best thing you can do as a young person is to work on your physical fitness and do well in your education.
Another good idea would be the Summer Programs at the US Naval Academy:
https://www.usna.edu/Admissions/index.php
I would also recommend that you talk to a recruiter to get more detailed information. You didn't indicate where you live, so I can't point you towards a recruiter. You can request more information here:
https://rmi.marines.com/request-information
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Karin recommends the following next steps:
Kris K
Application Development
4
Answers
Lakeland, Florida
Updated
Kris’s Answer
That is amazingly commendable you want to be a Marine. It is a noble calling.
In addition to the other comments...
First I will tell you to finish college and go in as an officer, it is a completely different lifestyle, and you will be glad you did. While I have heard people doubt college, any average student can make it through college, and the military will pay for college in exchange several years of service, and you can get additional funding.
If possible, go to Navy ROTC in High School & College, or any service available will do. You are allowed to change high schools for that. In addition to the preparation, it will teach you many things that you can never learn straight enlisting, and you will come out a natural leader, and you will make life long friends.
It also gives you a chance to explore many career fields. This is extremely important before you sign into any military service.
All marines are riflemen, so any marksmanship training you can do will do you well, so if you do not have those skills now, ask someone responsible, to teach you about gun safety and take you shooting.
Mud runs are fun, try those.
Marines live a very polished, well ironed & groomed life, if that is your natural lifestyle, you will fit in nicely.
The military philosophy, in general, in boot camp, is to bring everyone's ego down, and bring their physical fitness gradually up to standards, and to follow orders immediately without fail. As long as you understand that, and that it is not personal, it will be much easier, and even fun at times.
In addition to the other comments...
First I will tell you to finish college and go in as an officer, it is a completely different lifestyle, and you will be glad you did. While I have heard people doubt college, any average student can make it through college, and the military will pay for college in exchange several years of service, and you can get additional funding.
If possible, go to Navy ROTC in High School & College, or any service available will do. You are allowed to change high schools for that. In addition to the preparation, it will teach you many things that you can never learn straight enlisting, and you will come out a natural leader, and you will make life long friends.
It also gives you a chance to explore many career fields. This is extremely important before you sign into any military service.
All marines are riflemen, so any marksmanship training you can do will do you well, so if you do not have those skills now, ask someone responsible, to teach you about gun safety and take you shooting.
Mud runs are fun, try those.
Marines live a very polished, well ironed & groomed life, if that is your natural lifestyle, you will fit in nicely.
The military philosophy, in general, in boot camp, is to bring everyone's ego down, and bring their physical fitness gradually up to standards, and to follow orders immediately without fail. As long as you understand that, and that it is not personal, it will be much easier, and even fun at times.