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OfflineIslandShroomer
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My Best Friend Is Joining the Marines
    #7845060 - 01/07/08 06:51 PM (16 years, 25 days ago)

My best friend is joining the Marines . . . and i honestly don't think it is the right thing for him. He certainly could use the discipline and focus the Marines would teach him, but he is really young, only 17. I've tried to convince him that maybe he needs to think this through more, realize the severity of this decision. He has had problems in school, but he told me he will graduate from his HS this spring on time.

One problem is his parents. They really let him do whatever he pleases, and though at times they try to bring him in a bit and guide him, they struggle. He has no contact with his dad, who left his mother before he was born, and his mom is 35, relatively young . . . and growing up i think without that father figure didn't do a whole lot of good to him. I think this combined with his trouble in school has lead him to his decision about the marines.

Anyway, It's not that I'm against the Marines. I'm just kind of in shock. I would just like to think of some good counterpoints to the Marines, besides the obvious like the strong possibility of going to Iraq.


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OfflineChubba
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Re: My Best Friend Is Joining the Marines [Re: IslandShroomer]
    #7845075 - 01/07/08 06:55 PM (16 years, 25 days ago)

If you go into any defence force, you got to get something out of it.

I'm not TOO familar with US military, but isn't the marines similar to cannon fodder?

Tell him to go into the regular army and do signals/IT or something so at least when his period is up he's got skills when he comes out at 22yo's.


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OfflineIslandShroomer
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Re: My Best Friend Is Joining the Marines [Re: Chubba]
    #7845084 - 01/07/08 06:58 PM (16 years, 25 days ago)

He plans on doing Communications . . . so he will be in Iraq, but i Don't think front lines.

However, he also is saying this cause he plans on doing well on his ASVAB.

For the record, though he is my best friend, he simply just isn't that sharp. So that kind of makes me think he wont be doing communications . . .


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Invisibledownforpot
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Re: My Best Friend Is Joining the Marines [Re: IslandShroomer]
    #7845096 - 01/07/08 07:01 PM (16 years, 25 days ago)

Convince him to join the Army. Much better equipment. More funding, I think.


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Invisibledemiu5
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Re: My Best Friend Is Joining the Marines [Re: Chubba]
    #7845143 - 01/07/08 07:09 PM (16 years, 25 days ago)

Quote:

Chubba said:
I'm not TOO familar with US military, but isn't the marines similar to cannon fodder?





i'm not too sure what you mean by this, but the marines are usually the ones that don't die. usually, the marines are at the top of the game as far as intelligence, ability, etc.

now, there are exceptions, but your standard infantry marine is going to be much more skilled than a lot of people in the army.

army people are the ones they throw on the front to die first. check out the history of the marines in various battles



OP: it's not your place to say what is 'right' or 'wrong' for anyone for yourself. my brother chose to join up a few years back, currently serving his first tour in Iraq. yea, it sucks, but that was his choice and i've got to support that even if i don't like it or agree with it.

you said yourself he needs discipline and focus. well, if he can make it through "boot camp" without getting the shit kicked out of him for being/acting like he currently does, then he'll gain that.


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OfflineIslandShroomer
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Re: My Best Friend Is Joining the Marines [Re: demiu5]
    #7845158 - 01/07/08 07:12 PM (16 years, 25 days ago)

I'm not saying it is the wrong choice. There are aspects that will be/ could be very beneficial to him. All i am saying is that there are other options, and some of which may be better for him . . . and that is for him to decide - i just want to present some other options.


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OfflineChubba
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Re: My Best Friend Is Joining the Marines [Re: demiu5]
    #7845163 - 01/07/08 07:13 PM (16 years, 25 days ago)

Quote:

i'm not too sure what you mean by this



I meant that aren't marines pretty much infantry?

My cousin was highly trained in the Australian SAS, but despite his 7 years of service, when he got out the best jobs he could get was as a bricky labourer for $19/hr.

If you go into the military, at least do a skill that applies to the outside... if you do any combat roles you're going to come out unskilled and have no future.


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InvisibleLeftyBurnz
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Re: My Best Friend Is Joining the Marines [Re: IslandShroomer]
    #7845170 - 01/07/08 07:15 PM (16 years, 25 days ago)

only he can decide. tell him how you feel, and support him no matter what he does. thats it.


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Offlinerobbyberto
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Re: My Best Friend Is Joining the Marines [Re: IslandShroomer]
    #7845185 - 01/07/08 07:18 PM (16 years, 25 days ago)

Quote:

IslandShroomer said:
My best friend is joining the Marines . . . and i honestly don't think it is the right thing for him. He certainly could use the discipline and focus the Marines would teach him, but he is really young, only 17. I've tried to convince him that maybe he needs to think this through more, realize the severity of this decision. He has had problems in school, but he told me he will graduate from his HS this spring on time.

One problem is his parents. They really let him do whatever he pleases, and though at times they try to bring him in a bit and guide him, they struggle. He has no contact with his dad, who left his mother before he was born, and his mom is 35, relatively young . . . and growing up i think without that father figure didn't do a whole lot of good to him. I think this combined with his trouble in school has lead him to his decision about the marines.

Anyway, It's not that I'm against the Marines. I'm just kind of in shock. I would just like to think of some good counterpoints to the Marines, besides the obvious like the strong possibility of going to Iraq.



Is he going to attend college and get the Marines to fund his tuition? Honestly, if you aren't well off and need to pay for university, joining the armed services is a very viable option. Also, our military is rather safe in Iraq. A lot safer than one would think, so I wouldn't be too worried about him if he gets deployed.


--------------------
“People say having kids is life changing, well that doesn’t necessarily mean a good thing, does it? I could take one of my legs off. That would change my life.” -Karl Pilkington



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Invisibledemiu5
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Re: My Best Friend Is Joining the Marines [Re: Chubba]
    #7845194 - 01/07/08 07:20 PM (16 years, 25 days ago)

Quote:

Chubba said:
Quote:

i'm not too sure what you mean by this



I meant that aren't marines pretty much infantry?

My cousin was highly trained in the Australian SAS, but despite his 7 years of service, when he got out the best jobs he could get was as a bricky labourer for $19/hr.

If you go into the military, at least do a skill that applies to the outside... if you do any combat roles you're going to come out unskilled and have no future.




ummmmm, no. only the infantry in the marines are infantry. marines do pretty much everything that all other branches do, with a much much smaller budget and little recognition

also, if you go into the military and don't have a degree already, the GI bill pays for schooling afterwards (or before/during if you do reserves), and is also willing to pay for higher education such as a masters or doctorate


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OfflineIslandShroomer
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Re: My Best Friend Is Joining the Marines [Re: demiu5]
    #7845286 - 01/07/08 07:39 PM (16 years, 25 days ago)

Yeah, he plans on going to school afterward, but funding isn't a huge problem, his mom and stepdad could afford it, though it will be somewhat difficult as he has two rather young brothers, 3 years old and about 4 months old.


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OfflineToxicManM
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Re: My Best Friend Is Joining the Marines [Re: demiu5]
    #7845466 - 01/07/08 08:20 PM (16 years, 25 days ago)

Quote:

only the infantry in the marines are infantry.



Actually, all Marines are considered to be Basic Riflemen first, and whatever else they might do on top of that (I did 6 years in the Marines). Regardless of your MOS you can end up doing patrols and similar duty.

The actual odds of your friend coming back without being shot or blown up are pretty good. No sane person really wants to go into a combat situation, though.

Tell your friend to make sure that *anything* the recruiter promises is in writing - if it isn't in writing in the actual contract, then it's a bunch of bullshit. I saw a lot of guys learn that lesson the hard way.

Good luck to your friend.


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Invisibledemiu5
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Re: My Best Friend Is Joining the Marines [Re: ToxicMan]
    #7845532 - 01/07/08 08:33 PM (16 years, 25 days ago)

well, true, they are all trained as infantry no matter where you start or end up, even those who go straight to OCS


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OfflineIslandShroomer
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Re: My Best Friend Is Joining the Marines [Re: demiu5]
    #7846099 - 01/07/08 10:12 PM (16 years, 25 days ago)

Toxic, thanks for that insight, thats something that i could very easily seeing him overlook.


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Offlinerobbyberto
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Re: My Best Friend Is Joining the Marines [Re: IslandShroomer]
    #7846112 - 01/07/08 10:15 PM (16 years, 25 days ago)

He has to get parental permission (right?), so hopefully they will be a little bit more diligent when reading things over. Maybe they won't even let him join.


--------------------
“People say having kids is life changing, well that doesn’t necessarily mean a good thing, does it? I could take one of my legs off. That would change my life.” -Karl Pilkington



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OfflineIslandShroomer
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Re: My Best Friend Is Joining the Marines [Re: robbyberto]
    #7846168 - 01/07/08 10:26 PM (16 years, 25 days ago)

He may have already signed, without parental permission . . . i dont know if they can, but i have had a family friend in a similar situation who ended up opting out prior to his 18th birthday. Perhaps he had a parental permission? Him, a couple other close friends, and I are gonna get together and talk about it. Im pretty sure he is set on it, having just talked to him. He sounds pretty excited - which is good, for him. I just worry, thats all.


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Offlinepsychejam
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Re: My Best Friend Is Joining the Marines [Re: IslandShroomer]
    #7846483 - 01/07/08 11:34 PM (16 years, 25 days ago)

I have always held the belief that the marines were the "best of the best". The elite soldiers, highly trained and much more capable than the regular military. Hmmm, it kind of makes me question that when I hear people say that the marines are "cannon fodder" and of lower ability than US Army infantry. Can someone please clarify?

Maybe I'm just getting the marines mixed up with the Navy SEALS or some shit...


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InvisibleCrasher
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Re: My Best Friend Is Joining the Marines [Re: psychejam]
    #7846611 - 01/08/08 12:32 AM (16 years, 24 days ago)

Marines have infantry, the army has infantry. Infantry is Infantry.

Every branch has its special ops:
Navy Seals
Marine Recon
Army SF
Army Delta
Army Rangers
Air Force CCT/TACP

Everything is so combined over there that it stops making a difference.

Marine expeditionary forces establish a position, then the army hold it. The MEF is the cannon fodder. Skills are all debatable.


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OfflineSyle
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Re: My Best Friend Is Joining the Marines [Re: IslandShroomer]
    #7846643 - 01/08/08 12:54 AM (16 years, 24 days ago)

Quote:

IslandShroomer said:
My best friend is joining the Marines . . . and i honestly don't think it is the right thing for him. He certainly could use the discipline and focus the Marines would teach him, but he is really young, only 17. I've tried to convince him that maybe he needs to think this through more, realize the severity of this decision. He has had problems in school, but he told me he will graduate from his HS this spring on time.

One problem is his parents. They really let him do whatever he pleases, and though at times they try to bring him in a bit and guide him, they struggle. He has no contact with his dad, who left his mother before he was born, and his mom is 35, relatively young . . . and growing up i think without that father figure didn't do a whole lot of good to him. I think this combined with his trouble in school has lead him to his decision about the marines.

Anyway, It's not that I'm against the Marines. I'm just kind of in shock. I would just like to think of some good counterpoints to the Marines, besides the obvious like the strong possibility of going to Iraq.




if it makes you feel any better, my good friend has been in the marines for 5 years now, and has yet to be sent over. and he is a badass. i think he is in the artillery division or whatever, so maybe that type of combat unit just isn't needed, i dunno, but not every single person in the military goes over there yah know  :wink:


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