Thread: The Marines

Originally Posted by Pitboss

I wanted Hawaii soooooooo bad.. or at least the air wing!!!!

Mostly Camp Pendelton, and the year in Okinawa.

I did Okinawa for 6 mos as well as Iwakuni. Great times! Awesome experience!!

Originally Posted by FranktheTank

This may sound pretty damn dumb, but haven't you guys always wanted to do something ''important'' with your life? I know, doctors, officers, etc are all important and everything and would be a much safer alternative, but I've always seen the military as a place to accomplish this....maybe I've just been sucked in by govt. propaganda to serve or maybe not, but I know I'll never be a doc and I know I don't want to be some cop giving tickets to people for speeding I want something more important and meaningful.

I've considered other possibilities such as the Airforce, but my eyesight isn't the best, so I think that is out of the question.

I don't consider having the government own my ass as something important. Do you think attacking/invading other people's countries is important? What are you trying to accomplish for yourself by joining the military? I mean, yes, protecting the country is a noble thing to do - you are putting your life on the line. However, it seems like America hasn't done so much protecting of its own as much as getting involved in other countries problems. I would be an asshole if my idea of the U.S. army was that they are a load of shit. They are the ones who are protecting me from enemies. BUT we wouldn't need to protect our country as much if we didn't get trapped in this spider web of foreign relationships. Why didn't the leaders of America listen to George Washington?!?!? So I'm not so much against the troops but the heads of government who are telling them what to do - which brings me back to my point, are you sure you want to be a part of it?

Originally Posted by fufu

I don't consider having the government own my ass as something important. Do you think attacking/invading other people's countries is important? What are you trying to accomplish for yourself by joining the military? I mean, yes, protecting the country is a noble thing to do - you are putting your life on the line. However, it seems like America hasn't done so much protecting of its own as much as getting involved in other countries problems. I would be an asshole if my idea of the U.S. army was that they are a load of shit. They are the ones who are protecting me from enemies. BUT we wouldn't need to protect our country as much if we didn't get trapped in this spider web of foreign relationships. Why didn't the leaders of America listen to George Washington?!?!? So I'm not so much against the troops but the heads of government who are telling them what to do - which brings me back to my point, are you sure you want to be a part of it?

I'm curious........ How is it you are such an authority on the military and the institution which it stands for?

USMC 1984-1990. 2nd MArine Air Wing, 2nd MAGTAF, deployed on the USS Trenton to the persian gulf. Stationed out of New River Air Station, Jacksonville N.C.

So to clear a few misconceptions up here I wasn't in it for 20+ years only for eight. Four of which was supposed to be inactive duty until the war broke out in th eGulf.

I joined the Corps right out of high school because I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life. My dad was a teacher and my mom was a jewler. They didn't have money to send me to college so I opted to join the Armed Forces to get money for college. It never even crossed my mind that I might end up in a combat zone. When the time came however I accepted it and performed at the level that was expected of me.

When I got out my college was paid for by the government. To answer the questions of many concerning the quality of life I would only say that I am not rich, however I make a very comfortable living, and I only have to work nine months a year. I have every holiday and three months a year off in the summer. I own a 22 ft ski boat, a trailer, two four wheel drive vehicles, two four wheelers, and I live in a 4500 squar foot home that is only 6years old!

Life after the military is what you make out of it. Use your experience in the service to learn what you want to do in this life and then persue it.

By the way the only reason I joined the Corps is because the other services uniforms were butt ugly. However, I soon learned that I made the best choice and became part of the finest fighting force on the face of this planet!

Ooooooooooooooooo Rahhhhhhhhhhhh!

Semper Fi
God Speed in your decision.

Coast Guard is the best, advancement is awesome. You don't have to live in a barracks. I made E-6 in 4yrs, you can't do that in Marines. I'm a watchstander and only work about 90hrs a month. I was on 2ships and saw 17 different countries in 3yrs. I'm still in, i also am on the list for OCS and I know I'll get it. 5yrs total and I'll be an O-1 and didn't have to spend my time at the Academy. I've never had to worry about getting sent to Iraq either, we only have 2,000 ppl there and it's all vollunteer.

What does one get paid in the CG?

THe branch of military is irrellevent when it comes to pay. and e-6 gets paid the same whether he is toting an m-60 or sitting in a light house off the coast of Cape Cod. I considered the Coast Guard, fact is I was accepted into the accadamy out of High school. They just never appealed to me as a faction of our armed forces. They do great things with search and rescue and drug enforcement though.

Originally Posted by joesmooth20

I made E-6 in 4yrs, you can't do that in Marines...

Oh, I'm afraid you are sadly mistaken here my friend.

Originally Posted by Witmaster

Oh, I'm afraid you are sadly mistaken here my friend.

Originally Posted by devildog88

THe branch of military is irrellevent when it comes to pay. and e-6 gets paid the same whether he is toting an m-60 or sitting in a light house off the coast of Cape Cod.

Yeah, but the Coast Guard isn't a branch of the military. They fall under the Department of Transportation.

Originally Posted by DOMS

Oh I don't mean to sound so ominous

I made E-6 in just over 5 years. One of my buddies did it in under 4. He was meritoriously promoted for outstanding performance in the Drill Field.

Now there are restrictions as far as minimum time in grade and time in service for promotion but to say that it "cannot be done" is a misrepresentation of the truth.

Originally Posted by Witmaster

Oh I don't mean to sound so ominous

It's not that you sounded ominous. It's just...well...read on.

Originally Posted by Witmaster

Oh, I'm afraid you are sadly mistaken here my friend.

Originally Posted by The Emporer

Oh no, my young Jedi. You will find that it is you who are mistaken, about a great many things.

Originally Posted by ALBOB

Yeah, but the Coast Guard isn't a branch of the military. They fall under the Department of Transportation.

Ahhh, but isn't their rank structure the same as all other branches of service?

Originally Posted by DOMS

It's not that you sounded ominous. It's just...well...read on.

Originally Posted by DOMS

"This is a replica of my newest plan. The dildo deathstar, Mwahuahahahwahaha!!!!"

Originally Posted by BigDyl

"This is a replica of my newest plan. The dildo deathstar, Mwahuahahahwahaha!!!!"

Is it called the dildo deathstar because the creator is, in fact, a dildo?

the coast gaurd is a branch of the Military, it is under the Department of Homeland Security not the DOD. The paygrade/rank structure, rules, benefits are the same. We have all the same options as other branches, I work hand in hand with the Marines and the quality of life seems very shitty to me. You have to earn liberty and crap like that. Coast Guard is more like a job not your entire life. More rewarding, I'm a search and resuce controller and have a real mission everyday not just during conflicts. I also have time to go to college and work a 2nd job, can you do that in the corps? I've never known anyone who can. I have 1 friend that is a Marine, I always have a really hott woman in my life, he on the other hand gets no ass because he's a marine and where they have Marine bases all the chicks hate them, or they want to get married right away so they don't have to have a job and they know you'll never be home. I'm not trying to bash on anyone for making the choice, i'm just trying to provide insite into what their lives are like. There are definately better choices.

Originally Posted by joesmooth20

the coast gaurd is a branch of the Military, it is under the Department of Homeland Security not the DOD. The paygrade/rank structure, rules, benefits are the same. We have all the same options as other branches, I work hand in hand with the Marines and the quality of life seems very shitty to me. You have to earn liberty and crap like that. Coast Guard is more like a job not your entire life. More rewarding, I'm a search and resuce controller and have a real mission everyday not just during conflicts. I also have time to go to college and work a 2nd job, can you do that in the corps? I've never known anyone who can. I have 1 friend that is a Marine, I always have a really hott woman in my life, he on the other hand gets no ass because he's a marine and where they have Marine bases all the chicks hate them, or they want to get married right away so they don't have to have a job and they know you'll never be home. I'm not trying to bash on anyone for making the choice, i'm just trying to provide insite into what their lives are like. There are definately better choices.

I disagree with you on this one. To say their quality of life is shitty is a blanket statement. I went to work at 4:00 in the afternoon, was given an hour and a half to lift and 3o minutes to eat and usually was still home by 10:00 every night. I worked in a climate controlled enviornment because of the avionics I worked on. Simply put air condidtioned in the summer and heated in the winter. My life was way good! as far as the women are concerned, yes there is always a stereotype, but that is more about what kind of man you are, not what you do for a living.

Originally Posted by joesmooth20

the coast gaurd is a branch of the Military, it is under the Department of Homeland Security not the DOD. The paygrade/rank structure, rules, benefits are the same. We have all the same options as other branches, I work hand in hand with the Marines and the quality of life seems very shitty to me. You have to earn liberty and crap like that. Coast Guard is more like a job not your entire life. More rewarding, I'm a search and resuce controller and have a real mission everyday not just during conflicts. I also have time to go to college and work a 2nd job, can you do that in the corps? I've never known anyone who can. I have 1 friend that is a Marine, I always have a really hott woman in my life, he on the other hand gets no ass because he's a marine and where they have Marine bases all the chicks hate them, or they want to get married right away so they don't have to have a job and they know you'll never be home. I'm not trying to bash on anyone for making the choice, i'm just trying to provide insite into what their lives are like. There are definately better choices.

I'm not sure if your first sentence was supposed to say "is" or "is not" a branch of the military. You said it yourself, they're not in the DoD so, by definition, they're NOT part of the military.

Never having dealt with the CG in any way, please don't take it like I'm disrespecting that service. Just pointing out a matter of structure.

First thing you need to do is finish your college degree. Get your BA or BS in something. If you do decide to join a branch then I would only suggest going OCS do not go enlisted. I was in the Navy and know several people who are Marines and Army. I don't know anyone in the Air Force so I can't speak for them. The Marine life is not too bad if you are an officer. However, all of the ones I know are fighter pilots and they are treated pretty well. Do you have any chance of getting a flight school? The Navy life is great while you are in port. However, the sea time can get a bit old.

Any Army or Air Force guys out there have any input?

Originally Posted by Witmaster

I'm curious........ How is it you are such an authority on the military and the institution which it stands for?

I'm not. I never said I was? "The institution of which is stands for" is obviously to protect (and sometimes "protect") the country.

speaking of OCS...

i am again very seriously considering this.

What are the benefits as opposed to just joining?

go serve, it was the best 4 years of my life, nothing is as challenging, life is boring after you get out though, i would do it all over again no prob

Originally Posted by fufu

I'm not. I never said I was? "The institution of which is stands for" is obviously to protect (and sometimes "protect") the country.

Ahhhh ok. It just seemed you were lumping your view of the military into your (obviously) objectional views on the president and the current administration. That's pretty common these days. There's a whole lot of short-sighted people runing around that really have no idea what the military is about or what it stands for.

Originally Posted by Flex

speaking of OCS...

i am again very seriously considering this.

What are the benefits as opposed to just joining?

Same difference as in any civilian company; it's the difference between being labor and being management.

Originally Posted by Witmaster

There's a whole lot of short-sighted people runing around that really have no idea what the military is about or what it stands for.

They're called "Democrats."

Originally Posted by DOMS

They're called "Democrats."

Ok, as funny as that is, the sad part is that's it's not entirely split down party lines. There's more than enough Republicans who are just as guilty. Even John "War Hero" McCain seems to be doing his best to destroy the morale in our forces by being a dumbshit.

Originally Posted by Witmaster

Ahhhh ok. It just seemed you were lumping your view of the military into your (obviously) objectional views on the president and the current administration. That's pretty common these days. There's a whole lot of short-sighted people runing around that really have no idea what the military is about or what it stands for.

Me biased, you biased.