MARINES......

[stkr00]

I need some help from the Marines on the board

My daughter's loser boyfriend, and the father of her soon-to-be child

, is looking at joining either the Marines or the Army. Personally, I would rather him join the Marines, but it's his choice.

He'll be 18 in a week and he has pretty much pissed his life away. Had some trouble with the law...not too bad...but still pending. He ran away from home at 16, and although he is back, he hasn't done much towards finishing high school, so he won't have a GED or a diploma. His family is basically pure white trash...trust me, and he has finally gotten away from them. As much as I hate it...he is currently living in my house. It's either that, or I'm afraid my daughter would try to run away with him to try and raise their child.

Yes...I am losing my fuggin mind

Questions:<ul>
[*]What are his chances of being able to actually get into the Marines?
[*]He hasn't taken the ASVAB yet, but what scores do you need to get in?
[*]If I go talk to the recruiter, what types of things should I focus on?
[*]What are some MOS's that he would possibly be suited for?
[*]Anything to try and avoid?
[/list]

I spent 12 years on active duty in the Navy, and 2 years in the reserves, so I'm familiar with the military, but just not the Marines other than what I learned from the Cadres during my two weeks of ASF training.

When I went in, I had an 87 on the ASVAB, and entered the Nuclear Power program. When I went into the USNR, I had to retake the ASVAB due to broken service and scored a 96, so you can see where my frustration comes from trying to see where he might fit in with the military.

Thanks for your help Marines

 

[Cecil_Stringer]

Questions:<ul>
[*]What are his chances of being able to actually get into the Marines?
[*]He hasn't taken the ASVAB yet, but what scores do you need to get in?
[*]If I go talk to the recruiter, what types of things should I focus on?
[*]What are some MOS's that he would possibly be suited for?
[*]Anything to try and avoid?
[/list]

I am not, nor was I ever, a recruiter.... whom would undoubtedly be the best resource to tap.... but here is my 2 cents:

The Marine Corps has the highest minimum standards to enter.

With that being said... it sounds like he could still make it in if he puts his mind to it.
With a GED I believe you also need some minimal amount of College credits.... 15 I think.

The ASVAB, like the GED, can be passed adequently enough to get his foot in the door so to speak... he will likely just need to apply himself.

As far as talking to a recruiter... that will likely have most if not all of the answers for you.

0300 - Infantry.... there is no substitute.

Trouble.... keep his butt busy and out of trouble... many of us came from less than ideal situations prior to the Corps... the Corps is suited for young, wild ones... he will be fine.... just get him in.

And once he is in.... SUPPORT him!
He will be scared, home-sick and have a million thoughts running through his head.
He will need to know you and your daughter are there for him and that you are proud of him (and he should be proud of hoimself as well).
The last thing you want is for his to go AWOL and move back into your home as a deserter (just ask me about my freakin brother-in-law....).

Semper Fi Brother!

Hope your situation turns out to be a positive one... the guy may just need some encouragement and someone to believe in him... eventually, he will learn to believe in himself.



<!--EDIT|Cecil_Stringer
Reason for Edit: None given...|1132065224 -->

 

[Gunnybusa]

STKR does HE want to enlist? If so I have a former recruiter working for me so you can ping him with your Q's.

Robb

 

[Devil Dog]

My best friend is currently a recruiter in TX......I can hit em' up with the Q's.

I will say, the Corps has raise the bar....last I heard, they were not accepting GEDs....I think that could be bullcrap. Timing is everything. See a hard-up recruiter at the end of the month....and its funny how things get waived. I'll call my buddy in TX with the Q's in a little bit.

 

[stkr00]

He was the one that had the info sent to the house, and is "thinking" about joining since he doesn't have many other options.

I told him that it was HIS decision, but that I would go with him to talk to the recruiter and help him through the process. I told him that his biggest hurdle was going to be the lack of a diploma/GED, but that if it were possible to get in, then he would be fine.

I think that if he could get in, then it would help him to be a better man while learning discipline, responsibilty, and respect. He's got the potential, but he just needs to be able to gain some confidence in himself and see what he can truely accomplish when given the chance. Right now, Burger King just isn't going to do it.

Thanks for the info...keep it comin

 

[vincent]

I have 3 prior recruiters that work with me. The GED is still accepted. Minimum passing score to enter the Marine Corps on the ASVAB is a 35. We have the lowest minimum there. College credits will allow a waiver for GED but he will be required to get either diploma or GED on his first enlistment if he decides that he wants to stay in.
Be honest with the recruiters, and hit them up towards the last half of the month when they are scrambling for numbers, they will go out of their way to get everything legal and good for the kid.
As far as MOS, 03 is a great one to have. Especially right now but there are some that just aren't cut out for it. Figure out what he is good and and may give him a life/career afterwards. This should be different for all people.
Avoid: undue pressure for now. Guide and allow him to set priorities to get life back on track. Growing up a doo doo face does not mean that he will be one forever, some of us do change. If and when he gets to boot, send mail to him regularly. Having someone aside from your daughter do this will make it easier for him, plus you can have fun with it. Send some AF recruiting material to him just for fun.

 

[Gunnybusa]

A GED will make it alot easier to get in, if not he needs to try and get in Feb - Apr time frames, Dec is also a good time to try.

 

[nitrousjunkie]

I got in with a GED,He needs to get that first, then timing like devildog said is everything,have him study for the asvab,there are study guides in the library,even though he'll be a GED'er.doesnt mean he'll be an 0300. just depends on his QT score,I scored well enough to qualify for everything BUT Advanced Nuclear,and Advanced Electronics,I still went 0300! If he can get with a good unit,keep his nose clean,you can make rank with a little luck.The saying that the Marines will take anybody is bullshit.Its very hard to get in the Corps,I wanted it so bad that I went into the Reserves to begin with, drilled with a tank Battalion for about 4 months, then augmented over to full time Corps.If he's had any brushes with the law,It will make things harder but not impossible,it will take a motivated recruiter to help him,let me know if you need ay more info,NJ.

 

[vincent]

oh, and tattoos. Thats a big thing right now too

 

[Gunnybusa]

oh, and tattoos.  Thats a big thing right now too

Just keep them off the hands , neck and head.

 

[Nijinsky3]

one word....

<span style='font-size:17pt;line-height:100%'>INFANTRY!</span>

No matter what branch he joins, his irresponsibility will NOT be tolerated! But I would pray for the Marines. They will make a man out of him or kill him in the process!

Good for you for trying to do the right thing for your daughter eventhough she is addicted to a worthless punk! Just be prepared, the day may come when you have to cut her lose so she will learn the hard way. I hope it doesn't come to that, but just be ready. Sometimes that is the best thing you can do if they continue to be self destructive. Hopefully they will both get their lives straightened out and headed in a new direction. This might jsut be what they both need to do that!

Good luck! I feel for ya!



<!--EDIT|Nijinsky3
Reason for Edit: None given...|1132094547 -->

 

[booties_1]

When I went through the career planners course, I remember talking about GEDs. They will let him in with a GED, but if he decides to re-enlist, then he needs either a diploma or a minimum amount of college credits before they will let him re-enlist.

My suggestion is to have him talk to the recruiter first. The recruiter will pre-screen him and then you will know what his chances are of getting in. If the Marine Corps won't take him, then take him to the Army recruiter.

Since you say he has a sketchy past (I did as well when I enlisted) they may want to do background checks. Again, the only way to find out is to have him go to the recruiter. If he wants a good "potential career" type MOS then I would suggest for him to go toward the more technical fields...if he can get into it...Intel is kickin ass right now.

Hope that helps.

 

[fstAZfk]

ASVAB of 35? Wow, i didnt know the numbers went that low!

74 here. But i did a lot of guessing.

Had a buddy on uss last ship who scored in the high 80's. Thats crazy!

Sign him up. It doesnt matter what branch either. He will learn the respect and self-worth in any branch, more so in the army or as a marine. But what do i know.. im just a SQUID! ( and im not talking about the dumbass rider kind )

I think all kids should be sent through a few weeks of intense basic training to learn teamwork, trust, selfworth, and respect. Damn knuckleheads!

 

[Gunnybusa]

They will let him in with a GED, but if he decides to re-enlist, then he needs either a diploma or a minimum amount of college credits before they will let him re-enlist.  

Correct.

 

[USMCBUSA]

Well I think that everyone one here has answered most of your questions but I thought I would drop a line here as well. I had some trouble with the Law when I was younger and if he is honest about it up front then if it isn't to bad they can work around that. Yes a GED will get his foot in the door and he can still get a good MOS if he scores good on the ASVAB. He seems alot like me when I was growing up because I didn't have alot of direction in my life and had no plan at all until I joined the Marines. The corps will open his eyes to the rest of the world and make a big difference in him. Just support him in all that he does and just be honest with the recruiter and he should be fine. Good luck and Semper Fi!

 

[Busa_05]

Jim,

Make sure, absolutely SURE, that he gets a 'USMC' tat on either bicep or delt: PRIOR to boot. Preferably something with a bull dog that says 'Marine.' Just do it. C'mon...what could it hurt? Think a the stories he'll come away with.

I can't answer any questions that the other guys haven't covered already. Cecil had an awesome post.

The only thing I have to say is to make sure the dumb little schmuck gets into an MOS in which he will learn skills he can apply in the civilian world when and if he gets out.

You know I'm a former grunt myself, 0311, but I just happened to go to college and get into a suitable field when I got out. If this kid isn't college bound, grunts isn't going to do a god damn thing for him when he gets out. He'll be pumping freakin' gasoline and wiping windsheilds for minimum wage.

Mechanic, heavy equipment operator, heavy equipment recovery specialist, engineers; just something that he's interested in and might be good at so when and if he gets out he can get a damn job and support his wife and family. A very good friend of mine I met when I was in college, he was regular at the bars, a "townie" we'd call 'em, had a couple felony convictions for grand theft of autos, and Paul was able to enlist with his GED. He can bear arms, of course, while in the fleet, but once discharged his felony convictions carry weight and he can no longer bear arms. Paul's been in 10 years now, just passed his meritorious staff sergeant board, and is a heavy equipment recovery instructor over in Missouri. Well, that's where he was for the last few years. He just re-upped and is now at Camp Hansen in Okinawa. Anyway, it can be done. But, Paul had a serious work ethic and the demeanor of a Marine from the time I met him. He loves the Corps and I think he'll retire from the Corps.

Anyway, give me a call if you like. I haven't talked to you for ever and a friggin' day.

J

 

[Gunnybusa]

Jim,

Make sure, absolutely SURE, that he gets a 'USMC' tat on either bicep or delt: PRIOR to boot. Preferably something with a bull dog that says 'Marine.' Just do it. C'mon...what could it hurt? Think a the stories he'll come away with.

I can't answer any questions that the other guys haven't covered already. Cecil had an awesome post.

The only thing I have to say is to make sure the dumb little schmuck gets into an MOS in which he will learn skills he can apply in the civilian world when and if he gets out.

You know I'm a former grunt myself, 0311, but I just happened to go to college and get into a suitable field when I got out. If this kid isn't college bound, grunts isn't going to do a god damn thing for him when he gets out. He'll be pumping freakin' gasoline and wiping windsheilds for minimum wage.

Mechanic, heavy equipment operator, heavy equipment recovery specialist, engineers; just something that he's interested in and might be good at so when and if he gets out he can get a damn job and support his wife and family. A very good friend of mine I met when I was in college, he was regular at the bars, a "townie" we'd call 'em, had a couple felony convictions for grand theft of autos, and Paul was able to enlist with his GED. He can bear arms, of course, while in the fleet, but once discharged his felony convictions carry weight and he can no longer bear arms. Paul's been in 10 years now, just passed his meritorious staff sergeant board, and is a heavy equipment recovery instructor over in Missouri. Well, that's where he was for the last few years. He just re-upped and is now at Camp Hansen in Okinawa. Anyway, it can be done. But, Paul had a serious work ethic and the demeanor of a Marine from the time I met him. He loves the Corps and I think he'll retire from the Corps.

Anyway, give me a call if you like. I haven't talked to you for ever and a friggin' day.

J

Another good tat is the Eagle Globe and Anchor but replace the Globe with an eightball, his hat's will love it

 

[Busa_05]

Jim,

Make sure, absolutely SURE, that he gets a 'USMC' tat on either bicep or delt: PRIOR to boot. Preferably something with a bull dog that says 'Marine.' Just do it. C'mon...what could it hurt? Think a the stories he'll come away with.

I can't answer any questions that the other guys haven't covered already. Cecil had an awesome post.

The only thing I have to say is to make sure the dumb little schmuck gets into an MOS in which he will learn skills he can apply in the civilian world when and if he gets out.

You know I'm a former grunt myself, 0311, but I just happened to go to college and get into a suitable field when I got out. If this kid isn't college bound, grunts isn't going to do a god damn thing for him when he gets out. He'll be pumping freakin' gasoline and wiping windsheilds for minimum wage.

Mechanic, heavy equipment operator, heavy equipment recovery specialist, engineers; just something that he's interested in and might be good at so when and if he gets out he can get a damn job and support his wife and family. A very good friend of mine I met when I was in college, he was regular at the bars, a "townie" we'd call 'em, had a couple felony convictions for grand theft of autos, and Paul was able to enlist with his GED. He can bear arms, of course, while in the fleet, but once discharged his felony convictions carry weight and he can no longer bear arms. Paul's been in 10 years now, just passed his meritorious staff sergeant board, and is a heavy equipment recovery instructor over in Missouri. Well, that's where he was for the last few years. He just re-upped and is now at Camp Hansen in Okinawa. Anyway, it can be done. But, Paul had a serious work ethic and the demeanor of a Marine from the time I met him. He loves the Corps and I think he'll retire from the Corps.

Anyway, give me a call if you like. I haven't talked to you for ever and a friggin' day.

J

Another good tat is the Eagle Globe and Anchor but replace the Globe with an eightball, his hat's will love it  

Boy did you get a friggin' laugh out of me when I read your post! Ha!

 

[stkr00]

Jim,

Make sure, absolutely SURE, that he gets a 'USMC' tat on either bicep or delt: PRIOR to boot. Preferably something with a bull dog that says 'Marine.' Just do it. C'mon...what could it hurt? Think a the stories he'll come away with.

You and Gunny are just trying to get him killed in boot

I could only imagine how "well" that would go over BEFORE he ever "earned" it.

 

[stkr00]

To ALL the Marines that posted:

Thanks for your help and insight. I expected nothing less from the Corps

I'll probably be calling a recruiter this week and go talk to him myself prior to bringing Nick into this. I want this to be HIS decision, but I want to be as prepared as possible to help him out and guide him if he does chose the Marines.

I may have confused some of you earlier. Srry about that...

Nick does NOT have a GED, nor does he have a diploma. He has little, if any, High School credits and seems to have no ambition to finish them. I don't think it's a lack of ambition as much as it is, the realization of the overwhealming task of trying to finish High School. I almost feel sorry for the kid, but I didn't create the situation that he's in. I'm just trying to figure out how to help him be a better person and provider for my daughter.

Thanks again for your help

If any of your recruiter friend have any more info, PM me and I'll provide an address to send stuff to.