How would I become a Marine? - Cycle Forums: Motorcycle and Sportbikes Forum

Nick Name · 02-29-2004, 10:22 PM

This is kind of out of the blue. I like my job. But, the more I think of it. I'm in a lackluster trade stuck on a boat for months. And while I know it won't be so bad. I do know I could be doing more. All my instructors and buddies at basic all said the same thing, "You're a hell of a soldier. Why aren't you in the infantry??"

And I've been thinking about it alot latelty. But, I'll be honest. Our equipment blows. And we have no money. Our military is practically bankrupt.

So, what would be involved?

fatbuckRTO · 02-29-2004, 10:32 PM

stupid question time. You talking about the US Marines? I have about as much knowledge of Canadian military services as I have of Canadian executive branches, i.e. I don't even know if Canada has a Marine Corps.

Anyway, if you're talkin' US Marines, a good first step is to hit www.marines.com . I know there are non-US citizens serving in the Corps (from the Philipines and Mexico), but I don't know about Canadians in particular.

kraken · 02-29-2004, 10:36 PM

Hell, I dunno. Ask a recruiter. I have to put a plug in for my branch though. Consider the Army. The Marines would'nt take me because I was home schooled, so I went to the Army recruiter. Two weeks later, I'm on a bus to basic. The Army is also the largest branch, so we have the biggest budget. Also, you choose your job instead of the open-ended contract the Marines get. Plus, the Army is the most divese branch IMO. You can be anything from a clerck at S-1, to freakin' Airborne Ranger Special Forces Scuba Halo Pathfinder Jumpmaster Air Assault Super Soldier.

Nick Name · 02-29-2004, 10:38 PM

Ya, I mean the Us marines.. It's just a thought mind you. I'm nowhere near at the stage to leave my job.. Would just be something worth considering.

Destitute · 02-29-2004, 10:45 PM

From www.marines.com: (I assume you graduated highschool)

If you are a United States citizen or Resident Alien and meet other eligibility requirements, you can join the Marines. Contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or consulate for more information.

fatbuckRTO · 02-29-2004, 10:53 PM

the marines.com site will let you contact a recruiter, or 1-800-MARINES by phone. A recruiter would be able to give you more details about the...details...of enlisting before or without becoming a US citizen (watch out though, Marine Corps recruiters are a sly and wily bunch, watch them like hawks

).

That said, being Marine infantry gives you a very good chance of getting stuck on a boat for months, in a lackluster trade (dumping trash, cleaning the head, etc.). If you want to avoid boats entirely, you might look at the Army, but really they bite pillows.

If you've got a high tolerance for suck and some serious fire in your belly, take a look at Marine Recon or the newly commissioned MARSOCDET (Special Operations Command Detachment). They get all the chicks...

EDIT: please don't hurt me Kraken

EDIT NO. 2: www.usmc.mil will give you more info on the Corps in general, but it's not a recruiting page. You can check out different units and bases, etc. on this site.

Papa_Complex · 03-01-2004, 04:06 AM

Well first you decide that you don't want to live in the greatest country on Earth, then........

excessa · 03-01-2004, 06:03 AM

Marines

JasonsTiller · 03-01-2004, 07:08 AM

im pretty sure that to be a marine you just have to be able to breathe

runninhorn · 03-01-2004, 07:48 AM

um, go enlist

marines.com

Citadel650 · 03-01-2004, 07:53 AM

Quote:

runninhorn said:
um, go enlist

marines.com

did you not read the thread??? He is Canadian.

Perhaps you could pull up a nifty little picture for yourself.

karl_996 · 03-01-2004, 08:07 AM

they will take a non american in the US forces(don't know about the marines specifically though).

I have considered it, but I also heard that they will not make you a citizen afterwards. Why fight for a country that will not want you after?

fatbuckRTO · 03-01-2004, 09:50 AM

'Cause what other country is gonna let you blow as much shit up?

I say c'mon over, Nick Name, if we're not blowin' shit up when you get here, give us five or ten minutes...

Leecifer · 03-01-2004, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by kraken
Hell, I dunno. Ask a recruiter. I have to put a plug in for my branch though. Consider the Army. The Marines would'nt take me because I was home schooled, so I went to the Army recruiter. Two weeks later, I'm on a bus to basic. The Army is also the largest branch, so we have the biggest budget. Also, you choose your job instead of the open-ended contract the Marines get. Plus, the Army is the most divese branch IMO. You can be anything from a clerck at S-1, to freakin' Airborne Ranger Special Forces Scuba Halo Pathfinder Jumpmaster Air Assault Super Soldier.

UUuhhhhh....no.

1) Largest branch, biggest budget? The Marine Corps does not have an official DoD "budget." We fall under the Department of the Navy, and their gigantic budget has a little bitty spot in it for us. Look at the dollar per "soldier" ratio, that will truly show you budgets. Yes, the MC is allocated less money than any of the other services, they're also smaller, WAY smaller. That's part of being in the Corps...do more with less.

2) 99.999% of the time, Army and MC contracts work the same way. You get to select what you would like to do as an occupation, and if they have boat spaces (availability), you can get in...if you qualify. The fine print that most folks don't read (both services), says that "such and such is your job, as long as it meets the service's needs." Meaning, if they need you somewhere else, in some other job, you're going. There are exceptions to this, but for the average guy, this is how it works.

3) Most diverse? He wants to be a grunt. Besides, one of the only primary jobs the MC doesn't have is medical, for which we use the Navy. Hey, they're good for something! (that and boat rides)

Basically Nick Name, what it comes down to....is which team would you rather play for? A mediocre team, which anybody and their mother can join, or the baddest team in the leaque, the team that sets the standards that the others try and follow? The Marine Corps is not an easy life, there are extremely high standards that you are expected to follow. The pay is the same in every branch of service, and don't let anybody tell you otherwise.

And to clarify...I'm talking about your everyday Soldiers and Marines. Please don't jump in here Kraken and start talking special forces, that's a WHOLE other can of beans, another world if you will.

Nick Name, I would recommend visiting both an Army Camp, and a Marine Corps base. Spend the day walking around, and watch how everyone operates. I have a feeling that this alone will make your decision for you.

Either way, fuggin do it bro! And thank you for wanting to serve this awesome country!

PS....you'll still get stuck on boats..

fatbuckRTO · 03-01-2004, 10:21 AM

YYUUUUTTT!!!! YUT YUT YUT YUT YUT YUT YUT BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK KIIIIILLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!

hoooooo...I'm spent. Yut.

Lil Bit · 03-01-2004, 10:22 AM

Quote:

f3rdr said:
Nick Name, I would recommend visiting both an Army Camp, and a Marine Corps base. Spend the day walking around, and watch how everyone operates. I have a feeling that this alone will make your decision for you.

He can't do that. At least not an Army base, after 9/11: no military, dependant or government ID card...no access. I don't know about the Marines though.

Leecifer · 03-01-2004, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lil Bit
He can't do that. At least not an Army base, after 9/11: no military, dependant or government ID card...no access. I don't know about the Marines though.

Sure he can....as a member of an allied military...I think

OR...if he knows someone in the branch, he can be a visitor. Or if he wants to visit Quantico, just say he lives in Q-town, or is visiting someone there.

Nick Name · 03-01-2004, 10:39 AM

Don't get me wrong guys. I love my country.

And this isn't even a possibility right now. But, when my contract is up in 3 years. Who knows what I will want to do.

The info I was basically looking for was, would i have to become an american citizen? What channels would i have to go through?

I have a buddy in the Marines now. But, it would be cool if you guys could post up any information you know..

Again... I say, this is just a possibility for the future. I don't know what I want to do yet. With the discipline I've learned here, I may very well head back to school when I'm out. It's hard to say at this time.

Leecifer · 03-01-2004, 10:44 AM

Cool man. Check out www.usmc.mil for more info. Or try www.manpower.usmc.mil for some MOS info. Or, as said before, hit up www.marines.com. Good luck man!

(btw..you don't have to be a US Citizen. I think US residency may be required though. Only problem would be getting a clearance, which may not matter depending on your job.)

Destitute · 03-01-2004, 10:49 AM

Show them your ass damage from your crash, and blame it on your time in the Navy. Maybe they'll take pity on you.