Will leave for the U.S.M.C. in September. What things should i do to prepare for boot camp and military life?
December 21st, 2008 | by MakingMarines |
Sean W asked:
Veterans please help. Think of the best financial decisions( as well as the other types) that you wish you would have made before leaving. Buy a car? Save money? Load on Debt? Sell my car? Travel? I am totally in the dark about the next 5 years of my life and id be honored to take your advice. Thanks.
Veterans please help. Think of the best financial decisions( as well as the other types) that you wish you would have made before leaving. Buy a car? Save money? Load on Debt? Sell my car? Travel? I am totally in the dark about the next 5 years of my life and id be honored to take your advice. Thanks.
About me: Single, 21, male, have an old car, about 2k in stocks. live in los angeles ca. no installment payments. no big bills. make about 14/h. no degree but have tons of college units. signed a general enlistment contract but havent selected a mos yet. Leaving boot camp as a lance corporal. Thinking bout intelligence. i dont know if that would be best for me, job skills wise. would like to put my fair share in ground infantry but im concerned i would’nt be able to hold a job after i get out. What’s the best Mos, if i qualified for anything?
Marine Boot Camp Video
7 Responses to “Will leave for the U.S.M.C. in September. What things should i do to prepare for boot camp and military life?”
By Liberals make me laugh on Dec 22, 2008 | Reply
Just wanted to say thank you for your service!
By Amy S on Dec 22, 2008 | Reply
Well, your salary won’t be much, so I’d encourage you to sell everything you can and bank the cash. Marines are known for travelling light. Do so until you get assigned to your permanent duty station, then see what your living situation is like and then make decisions about “stuff” you might want to purchase. Get rid of all your debt, and fight the temptation to take on any debt at special “military” rates… those usually turn out to be scams and you get the shaft… with no recourse!
As for your MOS, you’d be well advised to take a career guidance course, either at a local community college or maybe online. It’ll be worth the cost to get a thorough evaluation done of your skills, interests, and abilities. At the end of that you’ll have a short list of careers that will be a good fit for you. They’ll match your skills and abilities with your aptitudes and interests and give you a few good career matches.
With that information in hand you should evaluate the different MOS’s and pick the occupational field that has the highest number of MOS’s you’re interested in. The USMC won’t guarantee you an MOS, but they will guarantee you the occupational field. Pick something that will allow you to serve at your highest potential, and that will give you some skills and/or certification for life after your enlistment is up.
If you have the chance to take a road trip, I’d do it. See some of this country that you might have not seen before.. it’ll help you remember what you’re going through boot camp for, come September! Also, you’re going to miss music and movies while you’re in boot, so if you love those, get your fill now!
By R, P, then B on Dec 23, 2008 | Reply
Good Man!
start by getting use to waking up early and hitting the ground running.
Take a back back with 35 lbs of weight in it and walk 5 to 10 miles about 3 times a week, when you get back, do 20 push ups and 50 sit ups. Do more as you feel up to it.
Get a copy of the standing orders for the Marines, learn it backwards and forwards.
Just remember, in basic, YOU WILL BE WRONG, that’s just the way it is, but it’s gonna end and you’ll be better for it once you leave.
Don’t let your mind kick your A S S, they won’t make you do anything you can’t do. That’s the biggest step.
If you have a GF, get her ready to understand that this will be your focus, if you don’t have one, don’t get one.
best of luck, it’s guys like you that give this Country hope.
By Bear on Dec 27, 2008 | Reply
Keep the car you have.You will be the envy of all after basic and while your ABC schools . Learn to live with about the same money for the short term. The biggest mistake is the new car stay away at all costs. After two years in try to go Boot Strap it’s worth it
By Marine5 on Dec 30, 2008 | Reply
Strongly suggest that you start working out “BIG TIME” !!!
Push Ups, Sit Ups, Running (3miles per day)…
Lift weights…etc…
Save your Stocks and Money…
Do not buy a new car…
Intel is a good field if you qualify…Basically the “Corps” promises you only a chance to try out for your MOS…
You only get your MOS after you Complete and Graduate
ALL the Basic Schools for that MOS !!!!
Once you become a Marine…
Stay away from the Booze ,Drugs & Broads…
Especially in J’ville, Oceanside and any Bars etc
outside any USMC or Armed Forces Bases overseas…
By all means STAY OUT OF MEXICO !!!!
Have seen many a Good Marine go bad…
also have seen many a Young Marine fall in
“Lust” and ruin his Life getting married to
those that frequent/work outside the bases…
If overseas always be aware that Females/Males
will do anything to get a Service Member to Marry
them and take them back to the USA !!!!
The Divorce rate in the Service is said to be at 80% !!!!
SEMPER FI !!!!
By John R on Jan 2, 2009 | Reply
Get into good physical shape first, especially running alot, if you get into military intelligence, that is good, it would be helpful when you get out, regardless of what MOS you do end up in, you will acquire skills that will help you to find a good job once you get out. As for your financial matters, just find a good investment agent and let them take care of it. You can either store your car until you finish boot camp or sell it and save the money towards another car, if you have time, then go on a trip with your girlfriend/wife/lover if you want, other wise spend time with your friends before you leave. Basically just do things like you was going to a job overseas - in a way, you may well end up doing just that, not necessarily Iraq or Afghanistan either- as Marines are all over the world doing different duties for different reasons. You can see about going into the OCS program, you can see about maybe joining the Air Wings.
Regardless what happens, you’ll remember this the rest of your life, and have friends for life also. Once a Marine always a Marine. Semper Fi.
By 249gunner on Jan 3, 2009 | Reply
You better make time for the Marine Corps, put everything on hold, you might be able to make payements while in training, but might be slower.
If you’re not a 110% about infantry and being a grunt, plz dont join 0300, its not the question of hacking through the training, its a mental thing, if you last and if your motivation for the job lasts.
If you go active, you’re literally dead to the civilian world, and saving all the money you earn till you get out. If you join the Reserves, you’ll have to manage like 2-3 lives. Deployments, civilian jobs, payments..college…If the Corps calls, everything is put on hold the same second, no buts.