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Answers to Readers' Questions on Excellence:
Marines
The following 6 comments and questions have been sent in. They are listed according to date.
List of first 10 items
- What are the Marines and their purpose?
- Can a felon be a Marine?
- Afraid to join the Marines
- Wants to join the Marines
- Agrees with Marines
- Need to have officer information too
What are the Marines and their purpose?
Question
April 7, 2007
what i need to know is what do marines do what is their purpose.
what is the daily routine of a marine.
and what jobs if any do they have in the marines because all the sites i have checked dont mention a thing
Ronnie - USA
13506
Answer
The U.S. Marines Corps is a special branch of the armed services that takes on the toughest jobs in the battlefield. The daily routine depends on what role or job the person has. You can be anything from an infantryman to a cook to an electronics technician in the Marines. It depends on your training and what you want to pursue.
A good site for information about the Marines is at: http://www.marines.com
More specific information and news is at: http://www.usmc.mil
You could also go to a local recruiting center and get some information on the Corps.
Can a felon be a Marine?
Question
March 23, 2005
I have a Class C felony for assault I'm a minor 17 years old can I still join the marines as an officer or at all?
Derek - USA
6433
Answer
Being a minor with the offense, it may not count on your record. The best thing to do is to find a Marine recruiter in your community and talk to them about what your options are. Be up front about your record and let them know that path you want to take.
Hopefully, you'll be able to get in. They have a great program.
Afraid to join the Marines
Question
March 2, 2005
I have recently enlisted in the Marine Corps and I am naturally horrified at what I am about to embark on. My fear is stemming from the great unknowns that I am being confronted with after having made my decision. I am repeatedly asking myself the question of whether or not I will be able to succeed. Besides the intense anxiety surrounding my potential failure, I am also concerned with the aftermath of basic training (whether or not promises made by my recruiter will be kept, whether I will truly be given a chance to pursue my ultimate my pre-enlistment plans, and [greatest of them all]have I relinquished all of my personal freedoms by enlisting, simply to be relocated against my will to some remote 3rd world country and, in turn, the possibility of injury, disease, death, PT stress syndrome...etc.) My recruiter suggests that with my 5"11' stature, once I overcome my defeatist tendency, I will "kick ass" in basic training. Still, I am a fairly "jittery" person as it is (stricken timid some might say, as a result of sequential failures in my recent years), but is there any way to conquer these fears? (At least to the point where I can find myself more curious about the "impending risk" versus debilitatingly terrified by it)
Numb with Fear,
Courtney A.
Courtney - USA
6179
Answer
With the many doubts you had, I am surprised the recruiter still signed you up. You have to realize that many are simply salesmen and that promises may not be kept. Needless to say, that doesn't mean getting into the Marines will not be a positive experience for you.
Marine basic training is much tougher than that given by the Army. But it also is meant to give a person a tremendous amount of confidence. Very few people don't make it through basic. They work to make you succeed.
One thing that you will notice is that many of the other trainees have fairly agressive personalities. That is why they often choose the Marines instead of another service. You must not let others try to bully you.
During basic training, your personal freedoms are zero. They seek to strip them away to make people into Marines. The idea is not to fight it, but simple go with the flow. After basic, you get your freedoms and individuality back.
Unless you really want to be in combat, it is wise to look into other opportunities in the Marines. There are many support roles that need to be fulfilled, where personnel work behind the scenes. Look at what your are interested in and are good at and try to get training in that field once you get out of basic. Check with the recuiter before you leave for basic about training opportunities after basic training.
I don't know if there is any turning back, once you have made your commitment. It really isn't good going into anything where you are numb with fear. If you can't turn back, then you need to change your attitude about the upcome experience or adventure.
Although the Marine training is tough, it does build confidience in the recruits. Marines are generally more successful in life. Going to some remote country will give you the opportunity to help out people in need, as well as to get some amazing experiences. Like I said before, look into non-combat skills where you can provide a service.
We promote having the champion attitude. This can be your chance to become a champion and be able to hold your head up high.
Best wishes in what you do. I am sure you will succeed. Let me know how things turn out.
Wants to join the Marines
Question
July 31, 2004
Hello, my name is Bryan Palma.I am 18 years old and graduated from post secondary school.I am a Canadian citizen who is looking to become part of the U.S. Marine Corp.I wanted to know if i am able to enlist into the U.S. Marine Corp without being an American citizen. If someone could please get back to me on this issue, it would be greatly appreciated. Also, could you please send me a telephone number for a recruiting centre in order to discuss this issue with a representative.
Thank you for your consideration and hope to hear from you soon.
Bryan Palma
Bryan - Canada
3898
Answer
You must first establish residency in the U.S., which means moving and getting a U.S. address. You can still remain a citizen of Canada.
Check the Marines website at http://www.marines.com. You can Request more Information or Contact a Recruiter from the site.
Best wishes in your military career.
Agrees with Marines
Question
October 28, 2002
Indeed, the Marine Corps is a viable career for any American Patriot. After graduating Pre-Med from Loyola University Chicago, awarded with a BS and little desire for more academia, I explored opportunities in the Armed Forces. I researched each of the four traditional services and, unquestionably, chose the Marines.
I completed Officer Candidate School, Basic School, and Flight School. Since then, I have had the opportunity to serve in the Marine Infantry, and fly both rotary wing and fixed wing aircraft in the Marine Corps and Navy, and will soon begin transition training in the MV-22 Osprey. The Marine Corps has been a career that has had as much impact on my heart as it has on my mind... a fine decision!
Brian - USA
3419
Answer
Thanks for your feedback.
Need to have officer information too
Question
May 27, 2004
Dear Sir:
My name is Jim Haley, Jr. and I saw your reference to the Marine Corps
Basic Training--as a foundation and inspiration to being a champion. It is one half of the training provided for entry level potential Marines.
As a former Marine Corps Captain {I presently teach high school history/coach
boys' varsity soccer in Philadelphia, PA.};I was concerned that your site had no reference to Marine Corps Officer Candidates School in Quantico, VA. I have included the OCS website and information about a book written by Jack Ruppert about Marine Officers and their training at OCS and The Basic School--both in Quantico, VA.
http://www.ocs.usmc.mil/
http://www.econbooks.com/One_of_Us__Officers_of_MarinesTheir_Training_Traditions_and_Values_0275972224.html by Jack Ruppert
The Enlisted Marines and Marine Officers combined make the best fighting force in the world. I believe it is inaccurate not to mention the Officers, since it is thier job/earned privilege to lead Enlisted Marines.
In closing, thanks for reading this email. I am looking forward to your reply.
Jim Haley, Jr.
- USA
3409
Answer
Thanks for the feedback. I will update the article with your additional information. If you have any success stories concerning using the Marines philosophy and training in your teaching and coaching, I'd be glad to hear about it.
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