More questions about joining the Marines

[Steve in PA]

Umm, actually......you have to score higher on apptitue tests to be in Weapons Platoon (0331, 0341, 0351), than you do to be 0311.

When I was in, dumber than rocks was a compliment to the other platoons (0311) we would get attached to. They were a walking C. F.

And no one from my Weapons Platoon ever dropped out of a hump, even though we carried alot more gear.

But hey....we're all Marines

 

[fix]

I know people that were in the USMC and never left LeJeune.

Danger Will Robinson!!!

That may very well have been the case back then (While I was in elementary school ) but right now there are only a handful of jobs that are not subject to the regular MEU rotation. I spent 6 years in, and the only Marines I knew personally who did not do a float were crash crew guys who were attached to the Air Station. But, they all had to do a 1 year unaccompanied tour in Okinawa.

I'm 99% sure this is not the case, but just in case you don't want to leave CONUS...stay away from the Corps.

 

[Animal]

Umm, actually......you have to score higher on apptitue tests to be in Weapons Platoon (0331, 0341, 0351), than you do to be 0311.

That is absolutely correct, but somehow most of the 41s I knew were dumber than piss in a bucket. Don't forget, high test scores do not mean that person has a lick of common sense.

And no one from my Weapons Platoon ever dropped out of a hump, even though we carried alot more gear.

The only ones from my weapons platoon who fell out were 41s. Who knows why. Possibly the bigger problem with that mortar section was the NCO leadership, when the 31s were out PTing, the 41s were usually still sleeping.

 

[JamisJockey]

Umm, actually......you have to score higher on apptitue tests to be in Weapons Platoon (0331, 0341, 0351), than you do to be 0311.

I thought the only qualifications for Oh-Three-hundred was a pulse

 

[Animal]

I thought the only qualifications for Oh-Three-hundred was a pulse

We'll, thats for 0311s, for 0331s you also have to have a big set of cajones.

 

[BIGFRED]

Is there anybody who knows where i could find or view a list of current MOS's the marines has to offer. I am also looking to join the Corps and want to see a list of all available options before i speak to a recruiter who wants to change my mind!

 

[JamisJockey]

Is there anybody who knows where i could find or view a list of current MOS's the marines

Try looking here

 

[fix]

Marine Enlisted MOS Reference

 

[TheOtherOne]

Who's right?

The recruiters are telling me that they give you all your uniforms going in and then they give you a few hundred dollars a year for replacements after that. He also said that most recruits will leave boot camp with about $3,000 saved. But others have said you have to buy your uniforms and will be lucky to save anything in boot camp.

 

[fix]

When I went through in 1994, initial uniform issue was deducted from my pay IIRC. $3000 sound really high. I left with about $1800. If you earn PFC before going or are guaranteed PFC in a contract, you are paid as a PFC. If not, you are paid as a Private. You can look at the pay scales and figure out what you'll make. I would recommend signing a contract that guarantees you PFC. That way you have the possibility of making LCpl out of boot camp. I did, and it was a significant difference in pay.

 

[USMC_2674]

They "give" you the uniforms. They then "steal" money equaling the amount that the uniforms cost from your "savings".

You pay for your uniforms recruit. End of story. They are lying if they tell you different.

You'll also pay for ANYTHING you get at the commisary / PX while you are there.

So, when you "get" soap, or a wallet or anything (you DO get visits there while you are at bootcamp), you'll pay for that as well. They do provide basic soaps and stuff, don't get me wrong, but I know some recruits who bought hair care products, etc (shampoo felt GOOD). You'll pay for pictures, dress blues (if you are lucky enough to be the Guide for your platoon), and several other things.

You also get a uniform allowance every year while in the Corps. This is to pay for uniform items that wear and tear. You get this money whether or not you buy new uniforms.

Unless the pay scale has changed a LOT since I retired in April of 2000, Pvt and PFC's do not make $3,000 TAKE home in 13 weeks.

As a PFC I think you get around $800 AFTER taxes (single and 1) and around $600 for Pvt's.

You WILL pay taxes while in the Marine Corps.

You WILL pay for your uniforms and other "personal" items.

I think you even pay for your haircuts.

You will be allowed to stay off some debts because of the Soliders and Sailors Act until you graduate... but a Mortgage is not one (they'll still start foreclosing on the house if the payment isn't made). So you'll have to take care of that before you head out.

So, I would say that if you have your Eagle Scout Award / some college experience, then you probably should have a decent amount of money when you leave... by decent I mean $1500ish.

Last Marine I knew who went through Boot Camp (A PFC I talked to during a Wall Locker Inspectionin December of 1999)came out with a little over $1800 (like $1817 or something like that)... but I don't know their spending habits during BC.

Let me know if you have any more questions. The Marine Corps is a great band of brothers and something few regret joining.

Semper Fidelis

 

[USMC_2674]

Not to mention that by signing on as PFC and graduating as LCpl, you have the eligibility for Corporal with 18 months TIS if I recall correctly. Instead of having to wait 24 + months waiting. I made Sergeant in 29 months TIS with a MP from the CO.

Remember that PFT scores and RR scores DO matter when it comes to promotions past LCpl.

Semper Fidelis

 

[TheOtherOne]

I'll just have to make sure I have everything paid up before I go out. I think I'm going to be able to get my nephew to rent the house from me, so hopefully that will be covered. Otherwise I might have to try selling it.

Oh yeah, and it's almost official. I'm going tomorrow for the ASVAB test and then the physical the next day. If I manage to pass all that then I just get to wait around for boot camp which they said the soonest available would be September.

 

[fix]

Ok. Here's the scoop. You need to have the entire Guidebook for Marines (ask recruiter for copy) commited to memory. Read it over and over and have a friend quiz you on every piece of information. You need to be able to run a 285+ full PFT before you go to boot camp, preferably a 300. DO NOT go to the range and attempt to hone your marksmanship skills. Marine PMIs paint better with a clean canvas. Study, study, study. PT, PT, PT. Don't settle for entry level. Do this and work on a PFC contract. Don't let anyone tell you you can't leave boot camp as a LCpl. I left for boot camp with that goal, and achieved it. Marine recruit training is tough for those who only set their sights on "making it." Aim high, and you'll stand head and shoulders above your peers. If your ultimate goal is to get that promotion, then the worst that will happen to you is that you wont get it. But there is a nice consolation prize. You'll still be a Marine!

 

[Werewolf]

I just get to wait around for boot camp which they said the soonest available would be September

DANG! If the first boot camp opening for the Marines is in September then I'm of a mind that all this talk about reinstating the draft is pure unmitigated malarky.

If the demand to get into the toughest of the services is that high imagine what it must be for the others. Heck when I joined the Army 33 years ago from the time I talked to the recruiter until I was sleeping in a Ft. Ord barracks was all of about a week.

The all volunteer service is not dead and the politicians spouting off about reinstating the draft are full of it!

 

[ShaiVong]

Somebody at my college determined that if solders keep dying in Iraq at the present rate w/o reinforcments, it would take something like 300 years for them to be eradicated.. No draft necessary.

 

[Animal]

Everything USMC_2674 said is correct. Like I said I had about $900 when I left.

DANG! If the first boot camp opening for the Marines is in September then I'm of a mind that all this talk about reinstating the draft is pure unmitigated malarky.

I have a friend whose little bro wanted to join, the soonest slot thay had for him was 9mo away! I went in the back room of the office at thier schedule, and sure enough, the calandar was solid names for 9mo. Yeah, were really hurtin for people

 

[USMC_2674]

Love of Corps

God, I love the Marine Corps.

Hell, God loves the Marine Corps.

You go to any other service right now... and they can "slip" you in anytime.

My brother wants to be a medic (so can't join the Corps) so he is looking into going Army and Navy right now. He can go to bootcamp the SECOND he decides and finishes his tests.

I've been telling him to go Navy and get assigned as Navy Corpsman to a Marine Infantry Company

Semper Fidelis

 

[ShaiVong]

Theres no such thing as Marine medics? Why not?

 

[G.I.Jew]

Because every Marine is a rifleman first, I think.

 

[Animal]

Marines use Navy corpsmen.

 

[striker3]

Gonna throw in my two cents

I would either go in as an 03, or if you can get a guarnteed tank crewman slot, I would also consider that. The bad thing about that is that they usually will only guarntee armor so you might get stuck in amtracks, which really blow. I am an 0311 and love the grunts. I would not change my decision for anything. I have travelled all over the world and met a lot of great friends. The comraderie in the grunts is like nothing else that you will experience in most of the other MOSs, simply for the fact that there are not any females around. That may sound sexist, but from experience, I have found that women tend to loosen up the whole male bonding thing and cause problems in the unit.

If you can swim like a fish and have a strong will, then go Recon. Once you get in there, go Force. That is where all the High speed action is.

To answer Skunkabilly's question about Intel, I am currently in an Intel Battallion. I would say stay out of intel unless you really enjoy sitting behind a desk all day. That is what they do. The only field units are The ground sensor platoon, which I am in, and Counter Intel. Ground sensor guys are all grunts or radio operators, and to get into CI you have to be a SGT.

One thing about intel though, they wield a lot of power in battle. One of the analysts who was here in Iraq last year, was calling down airstrikes on enemy positions that he was getting reports of. He ended up after one days work with a body count in excess of 3500 Fedayeen soldiers. Not bad for a day behind a desk I guess...