Any Marines here?

[XXLMike]

Military recruitment has skyrocketed in the last six months. One of my biggest regrets was not enlisting.

I believe you can join the Air Force until the age of 38 the Navy 39 - Army 42 just an fyi.

 

[JohnnyTheFox]

Crucible in 4 weeks - aced his swimming test and his advanced swim.

Only thing that’s bothering me is he is in for five years not for the recruiter told us for now it’s five.

MOS combat engineer - he’s at ParirisIsland right now.

Unfortunately, some recruit shot himself in the foot. We panicked that it was him thankfully it was not. I wish I could will and hope his journey continues. Not sure what happened.

Back in the early '80s demolitions was part of mos 0351 anti-tank assault man, best friends were the M72 law and detonation cord.

 

[XXLMike]

Thought I would try to provide you Marines an update.
He spent time at Camp Lejeune for combat training, then went to Twentynine Palms and did a stent at camp Pendleton for a few weeks and got his permanent duty station in Hawaii Kenehoe Bay.
This all in the span of 9-10 mos.
Has had some wicked PT days in Hawaii

 

[XXLMike]

And he’s stationed there till 2030 ugh

 

[darthseinfeld]

Thought I would try to provide you Marines an update.
He spent time at Camp Lejeune for combat training, then went to Twentynine Palms and did a stent at camp Pendleton for a few weeks and got his permanent duty station in Hawaii Kenehoe Bay.
This all in the span of 9-10 mos.
Has had some wicked PT days in Hawaii

I was KBay. PT in K Bay is nuts. Tons of hill and beach runs

 

[XXLMike]

I was KBay. PT in K Bay is nuts. Tons of hill and beach runs

He said some of the PTs have been absolutely insane through puddles that you could swim in uphill downhill. Some of it was done as a punishment to the unit I think.
It made you question life

 

[darthseinfeld]

He said some of the PTs have been absolutely insane through puddles that you could swim in uphill downhill. Some of it was done as a punishment to the unit I think.
It made you question life

Wait until he does humps lol

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

My cousin was stationed on the Johnson Atoll some distance away from Hawaii.
They closed that post down now.
But when he was there he said it got so boring
If was not a big island. I told him I would be snorkeling, scuba and Fishing.
He liked to fish but did not like being on boats as they made him sick...I said they got pills to help with that lol he said they do not for me, I just puked them out hahaha.

But he did bring me this super thick and long Fishing rod and gave it to me. I said thanks but did you bring the penn reel to go with it...guess not. Probably could have used it for catfishing but not many freshwater type reels was going to look right on it.

 

[darthseinfeld]

He said some of the PTs have been absolutely insane through puddles that you could swim in uphill downhill. Some of it was done as a punishment to the unit I think.
It made you question life

I was 1/3. Do you know what unit he is in

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

Military recruitment has skyrocketed in the last six months. One of my biggest regrets was not enlisting.

 

[YosemiteSam]

The military is always good for a young man or woman. Now there is always risks with that, but teach you great things and can help paying for college is a great thing.

That said, as a military brat who has been around many people from the military forces including family in the Army, Navy, and Marines. All the Marines I've met are freaking head cases lol. We need those guys, but I recommend Navy, Air Force, and the US Coast Guard before Marines lol.

I was going to join the Navy (most of my family are Navy), but an issue came up. I was about to join the Coast Guard, but they screwed up and told me I was going to Alaska. Now, Alaska is not a bad thing, that place is awesome, but being on a boat in the Bering Strait during a winter storm realization pretty much made me backout. They were talking about going to either Florida or Gulfport, MS. Once they admitted I would be going to Alaska, no signature provided lol. I went with my passion. Computers and went into IT instead.

 

[darthseinfeld]

All the Marines I've met are freaking head cases lol.

Id take offense.....

But I once got kicked off a horse drawn carriage in Waikiki because I was trying to pick fights with everyone we passed

 

[XXLMike]

My cousin was stationed on the Johnson Atoll some distance away from Hawaii.
They closed that post down now.
But when he was there he said it got so boring
If was not a big island. I told him I would be snorkeling, scuba and Fishing.
He liked to fish but did not like being on boats as they made him sick...I said they got pills to help with that lol he said they do not for me, I just puked them out hahaha.

But he did bring me this super thick and long Fishing rod and gave it to me. I said thanks but did you bring the penn reel to go with it...guess not. Probably could have used it for catfishing but not many freshwater type reels was going to look right on it.

Oh he’s bored ! As beautiful as Hawaii is - it’s expensive and he has no car !
They went swimming yesterday/ boarding .
He’s taking some clssses now to stay busy.
There’s nothing glamorous about the day to day.

 

[XXLMike]

I was 1/3. Do you know what unit he is in

3rd LAAB

 

[Passepartout]

Marines The Few The Proud, Semper Fi!

 

[DZSierra]

You have to respect the risks. They are significant. Peace time is never something you can count on

Have to laugh.

Son enlisted in Air Force end of 2023.

Last year, he deployed to the middle east. His deployment got extended, not certain when he's coming home, but he'll never eat chicken and rice ever again, and he can tell you with some expertise now how you can tell if you're getting hit with a drone or a ballistic missile.

That said, he's glad he's were he is at, grateful that he is serving his country and overall happy with his decisions. He just laughed telling me when he was over there he thought he never thought he'd get to see some of the crap that has been going on over there because as he jokingly stated "he joined the chair force".

Having my father be career air force and doing a stint in the Army myself, he pretty much knew what was going to be expected. That said, military is nothing like it was in the 80's , let alone the 50's, but it's still hurry up and wait as some things never change dealing with large groups of people.

He's getting another stripe while he's over there, and he's looking forward to becoming a NCO, which is next up on his end.

Still not certain if he wants to stay in as he has another close to 4 years left on his enlistment, but he's already sent me info on what looks to be like some pretty good trade schools and mentioned that if he does get out, he can go to school pretty much free on his end. Boy was never a straight A high school student and college was never on his radar, but the Air Force has impressed upon him how important getting a education is.

I will always believe that the military is a good "training ground" option for our young people.

Biggest advice I would give anyone is don't enlist trying to get a specific job, but enlist first to serve your country and wear our uniform. Go in with a open mind, and realize you may not get what you want, but while your in always keep a positive attitude and remember it's ALWAYS a team effort and to always give 100% no matter what BS they throw at you. Son wanted us to stay out of his enlistment process so we did.

What my father told me in the 80's held true then as it does in the 2020's, as it did for my father in the 1950's, and that is don't ever take the word of your recruiter LMAO. What we didn't know is son apparently got in on a "open ended contract", which means he graduated from basic, they would pick his job. Man, you want to talk about our son sweating it out because he was in holdover (or whatever they call it today) waiting to get assigned to tech school. Reality is, he wanted either auto or aircraft maintenance, and got neither. He ended up in logistics, and the reality is he's actually liking the job. Too many young people want what THEY want, and they want it NOW. Told my son, no matter what they give you, give 100% and keep the same work ethic as he did working for 3 years in high school and he'll do fine. Where you get to ask for something is when your enlistment is up and then you can see how much you mean to them if they want to keep you in after you put your first stint up

 

[nightrain]

To all you Vets out there. I salute you. Thank you for your service, especially your commitment to put country before self. Our lives would be much different without you and your dedication to preserve our freedom and sovereignty.

 

[timb2]

Thought I would try to provide you Marines an update.
He spent time at Camp Lejeune for combat training, then went to Twentynine Palms and did a stent at camp Pendleton for a few weeks and got his permanent duty station in Hawaii Kenehoe Bay.
This all in the span of 9-10 mos.
Has had some wicked PT days in Hawaii

That's where I was. He will likely also go to Okinowa,Japan on 6 month tours. Tell him the best clubs are in Wakiki. Tell him to watch out for Mahoos.( Transformer Girls)

 

[ratkinson]

Have to laugh.

Son enlisted in Air Force end of 2023.

Last year, he deployed to the middle east. His deployment got extended, not certain when he's coming home, but he'll never eat chicken and rice ever again, and he can tell you with some expertise now how you can tell if you're getting hit with a drone or a ballistic missile.

That said, he's glad he's were he is at, grateful that he is serving his country and overall happy with his decisions. He just laughed telling me when he was over there he thought he never thought he'd get to see some of the crap that has been going on over there because as he jokingly stated "he joined the chair force".

Having my father be career air force and doing a stint in the Army myself, he pretty much knew what was going to be expected. That said, military is nothing like it was in the 80's , let alone the 50's, but it's still hurry up and wait as some things never change dealing with large groups of people.

He's getting another stripe while he's over there, and he's looking forward to becoming a NCO, which is next up on his end.

Still not certain if he wants to stay in as he has another close to 4 years left on his enlistment, but he's already sent me info on what looks to be like some pretty good trade schools and mentioned that if he does get out, he can go to school pretty much free on his end. Boy was never a straight A high school student and college was never on his radar, but the Air Force has impressed upon him how important getting a education is.

I will always believe that the military is a good "training ground" option for our young people.

Biggest advice I would give anyone is don't enlist trying to get a specific job, but enlist first to serve your country and wear our uniform. Go in with a open mind, and realize you may not get what you want, but while your in always keep a positive attitude and remember it's ALWAYS a team effort and to always give 100% no matter what BS they throw at you. Son wanted us to stay out of his enlistment process so we did.

What my father told me in the 80's held true then as it does in the 2020's, as it did for my father in the 1950's, and that is don't ever take the word of your recruiter LMAO. What we didn't know is son apparently got in on a "open ended contract", which means he graduated from basic, they would pick his job. Man, you want to talk about our son sweating it out because he was in holdover (or whatever they call it today) waiting to get assigned to tech school. Reality is, he wanted either auto or aircraft maintenance, and got neither. He ended up in logistics, and the reality is he's actually liking the job. Too many young people want what THEY want, and they want it NOW. Told my son, no matter what they give you, give 100% and keep the same work ethic as he did working for 3 years in high school and he'll do fine. Where you get to ask for something is when your enlistment is up and then you can see how much you mean to them if they want to keep you in after you put your first stint up

I really enjoyed your post. It brought back many recollections from the time when I served.
The advice you passed on to your son was spot-on. And what you said about the recruiters made me laugh out loud!

 

[timb2]

Thought I would try to provide you Marines an update.
He spent time at Camp Lejeune for combat training, then went to Twentynine Palms and did a stent at camp Pendleton for a few weeks and got his permanent duty station in Hawaii Kenehoe Bay.
This all in the span of 9-10 mos.
Has had some wicked PT days in Hawaii

Here are some tricks

Most likely he will will go on Battalion Humps( Hikes,10,15,20,and 25 miles with full gear) These are grueling hikes, some tricks he needs to not drop out.

1- Hydrate with water the night before

2. Do not eat big before the hump even the night before. It will weigh you down. No pizza,spaghetti, etc. Have a very light breakfast, maybe just bacon strips and little eggs portions.

3- Take Beef Jerky with you. You're going to be burning a lot of calories and the only food that you can hold down is beef jerky. If you don't eat , you gas out because you need something for energy( Think how the Pony Express Riders only ate jerky while riding) If you eat something too solid during the hump ,you will end up upchucking that stuff.

4- Lay off fhe Gatorade maybe some,but too much it is syrupy and mess you up.

5- VERY IMPORTANT- DO NOT WEAR THOSE GREEN OR TAN SOCKS THEY ISSUE YOU. Buy some extra Dress Uniform socks, the black nylons types. They will let your feet breathe the green or tan dye won't let your feet breathe and your feet do sweat. The green or tan will create blisters because no air. You get a blister on Mile 3 and you got to tough it out in pain, you don't want to fall out because everyone will think you're a wimp.

6- Don't carry everything they tell you too in your Alice Pack( Backpack) Forget the extra cammies,blankets- they are just trying to add weight to make it harder. Most likely they will never check. One guy actually would just stuff a pillow in his pack and nothing else. Lol.

7-Wear maybe gym shorts (nylon)underneath. The sweat can rub your thighs raw near your groin.

8- Drink water every break, maybe add a sugar pack for energy.

9- Maybe carry a small lube of vaseline and maybe some bandaids for blisters

10- Get plenty of rest the night before..