Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/Commissioned officer vs. enlistee

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Expert: - 1/12/2008


Question
I have a friend whose son had planned to go to college, join ROTC, and then join the Marines after graduation.  He is due to graduate H.S. this spring, has a very strong math and science background, and had planned to study engineering.  However, several of his high school friends are going to enlist right after H.S. and now he is talking of enlisting with them.  He is now afraid of becoming a "snobby" and "coddled" officer and of not being able to hang out with his high school buddies.  He now thinks being a "real" Marine means being an enlisted man and says he'll go to college later on.  His mother is not opposed to his military service, but she really wants him to go to college first.  He's a great boy, smart and gung-ho and personally I think he would be an asset to the Marines either as an enlisted man or as a commissioned officer, but he is very stubborn.  Any advice?

Answer
Donna:

 I well know how this is, I did it myself.  I had 2 scholarships and turned both down to do the 'enlisted' thing.  While I don't regret being enlisted, now that I'm in my later life, I'd likely advise anyone in my same position, if they have the chance, to go to college and do the officer route.  

 He won't be 'snobby' or 'coddled' as an officer, believe me, esp. in the Marines.  The college later on thing is fine, and if he can't afford it right now, then enlisted is for sure the way to go.  However, if money is not the issue and it just boils down to college or the Corps, he can do the college thing, and while there go into the ROTC and attended his officer schools in the summertime.

 While in the end it's his choice, I'd lean toward officer if I could.  Sometimes, though, 'we' have to learn things the hard way, and likely he will too.   Either way, I wish there were more kids out there like him who want to serve.

Best regards,

Jason

Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard

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Jason Grabill

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Questions relating to US Marine Corps; rank, awards, uniforms, career choices. I can also help people spot and expose fakes (people pretending to be Marines or have awards they didn`t earn). Considering the Marines as a career? Or another branch, like the Air National Guard? Drop me a line. HOWever..know that I am NOT a recruiter. I can offer my expert opinion and advice, but can't (and won't) over rule what a recruiter says, they are the 'on duty' expert.

Experience

Infantry Rifleman, MOS 0311: 3 years. Marine Barracks Security (Marine Barracks, Annapolis, Maryland(not Embassy Duty): 3 years. Parachutist: MOS 9962: Got my wings in August of 1984. Intelligence Specialist: MOS 0231 10 years working as an Intelligence Analyst with a Fixed Wing Fighter Squadron, Force Service Support Group, and at Headquarters, Marine Corps. Field Radio Operator: MOS 2531. Served as a Platoon Sergeant in a Communications Platoon assigned to MEU Service Support Group 24 (Special Operations Capable). Did a hitch in the Army reserves as an 11B (Infantryman), 3 years. Finished out my career in the Air National Guard as a BioEnvironmental Engineer MOS 4B3X1, did that for a few years. I"ve been collecting and selling Marine Corps and other military uniforms, medals, and field gear since I was 8 years old.

Organizations
United States Marine Corps Logistical Company.

Publications
I was an Editorial writer for Marine Corps Times from 1998-2000.

Education/Credentials
Extensive library of research materials relating to uniforms, medals, and equipment of the military and the Marine Corps. 22 College credits, Community College of the Air Force. Certified Historical Interpreter.

Awards and Honors
Kosovo Campaign Medal w/1 star Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with 4 stars. Numerous other unit awards. I was on duty on 9/11 at HQMC, near the Pentagon, and responded to that location to try and lend a hand if needed...

Past/Present Clients
United States Marine Corps Historical Company, Guardian Security and Investigations, lead Investigator for 'Stolen Valor' cases.

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