Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/Corpsman "A" school again..

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Expert: - 2/21/2008


Question
hi,
im in the the navy for almost a year already. I have learned so much things and I came up to the realization of the mistakes that I made in the past. Last year, I was in "A" school studying to become a corpman. I didnt make it. I was having a hard time adjusting the military life. I'm only 19 and I know I have long way to go. I was so discourage about the fact that I might go serve with the marines. I got scared, I thought I never gonna make it. So I dropped out of that school just to get away from it. I know it was stupid...
     I was on the deployment for the last 6 months. I;ve had a blast. We also have the marines on board. I thought that I could have been serving them if I would have made it to Corpschool. I was so guilty. Marines in our ship were cool and I;ve heard they call the corpsman "DOC". I was like wow.... But GOD knows where he's going to take me. I really want to strike out to become a Corpsman again and I believe I'm ready to serve with the marines. I've realized my mistakes and I want to my life straight.
       THat's the story of my life, I just need to know what are your experiences with Corpsman?!  Do think I should do it again?  

Answer
Hi Edward:

  Every Corpsman that I ever served with was good people.   The Corpsman who choose to serve with Marines are basically 'adopted' by the Marines they serve with.   

  If you have the chance to do the course again, I think you should take it.  You'll do fine.  It's normal to be a little jittery about these things, but now that you've seen Marines and their 'docs' up close you will have a better idea of what to expect.

 I think you will regret NOT trying, truth be told, because you already do.  So, you've answered your own question.  Go for it!

 All the best,

  Jason

PS:  Let me know how things are going once you get to A school and then the fleet!

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

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Jason Grabill

Expertise

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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