Expert: Jason Grabill - 5/18/2009

Question
QUESTION: Marine,
 I am writing to you because I want the opinion of a Marine that has spent time in the Corps and not just a recruiter trying to get a couple of applicants under his belt! I have spoken with SSgt Treloar, my USMC Recruiter about the Marines, my weight, etc. I asked him about becoming either a Admin Clerk, or Data Processing Specialist (IT). Because, since I was 3 years old I wanted to be a Marine, no matter what it took! Though in High School I gained some weight because of the loss of my mother and I ate for depression! Towards the end of High School, I began working out again and was about to go in as a 0311! Then I met my now fiancee' getting ready to be wife in a few months! I began to forget about the Corps and more on starting a family! It has been 2 years and I felt empty inside, like I needed the Marine Corps, but the only thing is, now I have a the stress of 2 families begging me to go Navy or Air Force, or something? I am getting my Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology next semester and I need help, I refuse to join another branch, its either Marines or nothing! But my families beg me to take a job that is safer than 0311, and I do not know what to do? I do not mind being deployed and I do not mind fighting if I had to, but is there a job that you would recommend me that would be partially safe and still let me be a Marine! I understand that at the moments notice I could be called on a Patrol and face combat, but what I am mainly asking is, do you have a job that you would recommend that is the "Most Least Dangerous" like admin clerk or IT? Because my recruiter says all jobs except Infantry and Combat support are safe, but I think he is shooting me BS! Please let me know your opinion and what to do! Thanks!

ANSWER: Jordan:
 
 There is no 'partially safe' job in the Marine Corps.  Every Marine is a basically trained rifleman FIRST, then whatever their MOS is later.  Supply, Admin, Data, doesn't matter, all have sustained casualties in this fight, and will continue to do so. If you are looking for a 'safe' MOS, then you likely shouldn't be considering the Marine Corps at all, because it is inherently dangerous no matter what job you are doing.  If YOU want to be an 0311, or a tanker, or whatever, then is doing something else going to make YOU happy, or miserable?  It's YOUR choice to make, since you will be doing the work.  Not your family or whomever.  So either make the choice YOU want to do (if that's infantry, so be it) or just pick something to make everyone else happy, then wish for the rest of your enlistment you were doing something else, and be miserable.  Your call.

 Your recruiter is giving you options to make the family happy, that's normal and expected.  But, not every one can hack being an 0311, and the Corps needs data, Admin, and whatnot as well.  But remember this, they all owe their existance to supporting that guy in the weeds with the rifle.  Anyone telling you different is full of it.





---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your advice, I will definately take that into consideration! I do not think that I will do 0311 as that was what I wanted when I was a cocky 17 year old ready to fight hell inside out, so now that I am a little older, and a family on the way, I am thinking I will still join but I will do it as an officer in my selected field of study, IT! Do you think this would be a good move? OR should I stay enlisted? I want to make the Marine Corps a career and all throughout Marine Corps JROTC and NROTC the year I was in it, I was told that I was an exceptional leader and that I should've been a Marine Officer, do you think that I should push for that or enlistment? Just asking an honest Marine's opinion again, and I do not mind brutal honesty! So please let me have it!

"I'd rather you save my life and other future Marines that could be under my command here, than to risk Marines lives there for my stupidity"

Answer
Jordan:
 
 It really depends on what you want to do.  If you are thinking career, then personally I'd go officer, just because the money and benefits at the 'back end' (when you retire) are going to be higher than enlisted.  That having been said, as an officer you won't be as 'hands on' as you would be as an enlisted Marine, you'll be in charge rather than working on the gear.  That's the choice you have to make here.

Jason