Expert: Jason Grabill - 11/12/2004

Question
Sorry sir, but I might be emailing you alot, considering there are several questions that I have but I don't have time to visit a recruiter right now so I hope this is alright. I'm more physically fit than anything else and I'm very smart but I haven't really applied myself in school but my sat and psat scores are like 1300's. What options do I have in the branch's, i.e. military, navy, coast guard, marines? I mean I want to stay as physical adapted as possible and I want to be pushed really hard to achieve the best I can do. But, I don't think college is going to be my thing, but I still want to do the hard things. Is there anyway the branch's would take someone like me into something that difficult with out a leadership commitment like college or rotc programs, with just a high school degree and a eagle scout certificate of completion? I desire to be part of an elite force but I don't want to attend college I think, so what exactly are my options? I think it would be really cool to go into a sniper position <-- is that a bad or good field to go into?

Thanks

Ryan

Answer
Ryan:

  No need to apologize!  Heck, I enjoy answering the questions and helping people.  Sorry this one is delayed, had to work the past few days.  OK, on to the question...

 If you want the challenge, like it sounds like you do, then go Marines.  They will probably be the best outfit to challenge you, physically and mentally.  Mentally it will be lots harder than the physical part, believe it or not.  
You can always go to college after you do your time in the Corps.

  A recruiter told me, when I was in the same posistion you are in 20 some years ago, that the entire Marine Corps is an elite organization;  I found out he was right, and I never regretted being a Marine.   

  My suggestion, if you really want to do the sniper thing, is to go Marine infantry.  You can also try out for Recon once you are there;  they are the 'elite within the elite' in the Corps.  It will be damn tough, believe me, but I think that is what you are looking for.  The Marines put lots of emphasis on leadership at the 'troop' level, Corporals and Sergeants, whereas the army does not.  A Corporal of Marines has more leadership 'power' than a Lt in the army, in my opinion.  More is expected of Marine NCO's, and you better be able to do the job, otherwise, they send you packing.  

  As far as being a sniper, if you are looking long term, once you get out, there isn't much call in civilian life for that particular job skill.  However, if you do what I did, which was 4 years Infantry, then reenlist and get retrained into a different job that does give you 'outside' skills, then you'll be able to say "I've been there, done that".  Does that make sense?

 Anyway, ask as many questions as you need to, doesn't bother me a bit.

Good luck!

Sgt G