Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 9/11/2007

Question
Hey, help me out here. Ive been in love with the marines for some time now. I'm 15 years old going on 16 January. I want to be a sniper, beacuse i have a good aim and i love hunting. I'm from Jersey. And i live in a place where Marines aren't that "recognizable" (sorry if i spelled that wrong) But I was wondering if they had a program for Under age Future I would guarantee join. Thanks a lot

Answer
Dear Hector --

Although there is nothing you can do now to "guarantee" the Marine Corps will accept your enlistment, there are a number of things you can do to increase your "quality" as a recruit.  

First, do well in school.  Today our service members need to be as educated and able to use their intelligence as possible.  You need to be able to reason through problems, and communicate well.  All the services want high school graduates.  The better your grades are the more desirable a recruit you are.

Next you need to be physically fit.  You need to be strong, flexible and have good endurance.  Playing a sport can help you to this end.

To show your potential for leadership, you could join a Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) unit near you even if your own high school does not have a unit.  You could also join a scouting organization, or a sportsman's club that will allow you to hone your marksmen's skills and perhaps learn how to teach those skills to others.

You can enlist at the age of 17 years, if your parents will give their written permission.  Otherwise, you must be 18 years old to join.  You are better off waiting until after graduating from high school, rather than rushing in as soon as you are 18.  You can join the delayed entry program (DEP) when you are a year away from graduation.  That way you will have gotten through all your testing and your medical exams, and can go straight to boot camp after graduation.

Good luck to you.