Expert: Jason Grabill - 2/25/2005

Question
Then I will, be a Marine.. However, I want to look at becoming an officer.. I want to be an officer, so that I can better support my family.. Can I go in for 4 years, then do college, then OCS, and then become an officer? I would like to become a pilot eventually honestly, and I know that Marine Corps Officers have a good chance at being pilots. It'll eaither be infantry or pilot, I've always wanted to do both..

Beyond that are Marine bases alright? I went to an Army base a while back to visit my friends uncle, it was pretty slum.. I've won a virety of national karate and fighting championchips, Judo, and Aikido siminars.. I think some of that training will help me in my pursuit of becoming a Marine, I had to do some tough training, but I know it's not even going to compare to Boot Camp..

Also, Will my 4 years prior to going into college be taken into consideration towards my retirement? That would be nice.

Thank you for everything, and I'm sorry if I'm wasting your time.
Is there anything I should remember to ask my recruiter? GI bill, Kicker bonus etc?

Thank you
Gratefully,
 Jesse Lewis

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Followup To
Question -
I'm so glad to have finally found someone who may be able to answer my question. Alright, basically I've been wanting to join a branch of the United States Military for quite some time now. I may very well go to college simply for ROTC. I've thought long and hard, and I always wanted to be a pilot. However, it seems very hard to qualify to be a pilot, honestly I'd rather just be a soldier.. I've considered the Army and the Marines, and I'm not quite sure which to join. It seems like the Marines have huge pride, and they've easily got the hardest basic, however, the Army seems to be leading in technology, and they use the M1A1/M1A2. I do have a wife, I'm currently 18, and would like her to have the benefits of living on base maybe, and I would like to see her. A year away in Iraq is no problem for us. The Army also has Ranger school, which appeals to me, and Marines have Force Recon, however I've heard they just put you in as infintry and you somhow work your way up. I guess what I'm looking for is to be respected as good at what I do, I want to be the best at what I do even. I'm not too sure about pay/benefit differences between the two branches, I've even considered going in as an officer and trying to be a pilot in a harrier etc. I'm just lost.. What makes the 2 branches so different? Which would you recommend?
And thanks for your time
Gratefully,
 Jesse Lewis
Answer -
Jesse:

  Basically, when I first considered the military over 20 years ago, I was looking at the Army really hard.  Ranger, Special Forces, the whole bit.  Then a buddy dragged me to see the USMC recruiter;  and I told him what I wanted to do.  He sold me with the simple line:  "The entire Marine Corps is elite, it doesn't matter what you do in it, you'll always be a Marine".  That was good enough for me.  I was an Infantryman because I wanted to be, not because I had to be.  

 I will tell you that if you go Army, you'll be cannon fodder.  Simple as that.  Unless you luck out and get right into a Ranger unit (unlikely, but possible) if you enlist as an 11B, Infantry, it will suck.  The Marines have just as many neat toys as the Army, weapons wise, plus some.  You'll live on base in the Marines (after you get to your duty station).  You won't spend an entire year in Iraq, Marine deployments are typically for 6 months.  The Army does a year, or more.  No, you can't enlist for Force Recon, you have to earn that, but Force Recon has constant tryouts for anyone, not just infantry.  

 There are no pay or benefit differences, an army private makes exactly what a Marine private makes.  The difference is pride!   Think of this;  how many cars do you see sporting US Army bumper stickers?  Now, how many cars do you see with "USMC" or "Marines" bumper stickers?  If you really start to count, and look, the Marines outnumber the Army better than 2 to 1.  

 Naturally, I'm biased towards the Marines, but I've never regretted being a Marine. I'd go back in today if I could.  It's something you can always have pride in, being a Marine, and something no one can take away from you once you earn that title, no matter what else you do in life.  Remember, the guy that runs the Air Force is called "General", the guy that runs the Army is called "General", the guy that runs the Navy is called "Admiral", but the guy that runs the Marine Corps is still a MARINE.  He may be a General, but he carries the same title, "Marine", that I do.  Marines are something special.  

 Lastly, I know which branch both of my teenage girls are going into....the Marines.  Not because I've forced them to, but because that's what they want to do.  Simple as that.

Semper Fidelis,

Sgt G

Answer
Jesse:

 You haven't wasted my time.  Sorry it took so long to get back with you on this question, didn't realize you'd asked a follow up, and my home computer has recently crashed.

 My family loved living in base housing in Camp Lejeune, and we were enlisted.  Both my teenagers were upset when we left.  Base housing is basically what you make of it;  we had 3 bedrooms and 4 kids.  But, they could walk half a block to school, see all their friends every day, and the mini shoppette (Kinda like a 7-11) was less than a block away.  Plus all the activities available for free or little bit of nothing money wise (horseback riding, pool, etc).

 Yes, you can do 4 years enlisted, and get the Corps to pay for college.  You can also attend college while on Active duty, if you can find the time.  Then you can do the OCS bit while in college, and the Corps will pay for that as well.  There are also college level programs available while you are in, to help you get a start on the degree.  So, it's very do-able.  A friend of mine did it, through the Intelligence program, and got a BS in International Relations, then went to OCS, all while on Active duty.  She's now an officer in 29 Palms, Californnia.  And she was a Sgt when we served together.

  Yes, the 4 you do prior to college counts towards the 20 you need to retire.

  Check with the recruiter about bonus's, for sure.  They are offerring good money now for certain hard to fill jobs.  Make sure you get all this in writing, otherwise, it's just empty air.

 Let me know how you do!

Semper Fi!

Sgt G