Expert: Jason Grabill - 6/24/2007

Question
Dear Sir,

First, thank you for your service in the Corps!

I have a few questions, but first here is my background: I am 20 years old pursuing a degree in Civil Engineering Technology (emphasis in land surveying and site development). After graduating in fall '08 with a bachelors, my desire is to serve my country in the Marines as either enlisted or commissioned. I don't want to make a career out of the military, but would rather serve and develop with the Corps, and then return to my hometown, opening a surveying firm, marry my sweetheart and rear my family.

1. Is there an officer or enlisted MOS that would give one surveying and geomatics experience? I have looked at Geographic Intelligence Specialist (MOS 0261) and Engineer Assistant (Surveying asst DOT) (MOS 1361), but have not seen many commissioned MOS's. I assume the GIS's and EA's work in conjuction with an officer(?).

2. I would really like to serve on Okinawa. I know you "go where your sent and do as your told", but how difficult is it to get an engineering type deployment to Okinawa?

3. I read a query on this forum about a mandatory homosexual ritual, which you refuted. My question: I was reading "Jarhead" by Andrew Swofford (who morals were obviously lacking anyways by the tone of his book) where he described an ritual called "Field F**k" on a Gulf War deployment, where members of the Corps simulated a "forced" gang rape on another Marine against his will and according to Swofford, "violated" him. I noticed this scene is portrayed in the 2007 movie by the same name. Is this an accurate portrayal of life as a Marine (commissioned or enlisted)? Is acceptable behavior in the Corps? I have know many Marines, and have been struck by their sense of principle and understanding of duty, but if I--as a principled Christian young man--earned my place among the Few, the Proud, only to endured an attempted molestation at the hands of my comrades, has me second guessing. Sir, can you please clarify this and give me some pointers from your experience.

Thank you in advance for your time and consideration.

Semper Fi

Brandon  

Answer
Brandon:

  The Engineer MOS would probably be closer to what you are looking for in that regard.  

  And, you can request orders to Okinawa, you might even be able to make it part of your enlistment contract to have that as your first duty station.  If not, you can certainly request that assignment from your MOS school.

 As to the last question, in all my years of service, I never encountered what Swofford describes.  I never served with him, but did serve during the same time period he did, and with various units.  His book is over exaggerated in many places, in my opinion.  Could those things have happened?  Possibly.  Is it something that would happen today?  Doubtful.  

 I also served from 97-01, in a combat unit, and never saw something like this occur.  Now, there is plenty of horseplay and camraderie, but I've not seen it ever get to this particular level.   

 Both the book and the movie have taken "artistic license" with certain things, and this is one of them.

Best regards,

Jason