Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/safest

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Expert: - 11/15/2006


Question
Hi my name is Shawn Edwards Im about to be a commisioned Officer in the Marines after im finished with NROTC and I wanted to know which would be the safest job in this war right now military police officer, Tank officer, AAV officer

Answer
Mr Edwards..you aren't going to like the response, so be forewarned.....

 Please don't take this the wrong way, but if you are looking for "safe", then refuse the commission and go do something else.  An officer of Marines is expected to lead from the front, and set an example to the enlisted Marines under his command.  Looking for the 'safe' job isn't it, in this Marines opinion.

 There is no 'safe' job per se, as all Marines are expected to be riflemen first. That includes the officers.  MP's, tankers, and AAV's are all 'in the thick of it' in Al Anbar province, Fallujah, and Ramadi.  So are administrative officers, computer programmers, and logistics officers.

 If you are looking for 'safe', then find another career or military branch, perhaps the Navy or Air Force.  The Marines ain't it...far from it, as a matter of fact.

  You are free to give me a negative review, and I'll gladly take it, because at this point, I wouldn't want you leading ANY of my fellow enlisted Marines with this particular attitude.  

 I think you should take a long hard look at what you want to do, and where you want to do it.   I'm being hard on you on purpose, because unlike some 17 year old kid wanting to go into the military as an enlisted person, you are going to allegedly become an officer of Marines, and those kids will be looking up to you for leadership.  Looking for the 'safe' option...ain't it.

 Hopefully, my little rant will be a wake up call.  Maybe you'll get angry and prove me wrong.  I hope so.

v/r
Sgt G  

Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard

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Jason Grabill

Expertise

Questions relating to US Marine Corps; rank, awards, uniforms, career choices. I can also help people spot and expose fakes (people pretending to be Marines or have awards they didn`t earn). Considering the Marines as a career? Or another branch, like the Air National Guard? Drop me a line. HOWever..know that I am NOT a recruiter. I can offer my expert opinion and advice, but can't (and won't) over rule what a recruiter says, they are the 'on duty' expert.

Experience

Infantry Rifleman, MOS 0311: 3 years. Marine Barracks Security (Marine Barracks, Annapolis, Maryland(not Embassy Duty): 3 years. Parachutist: MOS 9962: Got my wings in August of 1984. Intelligence Specialist: MOS 0231 10 years working as an Intelligence Analyst with a Fixed Wing Fighter Squadron, Force Service Support Group, and at Headquarters, Marine Corps. Field Radio Operator: MOS 2531. Served as a Platoon Sergeant in a Communications Platoon assigned to MEU Service Support Group 24 (Special Operations Capable). Did a hitch in the Army reserves as an 11B (Infantryman), 3 years. Finished out my career in the Air National Guard as a BioEnvironmental Engineer MOS 4B3X1, did that for a few years. I"ve been collecting and selling Marine Corps and other military uniforms, medals, and field gear since I was 8 years old.

Organizations
United States Marine Corps Logistical Company.

Publications
I was an Editorial writer for Marine Corps Times from 1998-2000.

Education/Credentials
Extensive library of research materials relating to uniforms, medals, and equipment of the military and the Marine Corps. 22 College credits, Community College of the Air Force. Certified Historical Interpreter.

Awards and Honors
Kosovo Campaign Medal w/1 star Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with 4 stars. Numerous other unit awards. I was on duty on 9/11 at HQMC, near the Pentagon, and responded to that location to try and lend a hand if needed...

Past/Present Clients
United States Marine Corps Historical Company, Guardian Security and Investigations, lead Investigator for 'Stolen Valor' cases.

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