(just wondering if it helped you with any career oppurtunities?)

It depends on what your MOS ends up being. If you become a grunt (any infantry MOS) or other combat arms, it doesn't translate into much of a civilian tech skill except for police/security guard type work. The other technical MOS's will translate into roughly the same civilian-type work experience.

(Ive talked to recruiters and everything but they recruit and thats theyre job, want to know what life after the marines is like?)

There is no way to predict that, too many variables. When you get out, will you be injured? Some join for the wrong reasons, have a bad attitude and never get rid of it. Some get kicked out. The biggest predictor of what life after the Marines is like is based on your MOS and your performance while in the Corps...

(Also how do they determine what your going to do, do u jus pick sumthing or do you take a test and they put you where they think youll succeed.)

They assign you an MOS based upon the needs of the Corps at the time you enlist and based upon the aptitude tests you take. No matter what they tell you, if it isn't in writing, it isn't going to happen. If it is in writing (as far as your job skill), there are alot of loop holes in which you can lose your guaranteed MOS, so be careful if you joining for a specific job skill.

The bottom line in my opinion, you should only join the Corps if you want to be a Marine first, and what particular skill you end up with is secondary. If you are in good shape, and can swim well, go into Recon. They are currently significantly expanding their numbers, morale is generally higher, and you have alot more opportunities to get your adrenaline up than most other jobs (less boredom). Recruiters may be giving Recon guarantees that they did not used to do. Good Luck and know that the few like me who spent the two most fit decades of their life in service and never saw any action envy the hell out of those who get to fight!

I retired last year. I can answer more questions from the ground side, can't say much about what life is like in the air wing side of the Corps.

 

Well, I'm an Army guy and I won't bash the Marines in any way, shape or form. Worked with a bunch of them and almost all have been great guys.

Like heel&sole said, unless you are doing it because the lifestyle is what you want, you may want to consider other things. The service isn't for everyone, and going in for the wrong reasons can leave a bad taste in your mouth.

And yes, the job you do will dictate how much credit you get on the civilian side. The more technical jobs = more college credit, but the harder jobs (i.e. Infantry, Engineer, etc.) tend to promote faster. And the more rank you hold, the better your civilian resume looks as far as supervisory skills, management, decision making etc.

Do what your comfortable with though. You gotta do something you'll enjoy or you won't be happy.

RLTW!
BFR

 

While im not a marine,I am the son of one.My father is a retierd colonel.I can say i knew the corps inside and out before i joined the navy.

Once a marine always a marine.It does not matter what youre job is from a cook to artillery,every marine goes thru boot camp and they all can use a rifle.
Healandsoul,i think i can anser your question about marine aviation.My father was a helo pilot and ive been on helo's for a better part of 18 years.The fly boys in the corps will tell you straight that their job is to support their brothers on the ground first.
Im my years of being a crew cheif on choppers ive seen alot of marines go out that door,and am releved when i pull them back in.
As for life out side the corps,my father went back to what he knew best,farming.

 

i was never able to join the marines, wanted to though, but i have friends who are marines(they will all tell you that you never really retire from the corps), and everyone of them loved their time in. some were forced to sign up, and the corps straightened them out in boot camp. one of them told me that the boot camp half of the movie "full metal jacket" was very close to what he went through in boot.

understand this, the DI's will break you down, and then rebuild you. they will make you tough and confident. in order for them to do this, they will seem to make you hate them, but as you progress through your enlistment, you will realize that your DI's were your best friends next to your buddies in your platoon.

the DI's will also find out what you are good at, likely before you even know, and will push you in that direction. if you are able to, volunteer for force recon, they are the best.

 

first of all recruiters will tell you anything to get you to sign, they lied to me and they will try to lie to you. you can try to pick a job. it all depends on what you want to do in service and out. i was a grunt and loved it wouldnt trade it for the world, did some crazy things met some lifelong friends and went to several countries, down side to that is theres not many jobs for someone who can shoot and blow stuff up. i am a fireman now, love it just got lucky. my advise to you is try and learn a good trade that you can get a good job when you get home. i make about 45 grand a year. my brother learned a trade in the airforce and he makes about 120 grand


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if you have anymore questions email me and i''ll give ya my phone number

 

Email me if you want to talk about it.

DLukason@aol.com

 

I know this post is a year old ,what happened did you join up? I spent 4 years in the marines and I'm proud of it but the way things are going in Iraq I wouldn't join any branch .