I am Joining the Marines...

[Ka D'Argo]

...no kidding. I have actually been talking to a recruiter for a couple of weeks now and last night me and my friend decided to join. We are going under the DEP (delayed entry program) so that we leave a year from the date we sign up. we are also going under the "buddy-system" which is a program that lets you and your friend go together be in the same boot camp, platoon, and job (if you choose the same job) for the first four years of your career. I had to break the news to my mom and dad last night. Lots of tears, my mom is really upset. My friend called me last night to tell me that his mom reacted the same way, although i a m sure all mothers act this way.

Anyways just thought i would let you guys know, i'm sort of nervous...ok i am really nervous. But i just want your guys prayers and i will be fine.

[LiLOrion]

Didnt know they had a buddy-system program, thats kinda cool. You can huddle together during the hazing rituals. :lol (just kidding!)

Delayed entry? Are you still in high school? What happens if you change your mind during the year before you enter?


Good luck with it!

[Fyodor]

I've gotta report to my training in January.... Not the same is it? Seeing how you're from the US and all.

[ConnieLyn]

That's great about the buddy system. Makes one be more inclined to go if with a friend. Good luck to you and be careful. Take care of you. :hug:

[Ka D'Argo]

Didnt know they had a buddy-system program, thats kinda cool. You can huddle together during the hazing rituals. :lol (just kidding!)

Delayed entry? Are you still in high school? What happens if you change your mind during the year before you enter?


Good luck with it!


yeah the buddy system is a great help! I couldn't imagine doing this without a friend.

And as for the delayed entry. I am not in high school but my friend is finishing up his senior year. But the delayed entry program is for people out of high school too. I am way excited.

[kechara420]

If this is really what you want to do, then you should go for it. I'll keep you and your friend in my prayers.

[Boron]

Good luck, kid. I hope you do well, and stay safe.

[scrape_medic]

Good luck with that, hope you never have to go to war, and stay safe. But at least you will be around here for a while longer..:)

[eta_carinae]

That's great about the buddy system. Makes one be more inclined to go if with a friend.

I heard on NPR that that is one method the armed forces are using to try to stop the rapid decline in recruiting. I think it makes sense, it wouldn't be nearly as scary if you were sure you would be with someone you know you like.

Good luck Ka D'Argo! I'm really suprised that you've decided to join up. I hope you do well :)

[Ka D'Argo]

I heard on NPR that that is one method the armed forces are using to try to stop the rapid decline in recruiting. I think it makes sense, it wouldn't be nearly as scary if you were sure you would be with someone you know you like.



Things aren't half as scary when you have a friend near by.

Thanks for the support guys.

[StephX]

Good Luck, Ka D'Argo!

[trubador]

Sempre Fi! And thanks for volunteering to protect our precious butts! :aok:

P.S....
:bday::band::rockband::bday:
HAPPY
BELATED
BIRTHDAY
HEAVY-D!
(It was Friday, right?) :P
:bday::band::rockband::bday:

[Nhoj]

Good Luck Ka D'Argo!! I hope everything goes well with you and your friend!

[Ka D'Argo]

yes it was my b-day thanks.

[Kurt_eh]

Happy Belated!

If I may be so bold, have a look at if the Marines run a college program of some sort.

I've no idea how it works in the USA, but in Canada, the Armed Forces offer a degree program where they pay for your college degree, on the condition that you Serve your duty afterwords. I've got one friend who did his geology degree that way. It's pretty cool, because you walk into his office, and there's a certificate on the wall with his rank and role as "Bombardier!"

From my POV, if you can get a free college degree out of the deal, take it! :D

[eta_carinae]

Yeah, they do that here too.

[Kurt_eh]

Thanks, eta.

I was under the impression that they have the program, but I didn't know the specifics. ;)

[eta_carinae]

http://www.todaysmilitary.com/wyg/t2_wyg_collegehelp.php

:P

[Kurt_eh]

Cool, I think it's a brilliant program for anyone who wants to serve!

[MotorWerk]

I've been at war, in Kosovo, it isn't pretty...
My brother is in the norwegian marinejegerkommando, and is being sent to Afghanistan any time now...
I spoke to him a couple of days ago and he told me he wouldn't be able to stay in touch with me for some time.... I hope he'll be alright...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marinejegerkommandoen

[Owlman]

More of a bad ass than I am! I had my fill with boot camp in highschool.

Best wishes and good luck.

[harveywhispers]

Congratulations on your decision!

Our father was career Army, and found his twenty (+) years of service to be very rewarding and a point of enduring pride.

[Col.Batguano]

Hey Ka D’Argo
congratulations and thank you for signing up with the Marines.
I my self haven’t served in the armed forces - I couldn’t because of my health, and so I am envious of you.
also I can’t speak from experience so what I am telling you now is third hand at best.
I know the majority of the armed forces is non combat (tech and support) but on the combat front - from what I have heard from 2 friends (1 Army and 1 Marine) and from various Military personages I have read about, that the training has gotten a little too politically correct - to the extent they do not emphasize “Killing” and use terms like eliminate the target and objective obtained - in a form of tricking the soldier into killing instead of acknowledging and accepting the action of killing.
so from what I have heard from my friends, they emphasize doing the extra curricular activities like advanced martial arts training and combat psych and others not just to be better killers but to help cope with what combat dose to an individual.
the one friend who didn’t do the extra stuff (Army) is emotionally messed up from Iraq, the second friend (Marines) who did just about every form of extra curricular activity and saw Heavy combat in Iraq, is very well adjusted - of course he is upset with what he went through, but he’s not devastated or sorry for what he went through, he’s starting work as a foreman (already) and is about to get Married and he tells me he is grateful for the extra training activities.

as I said I can’t say for certain - I’m not in the military, it’s just something I’ve observed and read a bit on.
I’m pretty certain it is something you probably know about already and besides from what I hear about Marine training if you can’t handle that sort of thing you won’t make it through the training.

Good Luck and God Bless you Marine,
I am Truly envious of you - I wish I was healthy enough in my life to test my metal in the way you are about to and embrace the wholeness of life.
Semper Fi!!!

also can I call you JarHead D’Argo ? ;)

[zahncrelnik]

Ka D'Argo, I salute you!! I respect your decision. Very admirable. :bowdown:

You have my prayers and good thoughts :meditate:.

[Snoogans]

Ka D'Argo good luck to you and your buddy in the Marines. My advice is to pick a career field that will help you in the civilian world and also sign up for the G.I. Bill or Student College Fund (what I signed up for when I joined the Army) and have Uncle Sugar pay for your education. Keep your nose clean and have a blast dude!

[Jim Reaper]

Good luck D. Give 'em hell. :D

[I-am-so-Johns-girl]

:applaud: Good luck Big D! :hug2: