Should my Daughter become a US Marine Officer? Not sure how her Sailor Dad would like that.

2015-11-04T09:39:11-05:00

My daughter was sent this:

Wondering what RP thinks of this idea.

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS OFFICER PROGRAMS

Welcome back to school UMKC Freshman. My name is Captain Adan Vazquez, U.S. Marines. This will be the first email I’ve sent out to your school since I took over this position this past summer. Below is the information you are OWED as a student in this state. Every student, regardless of race, gender, or ethnicity rates an email about Marine Corps Officer opportunities. If you read the information below and you are in the area and you want to stop by my office, please do. If you want to meet in person on your campus, my team and I will find a time and place to sit down with you as we are located in Kansas City. The rest of this information is for you.

I run a program called the Platoon Leaders Class (PLC) for college students who are interested in serving their country. The PLC provides leadership training and development during the summer months while you are still in college. If you qualify for this course, you will be able to continue your studies while earning your commission as a Marine Officer. After completing this training and upon graduation from your college or university, you will have the opportunity to commission as an officer in the most elite military organization in the world. Just to be clear, you HAVE TO GRADUATE in order to be an officer. I am not the guy who goes to high schools looking to enlist 18 year-olds. This program is designed to develop you and evaluate your abilities to lead large groups of your peers. Again, I don’t care what race, gender, color, or creed you are – qualified is qualified. Below are the basic details outlining my program. Bottom Line: If you read what is listed below and you want more information, call me. Both of my numbers are at the bottom and I’d be happy to speak with you or set up an interview.

Basic Details:
- Freshmen and sophomores attend (2) six week training sessions over two summers, while juniors, seniors, and graduates attend (1) ten week training session. Training for Marine Officers takes place in Quantico, VA. You will be paid while at training – You will earn approximately $3,200 for six weeks of training

- Unlike ROTC, we do not do on-campus training or drills. Marine Officer Candidates do not walk around on campus wearing cammies.

- After graduation from college and completion of the PLC, candidates are offered a commission as an officer in the Marine Corps as a Second Lieutenant (Active Duty Ground, Active Duty Pilots, Lawyers, Naval Flight Officers, and Reserves). Your obligation begins when you decide to accept your commission.

- You will attend what Inc. Magazine calls "The best management training program in America" and test your leadership potential, physical fitness and mental prowess.

-You will be able to apply for Financial Assistance (up to $9,750) and Tuition Assistance (up to $15,600) after you complete an increment of training over the summer.

- If you choose to serve as a Ground Officer after you graduate from college, you will be given the opportunity to hold 1 of the 25 offered career fields (MOS) starting at around $60,000 per year – Plus full medical and dental.

- We have GUARANTEED AVIATION CONTRACTS to those who qualify and desire to become a pilot. The Marine Corps is the only branch that will guarantee you a pilot seat as early as your freshman year.

This is an unparalleled opportunity to see if you have what it takes to be a Marine. Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t for everyone. The leadership experience you gain will set you apart from your peers. This email contains a lot of information and I'd be happy to tell you more about it. Feel free to contact me via phone or email.

Very Respectfully,

Captain Adan Vazquez, USMC
Officer Selection Officer, Kansas City

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 4 at 2015 9:45 AM

2015-11-04T09:45:43-05:00

What does your daughter think? And besides, even though you are Navy, as long as she can cut it and thrive, then all the more proud you will be, right?

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Nov 4 at 2015 9:46 AM

2015-11-04T09:46:24-05:00

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Nov 4 at 2015 10:27 AM

2015-11-04T10:27:44-05:00

I've worked with some PLC officers. It's a good program. My old Intel O always recommended the 10 week over the 2x 6 week program though. And by recommended I mean lambasted the other.

Any officer program, regardless of Service is an amazing opportunity. Each Service has a slightly different focus is all. Marines tend to be VERY Leadership/Management oriented, almost to the exclusion of everything else. The old joke about their only being two Branches, the Army and the Navy, with the Air Force being a Corporation and the Marines being a Cult is so true it makes me giggle every time.

All that said, she's already in college. And the Service is a great way to get your next degree(s) and the USMC is WILL send you to lots of schools. They will teach you. Especially if you make a career of it.

Give it some thought.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Nov 4 at 2015 10:38 AM

2015-11-04T10:38:54-05:00

1. Is she called to be a warrior?
2. Will she support and defend the constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic?
3. Does she want to be in the company of the toughest, most dedicated, least funded and most hard bitten service while fulfilling that oath?
4. Is she tough and dedicated enough to make it through the screening process to be in that company?

Then she should do it. If any of these answers are no, then there are better alternatives to achieve the same goals.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 4 at 2015 10:45 AM

2015-11-04T10:45:42-05:00

The real question is whether dad could handle it... right?
Having an officer wearing the EGA around the house and cracking Navy jokes.

Response by SSG Todd Halverson made Nov 4 at 2015 10:47 AM

2015-11-04T10:47:03-05:00

The real question is, does your daughter want to be a Marine and is she comfortable with going and serving in a combat zone. I ask that because more than likely once she becomes an officer, she will have to deploy somewhere.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Nov 4 at 2015 11:15 AM

2015-11-04T11:15:32-05:00

What ever suites her. Being an old salty dog you should remember that the Navy owns the Marines! They are only a department of the Navy. It says so on their emblem! So with that said you still own her, you as a Sailor and her a Marine!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 4 at 2015 11:29 AM

2015-11-04T11:29:28-05:00

If I had a daughter who wanted to do this I'd be honored!

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 4 at 2015 11:29 AM

2015-11-04T11:29:57-05:00

As a parent, you want the best for your daughter. If your daughter wants to do this, and has what it takes, the answer is yes. And to answer, how you would feel about this: you would be a proud father!

Response by Cpl Raul DeMoura made Nov 4 at 2015 12:01 PM

2015-11-04T12:01:30-05:00

I think this is worth "looking into". However DAD,... DONT let her "go it alone"! Its HER decision, but we all know how requiters, or " Officer Selection Officer" are. I really think she should talk with a few women who have gone thru this program (I NEVER heard of). Becoming a W.M., Officer or not, WILL GIVE HER the physical training to ward-off any perves, but mostly, it will give her a mindset that few can achieve. The "I can DO THIS", or "I GOT THIS". Now, I didnt see anything about any type of boot-camp, or maybe im MISSING something here. I REALLY think, DAD, You and her should look into this TOGETHER. You can help her LOOK into this "with her BIG GIRL eyes"! Obviously you know a line of crap when you hear one? I Wish this opportunity had been presented to MY daughter. I would be right by her side in a MINUET!

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 4 at 2015 12:23 PM

2015-11-04T12:23:14-05:00

PO2 Mark Saffell I would have jumped all over this opportunity when I was younger, if I knew about it. I love the Navy and it has helped mold me into the person I am today, but heck if didn't have a family I would jump on this now!

Response by CMSgt Richard B. made Nov 4 at 2015 1:30 PM

2015-11-04T13:30:46-05:00

I would just look carefully into it to see what kind of obligation she will have if she chooses not to accept a commission. I suspect there may be a reserve enlisted obligation of some sort.

Response by SPC David S. made Nov 4 at 2015 2:17 PM

2015-11-04T14:17:16-05:00

However it needs to be right with her - mind, body and soul.

Response by Sgt Kelli Mays made Nov 4 at 2015 2:43 PM

2015-11-04T14:43:45-05:00

I didn't choose either one of your choices. I think you should sit down and discuss it with her and which ever she chooses, though you may not like it, go with it. It's her life...Back her up and support her and wish her well.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 4 at 2015 3:45 PM

2015-11-04T15:45:51-05:00

The Marines are a department of the Navy, so it's pretty much the same thing. ;)

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 4 at 2015 4:29 PM

2015-11-04T16:29:57-05:00

If she wants, of course!

Response by SGT Bryon Sergent made May 4 at 2016 4:01 PM

2016-05-04T16:01:39-04:00

I don't like that My daughter wants to be a Marine , me being Army. With that being said I will support her any way that I can, whether that means me going to graduation in my blues or that means listening to the phone call when she says that she is being deployed and is scared not knowing how to feel! I will support her because she wants to be part of the 1 percenters. I will support her in the fact that she wants to service this Nation and I will be a proud father of a MARINE!