What do I do if I really want to be in the Marines, but my friends keep telling me they can't see me in the Marines?

Thomas OReilly — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 10:33:36 -0500

What do I do here? I really want to join. But my friends keep pulling me down, and saying how they cant see me in the Marines. I know most of you all that answer this question will post something cheesy like "Anyone can do anything if you put ur mind to it," or something like that. And I know you can. But if you have friends that bring you down, how do you go about that? Ever since they started saying that, I have been more physically and mentally active. And just to build up muscles and stamina. But they still say it. Please help me.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2019 10:35 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 10:35:26 -0500

Tell your friends to kiss off and chase after your dreams. And if they keep putting you down on your dreams then they aren't really your friends, are they?

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Jan 22 at 2019 10:43 AM

CSM Richard StCyr — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 10:43:30 -0500

You answered your own question " I really want to join. But my friends keep pulling me down" Good friends build each other up and help you to reach your goals. If folks drag you down find a better group.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2019 10:45 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 10:45:08 -0500

Get new friends.

My sister and my girlfriend thought I wouldn't make it through Basic training. I went straight through Basic, into Airborne School and passed selection into the 75th Ranger Regiment.

Someone smarter than me said, if you're the smartest person in the room, then you're in the wrong room. Surround yourself with people better than you, and you'll be better.

Get new friends. After you leave, if you ever return, those friends will still be doing the same crap with their lives they were at 18 and you'll wonder how you were ever friends to begin with.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jan 22 at 2019 10:49 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 10:49:07 -0500

Do what you want to do,if it doesn't work out for you,then try a different branch of the military.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jan 22 at 2019 10:50 AM

LTC Jason Mackay — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 10:50:02 -0500

Screw them get new friends. FAT friends: faithful, accessible, trustworthy. They should be building you up.

Is it your dream or not? What is their big plan? What is their future vision? Be your own man.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2019 10:50 AM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 10:50:45 -0500

You will have a new set of friends once your in the corps. Those old friends you wont even think about anymore. I run into people I use to hang with 20 years ago and laugh at them. Move on with your life and down the road look at what you have done and what they have done.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2019 11:52 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 11:52:39 -0500

Thomas OReilly In high school, my friends told me I was crazy for planning on enlisting in the Marine Corps. My parents were both deceased, and my sister also did not want me to join. I had done my research, and enlisted, as it was my choice to make. If your friends bring you down, choose new friends.

Being physically active and building up your stamina is good. In Boot Camp, you need to be observant and listen closely, have a good attitude, and be squared away.

Thomas, please send me a message if you have any questions that I can help you with.

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Jan 22 at 2019 12:00 PM

Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 12:00:36 -0500

Being a Marine isn't about muscles and stamina...that is what it takes to get the Eagle Globe and anchor but that isn't what being a Marine is all about. Being a Marine is a calling...it wasn't a calling for me...I was called to be an Airman and it worked for me. The fact that you state you really wnat to join is enough for me to tell you to go be a Marine. It is true that some of the other services have it nicer but Marines are a special breed and I have had the unique opportunity to work along side Marines and enjoyed and respected every moment of it because every fiber of their being is about being a Marine. If you are worried about what others are saying you need to do some soul searching because people talk about Marines all the time but when the feces hits the oscillating device Marines are there to fight. If you truly want to be a Marine then go for it...if that is your belief then you will do well as a Marine...they will mold you to what you need to be but if you have the right mindset they will turn you into a Marine. Go for it I say.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2019 1:25 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 13:25:04 -0500

As everyone has said. GET NEW FRIENDS!! While a support system is helpful with the mental aspects of the military, if they want to pull you down then dump them.

Response by Col Jim Harmon made Jan 22 at 2019 1:42 PM

Col Jim Harmon — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 13:42:26 -0500

There is only one person who can stop you from becoming a Marine. And that person is you.

Boot Camp will forever change the way you think, act, move, and behave. You will not be the same person after you graduate. The things you value today at 18 (wine, women and song) will be replaced by bigger things of higher value and deeper meaning (honor, country, Corps). I suspect your current friends will be replaced by the new life long friends you will make in Boot Camp and beyond.

It's all up to you. If you want it then do it. And damned be anyone who says you can't. It's your dream. Dare to live it.

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2019 1:53 PM

GySgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 13:53:55 -0500

These "so called" friends are holding you down because they dont want to see you succeed in a goal you want. What are they doing successful? I bet the answer is nothing. Newsflash!!!!! All your "so called friends" now. Will not be your friends once you earn the title Marine. One of the greatest things about becoming a United States Marine is the family bond and friendships you make with people who all over the world who all want the same thing. Earning that title Marine, makes bonds that will be friends for life. Get rid of the negative in your life. I had the same thing when I was in high school and three of my best friend ended up joining the Marines, to figure. Best of luck to you.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2019 2:05 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 14:05:55 -0500

I'll answer this without the sarcasm that initially came to mind.
Why do you believe they say that?
Do you agree?
If so, change what you agree with, and enlist. Then, invite them out when you return, and wear your uniform when you meet up.
If not, enlist, and invite them out when you return, and wear your uniform when you meet up.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2019 4:29 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 16:29:55 -0500

Do you know how crab pots work? If one crab wanders into the trap he is easily able to crawl right back out. However, get 2 or more crabs in there at the same time and all the ones in the pot who see one trying to crawl out will pull him back in.
I've seen a lot of answers here with the advice to "get new friends". Nothing wrong with this advice. However, I believe that if you grow your mental fortitude and continue to march down the path you see for yourself, your new friends will find you and your current friends may, or may not, be friends after boot camp.
If you want to be a Marine, mental fortitude will take you much farther than physical stamina or friends rooting you on. If you want to be successful in business, mental fortitude will take you much further than any business degree. If you want a successful marriage, mental fortitude will take you further than any marriage counselor or book can.
You need to answer FOR YOURSELF, do you want to be a Marine? If the answer is yes, do not let other people, no matter how well meaning they may be, pull you down into the crab pot of failure. Put your eyes on the prize and strive everyday to achieve that goal. And make sure you have a bigger goal in mind for the day you do achieve it so you have a bigger challenge to continue your life journey with.
Achieving the goal is not the point. What you become during the journey to achieve that goal is the point.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 22 at 2019 5:17 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 17:17:54 -0500

What matters is your opinion.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2019 6:01 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 18:01:31 -0500

Your friends are weak. You need better friends. Time for a friends upgrade. The good news is - you will make plenty of them in the military. If you want to be a Marine, be a Marine.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Jan 22 at 2019 7:32 PM

SGT Philip Roncari — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 19:32:51 -0500

Short answer no cheese,join the Marines,if I paid attention to my so called friends I’d still be sitting on the third barstool from the door,incarcerated or dead,join young man ,that’s my advice.

Response by Maj John Bell made Jan 22 at 2019 9:50 PM

Maj John Bell — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 21:50:58 -0500

So are any of these "friends" Marines? What is the basis of their expertise?

Response by SGT Jim Ramge, MBA made Jan 22 at 2019 11:14 PM

SGT Jim Ramge, MBA — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 23:14:49 -0500

Drop them, they aren’t your friends!

Response by GySgt Charles O'Connell made Jan 23 at 2019 8:25 AM

GySgt Charles O'Connell — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 08:25:59 -0500

If you really want to be a Marine but your decision hinges on what your friends think, then sorry, you don't really want to be a Marine.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2019 11:57 AM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 11:57:07 -0500

Their doubt in you should motivate you to succeed.

Response by Cpl Bernard Bates made Jan 30 at 2019 12:10 AM

Cpl Bernard Bates — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 00:10:51 -0500

Why do you let others tell you what to do? Its your life, you have to live it not them. Seems to me that if they were your friends they wouldn't 'keep telling you what to do. They would encourage you to do what you wanted to do. If you are 18 you don't need any ones permission to enlist in the Marine Corp. I enlisted I was 17 My dad signed for me. Some people who knew me said don't do it. I wanted to see the world. The Marines is the toughest Branch of service but also the most respected. Do your best. They will push you physically as far as you think you can go and push you a little farther each time. In 13 weeks you will be proud of yourself. They also will test you mentally. See the Marine Recruiter and ask for a copy of Leatherneck Magazine, that will tell you a lot about the Marines past and present. Semper fi.

Response by SGT Donald Croswhite made Jan 30 at 2019 1:37 AM

SGT Donald Croswhite — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 01:37:54 -0500

Quit listening to your friends, and become a man.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2019 4:07 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 04:07:12 -0500

I won’t tell you you can or can’t make it as a Marine. What I will tell you is you need to strive to be what you think you’re meant to be. I don’t know why they can’t see you being one. Maybe it’s you’re physique, maybe they think you’re too skinny or fat to make it. Maybe they think you’re not smart enough or not mentally strong enough to endure it. I will tell you that even if they are right about any of that, being a Marine is never impossible. If you want that, you take the steps necessary to be ready for it. The Marines will decide if you make the cut, not your friends. Prove them wrong.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2019 1:16 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 13:16:10 -0500

Do your own thing. Don’t let what others say about you define you. Define yourself. If part of that definition is future Marine, then go for it. I can’t believe I’m making the reference, but like Elsa let that shit go. Don’t worry about their opinion. To tell the truth, I had a buddy back in school that no one thought he would be able to get through the first week of boot camp. He did, and he made, from what I gathered, one heck of a Marine. He didn’t let us define him and now he’s a Marine veteran, parent, and more. So I say go for it. You never know if you can do it, if you don’t do it.

Response by SSG George Holtje made Feb 6 at 2019 4:38 PM

SSG George Holtje — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 16:38:04 -0500

Are any of them Marines?
If no they need to worry about their own plans for the future and not step on your aspirations.
Their inability to see you as a Marine has little to no reflection on reality.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2019 1:46 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 Feb 2019 13:46:22 -0500

You make them look "less than" by being successful as a Marine. So they attempt to discourage you.