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Ive had the privilege to work with every branch of service in both garrison and combat. Many times especially during deployments I would come accross a soldier tell me "I wanted to be a Marine but...", followed by some reason that was ligitimate. Ive never had any airman or sailor ever say to me they wanted to join the Corps, it was always soldiers. What was the reason you were turned down by the Corps? What did you not like about the Corps that determined it wasnt for you? Anybody contemplating to join the Corps (ive known only two in my career that was a prior service, a sailor and a soldier, not a common move) ?
Posted in these groups: 
Marine Corps
Recruiting
Marine Corps Recruiting
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 82
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After 8 years in the Army I have not forgotten my initial interaction with the Marine Recruiter that solidified my decision to join the US Army. I had taken and successfully passed the ASVAB with a score of 85. I had a clean background check and was ready to depart for initial training as soon as possible. My girlfriend at the time was pregnant and I was looking for healthcare and job stability as well as a better way of life. The Army recruiters offered me a viable solution and swearing in was only a formality. Curious about the Marines and seeing negatives and positives in both branches I went into the Marine recruiting office next door and told him my ASVAB score and that I had a clean background check completed already. He looked at me over his magazine with his feet kicked up on his desk and told me that I would not be able to pick my job and that every Marine is a rifleman first and his job specialty second. I told him I did not have a problem with that. I then asked him if I were to be placed in a high demand MOS could they possibly award me a bonus. He pulled his feet off his desk, sat erect, and slammed his magazine on his desk. The entire time staring me dead in the eye and loudly proclaimed "Son, being a Marine IS your bonus!" After reiterating that I had a child on the way I departed to sign up with the United States Army. My first call from basic training was that I would be having twins. I must say in retrospect that the $19,000 the Army gave me helped considerably. I think I made the right decision for me and my family.
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GySgt (Join to see)
Typical Marine "Son, being a Marine IS your bonus!" lol, it's true. You definitely don't join the Marine Corps for money although I did get a $54,000 re-enlistment bonus. Great story!
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Sgt (Join to see)
That is why the Marine Corps will always exist. This is a calling. Not a job. You indeed made the right choice. I joined this organization to serve my country, not so my country could serve me. If I wanted a "better" job, I would get one. It has been ten years now and i have a family. The Marine Corps gives me what I rate. Nothing more, nothing less. A wise GySgt once told me, "if you wouldn't do it for free you shouldn't do it at all". I don't buy this story. Every soldiers introduction always starts the same. " I was gonna join the Marine Corps, but..."
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SGT(P) (Join to see)
Not trying to stir the pot but based on your GySgt's guidance of "if you wouldn't do it for free you shouldn't do it at all", who would we have work the hard, labor intensive, or just plain dirty jobs if everyone only worked where they would for free? We would have no personnel to staff the companies that collect garbage, clean the streets, conduct fumigations or be exposed to other potentially hazardous chemicals because no one wants to do those jobs for free. Who in their right mind wants to work produce fields in the hot summer months in hot and humid climates? Most people wouldn't do it for the wage afforded to day laborers. Unfortunately not everyone gets to be an astronaut or race car driver. I am glad you found your calling and earned the title of United States Marine, but at the same time, at no point since day one of reception have I regretted my decision to join the United States Army. If I am going to do a job I can definitely appreciate an establishment willing to afford me an incentive because I believe that I am worth it.
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Cpl Michael Strickler
@SGT (P) Frank Goytia, GySgt (Join to see), Sgt (Join to see), Cpl Dominic Fittizzi
I think this is the second time I have run out of thumbs up. I want to give that recruiter a thumbs up so bad... hahaha. That is gold!
I think this is the second time I have run out of thumbs up. I want to give that recruiter a thumbs up so bad... hahaha. That is gold!
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After contemplation, I surmise that I did not "join" the Marines; I have always been a Marine and simply earned the title. As has been stated ad nauseum, Marines are different kind of people. When I talked about joining an armed service my dad a retired Marine GySgt stated that Marines where a whole different kind of crazy. He was right, Marines are a whole different kind of crazy. I would not change my decision as there was no decision, I am and will forever be a Marine.
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SSgt Fair I have had Sailors tell me that they wanted to join the Corps however they were unable to join as a Medic since we do not have those within the ranks. The then went to the Navy and became Corpsmen and were some of the hardest "Marines" that I have served with.
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SSG (Join to see)
Funny, While I was a Recruiter I ran into a kid who said he was going to be a combat medic with the Marines. His Marine Recruiter said so!
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