Will my USMC recruiter let me not join if i made a mistake?

2018-04-17T10:30:33-04:00

I started talking to a recruiter a couple months ago and i told him that im graduating in May and all that. And i started getting into shape and went off to meps for medical and swear in but didnt get to swear in because i have to graduate first since i goto an alternative school. after that my work started giving me 40 hours a week and with school i didnt have time to train. so i stayed about 6 pounds over what i need to lose. and since my school is about 10 miles from me i have to walk like 2 miles to get to a public transportation. so my recruiter told me he would give me rides to school he just wants me to graduate so i can ship. but about a week or two ago i had to take days off from school and my normal job to help my girlfriends dad work or else they would have lost there house basically. and after that my school dis enrolled me for too many absences and i told my recruiter what happened, after that they let me back into school as long as i goto school like 6 days a week now the rest of the year. so im back on to graduate but my recruiter hasnt contacted me and ive tried contacting him but he wont answer. sorry for the whole story i just want every detail layed out. so can my recruiter not let me join if he is pissed at me about lying and not going to school?

Response by SPC David Willis made Apr 17 at 2018 10:47 AM

2018-04-17T10:47:37-04:00

Honestly the recruiter may have given up on you. Seems you weren't able to prioritize what was important. Sure work and making money is important, but going to school and graduating so you could have a career should be more important. Recruiters will work hard for you, but you have to show that you're committed and in the story you listed about 4 or 5 excuses as to why you weren't able to swear in, meet weight, go to school, or work out.

Response by Sgt Adrian Jones made Apr 17 at 2018 10:56 AM

2018-04-17T10:56:59-04:00

Recruiters have to meet a quota each month if he believes that you are wasting his time then he might move to other kids that actually take it more seriously. I don't know your background but you only have one life, if you have an opportunity to make you situation better by joining the Marine Corps. Nothing should stop you, you'll have plenty of girlfriends buckled down graduate and join otherwise don't waste everyone's time. Marine Corps recruiters are finicky creatures, this may seem harsh but if you join you'll see girls come and go.... it sounds like this is something you really want.

Response by SPC John Smith made Apr 17 at 2018 11:11 AM

2018-04-17T11:11:46-04:00

This might sound harsh but I'll echo what others have stated. Everything in your story is a long winded excuse. The maximum effective range of an excuse is 0 meters. I don't know why you're at an alternative school but I know that one is not kicked out of school for missing a few days of school. You have clearly shown a pattern of substandard performance and this is not your first "mistake." It sounds like it's time for you to start taking charge of your life and make something out of yourself. Your girlfriend's father has his own issues and it sounds like he's half stepping if is relying on his daughter's boyfriend to get him to work. I understand young love and, who knows, maybe that'll work out for you but right now, you need to focus and make better decisions for your future. Even if you don't make the cut in the Corps, this is a long life and starting on the losing side isn't the way to a happy life.
The job of the recruiter isn't to hold your hand and be your daddy. His/ her job is to facilitate your entry into a career. Time for you to live up to your part of the deal.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2018 12:08 PM

2018-04-17T12:08:57-04:00

Chris Henderson Marines do not make excuses. They execute the mission. Your priority should have been doing what was needed to join the Marine Corps. Cut back on your work hours, not help your girlfriends dad, or make other hard decisions Your recruiter was trying to help you out. No more excuses, no more distractions. Finish school, get in shape, and then possibly join the Marine Corps. You have not been fully committed to the Marine Corps. If you will not make a total commitment, do not join the military.

Response by Chris Henderson made Apr 17 at 2018 12:25 PM

2018-04-17T12:25:24-04:00

thanks for all the comments

Response by SFC Greg Smith made Apr 17 at 2018 12:44 PM

2018-04-17T12:44:32-04:00

I served as an Army recruiter and I know some really outstanding Marine Recruiters. Your recruiter has a job to do. Recruit and recruit some more. All potential recruits are important, but the ones that can get to MEPS, pass a physical and ship are the most important..... You have a job to do as well. What ever your real issue is/are you have to fix and fix it fast. Your recruiter appears to have gone the extra mile for you and see some potential in you. Be an adult, go to the recruiting office and let your recruiter know what your intentions are. Become a Marine or not. Stop with the extras..... Then go next door and talk to the Army recruiter. Good luck to you and thanks for asking for advice and listening to all advice.

Response by SGT David T. made Apr 17 at 2018 1:05 PM

2018-04-17T13:05:53-04:00

Guess they don't want you so don't join the Marines. There are a few other branches you can go to.

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Apr 17 at 2018 1:35 PM

2018-04-17T13:35:04-04:00

Go back to the recruiter once you've graduated. He or she has moved on from you.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2018 7:33 PM

2018-04-17T19:33:15-04:00

Sounds like you have a pattern of justifying sub-standard results due to insufficient effort. Unless you square that away you won't make it through Receiving, let alone MCRD. Save the Government's time and money and pick an easier profession. Maybe that's what your Recruiter is telling you with his actions. If you're committed then get your act together and make it right. Otherwise, forget it. If simple stuff like this keep you from reaching a goal, you either don't want it bad enough or aren't willing to put forth the effort. Either way, it won't fly in the USMC, and definitely not Boot Camp.

Shorter answer: He can't deny you the chance to enlist if you are mentally, morally, and physically qualified, but based on your actions he may see you as a marginal performer that is overall marginally qualified to ship. He's looking for hard-chargers, not maybes. Pay him a visit and go from there, but you'd best have a plan to convince him you mean it (without alibis and excuses). Nobody promised you a Rose Garden. Square yourself away.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Apr 17 at 2018 11:04 PM

2018-04-17T23:04:50-04:00

Honestly it depends on the mistake, but according to your description, it doesn't sound like you're making any mistakes. It just sounds like you lack the commitment to become a Marine.

You complain about your job giving you more hours. Why are you even working??? Do you hope to go back to that job after recruit training, I sure as hell hope not.

What you need to do is prepare to give up on your life completely and dedicate it to the Marine Corps. If you need to graduate to become a Marine, then that should be your number 1 focus.

If you don't lose all this baggage that you are currently carrying around, then not only is it going to weigh you down in recruit training, it will drag you down when you join the Fleet.

If you want to be a Marine, then act like a Marine and get your affairs in order. If you're qualified, you'll ship out regardless. But if you want to be successful, then you need to get your priorities in order.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2018 3:25 PM

2018-04-23T15:25:16-04:00

Your priority should be to graduate. You’re not reliable.