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Originally Posted by sir_krahn
Where do I go to join a JROTC? I mean I know that certain schools have ROTC programs(not ours) is that something like that or is this something I do before boot camp? I am sorry about the fact that I don't really know anything about the path to becoming an officer besides the fact that college helps.
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Don't let your heart get ahead of your brain.
Make yourself a plan with practical goals.
Write it down, read it, and stick it on your bedroom wall.
You have to look at several things when planning just your first enlistment, much less an entire career.
1. Qualifications
You have to be physically fit, which, from what you've said, it seems that you are.
You have to be nearly devoid of medical problems, such as heart conditions, murmurs, athsma, etc., etc.
You have to be mentally prepared to face the challenges presented to you by Boot Camp.
In order to be an Officer, you must have a Bachelor's Degree and go through OCS.
2. Obligations
Car payments, dependent care, etc., etc.
Talk to your recruiter about them.
3. TIME
I believe the cutoff age set for becoming an officer in the USMC is 27.
You have to have the time to enlist (if that's what you have your heart set on), earn a degree either while in the Marine Corps of after your first enlistment is over, then go to OCS and be comissioned.
4. Reality
Everyone wants to be a gung-ho Scout/Sniper Force Recon movie style Marine.
We can't all do that, especially if you have plans to eventually become an officer.
If you enlist as an 03-whatever during a conflict such as this, your opportunity for schooling while you're in will not be as likely as when you are in an administrative position.
Get all the information you can before you make any decisions, and go through it with a fine toothed comb.
Don't trust what your buddies tell you or what anyone who has no experience in the matter says.
Talk to: Recruiters, those with military experience, specifically those who were in your shoes (USMC, enlisted to officer, 03 Field), and don't ignore what the seasoned Marines on this group tell you, their wisdom from experience is invalueable.
The biggest thing that I can stress is to reconsider the entire thing.
If you're going into the Marine Corps because of a movie, game, or motivational speaker, you're going in for the wrong reason.
Go in because you want to serve.
Not as some one-man Rambo-style killer, because that ain't how it is in real life.
If, after seriously reconsidering your choice, you still want to join, keep yourself motivated and dedicated, get into the DEP, and stay physically fit.
Oh, and don't smoke cigarettes, drink in excess, or do drugs.
The last thing you want is to be going through nic fits during Boot Camp, or having to get a waiver for an offensive while drunk or high, or even worse, be disqualified from serving because of some stupid indiscretion.
Because that's something I definitely know about, and it's not picnic.