Becoming an officer

[Grimmy]

No need to appologize, yet

You're just starting out on this process so you should be full of questions. What you need to do now is take the time to start using the search function on this forum and read up what's been said already.

Also start really talking to your recruiters. And when you talk to them, remember to listen to what they are saying and not filter it through what you think you want to hear. (Not picking on you there, everyone does that to some degree)

After doing that, and reading up and doing your research, then you will be in a possition to ask better questions.

right now, you're shooting blind at shadows.

[Grimmy]

oh forgot to add. JROTC is an official course incorporated into the curriculum at some High Schools.

If your school doesnt have it, you cant join it. Unless, that is, you can move to a school that does have it.

[ColeGyreneJROTC]

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.

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.

[Sir_Krahn]

I would never make a decision on my life for dumb reasons suck as movies, friends, etc. I do this for myself. I do this because I want to serve my country, protect my loved ones, and protect innocent people in foreign countries. I will make the marines my career and I won't back down from any boot camp or training programs. I promised myself these things many times and if I can't trust my own word what good am I? I just wanted to be an officer because I thought it might mean I can serve my country further. Don't worry about me reconsidering anything about joining the marines. I mean, yeah, I think the movies are pretty awesome but they are nothing more than inspiration boosters, not my main drive. Thanks for listening guys, and thanks for the advice. Hope to see more of you guys for any advice I might need.

[Grimmy]

Originally Posted by sir_krahn

I would never make a decision on my life for dumb reasons suck as movies, friends, etc. I do this for myself. I do this because I want to serve my country, protect my loved ones, and protect innocent people in foreign countries. I will make the marines my career and I won't back down from any boot camp or training programs. I promised myself these things many times and if I can't trust my own word what good am I? I just wanted to be an officer because I thought it might mean I can serve my country further. Don't worry about me reconsidering anything about joining the marines. I mean, yeah, I think the movies are pretty awesome but they are nothing more than inspiration boosters, not my main drive. Thanks for listening guys, and thanks for the advice. Hope to see more of you guys for any advice I might need.

In my more honest moments I have to admit that it was stories from my grand parents and John Wayn (sp?) movies that motivated me towards the Corps

[cincymarsdad]

Grimmy - We're all suckers for "marketing". No one does it better than the Corp. Heck, if they' take 51 year olds, I'd sign up today.

Well, mebbe not.

No doubt many red-blooded 17 year old kids wonder if they have what it takes and think no further than "Hey, that uni looks pretty tight."

All that said, I have yet to meet a Marine who indicated he was anything but thrilled to be a Marine, even when they were stinking after a 14 day mission carrying 90 pounds through the sewage in Iraq. I can't see the uniform even on TV and not tear up ...

Sarah made it through the Crucible. She called her mom, which shocked me, but that's another story. That gal has had more phone calls from PI than a 15 year old girl with a new cell.

Oh kratz, one "option" is to go to night school and double up as needed and finish high school early like Sarah did. She's not yet 18 and will be a pfc on 21 April. Then you hit the Island in January when it's not 100°F and sand flea heaven.

[ColeGyreneJROTC]

June ship dates are supposed to be the during the hottest and most sand-flea infested time of the year.
So naturally I chose June 6th.