a few marine corps questions

[PwnMasterFlash]

hello everyone!

my name is Zane and I'm 14 y.o. I plan on joining the marine corps asap but i have a ton of questions :\

1. i looked up MOS lists and if i'm not mistaken, MOS -0317 is for scout/sniper (feel free to correct) and it said that a GT score of 100+ is required...what is a GT score? how do i check my GT score?

2. Also read that i must be currently qualified as an expert rifleman.... could someone further explain this to me?

3. what is a First Class PFT?

4. what is a secret security classification?

5. how do you go about weapon choosing? or do you just get what you get?

6. im just gunna throw this out there. i DO NOT think that M16's should be used. i think that the FN SCAR should be used instead. i think that it is a 5.56x45mm/7.62x51mm caliber. not sure (feel free to correct) but yeha, my question is why don't they switch to a more reliable, its only 7.5 lb. 5.56 is fast and accurate 7.62 is hard hittin, so either way its great! maybe it might be because they have used the M16 for so long that they don't want to have to re-train people. but i think it would help out quite a bit if the FN SCAR and M16 were switched out. you guys should look into it. can anyone reffer me to the man/men/woman/women with the authority to change the two? then again, why listen to a 14 year old kid right? haha thanks anyways for answerin my questions.

Semper Fidelis,
Zane H.

[RR691983]

Originally Posted by PwnMasterFlash

hello everyone!

my name is Zane and I'm 14 y.o. I plan on joining the marine corps asap but i have a ton of questions :\

1. i looked up MOS lists and if i'm not mistaken, MOS -0317 is for scout/sniper (feel free to correct) and it said that a GT score of 100+ is required...what is a GT score? how do i check my GT score?

2. Also read that i must be currently qualified as an expert rifleman.... could someone further explain this to me?

3. what is a First Class PFT?

4. what is a secret security classification?

5. how do you go about weapon choosing? or do you just get what you get?

6. im just gunna throw this out there. i DO NOT think that M16's should be used. i think that the FN SCAR should be used instead. i think that it is a 5.56x45mm/7.62x51mm caliber. not sure (feel free to correct) but yeha, my question is why don't they switch to a more reliable, its only 7.5 lb. 5.56 is fast and accurate 7.62 is hard hittin, so either way its great! maybe it might be because they have used the M16 for so long that they don't want to have to re-train people. but i think it would help out quite a bit if the FN SCAR and M16 were switched out. you guys should look into it. can anyone reffer me to the man/men/woman/women with the authority to change the two? then again, why listen to a 14 year old kid right? haha thanks anyways for answerin my questions.

Semper Fidelis,
Zane H.

Hi Zane,
I'm glad you have an interest in the military, the Marines are some of our nations finest. You probably should have posted in the Marines sub-forum (this is the Army sub-forum) but I'll try to answer some of your questions, at least the ones that are somewhat in my lane. Let see if I can help out now and chip away at some of those questions.

1. GT Score, this is one of the line scores you will get after you take the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) before you can enlist. Get used to acronyms, we love those. More specifically it is the General Technical score. Army MOS eligibility also most of the time rests on the GT score.

Also, I do not believe you can enlist as a SS however I may be wrong because these things are ever changing. I think you will have to enlist as a 0311 Rifleman and then by showing proficiency and standing out in a good way you may be asked or "voluntold" to move on to become a Scout Sniper.

2. Pretty much see above paragraph. Shooting Expert is a prerequisite for sniper training, it is the same in the Army although it is a little more complicated than just being able to shoot expert. For us, to attend sniper school you have to show proficiency on pretty much all standard rifle platforms we carry. At least in the Army it is really difficult to get a slot for sniper school unless you are assigned to a scout platoon already. Sniper school has high attrition rate as well but that is another topic.

3. PFT is the Physical Fitness Test, you will need to be in top shape to meet the demands of everyday training as a sniper. It is rigorous, and to be blunt there is nothing glorious about it. Every day will be harder than the last and you will be expected to get the job done no matter what. Second place is not an option. Snipers are surgeons, their rifle is their scalpel.

4. Security clearance is something you will need to attain, this will be done in service. It is very similar to the background tests done by federal agencies for employment into the FBI, Secret Service, etc. They will go back many years and look at all aspects of your life, interview friends, aquaintances, past employers, etc. This is to ensure you are of sound moral character. All things will be looked at. This includes debts and credit history as well.

5. Basically you get issued the standard weapon platforms needed to complete your mission, these vary between branches but will include various systems ranging in calibers from 5.56mm to .50BMG. You will know how to implement and qualify with all of them. Most likely you will carry a 7.62mm rifle, either bolt action or semi automatic, a spotter would also carry various weapons these could be anything from a M9 to M249. Whatever the mission dictates.

6. Stay in your lane. When you've carried and fired these weapons for a while then you can form an opinion. I find it very unlikely you have any experience besides forum "Rangers" and their false war stories to have such an opinion. The M16/4 is a fine and capable platform, it has shortcomings but every system does. It takes time for changes to happen, you can't simply snap your fingers and wiggle your nose and have nearly a million brand spanking new weapons issued in place of current inventory. It will happen eventually, even if it is a simple upgrade of the gas system.

That takes care of that, I would recommend you keep hitting the books for now. A dumb soldier is a dead soldier. Keep your grades up, enjoy the next few years while you are young. Don't mess around with drugs, if you are a couch potato get out there and start getting active. You don't want to get recycled in Boot/Basic because you are out of shape and can't pass your PT test or keep getting injured. Build up those bones and muscles now, you WILL need them later.

I strongly recommend when you are old enough you visit and talk to recruiters from each branch. Do NOT sign anything until you are 100% certain it is what you want to do for the next 8 years (notice I said 8) it is a very long time and a serious commitment that will stick with you the rest of your life whether you make it or not.

Don't write off other paths either. The life of an Infantryman/Scout/Cav is not for everyone. You will spend most of your time cold, wet, and completely miserable. You will often hurt from head to toe, you will be hungry, your feet will blister and bleed through your boots. You will wish you were anywhere but where you are at, you will want to quit but quitting will equal death. You will have the worst experiences of your life, your friends will die. You will also have the best experiences of your life, you will form bonds that will last a lifetime, you will meet some of the craziest and strangest people you could imagine and you will call them friend, you will call them brother. These will be them same guys that when you turn your head, you realize they are every bit as miserable, cold, wet, tired, and hungry as you are and maybe a bit more. This is what will keep you moving, you will suck it up, drink some water and move on.

These are things you will need to think about. Don't fall into the hollywood hype, it is just a movie. We laugh at these same movies you will think are awesome. There is nothing glamorous about war, nothing noble about killing people. However, it is what we do. We close with and destroy.

Maybe go hunting with a family member. Go kill Bambi for sustenance. If that isn't for you maybe the Infantry isn't either.

[PwnMasterFlash]

Originally Posted by RR691983

Hi Zane,
I'm glad you have an interest in the military, the Marines are some of our nations finest. You probably should have posted in the Marines sub-forum (this is the Army sub-forum) but I'll try to answer some of your questions, at least the ones that are somewhat in my lane. Let see if I can help out now and chip away at some of those questions.

1. GT Score, this is one of the line scores you will get after you take the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) before you can enlist. Get used to acronyms, we love those. More specifically it is the General Technical score. Army MOS eligibility also most of the time rests on the GT score.

Also, I do not believe you can enlist as a SS however I may be wrong because these things are ever changing. I think you will have to enlist as a 0311 Rifleman and then by showing proficiency and standing out in a good way you may be asked or "voluntold" to move on to become a Scout Sniper.

2. Pretty much see above paragraph. Shooting Expert is a prerequisite for sniper training, it is the same in the Army although it is a little more complicated than just being able to shoot expert. For us, to attend sniper school you have to show proficiency on pretty much all standard rifle platforms we carry. At least in the Army it is really difficult to get a slot for sniper school unless you are assigned to a scout platoon already. Sniper school has high attrition rate as well but that is another topic.

3. PFT is the Physical Fitness Test, you will need to be in top shape to meet the demands of everyday training as a sniper. It is rigorous, and to be blunt there is nothing glorious about it. Every day will be harder than the last and you will be expected to get the job done no matter what. Second place is not an option. Snipers are surgeons, their rifle is their scalpel.

4. Security clearance is something you will need to attain, this will be done in service. It is very similar to the background tests done by federal agencies for employment into the FBI, Secret Service, etc. They will go back many years and look at all aspects of your life, interview friends, aquaintances, past employers, etc. This is to ensure you are of sound moral character. All things will be looked at. This includes debts and credit history as well.

5. Basically you get issued the standard weapon platforms needed to complete your mission, these vary between branches but will include various systems ranging in calibers from 5.56mm to .50BMG. You will know how to implement and qualify with all of them. Most likely you will carry a 7.62mm rifle, either bolt action or semi automatic, a spotter would also carry various weapons these could be anything from a M9 to M249. Whatever the mission dictates.

6. Stay in your lane. When you've carried and fired these weapons for a while then you can form an opinion. I find it very unlikely you have any experience besides forum "Rangers" and their false war stories to have such an opinion. The M16/4 is a fine and capable platform, it has shortcomings but every system does. It takes time for changes to happen, you can't simply snap your fingers and wiggle your nose and have nearly a million brand spanking new weapons issued in place of current inventory. It will happen eventually, even if it is a simple upgrade of the gas system.

That takes care of that, I would recommend you keep hitting the books for now. A dumb soldier is a dead soldier. Keep your grades up, enjoy the next few years while you are young. Don't mess around with drugs, if you are a couch potato get out there and start getting active. You don't want to get recycled in Boot/Basic because you are out of shape and can't pass your PT test or keep getting injured. Build up those bones and muscles now, you WILL need them later.

I strongly recommend when you are old enough you visit and talk to recruiters from each branch. Do NOT sign anything until you are 100% certain it is what you want to do for the next 8 years (notice I said 8) it is a very long time and a serious commitment that will stick with you the rest of your life whether you make it or not.

Don't write off other paths either. The life of an Infantryman/Scout/Cav is not for everyone. You will spend most of your time cold, wet, and completely miserable. You will often hurt from head to toe, you will be hungry, your feet will blister and bleed through your boots. You will wish you were anywhere but where you are at, you will want to quit but quitting will equal death. You will have the worst experiences of your life, your friends will die. You will also have the best experiences of your life, you will form bonds that will last a lifetime, you will meet some of the craziest and strangest people you could imagine and you will call them friend, you will call them brother. These will be them same guys that when you turn your head, you realize they are every bit as miserable, cold, wet, tired, and hungry as you are and maybe a bit more. This is what will keep you moving, you will suck it up, drink some water and move on.

These are things you will need to think about. Don't fall into the hollywood hype, it is just a movie. We laugh at these same movies you will think are awesome. There is nothing glamorous about war, nothing noble about killing people. However, it is what we do. We close with and destroy.

Maybe go hunting with a family member. Go kill Bambi for sustenance. If that isn't for you maybe the Infantry isn't either.

I love your way of putting things! as for your advice, its already been done. have yet to see a deer, but i have shot a few boars and a rabbit. i doubt i can compare to some of the harsh conditions your talking about, but me, my friend and his dad decided to go camping for 3 days in a swamp (swamp water itches) with a few supplies from GI Jeff's (surplus store) and i go to boot camps and leadership camps over the summer. i do MilSim (military simulation w/ air soft guns) i am a good sniper there, i earned the nickname PwnMasterFlash hence the user name. as far as experience with REAL guns i have a Ruger M77 bolt action (left handed) and i have shot M16A2 at my uncles shooting range in tampa. also own a Ruger MKIII. not allowed to touch the MK till i turn 18. but it is still fun to look at in a glass case. i use the M77 for hunting. Dad says it's funny that i love bolt-actions, i don't see how though. oh, you mentioned a marine corps forum section, i saw sniper school so i figured bingo! new to forums. don't spend mch time on computer besides for schoolwork. anyways, thanks for your advice. and if i can ask 1 more question, what would be the best thing to do about strengthening my ankles? funny question right? its just when a run for long periods of time, my ankles start o crack and ache. thanks!

[USMC Chuter]

Excellent advice and answers given a couple posts up! I'll elaborate a little from the Marine side of things, although I suspect there are more similarities in the process of becoming a sniper than there are differences.

In the Marine Corps you must first be an infantryman. Once you are assigned to an infantry battalion, you must prove to be a peak performer among your peers. This includes, but isn't limited to: Among the top PTers, a consistent (ie, you've shot the qual course a time or two since boot camp) rifle expert, be recommended by your commander (maturity/ability to work independently are a big deal), and probably have a deployment under your belt.

If you meet those basic things, you can take the STA (Sniper/Target Aquisition) Platoon indoctrination course. Basically you get worn out and tested on skills, endurance, and mental stability for a period that can last hours or days. Pass that and you may be assigned to STA, where you'll absorb knowledge from experienced snipers until your turn to attend scout/sniper school. Pass that, you're in.

All that having been said, I am not a sniper. I have served in the infantry, but it was years ago. I'm in the tank community now, so some of that stuff may have changed. You get the idea though. Good luck. Like RR said, do the best you can in school and get in the best shape you can. Have fun while you can, because much of life in the military is anything but.