Crisis of conscience

Heartattack · 05-18-2006, 09:51 PM

I have a huge fuckin problem. Bear with me. 8 months ago I tried to join the Marines. I got DQed at MEPS for having a heart murmur. Well I pushed and pushed to get into the Corps, hand written statements, being video taped while I pass the Marine PFT (with a second class score I might add), and talking to the recruiters every single day. Well in the end it was a bust. BUMED kept turning me down.
With that option gone I started thinking about college, you know as an alternative to sucking at life, and this Navy recruiter called me and said he could get me in. I didn't think he could but I told him to go for it. I did some more hand written statments, more letters from civillian docs, and more paperwork. Well in the end he actually got me in. He got me a waiver for my heart murmur which I thought was a fuckin miracle. I couldn't believe he had got me into the military. This Navy recruiter comes out of nowhere and reopens a door I thought was closed. I wouldn't have to wander through college with no direction, I could go in the Navy. Sure it wasn't the Marines, but (so it would appear) my Marine recruiters had screwed me over.
Well I graduated from high school last night and I ran into my old recruiter. I told what had happened how I joined the Navy and the fuck up we had with getting me a waiver. At the end of our conversation I was still very proud to have joined the Navy, but then I started to ask myself if thats what I really wanted to do. Ever since I can remember I'd wanted to be a Marine. My only problem is that my recruiter is a really good guy and he worked so fuckin hard to get me this waiver and I don't want to bail on him. If it wasn't for this Navy recruiter the military wouldn't even be an option.
But my huge problem is I want to be a Marine. Always have. I don't want to break his trust, but I also have to be honest with myself. I'm sure you can see how confused I am by now so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

**Brad** · 05-18-2006, 09:56 PM

Unless I'm missing something, you couldn't get into the Marines. It's very possible that the Navy had a waiver that the Marine Corps couldn't offer you. Unless there's more to this story, it's still not an option for you to be a Marine. So, would you be proud to be a Sailor? I would.

Heartattack · 05-18-2006, 10:00 PM

Yeah I do see your point. The really funny thing though is I signed up to be a Corpsman. So its odd that the Marines couldn't take me, but the Navy is about to send me to the front lines to sew bullet wounds.

**cincymarsdad** · 05-19-2006, 06:43 AM

Sometimes, Marines think more highly of their Corpsmen than they do themselves. Just learn to say:

"Drink more water."

**SGRock** · 05-19-2006, 07:09 AM

I know how you feel heartattack. I was active duty for eight years. I shot expert on the rifle range. I was an 0341 (Infantry Mortars). I did a tour on Embassy Duty at two hardship posts (Mogadishu and Bogota). I got out of the Corps and wanted to become a cop. I was told that my eyesight isn't good enough. Yeah that raised a big WTF from me too.

In your situation take the Navy. Become a Corpsman. Marines respect the Navy of course, but they haold the highest respect for the Corpsmen. Even the Corpsmaen don't think of themselves as sailors. I have personally seen Corpsmen look at sailors and call them "Fuckin' Squids".
Yes, you wanted to be a Marine. But God doesn't have it in his plans for you. Who knows, you might become a SEAL. You might spend your whole career with the Fleet Marine Force and never have to wear the Cracker Jack uniform. You might win the MOH for pulling half a platoon into a building and stabilizing them for MEDEVAC.
There's a reason for everything Hard Charger.

Heartattack · 05-19-2006, 09:25 AM

Thank you all for the advice. You have really helped me in my decision making. I'm gonna go through with it and be a Corpsman.

**cincymarsdad** · 05-19-2006, 09:37 AM

I'm proud of your commitment and desire to serve. I hope you stay around and keep us posted.

And take care of "my" Marines, will ya? Hopefully, you'll stay bored, but if you ever run across a tall female second LT, take special care of her for me.

USMC Chuter · 05-19-2006, 10:34 AM

I agree with all the above. Be a kick ass Corpsman and I have no doubt you'll find what you're looking for, and you'll be able to serve as a respected member of the Marine team. Good luck!

ArchAngel · 05-20-2006, 05:57 AM

Oorah! Corpsman are the shit.

USMCRET6391 · 05-20-2006, 09:49 AM

It appears to me that your karma is to be a sailor. Be the best corpsman you can be and it will all work out the way it was supposed to.

Heartattack · 05-20-2006, 03:48 PM

Thanks guys. It means alot to me that you guys actually care. I've taken a liking to this site. I think I'll stick around.

**Brad** · 05-20-2006, 08:18 PM

Glad to have you. Just curious, were you here before with a different name?

SpongeJuan · 05-21-2006, 10:06 AM

You know, when I look at my Corpsmen, I don't see them as Navy. They have digital cammies like me, and they are constantly around us. I just kinda got adjusted to them and started to see them as Marines. And ever since they passed that law stating that a member of the Navy that is attached to a Marine unit is authorized to wear our uniform as long as they keep our grooming standards, you can't tell the difference anymore with the haircuts.