A decision

[Sands06]

Hey Guys,

I have posted here once or twice before, so many of you probally don't remember me. I have come here to ask a question. Right now I am in the process of making a decision. I have graduated high school and I am trying to decide between the Marines or college. I just don't know what to do. I want to Enlist, but I want to go to college. I just don't know what I want really first.I'm afraid to pick one in fear that I'll regret not doing the other. Everyone is getting on me to choose, but they just don't understand that I don't want to make a decision without being 100% that its the right one for me at the time. Did you all have this battle between the two decisions? What helped you decide? I want to serve my country, and I figure I'm in great shape now, why not enlist while I already am, and while the desire is there? You know? I just have so much pressure on me. Any response would be great.

[Panzerman]

Go to school first. That'll give you more options with the Marine Corps, anyway, and you'll be quite a bit more mature when you decide if you really want to take on the riskier of the two options.

You'll make a better Marine with some life experience and education under your belt, and being a better Marine means you make a better contribution to both the Corps and the nation. On the other hand, if you enlist first, having been a Marine will probably do a good deal towards making you a better student, but that's not really benefitting anybody but yourself.

I went to school first, and looking back on it wouldn't have it any other way.

Just my $.02

[Sir_Krahn]

I am one of the top ten in my class and I have the opportunity to go to college full ride if I want to but I chose something else for my life, the Marine Corps. I made my decision purely on my beliefs and personality. I am one of those people who don't want the easy way into life, I also don't want to waste all of this drive and determination and physical condition here in the U.S. The Marines have job stability, no layoffs, unions, crap like that. There are also the added benefits and all that good stuff. But what really hits me deep is to see all those men die out there and wonder 'Could I have done something to save them?' Around here nobody can quite understand that but of course they wouldn't. But hey if you want to go to college too then that is your decision, maybe you want to be an officer coming in or something that is all up to you. Just remember you can take pride in saying every time 'Yeah I am a Marine.'

[AmericanGirl]

I cant speak as far as the Marine Corp is concerned but I can tell you about college. College is hard in a different way, you have to be disciplined enough to go to class, to study and complete assignments instead of going out and partying with friends. You will get out of it what you put into it, so if you are there to learn then you will do well, but if you are just there to get by... better invest your time elsewhere. I guess I would ask you some questions, How do you feel about high school? Are you just killing time or are you enjoying learning stuff? What's more important, socializing with friends or getting good grades? Do you know what you want to study?

Good Luck making your decision, keep us updated.

[Brad]

There are a lot of doors in life that just will not open without that little sheepskin - no matter how good/smart/talented you are. Some education will give you more opportunities in the Corps and a little more wisdom to carry with you. Also, you're in great shape now, but you're also in learning mode now. Speaking from experience, college can be harder to come back to as an adult. But if you need a few years before you're ready to hit the books after high school, then by all means, join the Marines.

[SGRock]

You can even do both. Be a reservist, go to college and if the desire comes on become an officer or just transfer to active duty after you finish college. The Corps may even have some GI Bill you can use towards that goal as well. Talk to a recruiter or someone from the local Reserve unit that you might like to get into.

[cincymarsdad]

SGRock is correct that bein a reservist allows you to be a Marine and a college student, at least until you get activated. You might also consider college NROTC programs, which have Marine options and scholarship possibilities.

Being in college and being aimless and a party animal is worst than worthless as you would be paying money for no purpose. Being there and staying focused is a different kettle of fish. I think some people benefit from Marine training to be more assured of being in the latter category. As noted, college has MANY distractions. Many. I am pretty sure my son would have been "distracted", and after Marine training, would not have been nearly so. I would be worried about the PTSD and other items. Another member of his squad, Lcpl Mike Cifuentes had a B.S. in psychology already and was working on his master's and I learned he wrote his gf he would definitely need counseling when he got back. Today, being a reservist means you pretty much will be deployed into a nasty place that takes a year out of your college life. Of course, you will suddenly have 160 or so close brothers in the process.

The only thing "we" can provide is a list of the options to consider, the pros and cons of each, and then you can make an informed decision - it's time. And once you decide, put everything you have into that path and be the best you can be ...

[Vulture6]

I don't want to make a decision without being 100% that its the right one

One of the first lessons that you would learn in the Corps, and hopefully in college too, is that you will rarely be able to make a decision with 100% certainty. You’ll just have to weigh your options and do the best that you can to decide with 60 or 70% and then have no regrets.

My advice, go to college. Why?

1. Many folks never get the chance to go to college. As folks above have pointed out, there are a lot of advantages. Especially if someone else is paying for it.

2. Many of our four year residential colleges are in desperate need of people like you – that put service before self, that have a desire to serve their country, that aren’t centering their lives around American Idol, MTV or some other frivolous crap.

3. There is a role for you in the Corps after college – enlisted or commissioned. You have more options.

Does the Corps need you now? Maybe. Will they need you four years from now? Maybe. Will they be able to get by without you? Absolutely.

[Sands06]

Thank you all for your replies. Much appreciated. I know that in the end it is up to me and what I want to do, I just figured I would want some input and opinions from those who were in my shoes at one point in time.

I will definatly keep you guys posted.