Reasons for Joining.

[DevilDogWannabe]

Hey I am a new member but I have been completely gung ho for the Marines since about forever.....Chesty Puller was my childhood hero. When I get out of High school I plan to join the Marines and make a career out of it (provided I don't eat a machine gun sandwich) and hope to end up a 35 year old close combat instructor. My Dad is behind me 100% even though it might mean he has to bury me. My Mom will fight the reqruiters every step of the way. Before I join I just wanted to know the reasons why others like me in high school are joining and why you Marines before me joined. All replies are greatly appreciated.


Semper Fi.

[Garrett]

im in Army JROTC but im goin to PLC and and becoming an officer in the marines. Im doing it cuz the marines are the most bad-assed things ever. and im related to 5 marines... Oh and one more thing... Marines dont die. They go to hell and re-group ;-)

[xSLAYERx]

im going in the marines cause they simply just whoop ass where ass needs to be whooped. they get the job done and move on. thats what i like. also the fact they are the most challenging physically and mentally. and on a last note. i want to learn how to shoot like a marine. (and the tattooos!) haha

james

p.s. taking the same route as garret

[Grimmy]

My grand folks on my daddy's side are mostly responsible for me joining the Corps.

Grama was on the Panang when it got hit by Japanese bombs in the Yangse river. Marines were on the gunboat as well (probably in transit to duty station in Shanghi, not crew members but I dont know for sure) and went below decks and forced matresses up against the hole in the hull to slow the boats sinking. They were credited in many stories by my grama for saving her life.
My Granpa was working in China for Shell Oil at the time. He was largely in charge of "oil field security". He had a rather sizable "army" of fame and fortune hunters and most of his subordinate leaders were former "china Marines". Heard many many stories from him about his Marines during fights with both Japanese and the various warlords and communist uprisings in the western and northern china area where he worked from early 1930 until 1940.
After granpa left China (when USA declared war, he came home and went to the Navy's 90 day wonder officer school) for a Ltc Cmdr rank and got an assignment to one of the Pacific fleets as Petroleum, Oil and Lubrication logistics officer. He was a deck side witness to some of the island campaigns and alwase had very strong words of praise for the USMC as a whole from that experience.

Another probable motivator towards me joining the USMC was one of my "baby sitters".
When I was in 3rd grade, folks were divorced, mom was working as a school teacher so after school I spent time with an old couple accross the street until mom got home from work. I loved them like my own grand folks. He was a WW1 Marine. Still had machinegun bullets in him from Beleu Woods (spelling on that, sorry). I still remember sitting at the kitchen table, grapefruit half on a saucer in front of me, the old lady fixing to put sugar on my grapefruit and the old man having a fit. "That fine young boy dont need no sugar! How's he ever gonna grow up proper tough if you're alwase pouring sweet on him?" and then him going into tales and stories about his time in the Marines and his adventures in "The Big One".

That's all part of why I eventually joined up.

[ColeGyreneJROTC]

My inspiration for joining the Marine Corps is a 70-something year old WWII and Korea Vet. He spent 17 years in the Corps, mostly in infantry, and was a rough, tough hardcore Marine who, because of his kick-assness never got past buck-sergeant. He received 2 purple hearts in WWII and lost a lot of his hearing when a tank rolled over his foxhole and began firing. He was also a drill instructor.

Semper Fi

[Field_Sailor]

Remember to capitalize Marines. They have earned it.

im goin cause its all i really have ever wanted to be since i was a youngin...i come from a military family so i knew i was always gonna serve...i don't know what it is but i have a drive to become a Marine...its weird i can't explain it yall prolly know what i am talkin bout

[LCpl Lamm]

The Corps' Core Values, to serve my country and maybe do something good doing it, Discipline, best military service in the US, maybe the world, toughest training, you have to earn the title, its the most challenging of all services, the brotherhood.

[USMCRET6391]

I joined in 1967 to dodge the draft

[SunShine87]

Im doing it for the adventure, Im an adrenaline junkie and i feel that the Marines are the best way to get my self on my toes. I like shooting guns, I would like to improve my accuracy and I believe the Marines are the best way....plus i think its the best way to improve yourself mentally and physically. My uncle and grand parents told me the service is the best experience in there life and the Marines are the best of the best. And its good to know your a part of the "Few and the Proud".



Semper FI,
sunshine

Originally Posted by SunShine87

My uncle and grand parents told me the service is the best experience in there life
Semper FI,
sunshine

That ia the best statement that cqn be made about joining any of the services, the expereinces, friendships, adventures so to speak and the lose of your buddies live with you the rest of your life. Something someone who never made it into the military will never have..

[Vert5]

Well I feel like I am joining for many reasons, the strongest of which is shown when I watch any sort of media which focuses on marine training. Feels like the Marines are calling out to me. I can remember seeing my dad's stuff on the wall, picture of him in his uniform, wanted it ever since.