Qualifications for joining the Marines

02-09-2005, 01:06 PM

I hope this is the proper place for this thread. If not I apologize now.
A recruiter showed up at my door today, I talked to him for a bit about joining and he asked me several questions. Mostly personal stuff about school and my criminal background.

Anyway to get right to the point. I have a GED due to being a screw up in school. And somewhat of a criminal background, also due to being a screw up. I am ready to change all that now and make something of myself. I was told that i wont be able to join with that kind of background unless I went back to school to pick up some credits.

Thats going to involve me trying to get a grant for college and transportation to get there. I was told at least one semester should get me the needed credits, 12 of them is what he said. Can I even get 12 credits in one semester? And why wouldnt he be able to help me get into school. he made it seem like I have to go and do this all on my own.

Thats fine but from what I have heard a recruiter will do and say anything to get you to join. I would imagine that wont be hearing from him again anyway. I just wanted to get some input from someone else about this. I really want to join and boot camp and everything else doesnt scare me half as much as it probably should. i think I can do it and am a little disappointed to find that I may not be able to join.

USMCRET6391 · 02-09-2005, 02:11 PM

The biggest stumbling block is going to be the GED. Unless you can get a waiver, I dont believe you can anymore, you need a High School Diploma to get into the Corps. You can get information on recruiting by clicking on this link.

http://www.marines.com/default.asp

02-09-2005, 02:37 PM

You can get 12 credits in a semester. It is considered full time at most schools, so you would have to be a full time student.

02-09-2005, 02:43 PM

I can only view the replies if I read the printable version of this page or view it in hybrid and then its different.Im new here so Im still figuring everything out. Any way, fulltime school, fulltime job, 2 children, wife, oh man.................Im not sure i will be able to do this. I know it would be worth it in the long run, its just finding time to do it. I so wish I didnt screw up school.

ASUMarine · 02-10-2005, 06:31 PM

The only thing that having a GED means is that you can't join the reserves.
As for your criminal background if you don't have any felonies then you are ok. Just tell your recruiter about ALL of them and you can get a waiver.

goose0656 · 02-16-2005, 08:47 PM

You can get 12 credits in one semester, but it's hard. The Corps is the hardest branch to get into, but it's worth it. I wouldn't be in one of the other services (nothing bad on them, just pride for the Corps) for almost any reason.

Field_Sailor · 02-17-2005, 09:38 AM

Sounds as if you're ok. A GED will be fine, you don't need the college. No felonies and you should be alright.

Ram0528 · 02-17-2005, 02:47 PM

I dont know if you need teh credits or not, but typically 12 credits is 4 (3 credit) classes. What you can do to take less classes & get credits is the clep test.
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/...lep/about.html

"And why wouldnt he be able to help me get into school. he made it seem like I have to go and do this all on my own." As for that statement, i think that you really need to think about this. Its not the recruiter to do everything for you. At some point you have to suck it up & take the initiative on your own.

02-18-2005, 06:16 PM

From the recruiting letter I recieved you need to be 17 years old and have a GED.

SpongeJuan · 02-23-2005, 10:13 AM

Talk to a recruiter, that's the only way to find out if you're qualified. Wait, come to think about it, when I was on RA (Recruiter's Assistance) I had to see if the applicants were basically qualified. They'll ask you if you have any unpaid tickets; criminal record; if you've ever had ASTHMA, and when was the last time; Tatoos, and where; if you've ever seen a psychiatrist, and for what reasons; height and weight; if you've taken the asvab test, and your score if you took it; and if you completed highschool (if you took college classes let them know because they can put you in as a contract PFC).

**Covertness** · 02-23-2005, 04:45 PM

qualifications to be a Marine???? Well, first off.......

wait, this is the Marine hooch isn't it?

um, I'll have to get back with you, I got this thing I got to do........

Sorry Marines, the title of this thread was just begging for a little friendly inter-service rivalry. I held off as long as I could and refrained from posting 90% of the zingers I had in store.....

**AngelBear** · 02-23-2005, 05:12 PM

**Vulture6** · 02-23-2005, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Sorry Marines, the title of this thread was just begging for a little friendly inter-service rivalry. I held off as long as I could and refrained from posting 90% of the zingers I had in store.....

Don't make me explain the acronym ARMY...

Rusty24 · 02-23-2005, 07:19 PM

Counting to 10 ...... without using fingers or toes and no assistance. :laughingn