Posted: 6/26/2004 12:06:39 AM EDT
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For all of those all of those who havent read it out there, there is an article entitled "March of the Porcelain Soldiers"(SFTT.org, April 3 2002) that illustrates the lack of discipline and hard standards that the military seems to lack so much today. I read it just recently and I am wondering if I am a freak now. Heres why: I am a 16 year old in AZ who will be a senior in High School next year. I turn 17 in august, for the record. I am a member of the marching band which is as close as I can get without the ROTC or a shitty sport to a disciplined group of people with physical, mental, and commitmental standards. I am trying to keep them disciplined, but the kids are getting too bitchy to punish for their idiocy. I try to live my life with honor as best as I can and when I turn 18(or 19), I intend to join either the Marine Corps or the Marine Corps Reserves. I decided to join the Marines just a few months ago(about 8) and as of yet, I havent figured out a hardcore reason that I wanted to publicly state to those who asked(my family, for instance). But honestly I want to live a life of discipline, commitment, honor, integrity, and of course small arms. I have wanted to be in a squad of people whom I can trust my life with and fire my weapon for the lives of others. I want to work through an operation for my country and more importantly those I love at home. Though they will never understand that fact, that is what it is. I want to fight to protect all the things that I hold dear to me and have something in my life that I can be prouder of than a desk and a bar code. I want to be punished for my fuckups and awarded for my achievements. Reading that article made me wonder if that was really going to ever happen the way I think it might. I fear that if I fuck up when I enlist I will get a hug and kiss from Dr. Lance Corporal Phil and shoved some medications or even worse, sent home with a "You just sound funny and have ADD" note attached to my forehead. (FYI, I dont have ADD) Am I wrong for wanting to fight for the things I love, and stop those who are keeping me from enjoying my life? Am I wrong for wanting to have discipline, honor, code, and achievement? Am I wrong for wanting to be the best and to stop those who challenge that? Am I wrong? I cant think anymore. |
| Good luck,sounds like you have thought it out and are wanting to join for the right reasons. Trust me when you screw up you will be punished,push ups whatever. My son enlisted for the Army and leaves for Basic in Oct. It will change you and change the way you look at things. When my son enlisted at lot of kids in his school gave him crap and they could not understand why he would want to do something like that. You will run across that too and the ones that say that just have no idea or can't comprehend your ideals. I wish you luck and I hope you make it through. It is a great experience. |
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Go to college and sign up for ROTC. The longterm advantages are way better than if you just enlist. There are a few Marine Officers in this forum and in The Hall of Heros forum as well. I'm sure they can help better than I could. You sound like a squared away kid. Good luck. |
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nothing wrong with you, I went Army recon, best thing I ever did. I have no regrets about it. I got very sick during a Bosnia rotation and have lingering effects, but I'd do it over again if given the chance. there is nothing wrong with wanting to join the military and defend our freedoms. and BTW, chicks dig army scouts because we get deeper into the bush  but the marines I did joint ops with in Baghdad were damn good men, I'd go to war with them again any time. |
While I DO definately want to end up being a scout/sniper(if possible), I dont think I ever will have any problem with getting "deeper into the bush". |
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"Stepping Time" was scheduled for 1:00 A.M. on April 5. At 7:30 P.M. on April 4 Captain Smith assembled Bravo Company in a V formation in front of the red company flag. He told his 150 Marines that they should be grateful for the opportunity now given them. Theb n a chaplain, Navy Lieutenant Wayne Hall, of Oklahoma City, blessed Bravo: "Today is Palm Sunday," he began. "The day of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, where he broke the bounds of Hell. Tonight commences your triumphal entry into Fallujah, a place within the bounds of Hell. This is a spiritual battle, and you Marines are the tiools of mercy." As Hall invoked the Holy Spirit, all the Marines dropped to one knee and bowed their heads, removing their bush or field hats as they did so. After more than a year of travel with the US military I had become accustomed to such sermons. For young men living in austere conditions, going out daily to risk their lives, morale is not based on polite subtleties but on a stark belief in their own righteousness, and in the iniquity of the enemy. The spirit of the US military is fiercely evangelical, even as it is fiercely ecumenical. Although both kosher and halal MREs are provided, and soldiers and Marines of all races, religions, and regions of the country are welcomed into the ranks, the fact is that not all races, religions, and regional typesjoin up in equal numbers. So it is that the martial evangelicalism of the South and the Bible Belt gives the military its true religious soul, along with its compassion for innocent civilians - a phenomenon I had seen in Afghanistan, the Phillipines, and other places, and would see again in Fallujah. I wished Captain Smith good luck, telling him I would link up with Bravo the next day, after accompanying Lieutenant Colonel Byrne to Fallujah's outskirts. Smith's face was glowing with rapture. This was the moment he had lived for, Bravo had been selected to be the tip of the spear for the assault inside the city - just as the Bravo Company of 1/5 had been first inside the citadel of Hue thirty-six years earlier. |
thats not what word on the street has, but anyway, recon's where its at if you want the fun stuff. and never allow yourself to say that you cant achieve something, because its almost always your mind holding you back. I finished my spur ride with screwed up lungs, and went through OIF with 3ID(mech) 3-15th infantry(read "Thunder Run") and when you start to feel "the suck(aka, when you feel that you might not be able to keep going)", just keep telling yourself that there are no excuses for faliure and you can achieve anything you want. sucking it up and driving on will be your best ally and always help your buddy out since you never know when you'll need his help |
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The fire directed at us did not let up. Over at the ICOM, Smith learned it was coming from the mosque on Michigan about 300 yards away. The mosque was promptly targeted for a possible air strike, and everyone began a fast march towards it. Smith did not have to order his Marines straight into the direction of the fire; it was a collective impulse-a phenomenon I would see again and again over the coming days. the idea that Marines are trained to break down doors, to seize beachheads and other territory, was an abstraction until I was there to experience it. Running into fire rather than seeking cover from it goes counter to every human survival instinct-trust me. I was swreating as much from fear as from the layers of clothing I still had on from the night before, to the degree that it felt like pure salt were running into my eyes from my forehead. As the weeks had rolled on, and I had gotten to know the 1/5 Marines as the individuals they were, I had started deluding myself that they weren't much different than me. They had soft spots, they got sick, they complained. But in one flash, as we charged across Michigan amid whistling incoming shots, I realized they were not like me; they were Marines. |
You are on the wrong street my friend. Anyways, what do I have to do to get into Recon and what basically is it(since I am too damned lazy to look it up if I can get it from members)? |
| Another question... What does it take to get promoted in the Marines? This is just a curiosity question... Wanting to know if I am going to be an E-1 for however long I am in or end up getting promoted every 8 months. Just checking to see what to expect and what to do. |