ooooorrraahh

[allpoint]

I'm going to say something that many people may disagree with but you joined the Marine Corps an elite fighting force within itself. Keep your edge you learn a lot of great skills. You're foolish if you joined the Marines to be something you could have done straight out of high school or the air force. You learn how to protect and kill then go on the street and get your *** kicked because you don't realize what potential you have. Depending on what units you go to and what type of commander you have, we did all the training recon and seals do spy rigging, boat ops all except parachute and scuba, being a regular Marine. I use to carry my ALICE pack around with my personal things as a SSgt because at that time you couldn't carry a civilian back-pack in uniform. If the high and tight and "warbag" keeps your edge do it for you. Congratulations Warrior!

[tnlrat37]

Congrats, Devil Dog, I was Bravo Co. In SOI. Had a blast there, you'll be done in no time, the final 20 mile hump sucks. Some awesome training though. Enjoy it, it won't last forever. You will find out the fleet unit your going to the last week if they still do it the same. Pray you don't get Gitmo or 29 palms. I got 3/7 in 29 palms, good times.

[Stormfeather]

Congrats devildog... so many good thoughts come back to me from when I went thru back in those days, you will have a lifetime of memories starting now. A few little pieces of advice...

1) Dont be afraid to get outside of the box when it comes to exploring your AO once you get settled in and get some time outside of base. Check out all of those small little towns up and down the coast. Lots to see and do that doesnt involve drinking.

2) Theres plenty of rat-*** corp whores out there looking to take that BAH from ya with whispers of I love you coupled with easy sex, dont fall into that trap. Many a young Marine, your truly included, have fell into that trap and lost lots of money and self-respect.

3) Come up with a savings plan for those twice a month lotto winnings. take 1/5th... whatever, and put it straight into a different bank account, (look into Navy Federal) if you never see it, its never there to spend. Will make for a huge financial windfall if you ever need it for buying a house or something of that magnitude.

4) Buy a cheap beater car off craigslist unless you have one already, DO NOT get wrapped around the axle on buy one of those buy-here-pay-here lots in town. They are there solely to take advantage of you, nothing more. Do not buy a new car. If you end up deploying, you want to be able to dump that car off fast and cheap instead of leaving it sit in the BEQ parking lot for 6 plus months.

5) The city Asst District Attorney there in Oceanside is a close personal friend of mine who I went to High School with, she lets me know EACH AND EVERY time a Marine is in trouble and what they are in trouble for, dont be "that guy".

6) Spend plenty of time doing PT, not just the required time. Marines are tough, but it takes keeping that body in shape and well rested to be that way. Thats a word of advice from someone who has been doing this silly military thing since 1986. If I had only listened back then, who knows, I may have not needed double knee replacements right?

Im sure plenty of others here have some sage advice and hopefully they will give it as well. A SMART Marine would probably listen since these guys are old salts with a deployment or two under their belts. You tracking what im spitting hero?

And lastly, welcome to a brethren of warriors, poets, lovers and bastards. No finer folks to surround yourself with.

[Bobby Ricigliano]

I guess that a former Soldier would be allowed to post here.

Congratulations on your achievement and joining the tiny percentage of Americans who step up and serve their country. As a newly enlisted service member, I would respectfully caution you to:

Avoid used car lots near the base.
Avoid getting married without careful consideration.
Avoid buying a bunch of stuff on credit.

The above are golden rules for any branch of the service. I will leave it to the Marines to give branch specific advice. I have a lot of good memories working with Marines in Cuba and eating at the Marine Hill Chow Hall.

When we flew to Thailand for Cobra Gold, everyone was in civvies for that horribly long flight except the Marines, who were in "boots and utes". When we arrived in Korat everyone was herded into the Airplane Hangar because of the ridiculous 100 degree steamy wet heat. Except the Marines. They were ordered to form up and stage outside on the tarmac, because they didn't need shade.

God Bless You Guys!

[NorCalXJ]

Ill see you in oside; )

[ARgomez]

Just finished defense week what the crap fighting holes on the alpha shelf lol.

[Revolver Ocelot]

Go weapons at the spilt. You won't regret it.

[EchoFourTango]

Congrats! Are you off to SOI or MCT? Humping HOTEL baby!

MCT Hotel!

[EchoFourTango]

Rah

[ARgomez]

Just hit the split 0311 package Begins 15k hike way easy.

[American Samurai]

Just hit the split 0311 package Begins 15k hike way easy.

You sound like one of those "Hard Chargers". Better try out for MARSOC or FAST Company.

[Unit74]

Last I checked MARSOC required Sgts and above. I worked there as a civilian for 6 months. It was heartbreaking though.... Calls come in or messages on the sipr net about kia. It was a weekly issue.

[press press]

MARSOC in 2012 there were look for Marines with 1st clas pft. 2nd class swim qual. Im sure theirs more but thats all i can remember. Rank didn't matter

[Subotai]

And on paydays, stay away from pickup card and dice games. And find something else to do with your freetime besides going to clubs to drink and find Animal Mother's favorite word.

[kurupted]

Yes they want 1st class pft'ers and 2nd class swimmers minimum...but, you don't want to stroll through there barely getting by with the minimum. They'll break you off so fast. Also, they want Cpl's and above...You need to have some experience.

Funny how you put Raiders and SLOW company as upper echelon Marines^^^Raiders are understandable, but SLOW Co? 9 out of 10 SLOW company Marines don't know jack when they hit the fleet. They could just just spiel EOF procedures. Most of them could shoot though, I'll give you that.

P.S. This is just random banter, my best friend came from FAST Co. So, i'm kind of kidding but not really kidding at the same time.