| Marine and Airman afterlife. MOS 63XX questions. Air Force electrician and cross-training questions.?I am debating between enlisting into the Marines or enlisting to become an Airman. I am 59 credits into acquiring a B.S. in Computer Science, but feel I need discipline and a work ethic I currently lack to truly accomplish my educational goals.
I am of the understand that the USAF would give me better educational opportunities. That is wonderful, truly, but it will not instill in me the same discipline and possibly work ethic as the USMC. If I never receive the discipline to accomplish the school work, and with the additional responsibilities of being an enlisted Airman, I will simply fall short of my goals all over again, wasting more time. I believe that the USMC would definitely help me find the work ethic and discipline I yearn for, though at the cost of quality of living, educational opportunities and possibly, ease of transition to civilian life.
Because of a misdemeanor I received at the age of 18, if I enlist into the Air Force, my job options are substantially narrowed. I believe my best bet is to be an electrician. So I question how cross-training works? If I did not have this misdemeanor, I believe I would qualify for Aerospace jobs in the USAF. If I cross-trained into this field, would I still finish out my initial contract, or sign a new one and move to a post regarding the newly acquired education?
If I join the USMC, I should be able to go in a 63XX MOS. I feel that I would enjoy work in this designation greatly, but doubt I would have the same opportunity to finish my degree. The title of "Marine" is a truly alluring one, but being recognized as an officially educated man takes president. If I can achieve both, I feel that regardless how the rest of my life plays out, I will have a true since of accomplishment. Plus, with both achievements, I can't see ones life playing out too poorly lol ;-).
Though it truly is assumptions on qualifying for any of these positions within our nation's Armed Forces, I did score an 86/99 on a practice ASVAB in the Marine Recruiters' office, and as stated previously, have finished 59 credits towards a Computer Science B.S. I also attempted some classes that, though I did not complete the course, did gain knowledge of the subject matter. I am confident in my ability to test well and have study/practice material to help.
Now, in regards to life outside/after the service. How did/are you enjoy your time in service? Did you enjoy your job(s) or still doing so? Do you wish you had joined another branch or have any regrets about the decision you made? Did your occupation play a role in acquisitioning a job as a civilian?
Does anyone have any experience with joining the Air Force after a prior enlistment with a different branch? If I take the Marine route and work as an aircraft technician with the MOS 63XX designation, will it help me in trying to convert later to be an Airman and work with aerospace technologies, or should I simply join the USAF initially if I would like to see about making a career in the aerospace field?
Lastly, I have my eyes on someone. We are in good standings and I could see myself marrying this girl. I hear that marriage and Junior Marines don't mix too well. I know that I could always find someone else (to be honest, it is not all that hard for me to find interested females and the social status of Marine should prove to make it easier) and time tends to heal all, but I would hate to have her as a regret in my life. She is special. Any input on marriage as a newly enlisted servicemember in either of these branches? And no, I would never join a branch because of their "social status." Don't be silly. Lol.
As I read over my post, I realize that this may come across as me not truly wanting to be a Marine. "Live and die for the Corps," right? I would love to be a Marine. To own their discipline, work ethic, mind set, image, its drool-worthy. Heck, if it comes down to front-line fighting because WWIII kicks off, no other men in the world would I rather be next to. But I have plans that span much further than an eight year contract with any branch. I am aware that planning your life is not a reality, too many variables in this game we play and disappointment waiting with every new day, but an outline helps and can do so tremendously.
My two biggest fears concerning this life-changing, and possibly making, decision, is regretting the branch I choose or regretting how it impacted my relationship with this girl. At twenty-one years of age, I have no true regrets. Some things I may have done differently, or not done at all (misdemeanor, I'm looking at you), but no regrets. I look forward to the knowledge and wisdom that you fellow Yahooers have to offer and appreciate the time you take to read and answer my questions. Thank you!
It should be noted that I am not considering the Army nor Navy for various reasons. Though I have posted an extensive "Question," I have done a great deal of research already. I asked a substantial amount, lets stick to those questions, shall we? :-P
Asked By: Nino B. - 12/8/2012 |
You have a lot of questions I can't address. I can tell you that Marine avionics is one of the best MOS's in the military. Air Force electrician is not the same thing. They are electricians, not electronics. Navy schools are among the best schools in the military and Marines go to Navy technical schools.
You need to understand that Marine boot camp is the hardest way to enter the military. You may regret your decision long before you get to avionics school. Be sure you want to be a Marine before you make this decision.
EDIT -- I came back to this after your messages to see what you had said and what I could add. I want to tell you one more time, the Marine Corps is tough. You'll be asking yourself why you joined within the first week at recruit training. Anyone in decent physical condition and with the right mindset can do it. You have to decide you are going to be a Marine. Once you get that settled in your mind, you'll be OK. They'll give you hell, you just have to accept it and continue on.
The USAF is NOT a better educational opportunity. I had two brothers in the Air Force. One was an aviation electrician and told me the Marines had a better program.
You asked about how life was in and out of the service. I hated and loved every minute in the Corps. It was difficult and it was satisfying. I was in the Army for two years before the Corps and I will tell you the Marine Corps is far more professional and more demanding than the Army. My Marine Corps training did little for me, directly, as a civilian. It did show people that I was a good worker and had good values. I've known people who were in avionics who made a good career and a very good salary from their Marine training. There are lots of good electronics jobs in the civilian world, don't limit yourself to what you did in the Corps, look at the entire field. The medical field is really good because it can't be outsourced. There are lots of jobs working on medical electronics equipment in ultrasound, MRI, CatScans, etc. That's just a suggestion, there are many others such as working for a company that flies helicopters to oil rigs in the gulf. There are always jobs with defense contractors who provide military equipment including aircraft manufacturers and manufacturers of communication and navigation equipment.
To the romance question, it's another very tough thing to do. Marriages have a very high failure rate in the military. Romances have a high failure rate. I can tell you what I did wrong. My high school sweetheart got married while I was in Vietnam. I joined the military to get a better life for us, to learn and be more prepared for a vocation that would support us. The problem was, I didn't tell her that was what I was doing. Women who are in a relationship are looking for a long term relationship with someone who will provide or share in the provision for a family. Make sure you tell your girlfriend that you are preparing for a better future and that future includes her. Women have the same sexual desires of men, just in a different way. If you want to keep a girlfriend, you better make sure she knows the military is temporary and you are doing it for her. Tell her you will be back for her and don't accept any dating while you are gone. See her at every opportunity and don't accept anything other than a commitment to you.
You seem to be a person who has thought this out. You are a good candidate for the Marine Corps. Just keep your head on straight. Make sure that girl knows why you are doing it and that she is the one for you.
If you become a Marine, let us know so we can grant you the Semper Fidelis you will deserve. And never let Nov. 10 pass without telling someone on the internet that it is the Marine Corps birthday. Buy a Marine a beer. We aren't a brotherhood of words, we look after one another, we buy fellow Marines beers, we give them jobs, we live our lives as Marines.
Answered By: Hard Corps - 12/8/2012 |