Hi,

My name is Clay. I'm 25 going on 26 and considering the military. I want to join the marines, but I've heard a lot of awful things about them. I talked to a guy who has been in for 11 years and told me not to join. He said they don't take care of you. Everyone tells me the Navy and the Air Force take care of you the best. I've only talked with a Marine recruiter and he pretty much thinks I'm going in. Should I demand a sign on bonus?

Nobody takes care of their own like the United States Marine Corps. That is a bunch of BS. The Marine Corps is hard, and some sissies can't handle it, so they complain. But as long as you are making an honest effort in boot camp and in the fleet, then you should have no problems. The Marine Corps is a brotherhood of Marines. Did you see the story about how a squad of Marines were ambushed in Iraq near the Syrian border the other day? The Marines incurred even greater casualties just to recover the ambushed Marines. They did not leave anyone behind. The Marines are the best, not because of their weapons, but because of their commitment to God, Country, Corps and their fellow Marines. OOH RAH!

By the way, I don't know what kind of signing bonuses are out there, but I'm pretty sure there are some for the Marines. Make sure you get your bonus.

Clay,
Think about the source, anyone who would stay in an organization for 11 years and simultaneously condemn it has some issues. Not meaning to diss your buddy and I'm sure he feels perfectly justified in his ill-feelings, but no one takes care of their men like the Corps.

I've actually been treated badly by a few Marines before and I got out over it. I never held it against the Corps itself and never had a bad attitude, I just felt like the noble thing to do was to take my lumps and go away. I was wrong.

My point is to take a look at the overall picture. The Marine Corps is the finest fighting force ever assembled and the esprit de corps that is genuinely felt between any two Marines, guys like your buddy excepted, is as close to blood relation as you can get without your mom and dad being involved.

I have a number of friends who are ex-Air Force and Army and none of them have we what have in terms of a fraternity. The closest any of them come is the Army high-speed types but they still don't compare to how tight knit the Corps is.

My recruiter was a dirt bag, but I didn't hold it against the Corps and the Corps proved my judgment correct.

The Marines, bar none, have the most established 'brotherhood' of any military branch. I'm in the Navy, and I can tell you firsthand that you will not get the kind of bond as a Sailor as you would a Marine. If you want to be a part of group that makes you feel important and part of their clic, then join the Corps.

Clay....hope yer in shape! I fully concur with the above responses and advice given. Yeah, even with AirWinger....(the longer he's on the board the greater the odds he and I will come across something we can agree about!)