Joining the US Marines

Zippitydoo

Hey all.

I recently finished my college degree and am now seriously considering pursuing what has always interested me the most, a military career. I am an American citizen and will be joining the US Marines or Army if I decide to go ahead with it, but am looking for some information, tips, etc from anyone with experience, particularly with the marines.

I've yet to get in touch with a recruiter, as it seems to be difficult when living outside of the US, but will most likely be doing so soon. However it would be nice to get information from someone outside the marines but who also knows a good deal about them.

Does my 3 year BA degree means I qualify for officer candidate school does anybody know, American degrees seem to be 4 years which is the benchmark but it's unclear.

This would be something I pursue within the next few months if I go ahead with it. I believe it's what truly interests me and is the only job I find really exciting. I'm a fit and intelligent individual so either of these are not a hindrance to me joining.

Thanks.

ddef

It is also my ambition to become a US marine. One of my mates dad was in the marines, MSGT I think he was.
Anyway, as soon as I finish Uni I'm on the plane to San diego.
Obviously, I have spoken to his dad about it and what it is like, he just says the brotherhood and feeling of self-fullfillment cannot be described with words.
But seriously, just go for it. Better to live one day as a lion than a lifetime as a lamb.
Semper Fi,
D.

BigDuffman

ddef wrote: »

I have spoken to his dad about it and what it is like, he just says the brotherhood and feeling of self-fulfillment cannot be described with words.
But seriously, just go for it. Better to live one day as a lion than a lifetime as a lamb.
Semper Fi,
D.

Call this trolling if you will, but its bullsh!t like this and ridiculous mantras that turn my stomach. Maybe its just the Irish mentality but all that fluffy huffy lovey dovey my corps your corps marine corps stuff really gets on my nerves. Its a military organisation FFS. Not some loved up hugaminute hippy commune where every runs around shouting I love the marine corps and other such silly slogans holding hands and cuddling each other in a "brotherly" fashion. Their soldiers training to kill. Yes they are a team and have a very tight bond but theres pride and there

I am not a marine so my opinion is complete speculation (tis the boards...duh). But it seems that a lot of Americans go for that stuff. Fair enough, but it does not seem to sit well with us lot.

On a side note why where you asking his dad? Would you not ask some-one who has been in the marines?

Go talk the online recruiters they have a lot of good info and can chat you through the process. But main things are a green card and being a resident in the US AFAIK

JonnyF

Is it possible for non citizens to join the USMC? I'd be very interested but not sure what the criteria are. I'd be bucking for OSC too.
Are non citizens able to join the Army either? West Point etc.?

piby

My understanding is that you can attend Westpoint (or Naval/AF Academy) if you get permission from your Defence Ministers ie. Willie O'Dea. However you do not then join the army as an officer as the American cadets do. AFAIK while you can join some branches of the American military you can't get commisioned.

Manic Moran

Marine? "Muscles Are Required. Intelligence Not Essential"

Or if you really want to rankle.. "My ass rides in Navy equipment"

Zippitydoo wrote: »

Does my 3 year BA degree means I qualify for officer candidate school does anybody know, American degrees seem to be 4 years which is the benchmark but it's unclear.

There are three-year degrees in the US. However, you are probably going to have a problem: You will need 120 credit hours, which equates to a four-year-degree (You will also need to have your degree acredited by an agency). Generally speaking, you need 90 (three years) to get commissioned as a 2LT, but 120 in order to hit Captain. The 90 is more a 'deferrment' of the requirement for 120, not an alternate or lower. Put bluntly, you won't have a career if you don't have the 120.

Call this trolling if you will, but its bullsh!t like this and ridiculous mantras that turn my stomach. Maybe its just the Irish mentality but all that fluffy huffy lovey dovey my corps your corps marine corps stuff really gets on my nerves. Its a military organisation FFS.

It is a military organisation. It is also a brotherhood, of sorts with reasonably tough standards of entry. I will give this to Uncle Sam's Misguided Children, they have certainly figured out the concept of 'esprit de corps'. I get as sick of false motivation and reciting 'The Warrior Ethos' as anyone on the Eastern side of the Atlantic, but that does not detract from the fact that Americans view a bond with veterans, particularly of the same service. You will see, for example, many cars with USMC stickers on the back window. The driver may obviously have not worn a uniform in years, but still, he's a Marine. (Don't forget to capitalise the 'M', by the way). In my case, my first job interview in San Francisco I was discussing aircraft exit techniques before we got to my job skills. Marine cops will cut Marines pulled over for speeding a bit of slack. Marine employers will give Marine job applicants a bit of favouritism. Marines will buy drinks for random Marines at the bar. And so on. Irishmen may consider the concept rather foreign, but there's no denying that it exists in the US.

Is it possible for non citizens to join the USMC?

Legal residency is required. i.e., a green card.

NTM

helimachoptor

A bit OT but are there any other irish guys who know pretty well in the armed serviced Manic?

ddef

BigDuffman,
On the back of manics last post, it is much more than just another corps.
My mother is American and we visit her hometown of San Diego every year.
The national pride in the marines over there is something you would have to see for yourself.
And reason I asked my friends dad was, as I did say in my 1st post, he was in the Marines as a Master Sergeant.

BigDuffman

ddef wrote: »

BigDuffman,
On the back of manics last post, it is much more than just another corps.
My mother is American and we visit her hometown of San Diego every year.
The national pride in the marines over there is something you would have to see for yourself.
And reason I asked my friends dad was, as I did say in my 1st post, he was in the Marines as a Master Sergeant.

Humble apologies ddef, I misread your post.

I agree with you's! Its definitely an esprit de corps and fair play to 'em. But like Manic said the Warrior ethos and endless rhetoric does not seem to sit well with us on this side of the atlantic.

I've always been interested in it myself tbh! The training looks like it would be great and probably would of done it myself as a hormonal gung ho teenager. Only thing that stopped me was the technicalities. ie. residency / green card! Prevents you from signing up at 0400 after being too drunk to score...even in coppers! Whereas those sneaky brits...they'll have you signing the line as soon as you finish your kebab. :P

LD 50

Always wanted to do this myself. Glad I'm not the only the only one. My mates all thought I was crazy for wanting to join.

Would there be someone in the embassy in Dublin to speak to about joining?

As ddef's mother is an American citizen, and my dad is an American too, that would make it easier to join? Would we have to get green cards

Zippitydoo

Thanks for the advice Manic. So basically what you're saying is that it would be wise to somehow get another 30 credits, masters degree or something similar? Is a 2 Lieutenant post nowhere near as good as a Captain's in terms of seeking a promising, well paid career? Deep down I would have no problem just enlisting, but it might be something I regret later in life when my salary is capped at next to nothing of what it could have been...

Manic Moran

Thanks for the advice Manic. So basically what you're saying is that it would be wise to somehow get another 30 credits, masters degree or something similar?

The first step is to get your degree officially accredited, and see where you sit apart from some random guy telling you on the Internet.

However, I would not be surprised if an additional 30 credit hours will be required. A Master's will probably work for this, but I'm not sure if that will suit the Master's requirement for Colonel rank. You can sort that out later.

Is a 2 Lieutenant post nowhere near as good as a Captain's in terms of seeking a promising, well paid career?

All officers start out at 2LT. The US military has an 'up-or-out' policy: If you don't get promoted for whatever reason, you get turfed out and your slot made available to someone else. Should you fail to make CPT within the timeset, between 3-7 years, usually,(Because of a lack of the required college degree or whatever), you will have to resign your comission (Actually, it will be pulled), and either become a civilian or join the enlisted ranks as a junior Sergeant.

NTM

helimachoptor

Manic Moran wrote: »

All officers start out at 2LT. The US military has an 'up-or-out' policy: If you don't get promoted for whatever reason, you get turfed out and your slot made available to someone else. Should you fail to make CPT within the timeset, between 3-7 years, usually,(Because of a lack of the required college degree or whatever), you will have to resign your comission (Actually, it will be pulled), and either become a civilian or join the enlisted ranks as a junior Sergeant.

NTM

is that the same for all branches Manic?
Very interesting to know, I thought if you were under performing they would stick you in a dark office somewhere and leave you to it.

Donovan93

Hi, Im Irish.. Am i aloud join the Us Marine Corps.. If yes.. How ?? and what do i need ?
Thank you ...

citizen_p

Donovan93 wrote: »

Hi, Im Irish.. Am i aloud join the Us Marine Corps.. If yes.. How ?? and what do i need ?
Thank you ...

already mentioned...you need a green card
besides that i wouldnt see much of a problem as with two wars on at the moment you would get recruited rather quickly (?) and of course fitness.


you could always try the royal marines as well.
as far as i know the green cards to america run on a lottery scheme

Zippitydoo

Irish people can join the Marines if they have a US Greencard. I'm not sure about the exact requisites these days but am pretty sure they're difficult to get.

LD 50

But I think if you are getting it so you can join their armed forces I don't think there is a problem getting it.

If anyone has the book Green Marine handy, the author describes how it worked when he joined.

JennyMominRI

HI, This is my first post in this forum as I'm an American and not Irish I hope to retire there in a couple of years. I'm also a retired female Marine. MY best friend joined at the same time as me. She was a UK citizen with a US green card. I don't believe she got the green card because she was joining,but because she had lived in the USA for years. If you have a green card and a diploma, or the Irish equivalency then you will probably get in easily. There is a test called the ASVAB that you take before joining. IT's more about finding out what MOS(job) you would be best at and less about gaining entrance.
There were a lot of people in the Marines with green cards. Most were from Mexico or Latin American countries.

JennyMominRI

ddef wrote: »

It is also my ambition to become a US marine. One of my mates dad was in the marines, MSGT I think he was.
Anyway, as soon as I finish Uni I'm on the plane to San diego.
Obviously, I have spoken to his dad about it and what it is like, he just says the brotherhood and feeling of self-fullfillment cannot be described with words.
But seriously, just go for it. Better to live one day as a lion than a lifetime as a lamb.
Semper Fi,
D.

YOu should really go to the east coast so that you can go to Parris Island, where they make real Marines

troubleshooter

JennyMominRI wrote: »

YOu should really go to the east coast so that you can go to Parris Island, where they make real Marines

Real Marines are made at Lympstone

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvynH9Nt-9g

Only kidding the US Marines are first class.

JennyMominRI

troubleshooter wrote: »

Real Marines are made at Lympstone

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvynH9Nt-9g

Only kidding the US Marines are first class.

Well, the US Marines are direct descendants of the Royal Marines. This is well taught to any recruit. We do acknowledge where we came from.

troubleshooter

JennyMominRI wrote: »

Well, the US Marines are direct descendants of the Royal Marines. This is well taught to any recruit. We do acknowledge where we came from.

Yes, there are stong links, heres a cross training article.

http://www.eliteukforces.info/royal-marines/mountain-leaders/

"A Mountain Leader with 3 Commando Brigade's Brigade Patrol Troop instructs American Marines during cross-training in California. Mountain Leaders are recognized world-wide as experts in their field."

c-90

hi, i always wanted a career in the irish defence forces and laughed at the tought of joining a different nations army, but my fiance is american and she isnt eligible to live here:eek:.

if i get a k-visa will i be able to join the us army or marines? and if so seeing as my fiance is the reason i would be there, which would allow me the most time with her?. which has better oppertuintiys ect.?

realismpol

Jez what is it with people wanting to join the U.S marine corps. They take the majority of the hits in terms of actual loses in combat and they are generally looked down apon as being the journeymen even within U.S military circles. I think a lot of people here have a very romantic view of life in the military.

Delancey

To join any branch of U.S. military requires a Green Card and unless you possess very specific language skills the military will not lift a finger to help you get the Green Card.
To gain an Officers Commission requires U.S. citizenship.
Don't bother asking the U.S. Embassy like a friend of mine did a few years ago - the people there literally laughed at him , they just did not want to know.

Achillies 665

LD 50 wrote: »

But I think if you are getting it so you can join their armed forces I don't think there is a problem getting it.

If anyone has the book Green Marine handy, the author describes how it worked when he joined.

Hi im intrested in the marines and the book green marines gives a good account of the authours experiances, but being an american citizen i have an easier path in

dr gonzo

I might be completely wrong here but i was under the impression that the Marines were were at least a few years ago stuck for recruits and were taking foreigners with the intention of then rewarding them with citizenship.

I could actually now that i think about it be mixing that up with foreigners who had green cards and were being bumped up if they joined.

Morpheus

33.. am i too old

Delancey

dr gonzo wrote: »

I might be completely wrong here but i was under the impression that the Marines were were at least a few years ago stuck for recruits and were taking foreigners with the intention of then rewarding them with citizenship.

I could actually now that i think about it be mixing that up with foreigners who had green cards and were being bumped up if they joined.

Anyone interested in joining US Military should check out the relevant websites which all say the same thing -Green card needed and the service will not provide assistance or sponsorship in this regard.

bleedinrapidbud

Why don't ye all just join the Brits-they would take ye in a heart beat!!!

gizmo555

I came across this anecdote on the standards expected by the USMC in the Wikipedia page of Shelby Foote, the noted historian of the American Civil War - it has the added bonus of an Irish connection . . .

In 1940 Foote joined the Mississippi National Guard and was commissioned as captain of artillery. After being transferred from one stateside base to another, his battalion was deployed to Northern Ireland in 1943. The following year, Foote was charged with falsifying a government document relating to the check-in of a motor pool vehicle he had borrowed to visit a girlfriend in Belfast -- later his first wife—who lived two miles beyond the official military limits. He was court-martialed and dismissed from the Army. He came back to the United States and took a job with the Associated Press in New York City. In January 1945, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, but was discharged as a private in November 1945, never having seen combat. During his training with the marines, he recalled a fellow marine asking him "you used to be a army captain, didn't you?" When Foote said yes, the fellow replied, "You ought to make a pretty good Marine private."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shelby_Foote#Early_life

TerryD1957

My son joined the U.S. Marine Corps and I can tell you that the brotherhood and camaraderie are every real.

He went to boot camp in San Diego. He went to School of Infantry at Camp Geiger, North Carolina (outside of Camp Lejeune).

He is applying for Officer's Candidate School and if selected will attend OCS for two summers while getting his college degree.