joining the us marines

hangedhitman

anyone else on here thinking about joining the marines ive been thinking about it for ages and my minds made up my mates and my family think im nuts also has anyone gone through the recruitment process and the training thats on here

Jonah42

You'll be needing a green card before you even try to join.

RMD

I don't want to piss on your parade, but do you even know what's involved in the application process before you join? No point getting your hopes up to realize it mightn't happen.

amurph0

hangedhitman wrote: »

anyone else on here thinking about joining the marines ive been thinking about it for ages and my minds made up my mates and my family think im nuts also has anyone gone through the recruitment process and the training thats on here

You must first get a green card.

And to get one of those you'd usually have to get a degree or a trade that's in demand in the US.

I think you also must have someone in the US to sponsor your application for a green card.

xflyer

Green card, green card. Apply for the annual Visa lottery unless you have a close relative who is a citizen.

There are no shortcuts around that one.

You've fallen at the first hurdle, I'm afraid.

It still amazes how many people still think going to America is as a simple as going to Britain. Illegal aliens are not recruited into the Marine Corps.

hangedhitman

my uncle is a nanthrualised citizen in the states same with a aunt and im doing a computer design degree in college at the moment so that may help

El Guapo!

hangedhitman wrote: »

my uncle is a nanthrualised citizen in the states same with a aunt and im doing a computer design degree in college at the moment so that may help

Your uncle being a citizen won't help you as far as I know. You would have to have a blood relative who is a citizen to help you get a green card (Mother, Father, Brother, Sister)
Other than that your best option is to go onto the US gov website and read all the info you can on becoming a citizen and see what avenue you can take.
You can apply for the visa lottery too. You just missed the deadline this year but you can apply next year.

MajorMax

Firstly one thing you should be aware of RECRUITERS ARE LIARS

Most people don't realise that your standard enlistment period is actually 8 years, your options are as below
3 years regular - 5 years reserves
4 years regular - 4 years reserves
5 years regular - 3 years reserves
8 years Regular
Be sure that you know what you're letting yourself in for. As a non citizen a lot of doors are closed to you including Officer candidate School.

If you enlist west of the Mississippi you will go to MCRD San Diego and when you're finished Bootcamp you "Go north" to SOI (School of Infantry) in camp Pendleton if you're chosen to be 0311 Infantry. Then when that's completed you'll be a fully fledged "Hollywood Marine" and you'll most likely be sent to the 1st Marine division "The old breed" and you'll be stationed in camp San Mateo a smaller camp within camp Pendleton

If you enlist east of the Mississippi you go to the legendary MCRD Parris Island in South Carolina and then on to SOI in Camp Lejeune in North Carolina and you will probably go on to the 2nd Marine Division

Each option has it's pros and cons, Camp pendleton has hundreds of hills for you to hump. Camp Lejeune has swamps and millions of skeeters for you to enjoy.

You may also be sent to the 3rd Marine Division in Japan, but that's not very likely.

You will be pushed to and beyond your physical, mental and emotional limits you will need to be in a very good physical condition. Even if you are in superb physical condition you may not be able to hack it, especially the dreaded Crucible. You will grow very familiar with the "Forward leaning rest position" as pushups are known.
If you can't hack the fitness level, you will be sent to a physical rehabilitation platoon the "Porkchop" or "Donut" platoon. If you think recruit training is hard, then pray to God that you're never sent to one of these platoons.

You will then be a Marine. you will be sent to Iraq and Afganistan. Note that I said Iraq AND Afganistan. Marines are bearing the brunt of America's war. Marines on a 4 year enlistment can look forward to 3 overseas deployments. Hopefully all combat troops will be out of Iraq soon but Afganistan will continue for many years to come.

If you see combat you may be killed or maimed, you WILL suffer years of PTSD nightmares and severe disassociation syndrome. You need to examine your motives for doing this, it will change your life and the change may not be for the better.
Even if you survive and are discharged once your enlistment is up, statistically once Veterens become civilians again, they are more likely to be incarcerated for violent offences, they are more likely to develop an addiction to alcohol or drugs and they are more likely to get divorced and have difficulty developing long term relationships and finally they are more likely to become homeless

Oh and I forgot that the basic pay rate for a brand spanking new Marine is roughly $1500 per month, pretty crappy for a college graduate

Consider carefully what you want to do.

Good luck -

MyKeyG

hangedhitman wrote: »

anyone else on here thinking about joining the marines ive been thinking about it for ages and my minds made up my mates and my family think im nuts also has anyone gone through the recruitment process and the training thats on here

OP I'd have given my left nut for the opportunity to apply Hoo Rah!!! There's a very good book called 'The Green Marine'. It's about an Irish guy who was living in America round the time of 911 and he became, well...a marine.

Unfortunately things have changed since 911. My former boss and his friend were approached by a recruitment agent while on the J1 years ago. They explained they were on a visa and he told them not to worry about that. My boss didn't join but his mate was admitted and ended up in the first desert storm.

How they made sure he got a green card I don't know. I always imagined The US would be well off introducing a system similar to France whereby a non-citizen is admitted to the military and issued residency upon completion of (I think five years) service.

Does becoming a Royal Marine interest you at all?

psychward

MyKeyG wrote: »

I always imagined The US would be well off introducing a system similar to France whereby a non-citizen is admitted to the military and issued residency upon completion of (I think five years) service.

when I did a J1 a few years ago I saw a group of marines get sworn in publicly as citizens on telly . My American cousin said they got citizenship after 5 years service or something like that. Its not true ?

MyKeyG

psychward wrote: »

when I did a J1 a few years ago I saw a group of marines get sworn in publicly as citizens on telly . My American cousin said they got citizenship after 5 years service or something like that. Its not true ?

OK well that's interesting. I don't know to be honest. I didn't hear about that but if your cousin said it perhaps he knows best.

I remember from the book I suggested that when the author was asked at the embassy why he wanted a green card he said he wanted to be a marine. He didn't mention if he was offered any deal like you mentioned and even though he got his green card he found work as a barman and volunteer fireman until the 911 attacks.

psychward

MyKeyG wrote: »

OK well that's interesting. I don't know to be honest. I didn't hear about that but if your cousin said it perhaps he knows best.

This particular cousin is in his 70s and was in the US Army during the cold war . I'd guess theres a good chance he could be right but then again the system could have changed since he left..maybe they just got citizenship the normal way after holding a green card for long enough.

seanmacc

Jonah42 wrote: »

You'll be needing a green card before you even try to join.

Not necessarily.

When it comes to getting recruits for the army and marines they have been known to be able to bend the immigration law to get you in. Bear in mind though that your sevice will not garauntee you citizenship, they may extend your service longer to get you the citizenship.

When I lived there a couple of years ago the recruiters in the local mall would promise you the sun, moon and stars. They said they could fast track my green card application if I enlisted. The recruiters are on bonuses for enlisting people though.

Why would you want to enlist anyway. Do you not realise there's a few unpopular wars going on as well as one or two in the making

MyKeyG

seanmacc wrote: »

Not necessarily.

When it comes to getting recruits for the army and marines they have been known to be able to bend the immigration law to get you in. Bear in mind though that your sevice will not garauntee you citizenship, they may extend your service longer to get you the citizenship.

When I lived there a couple of years ago the recruiters in the local mall would promise you the sun, moon and stars. They said they could fast track my green card application if I enlisted. The recruiters are on bonuses for enlisting people though.

Why would you want to enlist anyway. Do you not realise there's a few unpopular wars going on as well as one or two in the making

Unpopularity is a matter of common, not personal, opinion.

opinionated3

Back in 1995 when I was completing my leaving cert I had the exact same ambition. Always wanted to be part of the few and the proud. I did my research and knew how tough the training would be but it was my mothers reaction that eventually put paid to the idea. She was devastated with my career choice and cried a lot. I couldnt do it to her and gave up on it. Now I am a factory worker and whilst I know I am very lucky to be employed I feel like I have achieved nothing or done anything meaningful. In 95 I contacted a marine recruiter and explained my situation. I was told in no uncertain terms that I would be very welcome to try out for the marines. A green card was required but the recruiter said that the corps could fasttrack it no bother. Not sure if that would still be the case since 911 but it would be worth checking out if your definitely serious about it. Best of luck with your decision

Lockstep

+1 for the Green Marine by Graham Dale about an Irishman over in the US on a Green Card who enlists as a marine.
Excellent read and it'd have some useful info for you.

IIRC, there's a holdover from the Bush era where if you're enlisted you can immediately apply for citizenship. It was something I came across a couple of years ago so I dunno if this is still the case or even if I remember it right.

trendyvicar

Once again - killing and/or dieing for another man's cause. How strange. It seems to me that countless young men in Ireland have been subtly brain washed by the cinema etc into seeing war as generally worthwhile. What achievement is it to join The US armed forces and end up possibly dead or crippled in some foreign war, that generally achieves f*ck all in practice (Afghanistan?) or that is actually a defeat (Vietnam?). Why is such a scenario attractive? I'm actually interested in reading any convincing arguement...

goldie fish

trendyvicar wrote: »

Once again - killing and/or dieing for another man's cause. How strange. It seems to me that countless young men in Ireland have been subtly brain washed by the cinema etc into seeing war as generally worthwhile. What achievement is it to join The US armed forces and end up possibly dead or crippled in some foreign war, that generally achieves f*ck all in practice (Afghanistan?) or that is actually a defeat (Vietnam?). Why is such a scenario attractive? I'm actually interested in reading any convincing arguement...

The forum says "military".
If you don't like what military do, why are you here, other than to troll?

wandatowell

Very interesting post MajorMax,

opinionated3

trendyvicar wrote: »

Once again - killing and/or dieing for another man's cause. How strange. It seems to me that countless young men in Ireland have been subtly brain washed by the cinema etc into seeing war as generally worthwhile. What achievement is it to join The US armed forces and end up possibly dead or crippled in some foreign war, that generally achieves f*ck all in practice (Afghanistan?) or that is actually a defeat (Vietnam?). Why is such a scenario attractive? I'm actually interested in reading any convincing arguement...

Or how about the notion of joining the US armed forces based on the fact that they helped defeat fascism in europe, participate in countless UN peacekeeping missions (which as far as I can see goes greatly unappreciated) and effectively put alqaeda on the back foot and sent their leader to his watery grave? Anyway thats a debate for another day or possibly the political forum.... Some lads want do something with their lives that doesn't involve sitting at a desk all day or pressing buttons on a machine. That was my own view point back in the day anyway for what its worth...

hangedhitman

trendyvicar wrote: »

Once again - killing and/or dieing for another man's cause. How strange. It seems to me that countless young men in Ireland have been subtly brain washed by the cinema etc into seeing war as generally worthwhile. What achievement is it to join The US armed forces and end up possibly dead or crippled in some foreign war, that generally achieves f*ck all in practice (Afghanistan?) or that is actually a defeat (Vietnam?). Why is such a scenario attractive? I'm actually interested in reading any convincing arguement...

i havent been brainwashed mate ive alyways want to join any military and ive not been brainwashed and its up to me and me alone if i want to join the marines and as for dieing if you go off peacekeeping with the defence forces you have just as much of a chance of dieing or haveing to kill someone and as for afghanistan it has become a better place the taliban dont take women to a stadium and chop their heads off and the people have more free will now then they did before

trendyvicar

goldie fish wrote: »

The forum says "military".
If you don't like what military do, why are you here, other than to troll?

You've answered a question that nobody's asked. I have no problem with people fighting for their own country. You can answer the question I did ask - unless you're just trolling?

trendyvicar

hangedhitman wrote: »

i havent been brainwashed mate ive alyways want to join any military and ive not been brainwashed and its up to me and me alone if i want to join the marines and as for dieing if you go off peacekeeping with the defence forces you have just as much of a chance of dieing or haveing to kill someone and as for afghanistan it has become a better place the taliban dont take women to a stadium and chop their heads off and the people have more free will now then they did before

The Taliban will be part of any settlement. They'll form part of the government I suspect, alongside their kinsmen in other parties. Women will return to their previous role. This will happen within the next couple of years.

Geekness1234

I also want to join the the U.S. Armed Forces (USAF) and have done a great deal of research into it.
Here's what I found.
The basic requirement for non-U.S. citizens (bar a few linguistics positions) is a green card.This is for all branches.You would then be classed as an illegal immigrant.This would make getting U.S. citizenship nearly impossible.
The recruiter is lying to you.Regardless of what he/she said.They have monthly quotas which they have to meet.
Get a green card first so you can get citizenship later to stay there permanently or advance your military career.

Good Luck.

Delancey

I too have heard stories of outlandish promises made by US Military recruiters like telling recruits its easy to get to Officer Candidate School.
The promises to fast track Green cards is a new one on me though - the recruitment websites all spell out clearly that the military will NOT sponsor Green card applications.

spagboll

i applied, aced asvab, did ****e on fitness, recruiter said everything was cool, then rang and said J1 wasn't good enough, and woudlnt help with getting green card

their entrance intelligence test is honestly similar to the secondary schools entrance exam

Geekness1234

spagboll wrote: »

i applied, aced asvab, did ****e on fitness, recruiter said everything was cool, then rang and said J1 wasn't good enough, and woudlnt help with getting green card

their entrance intelligence test is honestly similar to the secondary schools entrance exam

I cannot imagine how annoyed you must have been.

Geekness1234

Anything a recruiter has said or promised to you MUST have in writing forit to have any effect.

MagicMarker

So what we've established is that the OP has no chance unless he wins the green card lottery.

Geekness1234

MagicMarker wrote: »

So what we've established is that the OP has no chance unless he wins the green card lottery.

Possibly.
There was (and probably still are) some increasingly desperate Recruiters who "change" if you will, certain information.
All he has to do is get to basic.The U.S. Army/Marine Corps probably won't look into him unless he does something stupid.
Wether it's worth the risk is really up to him/her.

DipStick McSwindler

This post has been deleted.

Delancey

feeney92 wrote: »

if u apply for a green card nd tell them u would join the marines then they will more than likely give it to you, only problem is, there more likely t put non citizens in the **** than their own...think about that

In my opinion the Immigration and Naturalisation Service will not give 2 sh1ts about an applicant for a Green card saying they will join the military.

Geekness1234

feeney92 wrote: »

if u apply for a green card nd tell them u would join the marines then they will more than likely give it to you, only problem is, there more likely t put non citizens in the **** than their own...think about that

Not true.
It is lottery draw and they only care about you being able to support yourself financially and not sponging of social welfare.they don't care if you're a citizen or not,they'll put you where they need you.

psychward

Geekness1234 wrote: »

they only care about you being able to support yourself financially and not sponging of social welfare

Does the USA have social welfare ? Any American I asked about it doesn't seem to know but has a vague idea that the homeless in San Fran at least can get something. To explain their ignorance perhaps my relatives in the USA never had to claim it or else are deeply ashamed of it if they ever had (probably the former in the majority if at all). I'd love to see a web link explaining it so I could compare it to here. I notice a lot of newly homeless are living in their cars over there. Do they get anything apart from charity ?

Geekness1234

psychward wrote: »

Does the USA have social welfare ? Any American I asked about it doesn't seem to know but has a vague idea that the homeless in San Fran at least can get something. To explain their ignorance perhaps my relatives in the USA never had to claim it or else are deeply ashamed of it if they ever had (probably the former in the majority if at all). I'd love to see a web link explaining it so I could compare it to here. I notice a lot of newly homeless are living in their cars over there. Do they get anything apart from charity ?

Quick google found this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welfare#United_States

Geekness1234

Has anyone here ever been in the USMC?

Delancey

psychward wrote: »

Does the USA have social welfare ? Any American I asked about it doesn't seem to know but has a vague idea that the homeless in San Fran at least can get something. To explain their ignorance perhaps my relatives in the USA never had to claim it or else are deeply ashamed of it if they ever had (probably the former in the majority if at all). I'd love to see a web link explaining it so I could compare it to here. I notice a lot of newly homeless are living in their cars over there. Do they get anything apart from charity ?

Mystified as to why you have posted this question in the Military forum
Anyway , yes , the US Federal Government operates an unemployment insurance scheme ( payments though have time limit ) as well as the Food Stamps programme and other social security supports.

JohnMearsheimer

I went over to Boston in 2006 visiting my friend working over there on a H1-B visa. Marine recruiters approached us one day and gave us a 15 minute sales pitch on the Marines. We couldn't get a word in edge ways. At the end we just blurted out that we weren't US citizens so we couldn't join. Their reply was 'no problem'. They were talking out their holes though. Millions of people apply for the green card lottery every year, I'm sure if the Marines wanted to they could fill their recruiting requirements with immigrants. There would be no shortage of people willing to serve for US citizenship or residency.

psychward

Delancey wrote: »

Mystified as to why you have posted this question in the Military forum

I wanted to see if the concern about welfare sponging was valid. If no welfare exists then it's less valid. Plus really after spending some time in the US I came across a lot of ''homeless'' begging people on the streets. I remember at least one was in a wheelchair wearing a dozen medals. A few seemed to use some claim that they were veterans to gain sympathy. I wondered also if vets get some kind of pension or were many of these homeless veterans fake ? Do many of them really end up with nothing when they leave the army ? I found it made me question this idea or mantra of ''support the troops'' and what do people think it means exactly if some of them have psychiatric problems etc or even injuries from serving their country and don't get the help they need. I'd like to know what the case is.

Geekness1234

JohnMearsheimer wrote: »

I went over to Boston in 2006 visiting my friend working over there on a H1-B visa. Marine recruiters approached us one day and gave us a 15 minute sales pitch on the Marines. We couldn't get a word in edge ways. At the end we just blurted out that we weren't US citizens so we couldn't join. Their reply was 'no problem'. They were talking out their holes though. Millions of people apply for the green card lottery every year, I'm sure if the Marines wanted to they could fill their recruiting requirements with immigrants. There would be no shortage of people willing to serve for US citizenship or residency.

Bit off-topic,read awhile ago that the marines have the least problems recruiting wise,of all the U.S. Armed forces.

JohnMearsheimer

psychward wrote: »

I wanted to see if the concern about welfare sponging was valid. If no welfare exists then it's less valid. Plus really after spending some time in the US I came across a lot of ''homeless'' begging people on the streets. I remember at least one was in a wheelchair wearing a dozen medals. A few seemed to use some claim that they were veterans to gain sympathy. I wondered also if vets get some kind of pension or were many of these homeless veterans fake ? Do many of them really end up with nothing when they leave the army ? I found it made me question this idea or mantra of ''support the troops'' and what do people think it means exactly if some of them have psychiatric problems etc or even injuries from serving their country and don't get the help they need. I'd like to know what the case is.

I've seen homeless veterans in the US but I think generally the US takes good care them. I think to get help you have to want the help in the first place. If you're disabled in the performance of your duties you would probably get some kind of pension. Then you have all the VA hospitals as well. I think you can get opportunities to go to university for cheaper after serving. A lot of shops offer discounts to veterans.

Veterans seem very respected in the US, I think you would be very unpopular if you bad mouthed them. During Vietnam a lot of people attacked the war and its veterans. Now it seems to have changed, people might not agree with Iraq and Afghanistan but they will still respect those that served there. I went to mass one evening in Pearl River in New York. There were pictures of all the locals kids in Iraq and Afghanistan in the church and at the end of mass there were special prayers for them.

Geekness1234 wrote: »

Bit off-topic,read awhile ago that the marines have the least problems recruiting wise,of all the U.S. Armed forces.

I'd believe it too, I guess it has that whole prestige thing about it. I don't think any of the Armed forces has trouble recruiting. They were able to get through Iraq and Afghanistan without drafting anyone.

Manic Moran

Not even a prestige thing. The Marines just have a more appealing pitch.

It's one of my gripes, I can't recall the last time I saw an Army advert which actually implied you might have to go shoot someone or do something tough. The Marines, on the other hand, they have a slightly more dramatic sales pitch.

At least the very latest Army adverts actually imply you can feel good about yourself, as opposed to 'What will the Army do for me?'

NTM

Mr. Loverman

Geekness1234 wrote: »

It is lottery draw

Is it really though? I know they say it is, but...

syklops

opinionated3 wrote: »

Back in 1995 when I was completing my leaving cert I had the exact same ambition. Always wanted to be part of the few and the proud. I did my research and knew how tough the training would be but it was my mothers reaction that eventually put paid to the idea. She was devastated with my career choice and cried a lot. I couldnt do it to her and gave up on it. Now I am a factory worker and whilst I know I am very lucky to be employed I feel like I have achieved nothing or done anything meaningful. In 95 I contacted a marine recruiter and explained my situation. I was told in no uncertain terms that I would be very welcome to try out for the marines. A green card was required but the recruiter said that the corps could fasttrack it no bother. Not sure if that would still be the case since 911 but it would be worth checking out if your definitely serious about it. Best of luck with your decision

Thats a really sad post. Its as if as well as giving up on the marines you also gave up on doing anything to be proud about.

Geekness1234

Mr. Loverman wrote: »

Is it really though? I know they say it is, but...

Yes.There are more winners then visas (to cover people who back out etc during the interview stages) but if you get selected,there is a good chance you'll get it.

Mr. Loverman

Geekness1234 wrote: »

Yes.There are more winners then visas (to cover people who back out etc during the interview stages) but if you get selected,there is a good chance you'll get it.

No, what I mean is... is it really random selection? They ask a lot of personal questions (e.g. highest education level) which seem irrelevant if the selection process is truly random.

I have no evidence for this of course, but I highly doubt something as sensitive as giving people a visa would really be left to a random lottery.

But who cares, this is off topic.

Geekness1234

Mr. Loverman wrote: »

No, what I mean is... is it really random selection? They ask a lot of personal questions (e.g. highest education level) which seem irrelevant if the selection process is truly random.

I have no evidence for this of course, but I highly doubt something as sensitive as giving people a visa would really be left to a random lottery.

But who cares, this is off topic.

Thats because there are minimum requirements,high school graduate or equivalent,or work experience.

c-90

got the same sales pitch from an army recruiter. didnt seem to care i wasnt a citizen. im assuming they get some sort of commission and by the time you get rejected for not being a citizen theyve been paid?

spagboll

c-90 wrote: »

got the same sales pitch from an army recruiter. didnt seem to care i wasnt a citizen. im assuming they get some sort of commission and by the time you get rejected for not being a citizen theyve been paid?

They think your bull****ting them so they try to double bluff you expecting that once you see all the spoof benifits they offer that you'll fess up to being a citizen

psychward

Is there an age limit to joining the Marines/US Army for someone who has a few degrees in Engineering ? Just curious.

Manic Moran

Yes, but it's pretty high, by Irish standards. 36, I think.

Higher, for the reserves.