Angela Duan

October 17, 2012

Period 4 Military Research

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To join the Marine Corps, an individual must be between 18 and 29 years old (17 with
parental consent) and have a high school diploma. A small percentage of GED holders may be
allowed to join each year, provided they score well on the ASVAB test. College students wishing
to train for Marine Corps officer positions may enroll in their schools Navy ROTC program as a
Marine-option midshipman or should visit their local Officer Selection Office (OSO) for
information. (www.todaysmilitary.com)
Upon completing the enlistment process, all applicants enter Marine Corps Recruit
Training. Over the course of 13 demanding weeks, they are literally transformed. They become
extremely disciplined, and learn to depend on themselves and each other to achieve great things.
Along the way, they develop new confidence in themselves and the certainty that they will be
able to overcome whatever challenges they encounter in the military or civilian world. These are
the people who will have the courage and the ability to defend our nation. Whether famous,
successful, or simply capable, the men and women who today call themselves Marines carry our
core values of honor, courage, and commitment with them throughout their lives.
Young men undergo recruit training either at Parris Island, South Carolina, or in San
Diego, California. All young women attend recruit training at Parris Island. Recruit training is
rigorous, demanding, and challenging. The overall goal of recruit training is to instill in the
recruits the military skills, knowledge, discipline, pride, and self-confidence necessary to
perform as United States Marines.
In the first several days at the recruit depot, a recruit is assigned to a platoon, receives a
basic issue of uniforms and equipment, is given an additional physical, and takes further

assignment classification tests. Each platoon is led by a team of three Marine drill instructors. A
typical training day for recruits begins with reveille at 0500 (5:00 a.m.), continues with drill,
physical training, and several classes in weapons and conduct, and ends with taps at 2100 (9:00
p.m.). (www.careersinthemilitary.com)
Those who wish to become Marine Officers must first complete the equivalent of recruit
training, called Officer Candidates School (OCS). Upon completion, these Marines are offered
an officers commission and proceed to The Basic School (TBS) at Quantico, Virginia. At TBS,
Marine Officers are first trained to lead as rifle platoon commanders and also are assigned a
Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) in Ground, Aviation, or Law. There are over twenty
MOSs to choose from when selecting a career path. Infantry officers go on to perfect their ability
to lead Marine ground forces into battle, and Aviation Officers undergo training to become either
Naval Marine Aviators or Naval Flight Officers. Officers who elect a law discipline will become
Judge Advocates within the Judge Advocate Generals (JAG) office. (www.careersinthemilitary.com)
Potential Marine Corps Officers are young men and women of high moral standards who
have or will have a four-year college degree, are physically fit, and have demonstrated potential
for leadership. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and pass the initial Marine Corps physical fitness
test. Additionally, applicants must take either the SAT, ACT, or AFQT/ASVAB aptitude tests.
Minimum acceptable scores are: SAT combined verbal and math scores of 1000; ACT 22;
and AFQT/ASVAB 74. The only age requirement is that a person must be at least 20 and less
than 30 (waiverable to 35) years of age at the time of commissioning. Applicants for law
programs must score a minimum of 30 on a 50-point scale, or 150 on a 180-point scale, of the
LSAT. (www.careersinthemilitary.com)

After serving for the Marines, you have military compensation, education support (paid
college), insurance and retirement benefits (free health care, life insurance, VA benefits, can
retire earlier than others, thrift saving plans), world travel (30 days of paid vacation, space
available travel, and R&R options on military basis), and many other discounts and perks.
While being trained in the Marines, you gain skills and courage that you have never had
before. It boosts your ability to do things and hope in yourself. You lose the fears that you once
had and conquer tasks you never thought you would be able to. It also expands your knowledge
in many things. After the training though, you remember new things that you never thought
about. It helps you become more aware of your senses and surroundings. It even gives you a new
perspective on things.
The pay depends on your ranking and how advance you are in your field. There isnt
really a definite amount on how much you make if you are a Marine. The starting amount is
usually in its thousands. Then as you progress, your pay will increase. Usually when help is
needed, the Marines are first on call either on land or water. You may take 2 tours, each
containing 4 years in the field.
The Marines are the first people that the nation runs to when there is a dispute
going on, and they need help. They are the United States first defense. That is why courage and
readiness to do anything is needed for the Marines. It is expected that you are fit and ready for
any problems that you may face. You will also have to be smart so that you can think of other
possible solutions if your first try doesnt work out. Another goal while being a Marine officer, is
that you are more organized and responsible. Being a Marine has a lot of benefits from the pay
they give to the benefits afterwards.