My Journey to Becoming a U.S. Marine

Training Training Logs
261

[quote]TheBigV wrote:
I’m thinking Infantry, Armor, or MP. My grandfather was an Mp.

Infantry interests me the most though. Being on the front lines has always had an appeal to me.

I’m a sophmore right now, soon to be a junior. I may take 6 weeks the summer coming up and 6 weeks after. I have gotten feedback from other marines that have gone this and the other route, and apparently the 2 six week PLC course is the best route.

I have a meeting with one of the officers from my area, and he said he’d help me get together with other future marines for training. Hopefully it’ll be as awesome as I think it will.[/quote]

I decided to join the military last summer and I looked at the Army and Marine Corps because I only wanted to do infantry. I actually walked into both offices and told them straight up that I wanted to kick in doors and lob hand grenades.

I looked into it more and Marine Corps infantry just had the better training and seemed like had more of a warrior attitude. Oh yeah and also I would get the opportunity to become a United States Marine so that and everything that comes along with it basically sold me. - Huge understatement. Believe me.

The more I looked into the Marine Corps and the ideals, lifestyle, and training of the Corps it was basically a no brainer and here I am.

I had to wait till Oct to get infantry guaranteed to me but I think the wait will have been worth it.

I don’t know anything about going officer route but in the opinion of this Poolee it seems that the 2 six week courses is the way to go. First of all 6 weeks each summer is probably going to keep your motivation high because you’ll get alittle taste and want more. Secondly you’ll learn your basic skills and understand more what is expected of you and you can spend a whole year working on it and perfecting those skills you were taught.

I hope you get to train with others in your shoes. I’ll tell you once you commit to this there are no other people you want to be with than those who understand what you are doing, why you are doing it, and who are doing it along side of you.

If you are going to do your course this summer then where the fuck is your training log? What is your current physical training regime like?

262

Oh yeah. I just had a wrench thrown in the works. (Sorta)

At 5’7 my ship weight is 181lbs.
With a 5% wavier it is 185lbs.
With a 10% wavier it is 194lbs.

I need to meet one of these standards and be below 18% bodyfat to ship.

I am currently 200lbs on the dot with 15% bodyfat so my eating will have to adjust to said goals.

No more all you can eat pancakes at IHOP.

263

I’ve been on both routes: Officer and Enlisted and currently reside on the Enlisted side of the house. I turned down an appointment to the USNA and accepted a full NROTC Marine Corps option scholarship to attend the University of Rochester.

I was accepted in the early boards; one of only a handful offered nationally through the Marine Corps. However, here I am a year and a half later an E-3 in the Marine Corps. Let be the first and certainly not the last to tell you that they’re definitely different. THEY ARE NOT THE SAME THING.

IMHO I would chose to become an Officer if you have any inkling of an extended stay in the Marine Corps and actually poesess leadership skills, charisma, intelligence and physical prowess. That being said the Enlisted side has many things to offer and is definitely a comperable alternative.

I know I just ruffled some feathers so here’s a little caveat to my point: some people can’t cut it as Marines in the first place let alone be Officers…why put them in charge of people just because they have a degree? Also, the Enlisted side boasts an awesome collection of superior Marines that simply just chose not to become an Officer not simply because they can’t/didn’t hack it.

Furthermore, just because you’re a good NCO or SNCO doesn’t mean you’ll be a good Officer.

264

To those who are on a quest for glory in regards to the infantry… it’s not what you think. From my experience; what little it has been, there is no glory in the Marine Corps. The Marine Corps offers some of the hardest most frustrating times of your life, but also the most gratifying, earth-shattering, pride filled moments.

265

I’ll take the time to really respond later, but I don’t see why you would have ruffled any feathers mbarret6. You have some good points above and you have the experience to speak from.

Also just in case you were refering to me, I am not a “glory” seeker. I chose infantry because I wanted to get down and dirty and actually do some work. I definetly have illusions of grandure but not of being some kind of super hero Marine infantrymen.

I appreciate the insight.

April 23
25 Days Till Boot Camp

Ran 4 Miles

50 Dips

50 Pullups

I did my bodyweight exercises in between two loops of a 2 mile track.

266

Nice workout. Good luck with the weight cutting.

Best advice I recieved:

“Sleep when you can, Listen to your instructors, always to the honorable thing”

The rest kinda takes care of itself. The only thing id add is… try to stay positive and find things to laugh at every day (that wont be difficult)

Oh yeah, you might want to take a long shower right before shipping out at MEPS. You probably wont get a shower for 3-4 days when you get there.

Things change all the time but thats my 2 cents.

267

This is a really good log, and im interested to see how you did in bootcamp, hope you can respond!

268

It’s been a while since I updated this and I’d thought I would give a quick update.

I graduated on August 14th from Platoon 1053, Company C, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Parris Island, South Carolina.

I enjoyed Boot Camp a lot and I will never forget the moment I was handed my Eagle, Globe, and Anchor and earned the title of United States Marine. That was the proudest moment of my life.

I had a successful stay down at Parris Island. I went in as a Private and was meritoriously promoted to Private First Class which was an honor.

I completed my journey of becoming a Marine but now I have the responsibility and the honor of upholding the title which I now have.

I’d like to personally thank everyone who helped me on my way with all the advice, tips, and support.

Hopefully I’ll continue on and have a successful career and serve my Corps and Country well.

Thanks again.

PFC Autry