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Lt. Grose,
I am impressed by the amount of work you have abviously
put into your web site. I have also thoroughly enjoyed
reading through it.
My question is not so much a question as a situation.
When I was eighteen and left home I was still a conscientious
objector, just as I was raised to be. In my family I had few
choices what to believe until after leaving home.
Currently, I am thirty, have an A.A. degree in Fire Science,
and am a firefighter/paramedic. Also, I am about a year
away from three different bachelor degrees. On top of
this I am in excellent shape, think well on my feet, handle
stress better than most I am around, and am always seeking to
learn new things.
Such is my situation. Now for my explanation.
When I think about what I would like to do to continue with
my personal growth I keep thinking about the Marine Corps.
I am impressed with the "Code" that forms the core of the Corps.
I also realize that any medical personnel in the marines are
provided by the navy so any career in the marines would be a
departure from the work I currently do.
What suggestions, if any do you have about my joining the
marines at my late age. I understand that I can still
join until I am 35, but that few recruits are even in their
late twenties. Should I join, what advice would you have
concerning my enlistment or seeking a possible commision?
Thanks for you time.
Paul
Dear Paul,
You pose an interesting situation. A CO looking to join
the Marine Corps. Here is the advice that I would give you.
First, you must decide if this is really what you want to
do because if it is, you will have to go at it with full force.
Ask yourself if you want to be a Marine for the novelty or for
the opportunity to experience growth while serving your country.
Understand that you might be called upon to fight an enemy that
your country, not necessarily you, consider a threat. Can you
live with that and will it hamper the safety of the Marines
around you and the accomplishment of the mission?
If you decide to go through with this, you must decide to
go either enlisted or officer. You must have a bachelor's degree
to be an officer. So your first move would be to go back to
school and get that and then decide if you want to be an officer
or an enlisted. Having experience in both, I would rather be
an officer because of the better opportunities to lead and make
a difference rather than having to work your way up the ladder
as an enlisted man. At your age, it would take too long to get
enough enlisted experience to start having clout. As an officer,
you would be in a better position faster to make change but
with that comes an incredible responsibility to work twice as
hard to get the knowledge and experience it takes to do your
job well.
While we are on the subject of age, I only see that as a
hurdle for the accession process. Obviously they look at that
and set parameters for age. But do not let it dictate to you
what you can or cannot do if you fall within the established
age requirements. I am a 30-year-old lieutenant and am in better
shape now than I was a decade ago. I can out-perform all of
my Marines and my lieutenant colonel is that much better than
me as I am of my troops!! I tell you this not to brag but to
show you that it is you who decides what limitation age will
have on you.
To sum up, look inside and see what you really want to do.
Consider what the Marine Corps might ask of you and see if that
is acceptable to your beliefs. Then decide to take the plunge
or not. If you do, do not ever turn back and question your decision.
That time will be past and the only obstacles will be the ones
you place in your own path.
Good luck, God Bless, and Semper Fi.
-- Lt Grose
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