Can I be a marine?

[Anonymous]

I am a 24 year old housewife with no sense of direction for which way my life is going. I have thought about joining the corps. I have a wonderful husband that supports me in this decision, himself being a marine. My delimma is this, I am divorced with two boys in my custody. I have read that I must give up custody of them before joining. What physical expectations are there? I believe that I am physically fit to endure boot camp, but am not sure what to expect from it. What is after boot camp? Please help if you can!

[Anonymous]

Chris,

You'd really need to call your local recruiter on the custody issue. I don't have kids but my husband had to sign off on me joining, I know that. (thank God he is suppoertive & also a former Marine, like yours!)I know they require giving up custody but I'm not sure what the particular regs are.

We all know boot camp will be tough. For the Initial Strength Test, you have to do a 13 second arm hang, 33 crunches in 2 minutes, and a 1.5 mile run in under 16 minutes (this is the IST at Parris Island, the NCOIC at my recruiting station tells me.) That may give you some idea of what to expect.

You'll also have to pass the physical at MEPS (meet the height/weight reqs, the recruiter can tell you what they are) and take the ASVAB, if you haven't already at some point...

Good luck & email me if you need anything.

Monika

Chris wrote:


: I am a 24 year old housewife with no sense of direction for which way my life
: is going. I have thought about joining the corps. I have a wonderful
: husband that supports me in this decision, himself being a marine. My
: delimma is this, I am divorced with two boys in my custody. I have read
: that I must give up custody of them before joining. What physical
: expectations are there? I believe that I am physically fit to endure boot
: camp, but am not sure what to expect from it. What is after boot camp?
: Please help if you can!


zuma50@hotmail.com

[Anonymous]

After boot camp you have about 2 weeks of leave, then go off to Marine Combat Training for approx 3 weeks, then off to MOS school (length depending on your field/MOS). Then report to your 1st duty station.

*Disclaimer: This is what I have heard from recruiters/previous postings ;)

(What MOS interests you?) Find out facts about the custody thing -- not sure on that one, my opinion is make sure the kids' ultimate welfare take precedence.

If u read any of the other posts today/tomorrow, you'll see my life story;). Nice to meet ya.

Semper Fi,

Natalie T.

nataliet@ccess.net

[Anonymous]

: After boot camp you have about 2 weeks of leave, then go off to Marine Combat
: Training for approx 3 weeks, then off to MOS school (length depending on
: your field/MOS). Then report to your 1st duty station.
:
: *Disclaimer: This is what I have heard from recruiters/previous postings ;)
:
: (What MOS interests you?) Find out facts about the custody thing -- not sure
: on that one, my opinion is make sure the kids' ultimate welfare take
: precedence.
:
: If u read any of the other posts today/tomorrow, you'll see my life story;).
: Nice to meet ya.
:
: Semper Fi,
:
: Natalie T.


Thanks for the input! I am not really worried about the welfare of my boys. They will be well taken care of. I am worried that I might not see them again! My ex is a real pain! He has tried for several years to get custody of them. I probably shouldn't worry about it, they will soon be old enough to make thier own decisions.

I have been thinking about the marines for some time now, and reading all the messages on this page gets me intrigued even more! I am one step away from enlisting, and very exited about the challenge of boot camp. Not to mention the education after.

I have contacted a recruiter and have yet to hear from him. I have lived on the same farm for 24 years and I need a change in my life. My husband is behind me 100% and really believes I can do this. That makes all the difference in my confidence!

[Anonymous]

Chris--can I ask how old you are? When you say your kids are almost old enough to make their own decisions, to me that says 18...(In the "legal" sense, I work for attorneys). I just want to make sure you're making the age limit (pretty much 31/32 for Marine Corps (you'll have to get an age waiver).

Monika A.

zuma50@hotmail.com

[Anonymous]

: Chris--can I ask how old you are? When you say your kids are almost old
: enough to make their own decisions, to me that says 18...(In the
: "legal" sense, I work for attorneys). I just want to make sure
: you're making the age limit (pretty much 31/32 for Marine Corps (you'll
: have to get an age waiver).
:
: Monika A.


I am 24 years old. My kids are 7 and 8. In our divorce decree we agreed to let the kids decide where they wanted to live when they reached 14 years of age( that is the minimum age in our state). If I were to join within the next year they would still be with their dad even when my military training is complete. It would take another year or so before they could make that decision. Or I could fight to regain custody of them when I am finished with training. I believe they have been through enough with their father and I arguing and going to court(5 times with my ex's prompting). This is the last step, and it is hard to decide! I have a very strong desire to go both ways. Reading this message board has brought me closer to a decision, but I am not sure it is the decision I could live with.

[Anonymous]

Wow yeah--family comes first Chris. You still have some time, at 24, to act on your potential future decision. This is great! I'm sure you're going to arm yourself with as much information as you can from a recruiter--it would be worth going to talk with them even though you're not 100% ready to go Marine. I have to go see mine tonite & if you like I can ask what the usual procedure is...is there some way your Marine husband can get custody as well, that way it would be so much easier....

M.

zuma50@hotmail.com

[Anonymous]

: I am 24 years old. My kids are 7 and 8. In our divorce decree we agreed to
: let the kids decide where they wanted to live when they reached 14 years
: of age( that is the minimum age in our state). If I were to join within
: the next year they would still be with their dad even when my military
: training is complete. It would take another year or so before they could
: make that decision. Or I could fight to regain custody of them when I am
: finished with training. I believe they have been through enough with their
: father and I arguing and going to court(5 times with my ex's prompting).
: This is the last step, and it is hard to decide! I have a very strong
: desire to go both ways. Reading this message board has brought me closer
: to a decision, but I am not sure it is the decision I could live with.


I want to clarify that last statement. I think I am looking way to deep! My decision is very strong toward the corps. I am very hyped about it! But, I honestly don't know if I would be letting my kids down by joining the corps, or if they would look up to me and want to do the dame thing(entering the marines)when they are done with high school. Serving my country would indeed be a great honor, but how do I get there?

[Anonymous]

: Wow yeah--family comes first Chris. You still have some time, at 24, to act
: on your potential future decision. This is great! I'm sure you're going to
: arm yourself with as much information as you can from a recruiter--it
: would be worth going to talk with them even though you're not 100% ready
: to go Marine. I have to go see mine tonite & if you like I can ask
: what the usual procedure is...is there some way your Marine husband can
: get custody as well, that way it would be so much easier....
:
: M. We have joint legal custody. Unless he gives it up, my husband can't assume custody. If you can find or get any information on this that would be wonderful! I am waiting to hear from my local recruiter. I really hope he contacts me soon, I am ready to get the ball rolling!

[Anonymous]

Chris,

I don't think you'd be letting them down! Have you talked to them about it? I guess it would depend on an individual child's maturity on how they would view it, of course there will be the "mommy's leaving" stuff. But I bet they would be proud. How is their relationship with your husband the Marine now? Good I hope.

I'll ask tonite what I can. Email me privately with your email address & I'll let you know what I can find out! how do you get there?! Success is the result of successful preparation! Arm yourself with knowledge first off...you're already motivated! OOHRAH!

Later, M.

Chris wrote:


:I want to clarify that last statement. I think I am looking way to deep! My :decision is very strong toward the corps. I am very hyped about it! But, I
: honestly don't know if I would be letting my kids down by joining the
: corps, or if they would look up to me and want to do the dame
: thing(entering the marines)when they are done with high school. Serving my
: country would indeed be a great honor, but how do I get there?


zuma50@hotmail.com

[Anonymous]

Hey Chris!

Regarding your 1st response to me:

If you feel in your heart you want this and that things will work out somehow with the custody thing w/out too much of a headache, then go for it. There are things to be learned through challenge and change! You are very lucky to have a wonderful husband behind you. I gotta run but will keep in touch.

nat:)

nataliet@ccess.net

[Anonymous]

Reading this message board has brought me closer


: to a decision, but I am not sure it is the decision I could live with. -----------


Chris,

Take your time deciding.

-nat

nataliet@ccess.net