possible convert?!

[Anonymous]

HEY --

I am currently DEPed into the AF leaving April, but Im having such a terrible time getting the running around. I want to get a physical to get a waiver to fly but they are just saying NO NO NO. Whats up w/ this Marines thing? Is it everything and then some? From the posting it seems that you all have a lot of fun? LOL Everytime I go to the AF site, theres never any new postings..so that means 1 of 2 things.. you guys have wayyy too much time on your hands OR they dont care as much on the AF site?? what do you think?

Im a little curious..are the Marines as hard core and psychologically scary as it seems on the civ. side? I am a 25yr old future college graduate who is trying to decide.. regardless of the branch.. to go enlist or OCS/OTS. I am weary of the officer mentality, but then I guess I dont want to be 25 and comanded by a 22yr old..LOL

you all seem really vocal.. lemme know whats up!

I want to fly..whats out there for someone who doesnt necessarily want to be a pilot but flight crew? any heigh reqments?

Jen



jenatasu@aol.com

[Anonymous]

Hi Jen,

I wouldn't say all marines are 'psychologically scary'...I think it's just that Marines are confident, they know what they want, they are disciplined and how to get the job done...that intimidates some people...altho the Corps has it's share of, uh, idiots, everyone does I guess...! But yes, they are hard core--I think one of the things that binds Marines together is obviously a love of and dedication to the Marine Corps and all it stands for...

I know the Corps has some female pilots--I don't think they're allowed to fly Harriers as that is a combat MOS, I'm not sure what the reqs are for helicopters, etc...you'd really have to ask a recruiter. He can tell you the flight MOSs avaiable to women and all the requirements and all that...This is not to mean that the usmc will not give you the runaround (at some point) either, but my recruiter busts butt to help me out and they will help you too...but it sounds like you are having a tough time with the AF!

I think it seems like we all have a lot of fun because we love the Marine Corps and what it stands for: the core values are Honor, Courage and Commitment. The Marines offer me the kind of life I want to lead: strive to be your best all the time, and be surrounded by people just like you. The camaraderie is awesome. (and we haven't even gone to boot camp yet!) I don't know if you've read all the posts here, but I posted once that I've received more support from the Marines: recruiters, former and active duty Marines, and young WM recruits such as on this board (NORA! HOLLY! NAT! KAREN!) in the past 4 months or so than I have ever had from anyone in my life. OORAHH! it feels great and it feels like we are one big family...

At your ago you could go to OCS, the physical requirements for both that at to go to boot cmap are awesome, but if you're a tough kid and never say quit you'd make a great Marine! Remember the 'officer mentality' comes from the individual--there are some outstanding young Marine officers and some not so. I personally am going enlisted reserves and in a year or so I am applying to OCS as I already have a degree. (I'm a tad too old for OCS right now, long story). Even if you went enlisted for a stint, you could still ask to go to OCS, they take Marines up to a higher age than they do civilians.

Anyhow, that's my opinion! I would talk to a recruiter and find out what opps are available for what you want to do...otherwise, why be one of the many when you can be one of The Few? :o)

LOL--recruiter school here I come!

Semper Fidelis & OOHRAHH!

Monika Anderson


:
: HEY --
:
: I am currently DEPed into the AF leaving April, but Im having such a terrible
: time getting the running around. I want to get a physical to get a waiver
: to fly but they are just saying NO NO NO. Whats up w/ this Marines thing?
: Is it everything and then some? From the posting it seems that you all
: have a lot of fun? LOL Everytime I go to the AF site, theres never any new
: postings..so that means 1 of 2 things.. you guys have wayyy too much time
: on your hands OR they dont care as much on the AF site?? what do you
: think?
:
: Im a little curious..are the Marines as hard core and psychologically scary
: as it seems on the civ. side? I am a 25yr old future college graduate who
: is trying to decide.. regardless of the branch.. to go enlist or OCS/OTS.
: I am weary of the officer mentality, but then I guess I dont want to be 25
: and comanded by a 22yr old..LOL
:
: you all seem really vocal.. lemme know whats up!
:
: I want to fly..whats out there for someone who doesnt necessarily want to be
: a pilot but flight crew? any heigh reqments?
:
: Jen


zuma50@hotmail.com

[Anonymous]

NICOLE! I almost forgot NICOLE!

Sorry;o)

m.

zuma50@hotmail.com

[Anonymous]

Hi Jen,

I am curious as to why the AF will not let you fly. From observations, if anything, they are losing pilots left and right due to Operation Optempo (increased deployment), civilian pay differences, fewer qualifieds coming in, Anthrax controversy, and other reasons. Are you qualified? If so, I don't see why they won't let you fly and the Marine Corps would. I guess I don't know the background here.

Anyway, I talked to AF OSO's in the past as well as Marine OSO's and I will just say I was impressed by both. Of course I struck some great and highly intelligent people, but an indicator to me of honor is when the AF OSO can highly praise the Marines as committed and loyal individuals, and vice versa. Representatives of each service will be able to give you a description of their specific mission, and where you could fit into it. I don't think one service is better than the others so much as the missions are very different. Everyone has their own opinion, and obviously I'm biased but I know excellent patriotic individuals from all service branches. It comes down to who offers what you feel fits into your life goals. Some women prefer the challenge and stress on combat training the Marines provides. I agree with Mon about the camaraderie, not to say it doesn't exist in every single branch, but I suppose a smaller and extremely powerful branch of service, while effectively weeding out the weak with higher standards, will have powerful camaraderie.

You'll find dedicated people in all forces, so just dig into the history of each, read all you can, talk to OSOs or recruiters and you'll have smth to work with. The Marines are more physical, and more no nonsense, and facilities may not be as nice as the AF side. There are more women in the AF than the Marines. Get to know people from each side if you're not sure and that can help. Best of luck!

Semper fi,

Nat

nataliet@ccess.net

[Anonymous]

thank you all for your IMMEDIATE responses. LOL

The reason I cant fly... is simple. I am too short. AF requirements are 64in and I am rounded up to 62in. I am slated for an AWACS ground job and I would like to be on flight crew w/ AWACS but the height thing. I am being told that although the AFSC (MOS) is a critically manned area that there would be no way my med. docs would make it to flight med. to even be previewed for consideration. Recruiters dont want to pay for it.

so Im stuck. I have one good friend at the AF base near here who does the job I would be doing and he's helping me get things figured out. I guess my main wonderment is that I am going into the military mainly to work myself.. if you understand what I mean. I want a challenge.. life mostly has been school and work. I want to be physically challenged and to push myself. I know that in reality.. the AF isnt all that. Its what you make of it I know.

Thanks for the help and I will visit a rec. sometime this week..see what he/she says.

aim high- Jen

jenatasu@aol.com

[Anonymous]

YOU GUYS!!!!! i swore in yesterday! i'm scheduled to leave on June 12. (hopefully i can move it up) i'm psyched, life is great semper fi nic


:
: NICOLE! I almost forgot NICOLE!
:
: Sorry;o)
:
: m.


canziani@simmons.edu

[Anonymous]

OORAHH!

Awesome news Nicole--congratulations!

hey everyone, if you want, send me your ship dates--I have a little calendar going in the recruit depot section of my website--I thought maybe we could post them there and keep track of eack other's progess toward boot camp!


:
: YOU GUYS!!!!! i swore in yesterday! i'm scheduled to leave on June 12.
: (hopefully i can move it up) i'm psyched, life is great semper fi nic


zuma50@hotmail.com