Question by ashley: I am considering joining the marines…?
I am in the midst of researching all I can find out about joining, and the opportunities available to me. Especially as a woman. I need to decide what option would be best for me. I want to be prepared and knowledgeable about my position wants and needs so I do not allow the recruiter to bully me into signing up to a sudden death occupation. I need to decipher between joining the reserves, enlist as active duty, or look into becoming an officer. I am a college student, I will be graduating in November with an associates in business. My main focus at this point is more education: with that being said, I want to be able to stay in school. (I have about 5-8 years of different types of schooling lined up that I want to accomplish). So I also would like to know my funding education options. My dream career goals are in the field of photography/ culinary arts. (hence: combat photographer… or what ever). Though I will not object to what ever jobs may be available to me. Another question being what would the best option military career wise be for me when I enlist. I hear that alot of combat jobs are not available to women, is this true? If so that is fine I really dont want to be deployed anyway. what are my chances of being deployed depending on how I enlist? I am not saying I want to take the easy route out, but I eventually when I get out of the military I plan to pursue and entrapanuer career in my dream field as well be an almost “stay at home mom”, but want a since of knowing what benefit I have acheived for myself and my children. I want a sense of accomplishmnet and strength. I need further dicipline, to stand up to my full potential (which I know the marines will surely provide). I have dreams of my own, but also have a longing to become a US Marine. I dont want to jump into something so serious, stupidly. I just need some information on opportunitues, options, and experiences as well as more resources to find more information. And information provided will be taken in greatfully.

P.S.
I don’t want anyone refering me to the navy or air force. I am focused on being a marine. I have had enough people tell me what I should do. “take the easy way out” …blah blah blah, my dad didn’t raise to take the easy route. I love a challenge and I have my mind set percisely on the marines. I know they say marines are the the ones who join with the mind frame ready to go to war and kill, but I know theres more, and I am focusing on those other ooptions within the marine core!
Let me make this alittle clearer… I never said I am against deploying, (obviously y would I even look at the military?).. I work for the army I know alittle more about the military than you think. Also I know what they say about the marines. I know that COMBAT Photography would be a deployment. I know u don’t get to necesarily pick what you want to do. obviously the lady marine that answered my question is active duty, and probably didn’t know jack about the marines when she joined. obviously if I am asking the question I do not know too much about the marines… THATS WHY I AM ASKING WHAT OPPORTUNITUES ARE OUT THERE! I never planned to take pictures with butterflies jack ass. I have plenty of marine friends, I just am trying to get perspective of which program would be most profitable for me! because I know that there are different routes you can take in, and I know that recruiters will tell you anything to make you think that you dont have options, but I personally know that u do

Best answer:

Answer by MCMoose18
I went to a senior military college with lots of Army soldiers and Marines. They were activated almost regularly and it took many of them seven years to finish their degrees. Some of them never finished school at all. As a woman, you won’t be able to get many combat MOSs. I knew a girl when I was in college who was a Marine Reservist. Her MOS was motor transportation. The closes she got to a combat zone was driving supply trucks around combat zones to make deliveries.

I’m a guy and I considered joining the Army or the Marines at a couple points in my life. But you NEED to think about a couple of other things. Do you want to do a job in the military that will be more transferable into the civilian world when you get out of the service? Motor-T will help you to be a truck driver or a bus driver when you get out after being enlisted…is that what you would want to do?

Also, I know that you are pining to become a US Marine, but you have to look at the MOSs and rates available in other branches. In the DOD branches, you could be training all the time for combat action that you will probably never see. In the US Coast Guard (which has a huge concentration of women) you can do all the jobs that the men do, and even get a chance to see armed conflict.

You said that you are interested in photography or culinary arts. Well, in the Coast Guard you could get a guaranteed rate be a PA (public affairs) specialist taking pictures and engaging with the public on a regular basis. You could become a food specialist and satisfy your culinary desires. Last I heard, the Marines were phasing out FS (food specialists) and replacing them with civilian contractors….One of my high school buddies was a Marine FS guy who told me about the phasing out. I don’t know if things have changed since 2004, but you should ask your recruiter.

In the Coast Guard, you could even be a female rescue swimmer…CG rescue swimmers are acknowledged as being comparable to the DOD special ops community as far as their rigorous training and dangerous missions are concerned. Being a woman, you will have way more opportunities and equality in the Coast Guard. I went to school with some Coasties, and they never had trouble finishing their degrees. The Coast Guard is very education oriented and will pay in full for your education (like every other branch does) but you will not be activated and shipped out while you are working on your degree. The Air Force will help you out the same way.

In the end, the choice is obviously yours. Do yourself a favor and do some more research on the other branches before you jump in with both feet. Since you are a woman, you should base your choice on where you will have the most opportunity.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!