I spent around 2 years trying to join the military, but when I went through MEPS, I was denied for a few medical reasons. I even tried speaking with the Army, but no luck. It sucks because I’ve never done drugs or gotten into trouble. I’m 5’8”, 150 pounds, can bench 275, run a sub-7-minute mile, do 20 pull-ups, and scored an 80 on the ASVAB.
Since then, I’ve started community college and am pursuing a bachelor’s degree in computer science, potentially psychology as well. Recently, I saw a post about someone challenging BUMED and contacting their congressman to finally get in, which made me wonder if I gave up too soon. After 2 years and 2 surgeries trying to join, I lost hope and decided to focus on something else.
Honestly, seeing people in the military on Reddit and social media makes me a bit envious. I just turned 24, and I hate wondering what could’ve been. Maybe I should’ve kept fighting, or maybe I’m just beating a dead horse. I’m not sure, so I’d appreciate your thoughts. Should I have kept trying, or was it just not meant to be?

Who else is shipping November 3rd too Parris island ? I was supposed too ship out Oct 27th but it got moved again

I’m currently a sophomore in college majoring in computer science, and I’m trying to figure out what direction I want to take my career.

I’ve spent the past two summers lifeguarding at a very busy, heavily populated beach, and I’ve realized how much I enjoy working in an environment where I’m physically active, working with a team, and doing something meaningful. I grew up on the coast, so I’ve always loved the ocean.

I was an avid runner throughout high school, and swimming has been a major part of my life for the past couple of years. I’m in pretty good shape already, but I understand that becoming a Coast Guard rescue swimmer would require me to take my fitness to another level.

I know it’s an extremely demanding job, and that challenge is part of what attracts me to it.
My brother joined the Army National Guard and has been deployed and loves what he’s doing currently. I’ve been talking with him a lot about military careers and my options. Those conversations have gotten me thinking more seriously about this, but I’d like some outside perspectives from people who have firsthand experience.

I genuinely enjoy computer science, but I’m worried about spending my career behind a desk. I want something hands-on, physically challenging, and fulfilling, while still setting myself up for a good civilian career if/when I eventually leave the military.
I’m particularly interested in Coast Guard rescue swimmer (AST), but I’m open to other branches and careers involving rescue, aviation, diving, medicine, engineering, or other technical and operational skills.

A few things I’d love advice on:
\*\*Career options:\*\* What jobs should I look into beyond Coast Guard rescue swimmer?

\*\*Training and lifestyle:\*\* How difficult are selection and training, and what are the day-to-day realities of these jobs?

\*\*Civilian opportunities:\*\* Which military specialties translate into valuable skills, certifications, and careers after service?

\*\*Officer vs. enlisted:\*\* Should I finish my CS degree and pursue OCS, or would enlisting directly in a specialized role make more sense?

\*\*Alternative pathways:\*\* Are there less obvious routes, including National Guard or Reserve opportunities, that I should consider?

\*\*Looking back:\*\* If you were in my position as a college sophomore, what would you research or do over the next couple of years?

I’m not looking for the easiest path or necessarily the highest-paying job. I want to challenge myself, do something worthwhile, and develop skills that will serve me well long-term.

I’d especially appreciate honest advice from people who have done these jobs or transitioned out of the military. I’m still exploring my options, so I’m open to hearing about careers I haven’t even considered.

Thanks!

I (20F) enlisted in the Marines and will be shipping out in a few months. I’ve been thinking of getting into rugby? I’m really tempted to try it, but I get that there’s a fair bit of risk involved because it’s a full-contact sport. Would it be worth it to try and get into rugby before bootcamp?

I didn’t know how to word the title but I don’t actually regret signing my contract. My concern is that originally I was joining the Army National guard because I was a junior. Long story short they were lying to me I got pissed went to active duty recruiter. He was really chill and I liked him a lot. But me and my buddy are doing buddy program with marine corps (active duty). I went to MEPS back in april of this year and had waivers. They got approved this month and then I signed on and said oath on October 8. I ship in August. My regret is that I was joining the Army for Airborne and helicopter operations within the infantry even though I wanted to be a Marine my whole life. My swimming will pass me through bootcamp and combat water survival but by a narrow margin so I know for a fact I can’t do Recon. Is there any way I can do something like airborne or heli ops within infantry in marine corps or is it restricted primarily to Recon and MARSOC?

Me (24) and my bf (25)have been together for almost 5 years, and he just recently joined the Marines. Before he left, we talked about getting married while he was still in MOS school, then it was after MOS school because his higher ups kept telling all the new Marines not to get married! Now he’s got his orders and we’re planning to do so after he graduates! How long will it take for me to be put as his dependent and move with him?

Just signed for Combat support what job do you think I’ll end up with? Is it based on fitness scores out of bootcamp and mct? Asvab? Or is it literally whatever is open for the marines at the time of school house. Any insight if so what they need the most?

I am currently in the DEP and I’m planning in the future to LAT move to Recon but my assigned mos is Electronics Maintenance. Am I at a real disadvantage to become recon if I don’t enlist as an infantryman, or will I be at the same level as the infantryman that are trying to go recon as well?

Thank you so much

I’m 35 years old, and I’ve always dreamed of joining the Marine Corps. Honestly, the Marines are the only branch of the military I’ve ever really wanted to join.

I went to speak with a recruiter the other day but was turned away because of my age. I was under the impression that the age limit had recently been raised to 42.

Does anyone know if there’s a way to get an age waiver at 35? Would it be worth speaking with another recruiter, or is there someone higher up I could contact?

I know I’m older than the typical recruit, but this has been a dream of mine for a long time, and I’d hate to give up on it without exploring every possible option.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Who do I reach out to on Camp Pendleton to request tuition assistance? Just got back from deployment and it’s time to start grinding out the degree. Asked my chain of command about it and they clearly couldn’t give half a shit less about it. Any phone numbers I can call to set up an appointment with a guy who can help set me up? Not much info about this on the internet.

Since meeting my recruiter, going to Meps and now joining the DEP, I feel so alone. I don’t have many friends and almost all of them have shown some sort of adversity to me leaving or deciding to join. My best friend used to entertain the idea of going to the gym together to help me get fit for boot camp and every single time I offer/ask to go I get a new excuse.. so I end up going alone. My friends all tell me they’re gonna distance themselves as time gets closer and it makes me feel like any support system I had has just vanished. I’m 24 so yeah I’m entering a little later in life (wanted to try life out before deciding to go military). I’m not the most social person but also not the most closed off. It’s been hard to make friends as I’ve always been an “old soul” kind of person. I’m excited to start a new life for myself and put my all into it but it feels like I’ve lost about everything before I’ve even left.

Has anyone else gone through this? How’d you push through it?

When I say tips and tricks some real not basic advice like something you found out while you where there and wish you knew sooner

As the title eludes too, some of the tendons got inflamed in my wrist a month ago. I've been stretching and icing, avoiding lifting, anything to aggravate it. It's improved plenty as of today, shipping soon and just wondering about some of the implications in notifying my recruiter and pushing the date back. Will I potentially lose my discussed MOS of interest, will I have to be re -cleared by MEPS. If anyone can offer advice, I'd appreciate it.

I’m 18 (I turn 19 in a few days) Going to graduate bootcamp as an E-2, I plan on staying in the barracks and utilizing the chow hall for as long as possible. Going to open a TSP and ROTH IRA and put 5% of my paycheck into each. My plan for my first 4 years is only pay for vehicle insurance and WiFi. After that, depending on where I’m stationed, I might buy a house to live in. Down the road I plan on buying a couple of duplexes to rent them out for that sweet sweet passive income. I want to retire as a marine, and want to stay in as long as possible.

Any financial or general advice I could get would be very much appreciated.

My ship date is next week, and I admitted things to background investigator that weren’t on my clearance form but now being told to answer no to these things during polygraph test. Would they not have the investigators notes and see I’m lying or is this not the case? I’ve brought this up and asked if the boss recruiters have heard what I said to investigator but I’ve just been told I’m good and don’t worry. My concern is being kicked out for fraudulent enlistment or jailed because things weren’t documented correctly.

I’m 18 4 months out of highschool. I’ve always wanted to join the military for as long as I can remember. Right now I am doing an electrical apprentice but for me it doesn’t feel like enough. I would love to join the military (especially the marines) but that conflicts with my apprenticeship which I also love. I was thinking about doing reserves until my apprenticeship was over and by 22 I will have done 4 years reserve and have completed my apprenticeship. I am physically fit and I can already do the PFT besides the planking time I’m super close. I AM LOOKING FOR ANY ADVICE AND I WANT TO MAKE A DECISION FAST.

So I have orders to be at my schoolhouse in 29 palms, Since I was going to be in LA I have family down there that wanted to see me for the day, I was told a shuttle bus would be provided for the travel to base. Would I be able to spend time with my family in LA? Would I get in trouble for not getting on the shuttle?

How does paid time off work? Is it realistically really hard to take your earned 30 days and go see family. Can you choose exactly when you can leave?

Im a poolee and i want to try for recon at some point ive got a few questions

1st being, if i try out for recon and fail what happens

2nd being, when is the best time in my career to try out for recon

3rd being about my ist scores and what I should do. Im currently doing a 12:00 minute mile and a half and i max the plank and can do 12 pull ups i leave in march for bootcamp and idk how good i should be when the time in march comes i also weigh like 137 btw

So I’m F19 currently in my second year of college for nursing. I really wanted to join the marines senior year but opted to just going to college as my parents probably wouldn’t approve of it. As I’m going through college I’ve talked to a few people who say that the military will pay for your tuition especially for a major like nursing. Marines is really the only branch I’m interested in though. I was wondering if anyone has taken this route or joined the marines while in college if so could you give any kind of insight on how this might work ? Thank you !

(idk what flair to put so I put that)

Ok, long story short my friends and I were hanging out at a park, a random dude from our high school was there and we got in a fight because I stood up for my friend who's 120 pounds.

Basically, I might have a minor concussion cause I got hit in the head a few times and he kicked me and my knuckles are all cut up from his fucked up teeth. No cops came or were called. I just told him to leave my friend alone after.

I don't want to get into trouble usmc wise or by my recruiter. My ship date isn't until January, do I tell him?

Hello, first of all this is my first reddit post, and first time using reddit really, so sorry for a lack of digital etiquette. As the title reads, I'm struggling with foot pain, specifically my arches. I have gotten multiple diagnosis's, One of Plantar Fasciitis and high arches, one of Posterior Tibialis Tendonitis, and one of collapsing arches. Thankfully however, on record there's only a PT referral so that way when they pull my records at MEPS Its not a walking red flag (at least in theory). And in general, I think I haven't gotten a proper diagnosis yet, as I don't display a lot of the symptoms of each.

After 6-8 months of semi consistent stretching, mobility work, and Physical therapy, little has changed. I have experimented with footwear to a degree but it only shifts where in the arch my pain is, disregarding only one run where I had zero pain running in boots, however I developed shin splints in doing so. The pain is relatively negligible, usually staying around a 4, and triggers at the .75 mile marker (pace doesn't change when it triggers) but without much running I am running a 7:15 mile pace, and my last 3 mile (not going for time, just distance) was 25:00. Rucking with 30-50lbs and walking proves to be no challenge to me, only running.

Leading up to the past 3 years I was regularly in physical activity, doing wrestling, Young Marines Program, and airsoft, but I sat on my ass trying to make music work out in my favor knowing in the back of my mind it 100% wouldn't work out. Last February or so a recruiter called and I figured id go back to plan A, The Marine Corps Infantry. My current hypothesis is that the 3 years of inactivity has led to a lack of strength in my lower legs/feet.

I'm hoping by posting this that I get some advice, and as well as on top of that to see if anyone has had similar issues to myself. I know I could make it through boot and SOI with my feet as is, but if there's a chance of getting this off of my plate and giving me one less thing to worry about ill take it. I have not signed anything yet, but I hope to ship to PI in the February to March timeframe.

Once again, sorry for anything out of the ordinary, and thank you for your consideration.

Not sure if they have regulations or not, or if Adidas are even allowed, but I have a gift card with them and was wondering if this should be fine?