A couple of months ago, I got sent home from boot camp. I'm going back around February/ March, but I don't really know what it will entail for me. I already know what's coming but I don't know how it will be different for me this time. The thing I'm most unsure about is what to do when I get back to the island. I know I'm not supposed to go through the silver hatches again, but I'm not really sure how to go about telling the receiving DI's.

I ship out on the 27th and I’m getting mixed feelings every time the date gets closer. Sometimes I’m excited or the nerves start to kick in. I know this is a life changing moment for me and I’ve never been in this type of environment before besides my dad being a retired marine I keep telling myself I should be used to this lifestyle be part of a military family but I just don’t feel that mentality yet. But hopefully it all goes good and I don’t get dropped just nervous about swim week and the stairway to heaven.

Howdy all, I hope all is well. Since I have both a Navy Federal & USAA account, do I need to walk with my direct deposit info? I’m trying to figure out how people get paid exactly in bootcamp in terms of the account the funds are deposited in. Will they make me create a new account?

Hey everyone,

I'm 16 years old, currently living in New Zealand, and planning to enlist in the Marine Corps next year, hopefully shipping to boot camp around June or July 2027.

I've posted here before, but quite a few things have changed since then, so I thought I'd give an update and ask for some more advice.

My dad was born in the US, and I've recently been to the US consulate and had my American citizenship confirmed. My US passport is currently being shipped to me, and I'm also sorting out my Social Security card.

I've also been in contact with a Marine Corps Staff Sergeant recruiter based in Denver, Colorado, where I have family I can stay with. I've spoken to him about my situation and plans, and he's given me an official practice ASVAB test.

I scored in the 69th percentile on the practice test, which I was pretty happy with considering I thought I'd done terribly, especially on the maths and electrical questions. I've got roughly three months to prepare before taking the actual ASVAB, so I'm planning to spend a lot of time improving my maths.

I'm currently completing a Level 3 Mechanical Engineering course here in New Zealand, where I've been learning machining, fabrication, welding and other engineering skills.

Physically, I've started preparing with running, pull-ups and general strength training. I'm definitely not where I want to be yet, but I've got time to improve and I'm taking it seriously.

I'm turning 17 in November and hoping to travel to Denver early next year to begin the enlistment process in person.

A few things I'd really appreciate advice on:

• Is a 69th percentile practice ASVAB score a decent starting point, and how much improvement is realistic in three months?
• For anyone who enlisted at 17, what was your experience with the Delayed Entry Program?
• What should I be doing now to prepare for boot camp, both physically and mentally?
• Is there anything you wish you'd known before joining that a recruiter might not necessarily mention?
• Does anyone have experience enlisting while living overseas, particularly with arranging MEPS and other processing requirements?

I'm not expecting the Marine Corps to be easy or glamorous. I understand there'll be plenty of difficult and boring parts of the job, and I'm trying to go into it with realistic expectations.

I'd especially appreciate hearing from current or former Marines who have been through the process.

I was 124lbs when I went through MEPS (female) then major life events happened. I never ran before so I started running. I worked out a lot so my pull-ups weren’t a problem (9 pull ups) and the plank was fine too but the run was awful (17 mins for 1.5). Well then one of my closest friends was going through a lot and for a while we literally thought they ended it and so it kinda all went south from there. I stopped feeling hungry and my university work kept piling up so I was always busy. Yesterday I felt particularly awful after a run and checked my weight > it dropped to 117lbs… my pull ups are now only 5 and my partner pointed out that I lost “almost all” my muscle mass. I ship in 4 months and honestly do you guys think that’s enough time to lock in and fix everything?

Edit : Should also mention I’m 5’7 so now like 1lb underweight

So I signed for aircrew back in September and I’m shipping in December, but my recruiter called me this week and said that they lost my air crew spot and that I have to do my second option, which doesn’t make sense considering they told me there was a spot for aircrew and now It’s just gone?

Our RSS just changed leadership, and their explanation was that apparently they gave me the aircrew contract before the beginning of the new FY and they didn’t have as many aircrew spots as expected.

Which sucks because I really really wanted to try to get 6276 kc130 loadmaster

Just wondering if this has happened to anybody and if there is anything I can do about it, my recruiter says there is nothing they can do.

I can't enlist yet but I know that being a marine is what I want to do. I don't know how to tell my parents. I'm afraid they won't like it and will be scared for me and maybe not let me enlist.