The decision to join the United States Marine Corps may not be the most difficult one a person will ever make, but the process is extremely difficult. The requirements and procedures for becoming a Marine are extremely stringent. Those who have the personal strength and fortitude to persevere, on the other hand, will join the elite, the proud.
Making the decision to join the Marine Corps is the first step toward becoming a Marine. The Marine Corps represents a noble ideal: to defend the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; however, it is not for everyone. Some people may discover that they are better suited to other types of service. Others may come to the conclusion that military service is not for them.
After you’ve made your decision, the next step is to contact a recruiter. To join the Marine Corps, you must go through a recruiter. This is the person who will introduce you to the Marine Corps, give you advice on what to expect, and put you on an enlistment schedule. If you don’t know where to look, the Marine Corps’ website has an online form that you can fill out.
New recruits will almost certainly be asked to complete the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery at some point during the process. This test will guide the recruit to a career path that will give him or her the best chance of success. While all recruits will be taught the fundamentals of combat and rifle handling, each will be assigned to a specific military occupation.
It’s critical to get in the best physical shape possible before enrolling in boot camp to become a Marine. Basic training will be nearly impossible for those who do not take this advice to heart. 20 pull-ups in 30 seconds, 100 crunches in 120 seconds, and a three-mile run in 18 minutes are the requirements for a perfect score on the physical fitness portion of the Marine test. While meeting these benchmarks is not required before enlisting, getting as close as possible will make boot camp a lot more bearable.
The boot camp is far the most difficult part of the process to become a Marine. This 13-week program, which is often longer and more difficult than in any other branch of the military, is required of all new recruits. A special platoon will be formed for those who require additional physical conditioning. Once completed, the recruit can proudly proclaim that he or she is now a Marine.