Rejected

[CUBoulder]

Just got a call today that I was rejected SWO, Intel, Crypto BDCP. I am not too bummed because I have already started working with the Marines and have already contracted to go to OCS this summer if I am accepted. I applied to the Navy first last Sept. I retook the ASTB and got a 6/6/6 for the Marines and will know by late April for an Aviation contract. My recruited says that I am a shoe in for this slot so....we'll find out.

My Stats Were:
OAR 49, 4/3/3 (I think thats what got me)
GPA 3.75 Sociology w/Honors(also probably got me)
Eagle Scout, Honors College
4 LORS - Boss, Army Intel Cpt., Ret. Maj, Ret. Navy Cpt.
1260 SAT, 28 ACT
Applied for grad. in Jun 2006

I have not given up on the Navy but the Marines is looking for a few good men and dammit, they will let me fly. Plus, the tripoli sword is sweet.

 

[KBayDog]

I have not given up on the Navy but the Marines is looking for a few good men and dammit, they will let me fly. Plus, the tripoli sword is sweet.

If those are your only reasons for wanting to be a Marine (much less a Marine officer), you might want to put a little more thought into your decision.

 

[DocT]

I never wanted to fly before I contracted to do it. It was my last choice of things to do for the Marine Corps. Occasionaly, since I've been lurking around this site and hearing the difficulties of some of the guys on the navy side, I even feel badly that I took a slot in flight school from some guy who's wanted wings since he was 3. All I ever wanted was to wear green and earn the title. I wouldn't fly if I couldn't do it without an EGA. This seems to be a unique perspective specifically among candidates and poolees on this site. With the limited experience I have with the Marine Corps and the nature of the training, I trust the priorities will straighten out for people who would wear a McDonald's uniform if it had wings on it. CU, go Marines but know what you're getting into. Here ends self righteous rant.

 

[CUBoulder]

Wow...let me explain myself before I get pummeled. I've been going balls out for the Marines for the past 2 months working out 5 times a week for the PFT and studying my ass off for the ASTB. The "the will let me fly" comment was just a bonus for going to the Marines. I have wanted to be an officer since I was 7. I want to lead, thats my bag, thats why I want to be an officer. I could care less if I am on the ground cracking skulls or in the air dropping bombs. I will probably go ground eventually because I don't want to end up flying 747s for some airline.

Come off the high horse for 5 min and try not to judge. Putting on the uniform of an officer is what it is about for me. I make a joke and you guys freak out! I know what I am getting into and I know that I would be a good officer in the corps. What took me away from the Navy was the fact that the Marines have discipline, respect, professionalism and leadership on another level. Something that I have witnessed first hand in the other branches but not to the same level as the corps. Thats why I want to go Marine.

 

[wink]

I am wondering why exactly, you have to be more sure of being a Marine than any other military officer? We all know the Naval/Marine Officer first (pick one) aviator/SWO/Armor officer second. But why is it that you can come into my office wanting to be a pilot and we just happen to make you an offer as a Naval Officer and that is ok. But if you are shopping and "settle" on the Marines it is a bad thing? If you leave the Air Farce recruiter with a rejection letter and walk into my office I may have some questions about what went wrong with the AF. But it isn't because I think anyone that went looking for what he thought was best for him before seeing me is damaged goods. Don't get me wrong. I admire the Marines and am proud of the little bit of Marine instilled in me 20+ years ago when AOCS was more Quantico then anything Navy. But get real, with the exception of greater physical training required, anyone that can lead sailors can lead Marines and vis versa. What else is there that is so difficult? Do the uniforms itch alot? Maybe the racks in OCS are too hard for us Navy guys. Oh ya, you guys sleep in tents and carry back backs in TBS. So maybe you should just restrict applicants to former Boy Scouts? Maybe you are embaressed by the low qualification scores the Marines will take these days. The Marines have a hell of a lot to be proud of. The USMC is highly elite. No need to be exclusive to the point of pettiness. Take CU on the merits of his app and then bust his chops in OCS and TBS. That is how you see if he has what it takes to be a Marine. Not amateur psycobabble.

 

[Godspeed]

Absolutely outstanding point wink. Never thought of it like that.

 

[KBayDog]

Come off the high horse for 5 min and try not to judge.

Who is judging?

I am wondering why exactly, you have to be more sure of being a Marine than any other military officer?

Who said that? Not me. What I did say is that if flying/good looking swords are the only reasons for contracting, that decision requires more thought. I did not know that the statements were in jest, and Boulder, I'm sorry for the confusion.

What else is there that is so difficult? Do the uniforms itch alot? Maybe the racks in OCS are too hard for us Navy guys. Oh ya, you guys sleep in tents and carry back backs in TBS. So maybe you should just restrict applicants to former Boy Scouts?

Great argument.

Maybe you are embaressed by the low qualification scores the Marines will take these days.

Not at all. In fact, I am fortunate that time timing is such that I can focus on doing my best without having to achieve something other than the previously established Deppartment of the Navy scores. There is a lot less pressure, which actually makes it easier to learn. And believe me - we more than make up for the "low qualification scores" in other areas of our professional lives.

Not amateur phycobabble.

Not even worth a reply. Oops, I just gave one.


A buddy of mine cross-decked to the Army when we were corporals together to go into their warrant officer flight program. Didn't want to be a Soldier; just wanted to fly. He is now a successful Longbow pilot, and loves flying. However, he sorely wants back into the Corps, because he realizes that the Army mindset is so completely different from what he expected. He didn't understand this when he contracted, and it is eating at him now. (Yes, he is biased because of his prior Marine experience, but it shows what happens when you look at one aspect of a service without looking at the whole picture.)

 

[wink]

Oh, the culture and mindset make the USMC different. Well duh! Anyone who has been on Airwarriors for awhile knows how I rail against the culture and mindset of the Air Farce vs the Navy. But culture and midnset is something a recruit is taught. They are brought into the culture and taught how to act. Either you embrace the culture or you do not, whether it is Army or Marines. All that is needed is a desire to succeed. BTW, if the USMC wasn't ok with folks joining the Marines because of the image of the sword or the unique uniforms, or the thrill of flying, they would not feature them so prominently in advertising. It seems Marine Corps leadership has more confidence in the base motivation of their recruits than some of you guys.

 

[saltpeter]

Guys, guys, guys, Winks a smart man, so take heed to his comments. I can tell from his comments that he's been there and done that. One the other hand there are alot of posters on airwarriors that are simply out of work posers, so be very careful who you take your advice. Thank GOD he hasn't posted here because my BP raises 10 points everytime I read his comments, but he hasn't because he never has any substance to his posts. Oh back to the old Marines vs. all other service saw, the Marines do a great job of marketing what appeals to young adults, but that has little truth in a Marine aviation squadron. Thoughness is not measured by how long you can stand someone yelling in your face and GOOD leaders do not lose there cool like a drill sergeant. Good leaders ensure the people under their leadership are properly trained and oversee their work, and in the end GOOD leaders accept the responsibilty for their subordinates shortcommings. ALL GOOD officers lead this way, dirtbags find someone to blame who's underneath them. You want to learn leadership, join any service, remember as a leader your not their buddy- you are their mentor, and set the example - if you're a slacker they will follow.

 

[wink]

Only because saltpeter alluded to leadership in the context of a squadron, USMC or otherwise, let me make clear my view. One has to believe there is a unique challenge in training men for close combat and leading those same charges into the face of hostile fire. A young officer or NCO is far more likely to get that experience in the Army or Marines than any other service. Young people chosen for the Army or USMC who are more likely than not to encounter those challenges may have a different leadership talent than his aviator brother. I for one would like to think I could adequately lead men in close combat if necessary. In fact I am confident I could. BUT, all my years of experience does little but hint at my ability to lead in such conditions. For the record, I also think JO SWOs tend to be more challenged in the leadership area than aviators. Bottom line is, those of us in aviation have it better on several levels, no matter the service.

 

[DocT]

This has taken a turn for the worse and I think my comments may have spurred this on. I was not by any means trying to instigate the old "Marines vs. every other service saw". It's difficult to see a facetious remark in print and recognize it as a joke. So CU, sorry man, my self-righteous rant was not intended to come down on you for a joke. It's just difficult to see people bypass the things that are most important in the Marine Corps to just get wings and swords. I'm done.

 

[wink]

Doc,
No worries. If CU can't take it he will not do well in the Marines. I was the one that hijacked the thread a bid. I saw an openning for some debate I hoped we could all gain from.

 

[KBayDog]

This is starting to sound like the Spouse forum!

BTW, if the USMC wasn't ok with folks joining the Marines because of the image of the sword or the unique uniforms, or the thrill of flying, they would not feature them so prominently in advertising. It seems Marine Corps leadership has more confidence in the base motivation of their recruits than some of you guys.

I must say, you got me there. Part of the problem is that the Corps isn't all spit and polish; this is a bit of a false image being presented. However, it is unique, and it beats the "promise" of college money.

Thoughness is not measured by how long you can stand someone yelling in your face and GOOD leaders do not lose there cool like a drill sergeant.

No, but it does teach you to better define stressors, learn to keep your cool, and (what's the aviation term?) "compartmentalize." Also, the DIs or Drill Sergeants who "lose their cool" are few and far between; the majority are seasoned professionals who can turn the game on and off as necessary.

 

[wink]

The post about DIs losing their cool wasn't mine. In fact, I agree with KBay on DIs temperment, professionlism, and training objectives.

Never been on the spouses forum. Do I need to?

 

[KBayDog]

My bad - I'm delirious from a long day of training under the Navy

The spouse forum can get interesting at times.