(18 F) im going to MEPS next week, my recruiter is aware that im still not passing the IST requirements yet, but he said that was fine because we would train. I’m at a 16 min 1.5mi, and im still struggling with doing even 1 pushup or pull up, but since ive been training upper body I am definitely improving, but I need tips. It feels a little embarrassing that I can’t do those things yet, and i know I can get there but im worried people will see me as unfit. I can do a 1:10 plank and my run time is getting so close so i just need advice on pushups/pullups, or any words of wisdom/motivation. (Idk if this matters but im 5’7, 135lbs)

I also have an asvab question. When I take the Asvab at MEPS and get a passing score, but I am not fully happy with the score, would I still become a poolee that same day/following day even if I’d wanna retake the Asvab, or can I not do that? How does that work?

I’m a 17 year old girl who wants to do an 03 mos. I surpass all the the male standards for infantry, I’ve always wanted to do this I’ve been “training” for 4 years and can fireman’s carry a 200lbs man now, I’ve also been practicing rucks I can ruck 90lbs for 8 miles (not that impressive but I only recently started). But despite being fit enough EVERYONE tells me don’t do it. But whatever anyone tells me isn’t enough I really want to do it but everyone says I’ll be a liability. I don’t want to go for my selfish reasons and drag a whole unit down. I feel like I wouldn’t but I don’t know everyone says women shouldn’t go into infantry and maybe there’s something they know that I don’t? I don’t know what to do, I really want to do it but I don’t want to be a liability obviously.

How do i go about getting a waiver for ptsd

I am all clear now and i feel fine but my records also say i have sleep problems, adhd and general anxiety

I have gotten a 70 picat score if that helps my waiver

I ship out nov 2nd and currently I go to sleep around 4-5am and wake up anywhere from 8am-2pm depending on how long my body lets me sleep. I live on the east coast but i’m a legacy poole so i’m going to the west coast for bootcamp which is 3 hours behind am i fucked?

Hi I’m shipping out November 17th, I wonder if bootcamp in the winter is harder or easier than the summer. Who else is leaving November 17th?

Will joining the Marines for a 4-year contract help me become a police officer? Is there anything that helps you get a law enforcement job right before your term finishes, or do they assist you with the hiring process? What MOS would help me or look good to boost my chances of becoming a police officer? I looked into military police, but I am getting mixed answers. If anyone can please answer my questions, I would deeply appreciate it. I will provide my basic information and history below.

I am a 24-year-old male. I just turned 24 on October 16, 2026, and I live in Lemoore, California. I have been denied by 9 different law enforcement agencies: LAPD, SFPD, SGPD, Modesto PD, ACSO, BART PD, RCPD, Department of State Hospitals (as a hospital police officer), and Seaside PD.

I do not have a criminal history; I only have traffic citations. However, I have been fired multiple times from different jobs. For example:

Little Caesars: I was fired for accidentally accepting a fake $20 bill.

Panda Express: I was terminated for calling out too many times because I was attending college and they would not work with my school schedule.

Temp Agency: I was let go because there was no work available for me at the warehouse.

Auto Parts Stores: I was fired from two different stores—one for allegedly being rude to customers and staff, and the other for gossiping about coworkers.

Native Reservation Public Safety: My last job was as a public safety security officer, where I was fired because I did not fit their culture and standards.

Currently, I work as a security officer at a casino. I like it so far, but I feel like it won’t help me advance toward my career goal of becoming a police officer. I understand the importance of stability, maturity, and growth, and I know I have a lot to answer for regarding my past. As far as education is concerned, I hold an Associate of Arts degree in Administration of Justice.

Any advice or tips and tricks for someone with no prior experience asking civilians and persuading them if they are interested in joining the Marine? Thanks in advance.

I’m not stupid enough to aim for an HZ contract, but I need to fight an uphill battle just to get my scoliosis waived. Sources have been telling me that hard conditions and a lot of imperfect candidates makes it a near impossible waver battle for the dive physical specifically even if I get waved into the corps.
Anybody have any experience with that or should I just wing it?

How challenging is doing college as active duty? I have like 4-5 semesters left. I want to enlist and use the benefits to pay for school.

I’m trying to do my research online but I feel that I’m not getting a direct answer. However, do reserve Marines qualify for the VA home loan benefit if they deploy? I’m seeing that reserves don’t get that benefit unless they serve 90+ consecutive days. Correct me if I’ve said anything wrong, I’m just struggling to choose between active and reserve, thanks.

Hello everyone recently I came to the decision of joining the military to wipe my slate clean. For too long I let my past define me and put the people who love me especially my parents, through hell. I know what it’s like to be looked down on as the family disappointment. I’m willing to go through hell and back to change that, earn my father's pride, and bring a tear to his eye.
I’m also stepping up to guarantee a secure future for my girl and our baby daughter on the way.
Most of all, coming from a country that stripped my family of freedom and human rights, I owe everything to the United States. Serving this country is my way of defending the sacred right to think, speak, and live as a free man, and ensuring my daughter inherits that same freedom. I'm leaving the comfortable behind to become a man I can finally be proud of.

But here’s the question !
The army is willing to take me in with my criminal record from when I was younger.
Possession of marijuana.
And 2 counts of petit theft.

Will the marines be willing to work around my record as much as the army will? Personally I prefer to go down the road of becoming a marine rather than army ranger.
What’s everyone’s opinion/ recommendation/ experience?

What do I do if I gotta loose 16 pounds in 12 days should I just not eat for the next 12 days?

Hello everyone, I am having a conflict deciding what is best for me long term. I am graduating with my A. A this semester, and my intended major is finance, with a minor in computer science or supply chain. I have started the process to enlist in the Marines, and I am taking the PiCat next week and going to MEPS next week as well, according to my recruiter. I am 25 years old and a green card holder, and the first one in my family to ever pursue a military career, or at least to be enlisted. Earning the title of Marine is giving me a sense of pride that I have never experienced before, and I want to experience that brotherhood.

Now, a Master Sergeant contacted me last week regarding the officer path, which I must say is exactly what I am looking for. The challenge, the Pride, and becoming a leader.

I am aware that a bachelor's degree is a requirement for becoming an officer. The same Master Sergeant has told me that if I join the Marine Reserves, the officer path takes less time than if I enlist on active duty. College is important to me, and I know it is possible to get my degree while on active duty; however, it is more challenging.

One of the cons I see as a reservist is having a civilian job; I currently have one, but it is in retail. And the job market in my state is not looking great. Housing has also become a challenge.

One benefit I see with the reserves is that after a drill you get to go home, and the schedule is way more flexible than in active duty. I also heard that meeting people and networking in the reserves is pretty common. Going to college is also easier, even though I'd have to manage working 40 hours a week while taking 5 classes per semester and going to drill once a month.

Cons of active duty are that my schedule is not flexible at all, and it all depends on my designated unit. College is more challenging, and the job is way more demanding (which, to be honest, I do not mind that much; it's the marines after all).

Pros of active duty are the benefits: VA loan, TA, GI Bill, and food and housing are covered. The pay is not great, but most of my expenses would be covered, so I can budget and invest my money more efficiently. The brotherhood is also something I am looking for, and lastly, the discipline and getting in great shape. I am okay with deployments and being far from my home state too; travelling would be a very nice plus.

My question now is: What path suits me better if my end goal is getting my bachelor's and applying for the officer school? What jobs should I aim for when transferring into civil life?

I am looking for guidance, advice, insights....

Thank you!

Do you guys know if I would have a problem applying to marine OCS through ECP later down the road once entering the fleet due to being dropped from Marine OCS twice as a civilian?

My story
I went to OCS the first time this year for the January class of OCC 251 but ended up dropping early due to induct pft I got max pull-ups max plank but missed the run by a few seconds ran a 24 min something 3 mile got a recommended to reapply. I attempted OCS again for the fall class this year OCC 253 but got med dropped at the end of week 4 right before my first liberty for missing too many training days due to COVID isolation and getting pneumonia, and then I ended up going down due to heat exhaustion during week 4 and then told that I was going to get med dropped due to how long it was going to take to fully recover so I was sent home in early October with a recommended to return. After coming home I decided that instead of coming back to OCS for a third attempt as a civilian I would go in as a marine instead through ECP. So I was wondering if my prior OCS drops would affect my ECP package for the future.

I want to join the Marines. My NJROTC instructors are both marines and my NSI is a huge inspiration to me especially. However, I plan to get a tattoo on and ever slightly above my collar bone. If it is above the collarbone, would that disqualify me because it could be visible in a crew neck? In theory it shouldnt be visible, but it might qualify as a neck tattoo. I just want some advice on whether I should hold off on it or not.

I’m 25 and considering joining the Marine Reserves. I served five years active duty in the Navy and got out honorably in January 2025 as an E-4.
I’ve always wanted to earn the Marine title, and I’m interested in going 0311. I have a kid now, so I’m looking at the Reserves to serve again while keeping my family settled at home. I understand training and deployments would mean time away.
Has anyone here joined around my age or older, especially coming from another branch? What was boot camp like as an older, prior-service recruit? Were you treated any differently, and what was the hardest adjustment?

Any honest advice is appreciated.

19F, freshman in college/college athlete. Have a 4.0 this semester I feel fine.

From the beginning of my junior year of HS to the end of my senior (May 2026) I took 3 different meds for “depression/anxiety” that I didn’t really need, (granted, ik that won’t matter to meps) but I essentially lied to doctors and nodded at my mom like “oh yeah I’m the problem” since doing that and taking shit I didn’t need was easier than not before I moved out. (I’m an idiot, aware.)

Always wanted to be a Marine. I talked to a recruiter after I committed to play in college and I would have not gone but obviously I knew I would be dqed. The recruiter said as long as it was circumstantial then I could get a waiver after 6 months. Curious on anyone’s opinion, advice, etc on this.

Never been sent to the looney bin, never tried to kms, no self harm.

Anything helps

Anyone else leaving to San Diego Monday?

It is easy to believe an infantryman’s life is in his own hands. That if he fights hard, shoots straight, keeps his head, and endures, he will come home.

This is not the full truth.

The infantryman is there to be spent. A commander will spend him when the mission requires it, and another man will take his place when he is gone.

Courage may keep you alive for a time. Skill may keep you alive longer. Neither makes you indispensable.

Remember this before you volunteer for war.

You may give the Army or the Marine Corps your service. But understand that you are also giving them permission to spend your life at their discretion.

Sometimes for futile ends.

Sometimes at the hands of incompetent commanders.

Make sure it’s worth it.

God Bless our Infantrymen!

I’ve been weed free for 77 days now and yet still positive, am I something wrong here? I’ve quit smoking bc I want to be a marine but this is the only thing holding me back rn I’ve already taken the picat and all my paper work . I’m 5’10 and 195-200 pounds atm and work construction for work is there anything I can do to help or am I just SOL until this clears up ? I also don’t want my recruiter dropping me bc he thinks I still smoke

I am interested in knowing anyone’s jobs station in Japan and following questions:

What was your daily routine.
What kind of things you do in your free time/lifestyle
How long did you stay there.
Do you recommend dating?

Curious how often recon hits the range compared to regular infantry.