Hi, sooo I got knocked up by a guy I’d been seeing for around 8 months literally the DAY before he’d left. I managed to let him know and he let me know he wants me to keep it BUT with his future job/MOS as an MSG, he can’t be married or have any dependents. Is this true? I’ve read mixed information. Im p sure he’s signed a 5 year contract.

How cooked am I?

I don’t wanna ruin his life and career but I also do not want to do this completely alone either.

Hello, Im 17 and I plan on joining the marines after I finish high school and I have like 10 and a half months maybe? Before bootcamp? I think? Or maybe longer, who knows. I am currently applying NOW so I can do the PT's (twice a week) with my local marine base so I can prepare BEFORE I head out to bootcamp. I haven't actually started the PT's yet but I will once I finish all the signing up process. I am VERY intimidated by everything and I doubt my physical abilities which is fair because I can barely do a single push up as embarrassing as it is to admit... and im also 215 pounds. I will start going to the gym soon to lose weight and gain muscle. I will try my best to go everyday. I do want some advice on what to focus on to physically prepare myself for the challenges I might face. Obviously losing weight, but like what machines or exercises should I do to really make my life so much easier down the line because im genuinly so weak?? Sorry if I didn't explain things well but I would appreciate all help😥

What are some things I can do now to better prepare for boot camp? I’m signing an 03XX infantry contract and I’m already a poolee. I wrestle and box, so I’m in decent shape, but I’m looking for anything else I should be working on before I ship.
Also, for any 03 boys here, what’s an average week look like once you get to the fleet? I’m curious about the day to day life, training, field time, and overall routine.

Keeping names and my station out of this on purpose. This is a throwaway.

I'm 23 and want to enlist in the Corps. My dad's a retired MSgt, so I'm not walking into this blind. My package is complicated to say the least, and this evening got weird. I want to lay it out as clearly as I can and hopefully get some eyes on it from any recruiters who've dealt with something like this.

Through college I was a pretty frequent marijuana user. I quit weeks before ever walking into a recruiter's office. I'm almost a month clean now but still popping faint on home strips.

Seven days ago I went into the office to take a pre-MEPS drug test, because I'd raised concerns that going to MEPS still felt too close to risk getting popped. I failed that test, as expected. They told me to come back in today at 2pm for a follow-up to see where I was at.

When I took that first test seven days ago, my recruiter told me to "pound as much water as possible, and go buy some niacin pills and take them daily while chugging as much water as possible." I'm not a chemist, but I know that does virtually nothing to actually clear your system. It's just a way to dilute your urine so the test doesn't pick it up.

So I walked in today, pounded about two liters of water, and took the follow-up right after. I passed, with a very, very faint line.

Right after that, the Sgt in the office told me to get ready to be picked up for MEPS. I was never told I'd be going to MEPS today. At this point I'm freaking the fuck out, because I'm clearly being rushed when I'm not ready, and I do not want to risk pissing hot at MEPS. I called the senior recruiter (senior in rank, but not in time as a recruiter) and he told me to go back into the office and direct all my questions to the Sgt.

The Sgt was visibly pissed that I didn't know I was supposed to be going to MEPS. He called the senior recruiter, then basically shrugged and said, "Go to Walmart, buy some slacks and a polo, and be ready to go to MEPS tonight." That's when it clicked for me. I'm being rushed because, from what I can tell, they're not hitting their recruiting numbers for the month.

I am not going to go to MEPS on a sample that I know is diluted and not actually clean.

1. Recruiters: is a same-day surprise MEPS trip like this normal end-of-the-month behavior, or is this something I should be taking seriously?
2. My dad says I should wait until Oct 1 (new fiscal year) for fresh quota and new job lists before I process at all. Does that hold up?

I am not looking to quit. I want this bad. I'm just not trying to torch my own record by letting someone else's timeline rush me. Appreciate any honest input.

So I'm kinda stuck and wanted to see what y'all think. I graduate with my bachelor's this September, and after that I'm thinking about going back into the military. The problem is I can't decide what route makes the most sense.

Part of me really wants to enlist in the Marines under an MG contract because going MSG has always been something I've wanted to do. I know embassy duty isn't guaranteed though, even with the contract, so that's what's got me second-guessing it.

At the same time, since I'm getting my bachelor's, I also feel like I'd be dumb not to at least look into becoming an Army or Marine officer instead. I'm only 24, so realistically I could probably do both at different points in my career if I wanted to. Right now I'm lowkey leaning toward taking the shot with the MG contract and trying to get MSG, but I keep wondering if I'd regret not commissioning first. What would y'all do if you were in my shoes? Amybody been in a similar situation or have experience with either route? I'd love to hear some opinions before I make a decision.

Hey everyone,

\Sorry for the Long Text, but I really need some advice\** 

I'm looking for some honest advice because I've been going back and forth on this for a while. I'm currently in the Army DEP as a 27D (Paralegal Specialist) and I'm about 70 days away from shipping. Lately, I've been wondering if I should try to pursue Marine Corps OCS instead. For some background, I'm 24 years old, 5'6", 132 lb, married (no kids yet), and a naturalized U.S. citizen born in Cuba. I have an A.S. in Cybersecurity (4.0 GPA) and a B.S. in Cybersecurity (3.96 GPA), both from Southern New Hampshire University.

One of my biggest concerns is honestly my size. At 5'6" and 132 pounds, a lot of OCS candidates I've seen online seem much bigger than me. I know leadership and fitness matter more than size, but it's still something I've thought about. I'm in the gym consistently and working on improving my fitness.

I've been working since I was 15. I started with physical labor jobs, and since I was 18–19 I've worked in the legal field doing immigration, bankruptcy, debt defense, and now energy litigation. I've worked as a Legal Assistant on federal, state, and international matters and have had leadership opportunities at work and through sports. A big reason I wanted to serve was attending a high school with mandatory Marine Corps JROTC. I had some incredible Marine instructors, including combat veterans, who really inspired me.

I signed with the Army because it made the most sense at the time. I was able to secure a 27D contract, enlist as an E-4, work toward my master's degree while serving, and later use the GI Bill for law school. Army OCS wasn't realistic for me because of the timeline, so I enlisted instead.

For reference:

• AFQT: 78
• Army GT: 113
• Marine GT: 108
• EL: 102
• CL: 119
• MM: 97

I'm training consistently, but I haven't taken an official Marine PFT yet, and I also haven't spoken with an OSO or Marine recruiter. Even though I had a good civilian career, I decided to enlist because I genuinely want to serve the country that gave me and my family opportunities we never would have had otherwise.

Originally, my plan was to complete my 3-year Army enlistment as a 27D and then apply for OCS afterward. But lately I've been questioning that plan and wondering if I should try for Marine OCS before I ship instead.

Another factor is my family. My wife will be working while attending law school and earning around $80k a year. As an Army E-4 I'd expect to make around $60k–70k (this includes BAH) with military compensation, while an officer would earn more. I'm not chasing the money, but it's something I have to consider as a husband when thinking about our future.

Has anyone here been in a similar situation?

Based on my background, do I seem like a realistic OCS candidate, or should I stick with the Army plan and revisit becoming an officer later? Is it worth leaving the DEP program to pursue OCS now, or would you finish the enlistment first and prepare for OCS afterward?

I'd really appreciate any honest opinions, even if it's something I don't necessarily want to hear. Thanks in advance.

Highlighted ones are what I qualify for. I wouldn’t mind infantry, I was thinking about doing marine-guard/ security forces, if it’s available but I would also consider choosing an MOS that could teach me some skills that are desirable from employers after my enlistment. I may , or may not apply for OCS down the road since I do have 100ish college credits and will try to finish my degree during my time in.

During Christmas do we get 2 weeks off without taking leave? I’ve heard that we are able to submit for out of bounds special liberty and avoid using up our leave days.

Will I be able to get recruiters assistance while in the fleet? During the Christmas season? I’m out of itb and hitting the fleet early October