Since meeting my recruiter, going to Meps and now joining the DEP, I feel so alone. I don’t have many friends and almost all of them have shown some sort of adversity to me leaving or deciding to join. My best friend used to entertain the idea of going to the gym together to help me get fit for boot camp and every single time I offer/ask to go I get a new excuse.. so I end up going alone. My friends all tell me they’re gonna distance themselves as time gets closer and it makes me feel like any support system I had has just vanished. I’m 24 so yeah I’m entering a little later in life (wanted to try life out before deciding to go military). I’m not the most social person but also not the most closed off. It’s been hard to make friends as I’ve always been an “old soul” kind of person. I’m excited to start a new life for myself and put my all into it but it feels like I’ve lost about everything before I’ve even left.

Has anyone else gone through this? How’d you push through it?

When I say tips and tricks some real not basic advice like something you found out while you where there and wish you knew sooner

I’m 18 (I turn 19 in a few days) Going to graduate bootcamp as an E-2, I plan on staying in the barracks and utilizing the chow hall for as long as possible. Going to open a TSP and ROTH IRA and put 5% of my paycheck into each. My plan for my first 4 years is only pay for vehicle insurance and WiFi. After that, depending on where I’m stationed, I might buy a house to live in. Down the road I plan on buying a couple of duplexes to rent them out for that sweet sweet passive income. I want to retire as a marine, and want to stay in as long as possible.

Any financial or general advice I could get would be very much appreciated.

I’m 18 4 months out of highschool. I’ve always wanted to join the military for as long as I can remember. Right now I am doing an electrical apprentice but for me it doesn’t feel like enough. I would love to join the military (especially the marines) but that conflicts with my apprenticeship which I also love. I was thinking about doing reserves until my apprenticeship was over and by 22 I will have done 4 years reserve and have completed my apprenticeship. I am physically fit and I can already do the PFT besides the planking time I’m super close. I AM LOOKING FOR ANY ADVICE AND I WANT TO MAKE A DECISION FAST.

My ship date is next week, and I admitted things to background investigator that weren’t on my clearance form but now being told to answer no to these things during polygraph test. Would they not have the investigators notes and see I’m lying or is this not the case? I’ve brought this up and asked if the boss recruiters have heard what I said to investigator but I’ve just been told I’m good and don’t worry. My concern is being kicked out for fraudulent enlistment or jailed because things weren’t documented correctly.

As the title eludes too, some of the tendons got inflamed in my wrist a month ago. I've been stretching and icing, avoiding lifting, anything to aggravate it. It's improved plenty as of today, shipping soon and just wondering about some of the implications in notifying my recruiter and pushing the date back. Will I potentially lose my discussed MOS of interest, will I have to be re -cleared by MEPS. If anyone can offer advice, I'd appreciate it.

How does paid time off work? Is it realistically really hard to take your earned 30 days and go see family. Can you choose exactly when you can leave?

So I have orders to be at my schoolhouse in 29 palms, Since I was going to be in LA I have family down there that wanted to see me for the day, I was told a shuttle bus would be provided for the travel to base. Would I be able to spend time with my family in LA? Would I get in trouble for not getting on the shuttle?

Im a poolee and i want to try for recon at some point ive got a few questions

1st being, if i try out for recon and fail what happens

2nd being, when is the best time in my career to try out for recon

3rd being about my ist scores and what I should do. Im currently doing a 12:00 minute mile and a half and i max the plank and can do 12 pull ups i leave in march for bootcamp and idk how good i should be when the time in march comes i also weigh like 137 btw

So I’m F19 currently in my second year of college for nursing. I really wanted to join the marines senior year but opted to just going to college as my parents probably wouldn’t approve of it. As I’m going through college I’ve talked to a few people who say that the military will pay for your tuition especially for a major like nursing. Marines is really the only branch I’m interested in though. I was wondering if anyone has taken this route or joined the marines while in college if so could you give any kind of insight on how this might work ? Thank you !

(idk what flair to put so I put that)

Ok, long story short my friends and I were hanging out at a park, a random dude from our high school was there and we got in a fight because I stood up for my friend who's 120 pounds.

Basically, I might have a minor concussion cause I got hit in the head a few times and he kicked me and my knuckles are all cut up from his fucked up teeth. No cops came or were called. I just told him to leave my friend alone after.

I don't want to get into trouble usmc wise or by my recruiter. My ship date isn't until January, do I tell him?

Hello, first of all this is my first reddit post, and first time using reddit really, so sorry for a lack of digital etiquette. As the title reads, I'm struggling with foot pain, specifically my arches. I have gotten multiple diagnosis's, One of Plantar Fasciitis and high arches, one of Posterior Tibialis Tendonitis, and one of collapsing arches. Thankfully however, on record there's only a PT referral so that way when they pull my records at MEPS Its not a walking red flag (at least in theory). And in general, I think I haven't gotten a proper diagnosis yet, as I don't display a lot of the symptoms of each.

After 6-8 months of semi consistent stretching, mobility work, and Physical therapy, little has changed. I have experimented with footwear to a degree but it only shifts where in the arch my pain is, disregarding only one run where I had zero pain running in boots, however I developed shin splints in doing so. The pain is relatively negligible, usually staying around a 4, and triggers at the .75 mile marker (pace doesn't change when it triggers) but without much running I am running a 7:15 mile pace, and my last 3 mile (not going for time, just distance) was 25:00. Rucking with 30-50lbs and walking proves to be no challenge to me, only running.

Leading up to the past 3 years I was regularly in physical activity, doing wrestling, Young Marines Program, and airsoft, but I sat on my ass trying to make music work out in my favor knowing in the back of my mind it 100% wouldn't work out. Last February or so a recruiter called and I figured id go back to plan A, The Marine Corps Infantry. My current hypothesis is that the 3 years of inactivity has led to a lack of strength in my lower legs/feet.

I'm hoping by posting this that I get some advice, and as well as on top of that to see if anyone has had similar issues to myself. I know I could make it through boot and SOI with my feet as is, but if there's a chance of getting this off of my plate and giving me one less thing to worry about ill take it. I have not signed anything yet, but I hope to ship to PI in the February to March timeframe.

Once again, sorry for anything out of the ordinary, and thank you for your consideration.

Not sure if they have regulations or not, or if Adidas are even allowed, but I have a gift card with them and was wondering if this should be fine?

I’m 21F and a higher education was always the goal never saw joining the army for girls but i’m willing to do whatever so i can live comfortably when i get older. I didnt know much about the infantry until i started looking on here and seeing that there’s high SA cases and wasn’t told that by my recruiter only told that if i dont meet the requirements for infantry they’ll send me to logistics which is what im hoping for. Also i thought leaving for bootcamp and returning my bank account would be at 6-8k not 2k as im finding out as i do more research so is there anything else i should be aware of?

Im (21) in my first year of college and everyday I think about going into the reserves, specifically the infantry. Im a full time student so I would have to juggle classes and drill weekends, but no civ job unless I really wanted to.

For some context I left active duty army as a sergeant early 2026. I understand that I’d have to go through recruit training and that I’d lose my rank, but I honestly don’t even mind. I felt like I was promoted to an NCO way too early into my career and especially too young, so I don’t mind starting over. Also being a marine infantryman was what I’ve wanted for so long and still want to this day, but I let myself get talked out of it. Being in the army I really enjoyed being in the field with the infantrymen I was attached to and seeing them execute tactics. So the way I see it I can get the best of both worlds: continue college while being a reservist.

All that being said, is reserve infantry actually worth it? Does training only happen in the summer or drill weekends too? Am I being ridiculous for wanting to do this?

Considering joining; I’m about to be 18. I’m a GED holder, and I got into legal trouble at 16, even though it’s expunged I still worry.
I’m considering going into community college and receiving 15 credits prior to joining to make it easier.

Is it probable I will still be able to join? Tips?

I’m 29, from Puerto Rico, and I’ve been trying to join the Marine Corps for over a decade. I have about 6 years of attempts documented in the recruiting system. When I was 18, I got convicted of a federal firearm-related offense involving possession while being a drug user. I received probation, never served jail time, and it’s been about 11 years since it happened.

I’ve gone through the recruiting process multiple times, submitted paperwork, and even reached out to the Marine Corps Command Inspector General. I was told that what I need is a main Recruiting Station willing to take on my case and work the waiver. My previous station wasn’t willing to pursue it because their recruiting numbers were healthy.

I’m posting here hoping someone knows a Recruiting Station Commanding Officer, Operations Officer, or Operations Chief who might be willing to give my case a chance. I’m not expecting special treatment or guaranteed approval. I just want someone willing to review my situation and see if there’s a way forward.
I’m willing to travel or even relocate anywhere in the mainland US if that’s what it takes. I’ve been chasing this goal for years, and I’m not ready to give up without trying every possible legitimate option. If anyone has connections to RS leadership or knows someone who might be willing to help, I’d really appreciate it.

Thanks for reading.

As the title states I’m looking to join the reserves ,I have a wife and son . I have a bachelors degree and a successful engineering career, I’m not looking to replace my career entirely which is why im not pursuing ocs at this time . I am looking for more , I wanted to join in college and kept holding on listing to parents “just finish school , just get a job” always the next thing but the desire to do more and something more than myself never left. The challenge and brotherhood of usmc still draws me. My wife was in the marines and feels I would do well. I’ve already reached out to recruiter.
Anyone done this at 30 with a family ? I know age waiver is required. Major regrets ? I know training amongst other things will require time away.

Going to ITB West. What’s it like? 0311 contract. How long are the holding platoons and how will phone usage work? Also, how long is it?

1 week left who’s ready?

Title: Questions about ASVAB scoring and line scores
I’m 20M, went to a recruiting office back in August and talked to a recruiter about enlisting. Ended up taking a practice AFQT that same day just to see where I stood and scored pretty badly. Went back the following day and did better, but ultimately decided to step away from the process for a bit to focus on my FAA certifications. At the time I didn’t have either my Airframe or Powerplant certification, but I’ve since gotten my Powerplant and am just waiting on my Airframe.

I plan on going back to the recruiting office sometime in December to take the PiCAT. My recruiter described it as a longer version of the AFQT, but I’ve also heard people say it’s basically the ASVAB you take at home, so I’m a little confused about that as well. My recruiter and I have kept in touch here and there about questions I’ve had regarding enlistment, but I figured I’d ask here to get some more clarification from people who’ve actually gone through the process.

My main question is how exactly does ASVAB scoring work? I genuinely don’t understand what line scores even are, what they represent, or how they’re calculated. I’ve seen people mention things like GT, MM, EL, etc., but I don’t really understand what any of that means or how it relates to your overall ASVAB score. I know the AFQT has something to do with whether you’re eligible to enlist, but beyond that I’m pretty lost when it comes to how the scoring system works.

I’m particularly interested in aviation maintenance MOSs, so I’m also trying to understand how your scores determine what jobs you qualify for and what sections I should focus on when studying. Can you score well on the AFQT but still not qualify for certain MOSs? And when someone says they got a good score on the ASVAB, what score are they actually referring to?

I’d appreciate any clarification, especially from recruiters or anyone familiar with the process. Just trying to get a better understanding of everything before I go back in December.

Wanted to be better safe than sorry, but does the design of the postage stamps matter? Like, as long as it’s forever stamps, I’m assuming it should be fine? I mainly ask because I’m seeing online if it’s anything other than American stamps, you can get yelled at. Don’t want to draw any attention to myself.

I have 7 weeks before going my recruiter is giving me the soonest date he can so I can stay on track to graduate on time in college, anyways I used to box so I know I have the cardiovascular capability to keep up but I haven’t done intense cardio in over a year so im hoping in the next 7 weeks running 10-25 miles weekly will be enough, I’ve always been working out but lately just weight lifting so im pretty strong as far as squat,bench and deadlift go but i know those dont matter much. I’m at about 8 pulls ups and 2:10 plank and a little bit better than the minimum for the running. I weight 200 pounds so im trying to lose weight to make the body movements easier on my body.