Debating to go Enlisted or Officer in USMC?

R

ross

New member
I'm 23 just graduated from college with a criminal justice degree. I really want to join the marines and serve my country. I am married and have no kids. I am having trouble deciding to either go enlisted or officer in the USMC. I have already talked to recruiters of both departments and im leaning more towards enlisted. The reason being is because i would like to go into infantry and then get into Force Recon/Marsoc. I am a very hands on guy and like seeing the results of my work. However I am aware that officers get better pay and better housing and just overall respect in general. Quite a few people tell me to go officer even some enlisted marinesl, am i just hearing horror stories of people that are miserable in their MOS or should i really go the officer route. I am already enlisted and am suppose to ship out February 8th i am in the DEP. Should i pull the enlisted plug and convert to officer?
I'm also thinking that i would like to do this as a career, unless for some reason i hated it or was destroying my marriage.
 
Hi,

I just completed USMC OCS in August and one of my good friends was also named Ross. Anyways

If you want to get some yea go ahead I suggest enlisted because they aren't tied down with as much administrative work that officers are required to do. I think also you can try out for Force Recon/MARSOC right off the bat if you sign a special enlistment contract? Correct me if I am wrong.

But I want to tell you this. I will be an officer in the Marines, but I respect the enlisted personnel just as much as I do the officers. They get things done and will pretty much be helping young officers out.

In order to prove he/she is worth leading, and officer must first prove he/she is worth following. We lead by example. That means giving it everything in everything you do.

If you are attracted by the benefits of an officer that's fine. I suggest you go for it. But at OCS you will be tested. The priors at OCS said that it was much different than boot camp. Be ready to hit the ground running.

But officers won't let you get into MARSOC right away I don't think...you might have to serve a couple years/tours as an 03 first then apply. Bear in mind the physical/mental requirements will be tougher.

You can call your local OSO to find out more about cancelling that DEP and applying for OCS. It's very competitive now for slots at OCS. At the very least get your 290+ PFT.

Just remember, like my Sergeant Instructor said to us, "There aren't bad Marines, only bad officers." That is overall true. Making significant mistakes, using bad decisions and bad judgements, poor situational awareness...will get Marines killed.
 
well it depends... would it be your job till you retire or just a 2-4 year stint. if just a 2-4 year stint go enlisted. if not go into officer because more money, better privallges and rank up to full bird or gen. if you stay with it.
 
well it depends... would it be your job till you retire or just a 2-4 year stint. if just a 2-4 year stint go enlisted. if not go into officer because more money, better privallges and rank up to full bird or gen. if you stay with it.
 
Go Officer. You got a college degree for a reason, to open more doors for you, and here's your chance to take advantage of that.

As an officer you will have better benefits, pay, treatment, lifestyle, and responsibility. Being an officer would be better if you eventually want a family of your own.

But of course the better benefits is not the reason to choose the officer route. Officer's lead others, and generally are more respected.

Everyone wants to go Force Recon and Marsoc, so what happens if you don't get in? Then your just an enlisted grunt instead of an officer who leads grunts.

The Officer Route would also be better for a career, the Rock guy knows what he's talking about, he helped me with a similar question. Go Officer, be a leader of Marines. Good Luck
 
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