Hello Mason,
Well, the correct approach to joining the military is to consider it when you first begin High School and evaluate military service along with all the other civilian careers you might end up having after high school or college.
So, you are "right on target" asking now. When I teach school I ask young people what they want to be when they grow up to be an adult in 2 years and so many say: "I don't know." Not acceptable. One has to have a possible career picked out before graduation. Many things need to be done while still in high school.
#1. You can not just single out the Marines because you might think that they are glamourous and exciting to join up with. If you are so set on the Marines then you don't need to ask the question.
#2. Check out all the branches of the military. Go to:
usmilitary.about.com
Then you can click on ENLISTMENT TAB and scroll down and see all the different jobs that the services have to offer. Look at each service and make a list of those jobs that you think might appeal to you. Pay attention to the recommended high school courses that are linked to certain jobs.
#3. Go to the mall book store and buy the ASVAB Practice Workbook for under $20 bucks. Work this book so that you can become familiar with the multiple choice test that the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery of exams will require of you WHEN you officially take the test when the recruiter sets it up. Listen to no one who tells you you don't NEED this booklet. If you won't invest $20 bucks on material that will help you obtain a higher score you may not be serious enough to join up.
#4. I would worry about having eye problems that might affect your ability to fire a weapon and qualify as a rifleman in either the Army or the Marines. For, their first primary objective it to be a combat soldier. I have no problem with contact lenses although the military will issue you two pair of eyeglasses free and keep them replaced free for you. Contacts would be at your expense. I would not recommend (I'm no doctor) eye surgery. First because you would have to pay for it and second because it may affect your ability to pass any entrance physical.
Again, I don't think that any of the services supply contact lenses. You would have to pay for them yourself. Unless policies have changed since I was in the Air Force for 27 years.
And right now, you are still a minor and any surgery would have to be approved by your parents and they would have to pay for it!
#5. I would rather recommend that you consider the Navy or the Air Force to enlist into.
But, it is good that you are starting the information process while in the 9th grade. Try to get all "A" and "B" school grades. The higher score you obtain on the Armed Forces Qualifying Test (AFQT) the better your job assignment could be in the military.
#6. OH, it goes without saying: "NO DRUGS" "NO ALCOHOL" "NO JUVENILE COURT" "NO DRIVING WITHOUT A LICENSE OR DRIVING WHILE DRINKING." OK?
Best wishes.
Larry Smith
SMSgt, USAF (Ret.)
First Sergeant
