my wife wants me to re-enlist in the marines but i dont want to. been to iraq too many times?
545310
I only have 2 children, both males and both Marines.  I hope this will spread the word.  I'm sure all Military are told the same thing.... It's good to get married because you get bigger pay checks, benefits, etc. so they encourage it.  What they don't tell you is that all those benefits end up costing you more in the long run.  Would you (being the military one) have more money in your pocket without a spouse spending all of your money while you are risking your life for our country?  Love and marriage is a wonderful thing if done for the right reasons.  Like anyone else, follow your heart and not the benefits.
581062
I don't know if there is an actual rule to that, but they way they make the deployment schedules, it's unlikely to go twice in a row.  In the USMC, it's been 7 months there before the new guys show up.  They stay for seven months.  It's possible that as soon as you return, you'll start training to go back as the new guys replacements.  But that is what I am trying to do, and I am having a difficult time being put on a deployment.  There are more Marines willing to go than slots available.  Many Marines have gotten to go/had to go three times in one enlistment.  I've only gotten there once.  I've got a year left though.  Hopefully I'll make it back again.
359110
Regardless of the political ramifications of joining the armed forces in a time of conflict, the experience can be very rewarding if you go in for the right reasons.\n\nYou'll need to evaluate the reasons of why you want to do this and balance it against other important relationships and plans for the future.\n\nIf you're running away from problems, it's not a good reason to go...they'll still be there when you return.\n\nOn the other hand, if you see this as a path to bettering yourself and taking yourself to the limit, I can think of no better choice.  It will truly make a man of you....get what you can out of the experience.\n\nMost importantly.....come home alive.  I'm sure there are people who would deeply regret your loss of life.\n\nIn peace....
292551
WARNING:\n\nYou have been given some real good answers: You have a 6 year obilgation to perform. Its up to you as to how you do it. But as a two tour Marine Vet in Viet Nam and 13 years in the Army National guard; I would highly recommend you to fulfil your obilgation. It will haunt you for the rest of your life if you quit now. What will you tell your kids one day? That you were not man enough to help protect their rights to live in a free nation? Millions of men and women have died to give you the rights you now enjoy. Good luck.
894263
not every one is strong enough to be a military spouse.  \n\nso, which do you want more..her, or to go Active Duty?  Can you honestly say you wouldn't resent her at some point if you stayed with her, but didn't go Active?\n\nUltimately, do what will make you happy.  do not EVER give up on a dream just because of some woman.  And I say this as a ten plus year Navy Spouse.
166157
Your question is a little confusing.\n\nFirst, if he signed up as a reserve infantryman, then he has no official obligation to deploy. If there was no war going on, he would just do his "one weekend a month" and call it a day. However, with the operational tempo of the Marine Corps at present time, chances are he would be activated in the next year anyway.\n\nSecond, you made it sound like he signed up active infantry and is thinking about going reserve infantry. If I'm wrong in assuming that, I'm sorry. But, if he signed up active and is now thinking of trying to switch to reserve, good luck. The Marine Corps almost never lets you do that. It's possible, but they'll fight tooth and nail to keep you from doing it.\n\nWhatever the case may be, if he's a newbie to the Corps and he's a grunt, he'll most likely be headed to combat in the next year or two. Welcome to the Corps. Semper Fi.
447234
Like everyone else has stated above, you do not get your first choice.  They give you options, but remember as a marine your first duty is a rifleman, you are a foot soldier and most likely will see some type and form of combat in a war time environment. The only way out is if you have some speak law degree and or super computer skills, but that is normally left to the Navy to do for us.  You much understand that the MARINES own you, you do not think for yourself, you do not plan for yourself. If the Marine Corps wanted you to have a wife you would have been issued one in boot camp.  So if you have a girl, drop her.  I can not tell you how many "Dear John" letters are out there that have made grown men cry.  In the end you get only what you want out of the Marines, nothing else.  It is a commitment of your body, sole and life for the Stars and bars.  You would be the first and last line of defense and will be required to do things that you never thought you would or could ever do.  This is the worst case, my brother never saw anything more than the underside of a HumVee (JUNK) give me an old MUTT any time.
46051
If you want to join the military just to relax in some "safe-haven" area, then don't waste your time. All military personnel are subject to being in a war. You are probably one of those idiots that join the weekend warriors for the benefits and then, when it is time to do your job you are paid for, you wimp out. Do everyone, including yourself, a favor. Do NOT re-enlist...get the hell out...military don't want you anyway with this attitude...also, learn to spell...
583971
Check out Blackwater.  My husband is Army and one of his buddies is over there now with Blackwater.  They have already been deployed to Iraq before and he's making more money now than he did when he was fighting there.  It's dangerous.  If you're military, you'll understand the situation more thorough.
1175244
Why if she love and respects you whats the problem i would stick by my man whatever he wants to do. She should support you.\n\nMaybe she is scared that you will have to go to iraq or something you have to talk about it to her and you both have to be reasonable and she will have to give you good reasons. Good luck and fair play wanting to join up
720684
I have served in the Marine Corps through both afghanistan and iraq. I will tell you honestly, We had to go there. We had to fight. There are two points that the military is instructed to carry out 1)Defend the Constitution against enemies foreign and domestic. 2) Defend those who cannot defend themselves. Now if your asking if we should still be there, I believe we should be there as an advisor role only. We should no longer be patroling those roads and streets that I had to when the wars originally started. Its been over 3 years since the start of Iraq and almost 5 since the start of Afghanistan. We should be pulling out faster and letting them decide how they wish to live just as we did after the revolutionary war.
1102279
I was married to a Marine...after any major deployment all you had to do was go to a bar or club, to see all the wives that were crying as the bus left, with another Marine to keep her company.  It is a HUGE problem.
64530
I think by your name you may be a Marine.  Crimes are crimes, and some, can be forgiven with hard work and a real change.  I am an NCO and I have seen troops grow up and take their duty and the rules seriously.  You can change, even if you get discharged.  You can ALWAYS choose the right path, just hope it is not to late, like for Tookie Williams.  Chose to change too late.
852341
As a Gulf War Vet myself I think that was sweet of you. And I want to thank you for the support you give your spouse. Some wives are not so supportive. They think it's a time to play. Instead of taking care of their family affairs. Thanks again!
1174292
no dont desert..it WILL ruin your life.  If you reenlisted 5 years ago you shouldnt have much left on your current contract...just stick it out and then ETS.
980077
Having been in for 20 years and deployed many times, I can honsetly say that it has to be harder to be left !!  While I was deployed I usualy was kept occupied on the mission at hand, worrying about my soldiers etc...    My wife on the other hand though  had to keep our Household running,  all the bills had to be paid, the kids school and after school activities needed to be met (Taken to and from, all the practices, all the games) etc...  Our household still had to run and she was the one who did it and she had to do it alone most of the times.  Yes the FRG was there to assist and the friends were there to assist also but it was all on her shoulders to keep our household up and running.   I have always said that the role of the Military Spouse has never been properly addressed.  A Good Military Spouse is a rare gem and one that needs to be kept and appreciated (Something that Military Members need to keep in mind).  I thank God for my wife who dealt with the military during our service and all of the deployments.  \n\nThe Military Spouse   \n\nWhen the good Lord was creating military spouses, He was into His sixth day of overtime. \nAn Angel appeared and said, "You're having a lot of trouble on this one. What's wrong with the standard model?" \nThe Lord replied, "Have you ever seen the regulations? It has to be completely independent, must be sponsored to get on base, have the qualities of both mother and father during deployments; Be a perfect hostess to four or 40, handle emergencies without military orders, cope with the flu and move around the world, have a kiss that cures anything from a child's torn valentine to a soldier's weary day, have the patience of a saint when waiting for the unit to return stateside, and have six pairs of soft hands."\nThe Angel shook her head slowly and said, "Six pair of hands? No way!" \nAnd the Lord answered, "Don't worry. We'll make other military spouses to help. Besides, it's not the hands that are causing the problem - it's the heart. It must swell with pride, sustain the ache of separation, beat soundly when it's too tired to do so, be large enough to say 'I understand' when it doesn't, and say 'I love you,' regardless." \n"Lord," said the Angel, touching his sleeve gently, "go to bed. You can finish that tomorrow." \n"I can't," said the Lord. "I'm too close to creating something unique. Already I have one who can heal itself when sick, feed unexpected guests who are stuck in the area due to bad weather, and wave goodbye to its spouse from a pier or runway and understand it's important to the country that the spouse leave." \nThe Angel circled the model of the military spouse very slowly. "It's too soft," she sighed. \n"But tough," the Lord said excitedly. "You cannot imagine what this being can do or endure!" \n"Can it think?" the Angel asked. \n"Can it think? It can convert 1400 to 2 p.m.!" the Lord said. \nFinally, the Angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek. "There's a leak," she pronounced. "I told you that you were trying to put too much into this model." \n"It's not a leak," said the Lord. "It's a tear." \n"What's it for?" asked the Angel. \n"It's for joy, sadness, pain, loneliness and pride," the Lord said. \n"You're a genius," said the Angel. \nThe Lord looked somber and said, "I didn't put it there." \n~Author Unknown
748424
Your engineering degree is in demand.  Your GPA will determine how competitive you are.  \n\nOCS is 12 weeks long, and your wife would not be able to join you in Pensacola.  your follow on training, must be at least six months long before she would be able to join you.  \n\nOnce you hit the Fleet, you will be gone a lot, or very little.  It truly depends on which platform you get, where it is the deployment cycle, and the need.  Sea duty will be at least 3 years assigned to a ship or sub, but underway periods can last anywhere from a couple of days to 9 months at a time.  Most JOs have back to back sea tours, so you are looking at a minimum of five years at sea.  \n\nMy husband has been an Officer since 1999.  His first year was spent, maybe 25/75 at sea/at home.  Second year 50/50, third year, 75/25.  and THAT was "shore duty" where he went TAD to ships to get Qual'd in his community( Information Warfare).  His next command was Sea duty, and he went on several underways and deployments lasting from a few days to six months.  he decommed that ship and immediately deployed again for six months, less than a year after his last one.  \n\nSubmarines go out a lot more often than surface ships do, although typically they are gone for less time at once.  \n\nIf your spouse has concerns, she can take them up with the officer recruiter, who might be able to give her an idea.  She should also look into joining an online support forum such as military.com to ask questions of curent spouses.