Questions about joining the Marines.

Direckshun · 12-14-2007, 05:09 PM

I have a whole lot of debt from graduate school and due to a bunch of career reversals on my part, I'm still two years away from a masters degree. I know what I want it in (let's hope it stays that way), and I'm holding down a job at the moment that, while very rewarding, doesn't pay well and barely covers for school.

So I hear about a coworker's son re-upping to the Marines for a signing bonus of $41K.

If I were to sign on, it might not be that much (I assume it's higher for guys re-upping than it is for newcomers such as I would be), but it'd be a significant amount that would forever relieve me of the tens of thousands I've built up through school loans over the years and can barely manage to pay off.

Here are my questions, please only answer if you're 90% sure:

1. How much is initial signing bonus for a newcomer, if there is one?

2. Do they allow for people to pursue masters degrees while serving, and would it be insanely difficult to try?

3. What requirements would I have to meet for them to cover much/all of my grad school?

4. Should I temporarily abandon my current job to become a Marine, totally pay off my student loans while pursuing a master's degree?

This is more of a trial balloon than anything, so thanks to anybody who may help.

MichaelH · 12-14-2007, 05:25 PM

No offense to the Marines but a Master's degree and the Jarheads don't mix. Why not try the Navy or Air Force?

Hammock Parties · 12-14-2007, 05:26 PM

I had no idea you were such a smarty pants.

Deberg_1990 · 12-14-2007, 05:27 PM

If your going into the military with that much education already, you should become an Officer, not enlisted.

Talk to a recruiter, and definately go Navy or Air Force, unless you like being a desert rat?

2bikemike · 12-14-2007, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

If your going into the military with that much education already, you should become an Officer, not enlisted.

Talk to a recruiter, and definately go Navy or Air Force, unless you like being a desert rat?

This is the Best advice so far. IMHO it would be foolish to go in as an enlisted with your education. Seek out other branches and talk to them all. Don't take their word at heart get guarantees in writing.

I don't know what your degrees are in but see if there is something you can do similar to your current education.

My Sister went through nursing school and then joined the USAF as an officer and they then paid for her to get her masters. (They paid the tuition at Georgetown and she earned her pay while she went to school.)

**Iowanian** · 12-14-2007, 05:41 PM

The Marines don't accept applications, Only Committments.

I have a buddy who is quite a bit younger and fairly eductated who joined the marines. He was put in Okinawa and quickly got snatched up by a higher up. That guy will never let him go, because he makes the officer look good.

Good luck with your decision, but my very good friend who is the recon instructor, told me a few years ago, when I was considering trying again, after college.....he told me to join the airforce because they sleep in beds, get new equipment, get more money and do half the work.

Explore your options carefully and make the best decision for you.

Good luck.

pikesome · 12-14-2007, 06:17 PM

I did my time in the Navy and I'd recommend it over the Marines or Army any day. The Air Force isn't a bad idea either, my biggest problem with them is the idea that there are pilots and everyone else. I don't know just how true that is at the officer level though. DO NOT enlist, if you have a degree and want more becoming an officer is the only way to go.

Brock · 12-14-2007, 06:23 PM

That's 10k a year. Seems to me a part time job would pay that.

12-14-2007, 06:22 PM

If you want the luxury to finish college, join a different branch. You can finish in the Marines but a young lieutenant will likely be sent on plenty of deployments unless you land in the right field. I could have gotten a fat signing bonus if I had re-enlisted - in that neighborhood but I more than made up for it in 2 years in the private sector.

Based on your criteria, I'd say your an Air Force candidate rather than USMC.

If you do decide to sign up, move to Texas for a month, establish residency and make that your home of record. Not only will you be state income tax free but there are educational benefits available to vets there.

Hammock Parties · 12-14-2007, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phobia

If you do decide to sign up, move to Texas for a month, establish residency and make that your home of record.

And you can hang out with GoChiefs.

ChiefsCountry · 12-14-2007, 07:52 PM

I dont know if the military pays much for master's degrees. My buddy is in the Guard and he said its way different than his undergrad.

Misplaced_Chiefs_Fan · 12-14-2007, 08:01 PM

Personally, I went into the Army with my degree and I was very happy I went enlisted. Yeah, I didn't make as much money as an officer, but I also didn't have to put up with the crap that officers did (and believe me, the politics of being an officer outweighs the benefits from what I could see).

By having my degree, I got promoted faster (maxed education points the second I joined) and got my pick of what I went into. Also, the Army paid off my college loan (had to ask for that when I went in) AND I got the GI Bill (for further education) AND when I went for my Masters, I got 75% of my tuition paid by the Army (if I was still working on my Bachelors, I would have gotten 90% paid).

So, you have to weigh exactly what you want out of the military - BUT - (you knew this was coming) - you better be joining with your eyes wide open. If you're only going in to get out of debt, you're going to be very miserable for the length of your enlistment (or commitment if you go officer). Being in the military isn't for the faint of heart or those who can't follow orders.

Still, if you're interested, there are worse ways to make a living.

cookster50 · 12-14-2007, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Misplaced_Chiefs_Fan

Still, if you're interested, there are worse ways to make a living.

Yeah, you could be married to Gochiefs.

CoMoChief · 12-14-2007, 08:20 PM

Just don't bitch out and move to Canada when they ship you off to Iraq.

12-14-2007, 08:24 PM

Honestly, your signing bonus would totally depend on your ASVAB scores and the field you choose/qualify for. The only person that knows those answers is a recruiter.

I would play every branch against every other one and I would make sure you know EXACTLY what you qualify for. I showed up at my computer school and many of my peers were a rank higher than me and were walking around with anywhere from $5-20k in their pockets.

12-14-2007, 05:09 PM	Topic Starter
Direckshun __ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Springpatch Casino cash: $4293447	Questions about joining the Marines. I have a whole lot of debt from graduate school and due to a bunch of career reversals on my part, I'm still two years away from a masters degree. I know what I want it in (let's hope it stays that way), and I'm holding down a job at the moment that, while very rewarding, doesn't pay well and barely covers for school. So I hear about a coworker's son re-upping to the Marines for a signing bonus of $41K. If I were to sign on, it might not be that much (I assume it's higher for guys re-upping than it is for newcomers such as I would be), but it'd be a significant amount that would forever relieve me of the tens of thousands I've built up through school loans over the years and can barely manage to pay off. Here are my questions, please only answer if you're 90% sure: 1. How much is initial signing bonus for a newcomer, if there is one? 2. Do they allow for people to pursue masters degrees while serving, and would it be insanely difficult to try? 3. What requirements would I have to meet for them to cover much/all of my grad school? 4. Should I temporarily abandon my current job to become a Marine, totally pay off my student loans while pursuing a master's degree? This is more of a trial balloon than anything, so thanks to anybody who may help.
Posts: 59,294

12-14-2007, 05:25 PM	#2
MichaelH Go Chiefs! Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Gastonia, North Carolina Casino cash: $9302006	No offense to the Marines but a Master's degree and the Jarheads don't mix. Why not try the Navy or Air Force?
Posts: 3,187

12-14-2007, 05:26 PM	#3
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4610478	I had no idea you were such a smarty pants. __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 278,238

12-14-2007, 05:27 PM	#4
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $3914454	If your going into the military with that much education already, you should become an Officer, not enlisted. Talk to a recruiter, and definately go Navy or Air Force, unless you like being a desert rat? __________________ Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning: Matt once made a very nice play in Seattle where he spun away from a pass rusher and hit Bowe off his back foot for a first down. One of the best plays Matt has ever made.
Posts: 66,914

12-14-2007, 05:41 PM	#6
Iowanian Supporter Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Utopia Casino cash: $4718454	The Marines don't accept applications, Only Committments. I have a buddy who is quite a bit younger and fairly eductated who joined the marines. He was put in Okinawa and quickly got snatched up by a higher up. That guy will never let him go, because he makes the officer look good. Good luck with your decision, but my very good friend who is the recon instructor, told me a few years ago, when I was considering trying again, after college.....he told me to join the airforce because they sleep in beds, get new equipment, get more money and do half the work. Explore your options carefully and make the best decision for you. Good luck.
Posts: 61,540

12-14-2007, 06:17 PM	#7
pikesome PEW PEW Join Date: May 2005 Casino cash: $10004900	I did my time in the Navy and I'd recommend it over the Marines or Army any day. The Air Force isn't a bad idea either, my biggest problem with them is the idea that there are pilots and everyone else. I don't know just how true that is at the officer level though. DO NOT enlist, if you have a degree and want more becoming an officer is the only way to go. __________________ 4. Performance enhancing drugs: A) are my ticket to the Hall of Fame. B) would be better if they tasted like fruit and were shaped like various Flintstones characters. C) are not for me, because I find that cocaine aids my performance much more effectively. D) apparently worked for Rodney Harrison.
Posts: 5,191

12-14-2007, 06:23 PM	#8
Brock Say hello to my little friend Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Larryville Casino cash: $9598422	That's 10k a year. Seems to me a part time job would pay that.
Posts: 47,314

12-14-2007, 06:22 PM	#9
Phobia Guest Casino cash: $	If you want the luxury to finish college, join a different branch. You can finish in the Marines but a young lieutenant will likely be sent on plenty of deployments unless you land in the right field. I could have gotten a fat signing bonus if I had re-enlisted - in that neighborhood but I more than made up for it in 2 years in the private sector. Based on your criteria, I'd say your an Air Force candidate rather than USMC. If you do decide to sign up, move to Texas for a month, establish residency and make that your home of record. Not only will you be state income tax free but there are educational benefits available to vets there.
Posts: n/a

12-14-2007, 07:52 PM	#11
ChiefsCountry The Insider Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Lake of the Ozarks Casino cash: $2218752	I dont know if the military pays much for master's degrees. My buddy is in the Guard and he said its way different than his undergrad.
Posts: 49,682

12-14-2007, 08:01 PM	#12
Misplaced_Chiefs_Fan I am Number Six Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Columbia, MD, USA Casino cash: $1829000	Personally, I went into the Army with my degree and I was very happy I went enlisted. Yeah, I didn't make as much money as an officer, but I also didn't have to put up with the crap that officers did (and believe me, the politics of being an officer outweighs the benefits from what I could see). By having my degree, I got promoted faster (maxed education points the second I joined) and got my pick of what I went into. Also, the Army paid off my college loan (had to ask for that when I went in) AND I got the GI Bill (for further education) AND when I went for my Masters, I got 75% of my tuition paid by the Army (if I was still working on my Bachelors, I would have gotten 90% paid). So, you have to weigh exactly what you want out of the military - BUT - (you knew this was coming) - you better be joining with your eyes wide open. If you're only going in to get out of debt, you're going to be very miserable for the length of your enlistment (or commitment if you go officer). Being in the military isn't for the faint of heart or those who can't follow orders. Still, if you're interested, there are worse ways to make a living. __________________ One of the lowest PPD of any of the original members of the Planet . . . and proud of it. My web site My writer's page
Posts: 6,567

12-14-2007, 08:20 PM	#14
CoMoChief Mahomes Dynasty Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Parts Unknown Casino cash: $8052254	Just don't bitch out and move to Canada when they ship you off to Iraq. __________________
Posts: 39,163

12-14-2007, 08:24 PM	#15
Phobia Guest Casino cash: $	Honestly, your signing bonus would totally depend on your ASVAB scores and the field you choose/qualify for. The only person that knows those answers is a recruiter. I would play every branch against every other one and I would make sure you know EXACTLY what you qualify for. I showed up at my computer school and many of my peers were a rank higher than me and were walking around with anywhere from $5-20k in their pockets.
Posts: n/a