Hey Marines - an 0313 question

[CS1983]

Is there not enough swearing and drinking as a mechanic?

God bless the support dudes, seriously. We always treated our mechanics as well as we could (especially when we knew we would be going to other FOBs w/ big PX's, we'd get a shopping list from a select few of them).

BUT, and this is a big but, a support role is 100% unsat for anyone who wants to be a combat arms.

I realize the Marines like to tout the "every Marine a rifleman" line, but let's be honest: combat arms is combat arms, and nothing else is.

The way I always looked at it was if you're going to do something you can do on the outside, there's no point in being in the military -- especially if it's something you can do without .mil experience. Which is exactly why when they offered me a choice between med retirement and a list of support MOS's, I chose retirement.

Hopefully the kid makes the right decision for himself and is willing to live with the reality of turning wrenches for 4 years.

[JohnnyDrama]

The Corps is a great place to be if that's what you make it. An 03xx is the thing to do when you start though. I ended up in supply. Not the best place, but I got in on some really cool "shit" details. I volunteered for everything that came my way. I really wanted to stay in but they wouldn't let me move out of supply.

Best of luck to him and semper fi!

[Great-Kazoo]

God bless the support dudes, seriously. We always treated our mechanics as well as we could (especially when we knew we would be going to other FOBs w/ big PX's, we'd get a shopping list from a select few of them).

BUT, and this is a big but, a support role is 100% unsat for anyone who wants to be a combat arms.

I realize the Marines like to tout the "every Marine a rifleman" line, but let's be honest: combat arms is combat arms, and nothing else is.

The way I always looked at it was if you're going to do something you can do on the outside, there's no point in being in the military -- especially if it's something you can do without .mil experience. Which is exactly why when they offered me a choice between med retirement and a list of support MOS's, I chose retirement.

Hopefully the kid makes the right decision for himself and is willing to live with the reality of turning wrenches for 4 years.

I understand the Combat Arms "want". However a mechanic in the service will transition over to civilian employment easier. Not knocking anyone who wants the Combat Arms designation. Just looking at the long game. Unless they're wanting to transition to PMC after they're out.

AS for doing something on the outside a .mil stint kicks you up the ladder civvie side.