question for the USMC vets here....

[hollohas]

And I would not say I am that much of a warfighter. I am fat, old and broken. And I was never an Army Ranger...

I see what you did there.

[DenverGP]

POG/Pogue: POG is a retronym/backronym. It started as "pogue", a derogatory slang term, and later the phrase "Person Other than Grunt" was created to match the first 3 letters of the term, and then common usage shortened it to POG. Another derivative phrase (from someone working harder to use all the letters of Pogue) was "Person On Ground with Unused Equipment"

[spongejosh]

I was AF but here's how it worked for me 13 years ago...

Beginning of senior year of high school decided I wanted to go in the AF.
Talked to a recruiter and learned about the Delayed Entry Program (DEP)
Went to MEPS - took the ASVAB there, got a physical, met with the AF "job counselor"
Picked my guaranteed AFSC/MOS/job
Picked the date I wanted to actually ship out after I finished school

My recruiter was cool and didn't require us to do anything while on DEP. Working out for the Marines sounds like a great idea if going that route.

Once I graduated and my ship out date came up I went back to MEPS, did the short physical again, signed paperwork and shipped out.

From what people said above it sounds like the Marines is pretty similar. The problem with just enlisting and shipping out the next day or a few weeks later is the whole job choice part. If you want to do something specific DEP is the way to go. Even if you don't score high enough on the ASVAB for the job you want I'm pretty sure on DEP you can take it again and try to get the score you need. As long as you get the job you want in your contract you are set to go to that school after basic. Plus you can get out of DEP if you change your mind. Recruiters will lie about it and say you can't but you definitely can.

[rondog]

Thanks guys! Much appreciated! I've got this all printed out for him and the wife to look over.

Delay Entry Program - that's w

[rondog]

Christ, I'm still having huge troubles with this site and my new PC......can't type responses cleanly, can't paste, can't put in photos.....

[rondog]

Anyway, thanks much guys! Delayed Entry Program - that's what he was talking about, I couldn't remember what it was called. College is out for him, he's not a great student, more of a slacker just squeaking by. One of the reasons he wants to join is so he can go to college afterwards on Uncle's dime. He also wants to go places, see things, experience the world some while he's young. He could also use the discipline and a swift kick in the ass now and again. Hopefully they'll work him so damn hard that he'll learn to be a little more diverse in his dining tastes, and eat more stuff. He's the poster child for picky eating. We think it'll be good for him, and he does too. This was all his idea, it surprised the hell out of us when he dropped it on us. He's also been doing a lot of weightlifting in school and at the Parker Rec. Center. He's not really a runner, but he's in damn good shape and loves to play lacrosse.

[10mm-man]

Anyway, thanks much guys! Delayed Entry Program - that's what he was talking about, I couldn't remember what it was called. College is out for him, he's not a great student, more of a slacker just squeaking by. One of the reasons he wants to join is so he can go to college afterwards on Uncle's dime. He also wants to go places, see things, experience the world some while he's young. He could also use the discipline and a swift kick in the ass now and again. Hopefully they'll work him so damn hard that he'll learn to be a little more diverse in his dining tastes, and eat more stuff. He's the poster child for picky eating. We think it'll be good for him, and he does too. This was all his idea, it surprised the hell out of us when he dropped it on us. He's also been doing a lot of weightlifting in school and at the Parker Rec. Center. He's not really a runner, but he's in damn good shape and loves to play lacrosse.

He should work on his running! We run a lot; 3 Mile run is part of the PFT. Don't be last!

[USMC_5-Echo]

He'll jump on the seefood diet in boot camp, he'll see food and eat it. No time to be picky cause you're so dang hungry from running around all the time.

[KestrelBike]

Anyway, thanks much guys! Delayed Entry Program - that's what he was talking about, I couldn't remember what it was called. College is out for him, he's not a great student, more of a slacker just squeaking by. One of the reasons he wants to join is so he can go to college afterwards on Uncle's dime. He also wants to go places, see things, experience the world some while he's young. He could also use the discipline and a swift kick in the ass now and again. Hopefully they'll work him so damn hard that he'll learn to be a little more diverse in his dining tastes, and eat more stuff. He's the poster child for picky eating. We think it'll be good for him, and he does too. This was all his idea, it surprised the hell out of us when he dropped it on us. He's also been doing a lot of weightlifting in school and at the Parker Rec. Center. He's not really a runner, but he's in damn good shape and loves to play lacrosse.

Probably one of the best things he can do is get flexible. Strength (sounds like he's already got that) and flexibility help avoid injuries.

[USMC_5-Echo]

He should work on his running! We run a lot; 3 Mile run is part of the PFT. Don't be last!

Sorry brother but I hate to tell you but they canned the PFT several years ago. They now do what's called the Combat Fitness Test. Here ya go: http://www.military.com/military-fit...t-fitness-test