Any Marine wives or fiancee's out there?

MrsH8611

My future hubby (8-6-11) is going to a Marine recruiter tomorrow.

---He has his bachelor degree in Law Enforcement but because we live in the crappy state of IL, finding a job is near to impossible. So he has always wanted to join the military and we want to travel plus get help with paying our crazy student loans(if they do this) so he is going in tomorrow to get more info. Any tips ?? Support ?? I have done the Army thing with an ex bf and brother before and I am just scared as all hell to go through this again....

Addition: He has been told by other police officers this will beef up his resume and help him get the jobs...(so it is pushing him more

peaceistheway

fiance here . youre lucky your man has a degree... if i'm not mistaken, that qualifies him to be an officer . FI wishes he wouldve had a degree, but either way, its not a horrible gig. deployments suck, and theres no denying it... but if the juice is worth the squeeze, then you'll get through everything .

let me know if you want to talk . another huge plus is that maybe you could relocate... on the militaries tab . thats always fun... i just moved to SD and im in heaven .

kyrgyzstan

Please know that I am not saying this to be mean, at all.

It takes more than a degree to be qualified as an officer in any branch. My knowledge is mainly with the MC. The Marine Corps is extremely picky about who it selects to be officers, and the people who are selected by the boards are not the ones who simply can't find another job. They only select the very best, and it is insanely competitive. Officers also have very little say in their MOS. They can select Air, Ground, or Law contracts, but they do not get an MOS written in their contract (like if he wants to be an MP). And if he does want to be an officer, he'll need to go to an Officer Selections Office, not a recruiter. Notice that the word recruit is not in the name, because officers are not recruited in the USMC, they are selected.

If he wants to try and be an officer or if he chooses to enlist, I truly suggest that he looks at all branches. Personally, if I were wanting to be a cop in the future, I would look especially hard at the Army. He should find the branch that is the best fit for him and that he is the best fit for. 

MrsH8611

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_military-brides_marine-wives-of-fiancees-out-there?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:13Discussion:bc08c0c1-cf1d-48ae-8387-f3a8f5fa25d8Post:32cd5173-3eeb-4848-a5f6-ed8f124fcfbf">Re: Any Marine wives or fiancee's out there?</a>:
[QUOTE]Please know that I am not saying this to be mean, at all. It takes more than a degree to be qualified as an officer in any branch. My knowledge is mainly with the MC. The Marine Corps is extremely picky about who it selects to be officers, and the people who are selected by the boards are not the ones who simply can't find another job. They only select the very best, and it is insanely competitive. Officers also have very little say in their MOS. They can select Air, Ground, or Law contracts, but they do not get an MOS written in their contract (like if he wants to be an MP). And if he does want to be an officer, he'll need to go to an Officer Selections Office, not a recruiter. Notice that the word recruit is not in the name, because officers are not recruited in the USMC, they are selected. If he wants to try and be an officer or if he chooses to enlist, I truly suggest that he looks at all branches. Personally, if I were wanting to be a cop in the future, I would look especially hard at the Army. He should find the branch that is the best fit for him and that he is the best fit for. 
Posted by WishIcouldbeinthe'stan[/QUOTE]


________________________
well thank you for all the info but the whole "officer position" is not even in the discussion. I am assuming you got that from the comment above yours. But this is not meant to be a career, but to beef up his resume for his future career  as a police officer per other police officers. He has already been turned down or wait listed in many positions for a police job due to others who have 4 or more years exp. in the military. (which has been told flat out to him)  He has always wanted to join the military since he was about 16, no branch more than another, but it has been him and his Mom only his whole life, so she convinced him not too... well he's going to be 24 now and it's now OUR (him and I) lives and not him and and his Mom anymore. We are in no way not including her in this... i mean it is her son, but it is our life together now, so he still wants to do it. And I want to support him.
 
And with the job market the way it is, with his previous interviews and such... he has been told by employers that this is the best road. So it is not just him doing this to get a job because he can't find one.... but he has always been passionate for the military (I am an army bratt myself and was born and raised on a military base) so I understand that.. but it will help him in the long run and give him the discipline and physical abilities he will need to excel in his chosen and earned degree. But thank you for the information I greatly appreciate it!!!

MrsH8611

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_military-brides_marine-wives-of-fiancees-out-there?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:13Discussion:bc08c0c1-cf1d-48ae-8387-f3a8f5fa25d8Post:d328db0a-3fed-4a37-827b-eda01e2bf84d">Re: Any Marine wives or fiancee's out there?</a>:
[QUOTE]fiance here :). youre lucky your man has a degree... if i'm not mistaken, that qualifies him to be an officer :). FI wishes he wouldve had a degree, but either way, its not a horrible gig. deployments suck, and theres no denying it... but if the juice is worth the squeeze, then you'll get through everything :). let me know if you want to talk :). another huge plus is that maybe you could relocate... on the militaries tab :). thats always fun... i just moved to SD and im in heaven :).
Posted by peaceistheway[/QUOTE]



Thank you very much! And if he joins, I will definitly want to talk! He doesnt want this as a career (as of right now) so the officer thing isnt in the plan. But I have been through 3 deployments with my brother and my ex bf so I feel ya there. And I love your quote by the way!! Totally just stole in and put it on Facebook lol :) But thank you soo much again!!!!!

greeneke2

I'm a Marine fiance!  My FI has been in the MC for 11 years!  He is a lifer!  My dad was also in the Navy for 26 years!  So I know a lot about this life!   Like peace said deployments suck, and nothing in your life is ever certain!  The MC likes to throw curve balls at you!

But just a heads up, I could be wrong on this, but I don't think the military will help pay back your student loans.  They can help pay for school through the GI Bill but thats only if you are currently enrolled and you have to have served a certain number of years.  Like I said I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure thats how it goes!

But if you have any question about anything let me know!

MrsH8611

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_military-brides_marine-wives-of-fiancees-out-there?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:13Discussion:bc08c0c1-cf1d-48ae-8387-f3a8f5fa25d8Post:9261c375-da25-4ff8-abd6-77918cae710f">Re: Any Marine wives or fiancee's out there?</a>:
[QUOTE]I'm a Marine fiance!  My FI has been in the MC for 11 years!  He is a lifer!  My dad was also in the Navy for 26 years!  So I know a lot about this life!   Like peace said deployments suck, and nothing in your life is ever certain!  The MC likes to throw curve balls at you! But just a heads up, I could be wrong on this, but I don't think the military will help pay back your student loans.  They can help pay for school through the GI Bill but thats only if you are currently enrolled and you have to have served a certain number of years.  Like I said I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure thats how it goes! But if you have any question about anything let me know!
Posted by greeneke2[/QUOTE]


OOh ok thank you thank you!! Yes I know when we went and talked to airforce and army ppl, they did payback programs... but even if it is getting a masters for either of us that would be awesome too. either way haha. Having tuition payback would be awesome too but .... i guess I kind of mean it more like a steady income so we can pay the loans and still eat hahah :)  But thank you for the support and information! Good luck to you! You guys are awesome!

greeneke2

Haha I thought you might have meant being able to pay your loans and still eat while I was halfway through typing it!  I don't think the MC does payback programs but like I said I might be wrong it is definitely something your FI should ask his recruiter about, their information will absolutely be more accurate than mine!  I wish you guys the best!  Let us know how the talk with the recruiter goes!

calindi

I'm a Marine... uh... girlfriend?  Fiancee?  We have the venue booked and he bought the ring but he hasn't given me the darn thing yet... you choose the title you want.  We introduce ourselves as BF/GF still so we don't have to answer the "Where's the ring?" questions.

Anyway, I'm glad your guy wants to serve, even for a short time.  The Marines don't do payback programs, I believe - that's mostly Army, from what I've heard.  They'll pay for school that is done while you're in, but not loans that already exist when you join.  But talk to your recruiter - and get EVERYTHING in writing!  And know that even then it doesn't guarantee anything.

That said, the BAH is pretty generous overall, and so if you manage your money well and get a job yourself, you both will have a comfortable living and be able to plan to pay off those loans on your own.  As we already know what my guy will earn when he's done with school (he's a law contract and has one more year until he graduates), we did a budget to figure out if I could afford to stay home (I want to write a book!).  We can pay for our cost of living for both of us in the area and put away nearly $10,000 in savings annually!  Granted, that's a 1st Lt or a Captain's salary and BAH, so it's a bit more than an enlisted coming out of Basic.  And it's definitely living conservatively, but we'd rather try to save money and live frugally when we're young than splurge and have to work until we're 70 years old.  But if you put together a good solid financial plan and stick to it, you'll be just fine!

K&JChristie

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_military-brides_marine-wives-of-fiancees-out-there?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:13Discussion:bc08c0c1-cf1d-48ae-8387-f3a8f5fa25d8Post:af3d9ae5-28dc-46e3-8d5d-b1485a289e0e">Any Marine wives or fiancee's out there?</a>:
[QUOTE]My future hubby (8-6-11) is going to a Marine recruiter tomorrow. ---He has his bachelor degree in Law Enforcement but because we live in the crappy state of IL, finding a job is near to impossible. So he has always wanted to join the military and we want to travel plus get help with paying our crazy student loans(if they do this) so he is going in tomorrow to get more info. Any tips ?? Support ?? I have done the Army thing with an ex bf and brother before and I am just scared as all hell to go through this again.... Addition: He has been told by other police officers this will beef up his resume and help him get the jobs...(so it is pushing him more :)
Posted by MrsH8611[/QUOTE]

I am an Army FI, not a Marine Fi but still proud of all...

Yes the military factor does get you put at the top of the list. My FI has MP training in the Army National Guard and has been offered positions in 3 different police depts and hasnt even applied for a position of the sort. Mainly friends helping him find jobs. He already has a factory position lined up for when he comes home because of the military cred, so it may be a good idea for him to get the training and such in the military even just for the first inlistment. So you definitly have my support on the matter!! My FI will be inlisting active duty army after his time with the National Guard is up... so we are going for the career!

SamiJoeB

Marine Wife here.
  PM Me if you want to chat more, but in my experience Military Experience of any branch looks good on resumes, but that doesn't mean it will be super easy to find a job. I did 3 years AD (Navy) and I still can't find a job after separating in late Jan. Thankfully my Hubby wants to make a career of the Corps, so we can afford for me to be unemployed right now.
  I agree with Stan in that he should check out all branches of service before deciding on the Marines. Not knowing your situation I don't know how you and your FI deal with distance, but as I was telling Calindi just today, that if distance makes the heart grow fonder, Hubby and I are set for life. I was stationed in WA till my separation from AD,Hubby is in Japan. He's 14 months into a 24 month tour with unaccompanied orders. We do get to talk on the phone every day and skype often. 
  Overall, I'm not a big fan of people "using" the military, but it doesn't sound like thats what you're wanting to do, so if he really wants to go for it, make sure he has a good recruiter, and support him. Best of luck!!

future=mrs=feher

I am a Marine's darling and we are going to tie the knot after I graduate from undergrad next month, and then official big wedding next year.

As someone who was with her mate before the USMC and after I have noticed that mine at least has become a more determined individual than he was before. The Marines have also made it easier to roll with the punches for both of us.

My advice for you: you are going to miss him every day he is gone. Go pick up a stationary pad and write him a page letter everytime you want to hear his voice, it does help. Mine wanted to know what was going on in the world so I would tell him about my classes, ask him about training, movies we should go see, and the major highlights of the news that week. Put the letting in an envelope and mail it to him once a week. He wont have nearly as much time to write, but it will mean the world to him that you took the time.

Dont get angry with him over his orders. He can't really change it, and following them is never meant to hurt you. It is part of his duty.We have had to reschedule out date twice because of training excercises. It happens. Breathe and come up with a plan B.

Both of you take life a day at a time. Start with getting through boot camp, then his MOS training, and then deployment. If you take it a bit at a time like that when Deployments come up they are not quite as scary ( I have to admit that we don't have kids which could make all of this a different can of worms).

I hope that was helpful
hugs

makokolios

My fiance is also joining the Marines! It is indeed quite a process - he has been working with a recruiter since January and is only NOW getting close to signing paperwork and officially joining. Of course, he is auditioning for MEOPS, the musician program, so for him everything is a bit more complicated (a long series of auditions on top of the ASVAP and physical and all the other paperwork), but I would warn you to be ready to "hurry up and wait" in terms of finding out specifics about when he leaves for Boot Camp, where he'll be stationed, and all of that stuff. Of course, that could just be the recruiting office my fiance's working with, but it doesn't hurt to be prepared to wait 3 months just in case!

My father was an officer and pilot in the Marine Corps for most of my life (he retired when I was 14), so I can assure you that while being in a military family isn't always easy, it is worth the wild ride. The deployments are hard, but I still remember how exciting it was to receive presents from far away places like Australia and Japan and how much I loved to write letters to my dad. I know my mother is a stronger person because of the way she learned to take charge of two children (one of whom is severely Autistic!) all by herself - and I also know that our military family was and always will be there to support us through any trial.

Best of luck to your fiance, however long he's with the Marines!

MrsH8611

Well thank you all for the advice. And no i am definifly not trying to use the military, Like I said above, he has wanted to join since he was 17.. he is now 24. So this was way before I met him. His Mom told him to do school first then think about it again... well now he is thinking and hs wants to still. I have been through 3 deploiyments myself (brother and ex-bf) So I am fully aware of how terrible those are but I cannot imagine it being my husband over there. So if that does happen i know I will need the strength of you amazing women.

And there are no kids right now so that does make it alot easier. Oh and to answer another question above somewhere... he has looked in all branches. Except National Guard. No problem with the NG or anything but he feels that if he joins to serve his country (as all the males in my family did---I am an Army bratt myself   He would want to join full force and give it his all. And I will support him as you all have done for your men... It just sucks haha All i can do is laugh right?  Thanks again ladies I will let you know how the appointment goes.. It is now in 2 days ! Thanks again

LuluP82

If you're looking for money for loans, I'd look anywhere BUT the USMC. My husband is a USMC officer, and they do not do loan paybacks, although the Navy and Army and Air Force all do. The USMC has the least money of all the branches, and it's a point of pride almost that they can do more with less.

If your FI has no preference to a service, I'd check them all out and make a more informed decision. The USMC has more deployments, a tougher depoloyment schedule (deployments are a year + per time, as opposed to 6 months or 9 months), and less  money available for incentives, like bonuses and student loan repayment assistance.

mktuite

I am in a similar boat as you MrsH.  My fiance has always wanted to serve and now is the time for him.  My FI also has a 4 year degree(as do I).  We have talked to many different branches and my FI feels that the Marines are the best fit for him.  I spent about 3 hours talking to the recruiter to get all my questions answered.  Which isn't a bad idea to go in with a list of questions.  Although he has a 4 year degree he wont be an officer but will enter MCT as an E2.  The recruiter also told us that my chances of getting a job on a base are decent.  I am a teacher with 2 certifications. He especially told us that it will be a long first months and up to 6 months depending on the MOS that my fiance goes to changes the length we are apart. 

I really enjoyed reading all the information on here because there were some things my FI recruiter couldn't answer that I found here. I will be coming back with more questions as we get closer to him leaving! 

kyrgyzstan

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_military-brides_marine-wives-of-fiancees-out-there?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:13Discussion:bc08c0c1-cf1d-48ae-8387-f3a8f5fa25d8Post:41e23036-411f-4960-a899-bfd7b7ab2348">Re: Any Marine wives or fiancee's out there?</a>:
[QUOTE]If you're looking for money for loans, I'd look anywhere BUT the USMC. My husband is a USMC officer, and they do not do loan paybacks, although the Navy and Army and Air Force all do. The USMC has the least money of all the branches, and it's a point of pride almost that they can do more with less. If your FI has no preference to a service, I'd check them all out and make a more informed decision. The USMC has more deployments, a tougher depoloyment schedule (deployments are a year + per time, as opposed to 6 months or 9 months), and less  money available for incentives, like bonuses and student loan repayment assistance.
Posted by LuluP82[/QUOTE]

<div>While I agree with her about the loan repayment, the deployment thing depends. FI's last deployment was 7 months, as his next one is scheduled to be, as are most of the MC deployments of people I've known. FSIL's H is Army and was gone for a year last time and is scheduled to be gone a year this time. My best friend is AF, and people always say that AF deployments are easy and short. She deployed to Iraq and was in danger regularly. She was also gone for a fair amount of time.</div><div>
</div><div>Deployments depend on a lot of things and no one can really guarantee anything when it comes to them. MOS (job) is a big thing they depend on. </div>

SamiJoeB

Make sure to let us know how things go!!

calindi

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_military-brides_marine-wives-of-fiancees-out-there?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:13Discussion:bc08c0c1-cf1d-48ae-8387-f3a8f5fa25d8Post:11e88c87-f4ac-43bb-a0a5-d02150d33e28">Re: Any Marine wives or fiancee's out there?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Any Marine wives or fiancee's out there? : While I agree with her about the loan repayment, the deployment thing depends. FI's last deployment was 7 months, as his next one is scheduled to be, as are most of the MC deployments of people I've known. FSIL's H is Army and was gone for a year last time and is scheduled to be gone a year this time. My best friend is AF, and people always say that AF deployments are easy and short. She deployed to Iraq and was in danger regularly. She was also gone for a fair amount of time. Deployments depend on a lot of things and no one can really guarantee anything when it comes to them. MOS (job) is a big thing they depend on. 
Posted by WishIcouldbeinthe'stan[/QUOTE]

Stan, thanks for the clarification, because the other post had me scratching my head a bit.  All our active duty Marine friends have told us 4-6 months is the norm right now (early on in the war, it was a lot longer though).  Meanwhile, a friend of ours who is an Army captain got back a year ago from an 18 month deployment, and he said that was pretty standard.  It all depends on the needs of the military, your specialty, etc.

My motto has become expect and prepare for the worst in terms of the requirements of the military and the inconvenience to your lifestyle, and anything else is a bonus!  It keeps me from feeling disgruntled or upset at my FI for when he has to change plans to fit military requirements.  It's been pretty similar in law school - I just expect to be flexible and for plans to change.

LuluP82

I can only go on what my husband knows/hears around base. We're new to the Marines-- hubby just finished TBS this fall. He just attended a briefing where they were discussing how much longer Marine deployments were and how hard it was on families. My husband has not yet been deployed.

[Deleted User]

I have been a MC wife for  years now. If you need any advice just PM me. I'll be more than happy to talk with you about what it's really like. The good, the bad and everything inbetween.

dinorasaurus

Hi! I'm a Marine as well as a Marine Wife so I know what it is in like on both sides of the table. I hope the appointment went well!

MrsH8611

Well thank you girls for the support. He ended up choosing the Air Force. It offered more plus it was what he wanted in the first place. I hope there are great girls like you guys on that side of the fence!!! Thanks again!!! And good luck to all of you!

MrsH8611

Oh and you were all right on the loan repayment.. it's zero for Marines... the air force offers up to 10,000 in repayment (for anyone who wanted to know)

But all of your stories and advice helped a ton! Thank you all again!

kyrgyzstan

Sounds like he picked the right branch for him. 

MrsH8611

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_military-brides_marine-wives-of-fiancees-out-there?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:13Discussion:bc08c0c1-cf1d-48ae-8387-f3a8f5fa25d8Post:b0c7fbac-66f1-4ee6-8afa-e1fc8ae23809">Re: Any Marine wives or fiancee's out there?</a>:
[QUOTE]Sounds like he picked the right branch for him. 
Posted by WishIcouldbeinthe'stan[/QUOTE]

yes he did!! Thank you !!!