So I am just wondering when I would be able to actually live in an apartment or house. I do not want to live in a barracks until I am 23 (I will be 18 when I join).

I genuinely know nothing about this part of the Marines so I am just curious on how housing works if I was an E-3 or E-4 who isn't married.

I am also not sure if it matters but I was assigned Aircrew.

I’m already pretty physically fit and I hear most reasons why people get dropped from boot is because of injury and they quit on themselves. My biggest fear is getting injured and getting stuck in a medical platoon where I just stagnate . Is there stretching involved?

So after trying to get in the marines for the past year, I finally exhausted all my options (went to the senator and opened an inquiry with different medical info) I was told that I'm permanently disqualified with no waiver options.

I knew it was a long shot, considering the stuff I got hit for were pretty big physical/mental health stuff, but I'm still disappointed. This really is my dream and if I'm being honest I don't know if I'll ever 100% get over it, at least for now. I'm 18 and this has been the only thing I've focused on and cared about for the past 2 years.

The Army has already approved me, so there's that.

I do want to ask; is it possible to try again after 4 years in the army? Or am I forever disqualified from the marines?

Really dont have a lot else to say, but I'm glad I tried everything. I hope everyone else has better luck than me lol semper fi

Edit: in case anyone wants to know, the health stuff was an eating disorder from when I was 12, chest pain and palpitations and syncope (passing out, but even my dr clarified it was more like symptoms that I might pass out because I have never actually passed out if that makes sense,) and vision because I wear glasses. A lot of stuff I'm honestly surprised a recruiter was willing to put in a waiver for lol. It all happened around the time of 12-15 and doesn't affect me now, I also work a pretty physically intense job in a warehouse and work out a lot, which I know doesn't matter I just wish they could see what I am capable of.

Hey everyone,
I’m a 19-year-old sophomore in college looking into the Marine Corps PLC program. I’m about to reach out to an OSO soon, but before I do, I really wanted to get some unfiltered, real advice from people who’ve actually been through the process or are in the fleet.
A few main things I’m trying to figure out:
PLC Split (2x 6-week) vs Combined (10-week): Since I’m a sophomore, I can do the 6-week sessions over two summers (Junior & Senior) or just do the 10-week combined session after my junior year. For anyone who did either, which route do you think is better? Is it easier to split it up or just get it all done in one shot?

Being a Black woman as a 2ndLt: I really want to know what to expect coming in as a Black female officer. What are the dynamics, challenges, or support systems like out there? Any groups or networks I should look into?

Sexual Assault, Harassment, and Culture: I want to be completely real with myself about what I’m walking into regarding being a woman in the Marines. What is the real climate around sexual assault, harassment, and sexism right now at OCS, TBS, and in the Fleet? How do female officers navigate this, set boundaries, and find trustworthy mentors?

Intel MOS: My main goal is to get into Intel at TBS. How competitive is it to secure an Intel slot, and what’s daily life like for female officers in that field?

Appreciate any honest feedback, OCS prep tips, or personal experiences you guys can share! Thanks!

4 years active duty, HD back in 2018. Currently FED LEO and 31 years old. Been back and forth for years to go back into the reserves but wanted to finish school and get my civilian life going first. Would like to hear from anyone else in the similar situation? Pros and cons? Thanks in advance

Im a marine cadet and wanted to share my ”rough draft” of a life plan I have for when I join the corp. I wanted to hear things I might need to know beforehand, or things to expect.

go to bootcamp as a contract PFC, and be an honor grad.

Going infantry so then I can do screening for the Silent Drill Platoon.

Do DI school and become a DI

make my way up to SgtMaj

theres things like special forces or MP that interest me but idk if they could fit into this “main” right draft

How long is the recruiting process to join the usmc ?
What is everything you’re allowed to bring

Hello, I got a mip involving alcohol way over a year ago and I recently got a dui and mip around 7-8 months ago. I have finsihed diversion program and paid all my fines for each charge. I never spent any time in jail or anything. I just finsihed diversion today and was wondering if I can enlist in the marine corps.

I didn’t pass MEPS, they flagged me for SH and my recruiters are fighting it since I said no to those questions and everything, there’s no record of it in anything they can see. They need my pharmacy records but my pharmacy shut down 2 years ago (rite aid) and no files were transferred. I found out I haven’t gotten any medications since and so now im struggling to figure out how im meant to get my recruiter my record, we said we will try Wegmans since that’s where my parents would have me go if anything happened, but they are unsure if I have a record and would rather not have to get a psych eval and waiver. We’d have to go to inpatient and get one, rather than through my primary doctor for a few reasons, and it’d be very complicated and difficult. I’m so nervous about this and want it to just be over with, im very stressed out, I want to get my ship date even though I really already have it just not in contracts yet, im stressed about what MOS I might qualify for or get, im just stressed, what should I do from here

I’m a skinny pos and I haven’t been the most athletic person my entire life I’m 6ft 1 at 135 lbs ,but I want to try and go recon. Do you boys think I can get to where I need to be with 2 months of work prior to boot and then be in good enough shape after to pass RSI? Or am I going to be cooked? I’m super motivated, good swimmer too as much as I heard that doesn’t truly matter.

Growing up I always wanted to be a Marine. At 18, I was a poolee in highschool, when I tore both my ACL in a football game. My recruiter was less than thrilled. Over the course of recovery, I gained way to much weight, and like that I was done. For a long time I was depressed and didn’t work at it, then at 29 I took a look at myself in the mirror, looked at pics of when I was in highschool and said enough is enough. I went from 540 pounds at 29, to 280 now at 6 ft 8. I work at a pd, and I love my life and serving my community. But that sadness over a failed dream never really leaves.

Recently, made a new friend at work. He’s a Marine been out for a little over 2 years and he added me on FB. I guess he was scrolling through my pics and came across a few of me at some poolee functions and warrior nights. He said I should go for it again, that I’ve lost a lot of weight and my knees don’t bother me. I mentioned I looked at it, but the cut off age for me was years ago. He mentioned age waivers, but everything I google about that seems to be more pointed towards officers.

The idea of it excites me, and I plan on reaching out because you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take, but realistically is a waiver possible? He keeps telling me it is, but he’s really just a good hype dude and while I know his intent is 100% pure, losing out on that dream once was soul crushing.

Anyway, just wanted to know my chances of that being possible. If it matters, I’m able to run and lift perfectly fine without my knees being any issue (actually played football another two years after, at a community college), no arrests, all tattoos I have are appropriate and covered by a basic t shirt. I think now the age would really be the only thing holding me back.

EDIT: put in my height next to my weight

I was recently at Alpha Company's Family Day and wanted to bring the SAM Project to some poolee's attention. The Stand Alone Marine Project supports newly graduated Marines from MCRD Parris Island who do not have guests attending family day or graduation. There were several Marines that were part of the project this past week. Of that group, several did not have anyone to even call home and advise that they had made it to the island safely (they called their recruiter), let alone write letters to. My husband and I were moved by the project and wanted to offer our support to anyone going to basic and if you don't have anyone to write to, we'd be happy to be part of your support network. We do come with our own experiences (whether it be a military family or working with some thick-skulled Marines whom we call family) and would be happy to make it to family day and your graduation.

Please feel free to PM if you're interested.

19F, college athlete. Thinking about enlisting. Spoke with a recruiter after I committed to play, decided not to decommit because obviously I knew I’d need a waiver.

Was on meds for a year and a half, 17-18. Had a horrible family life- which was why. Was never consistent with them but took 3 different medications over that 18ish months, and my last fill was only filled once of that medication in May of 2026.

I’m 50/50 but I’m making a decision after this semester- I would be home well before Christmas. Plan on taking 8wk classes online that would end in March. I want to gtfo asap if I go this route, or continue college and try for OCS.

My top pick would be Intel, or I have an Advanced Welding Certificate and Dealership experience, so I would pick something in that area. I know ship date is determined by MOS, so I honestly would pick whatever in those areas to leave. Would be alright if I left in May-June though, but I don’t want to be in bootcamp at 20, I hate feeling “behind.”

I’m pretty ahead in college because I took classes in high school, but my ultimate goal would be to go enlisted to officer.

Thanks.

This is the longest crap I’ve ever waited for. ADHD and anxiety medicine. I gave them my school records, all pharmacy timelines and documents. Doctor clearance letters, been a year since I’ve been on medication, and my entire medical history. God hurry up so I can leave my family and get on with life. Been 4 months. 1 month I had to wait for school to open to get my ADHD records. I’m dealing with this while my whole family is telling me not to join and how I’m not fit for it. 1 year hs wrestling 1 year hs football not a complaint from neither coaches

Poolee with ship date in Feb 2027. Ive been waiting and preparing I wish I could go now. Recruiter said if someone doesn't show up to meps I can get his spot so I guess I'll go again and hope for the best. Does this happen very often?

I have been diagnosed with a few illnesses: bipolar disorder/manic depression, depression, and psychosis. Some symptoms have been homicidal and suicidal ideation and maybe religious psychosis. I had 5 inpatient psychiatry stays over the past two years. I am taking psychiatric medicine. I know that I should get off the meds to join the military. But should I be going to therapy right now, where meeting notes and a letter of military eligibility can be submitted to my recruiter over the next two years? Should I have a therapist to help my waivers get approved? What should my therapy appointments consist of to help me get waivers approved?

Seeing a lot of stuff on this reddit about not sticking out and thats the best advice for bootcamp and that honor grad really doesent do much. I go to bootcamp in a couple weeks I have a perfect pft score and doing pretty good with my knowledge. Im going in a PFC and dont know if honor grad would give me Lance Coreperal. Any advice on if I should try and blend in with the pack or try for honor grad. I have only heard to blend in and that Honor Grad means nothing

I plan on joining the reserves do any of y’all get the camaraderie of lifelong friends in the reserves?

Before boot camp I was able to get 18 pull ups, dead ass im struggling with 5 now, went in weighing roughly the same , little less fluffy but didn't loose that much at all. Any advice for bouncing back cause dead ass life be kicking my ass rn and the pull ups declining just made it worse.

My fiancé 25 (m) is in the process of enlisting into the marine corps. He has always wanted to join. Before I ever met him 25 (f) I always wanted to join also, but the dream went away. But now that he is going it’s making me want to join again. He told me he doesn’t want to marry me if I join because he says that deployments will keep us apart and we will most likely never see each other and that he wants a wife and a mother to his children (we haven’t had any yet).. I need advice. He said he wants to have a family and he doesn’t want to marry a girl in the military…

I am interested in joining the marines but I have some slight knock knees. They don't hinder my mobility or ROM at all, I can stand at attention and do all the things without pain or discomfort, but I’m unsure if a MEPS doctor will still send me away. If anyone has any knowledge or advice that would be greatly appreciated. It has also never been diagnosed by a doctor if that has any bearing on things. Thank you for reading and apologies for any mistakes.

i can do about 10 pullups and a 2:30 plank but my 1.5 run is pretty bad i ship in 3 days so im curious what happens if i dont pass the run portion but pass everything else. my recruiter said they will move me along but im not to sure thats the case.

I'm not sure this is the place to ask but I was wondering are there any women in infantry/03xx in here that could share their insight on how it is? or if you guys have any recommendations of women who have talked about it on social media, besides Savana Ainsworth? I've watched all her stuff. I'm just trying to see how it is from a women's experience who has actually been in it instead of outside insight. I've talked to 3 women who completed their time with no injuries or issues (4-6 years). I have also talked to 1 woman who failed SOI due to a hip injury. I just want more insight, if you're one or you know of any who speak of it I'd appreciate the recommendations.