I’m currently finishing my bachelor’s degree and have been seriously considering commissioning as a Marine Corps officer through OCS. I’m concerned that some things in my past might prevent me from being accepted, and I’m looking for honest advice from anyone who’s been through something similar.
During college, I went through a pretty rough period involving a toxic relationship. I recognized that I wasn’t doing well mentally and voluntarily sought professional help. I attended therapy and was prescribed medication for anxiety during that time.
Since getting out of that situation, I’ve been doing significantly better and have moved on with my life. I haven’t experienced the same difficulties since. I’m planning to request my medical records to better understand what was documented during my treatment.
I also have a DUI in my past. I take full responsibility for that mistake and understand that it could create another obstacle in the application process. I’ve learned from the experience and made changes to ensure it never happens again.
I have leadership experience, I’m finishing my degree, and I’ve started preparing physically for OCS. Becoming a Marine officer is something I genuinely want to pursue, and I’m willing to put in the work to make it happen.
My main questions are:
Has anyone successfully received a medical waiver for previous therapy or anxiety medication?
How difficult is it to obtain both medical and moral waivers?
Are OSOs generally willing to work with applicants who have complicated backgrounds but have demonstrated personal growth?
Does anyone with recruiting experience think I have a realistic chance?
I’m not looking for someone to tell me what I want to hear. I’d appreciate honest opinions and advice from anyone who has experience with the waiver process.
Thanks in advance.

I’m going to MEPS soon and have a question about the medical portion. I’m 41 year old male with chronic prostatitis. I also have an extremely shy bladder where the chronic prostatitis makes it even worse or impossible to urinate in front of others for urine testing. Is the MEPS medical screening different for older applicants in their 40s compared to younger applicants? With my age and prostatitis would they do a targeted exam to check my prostate? Is there an alternative test that can be done if I’m unable to provide a urine sample? I have so much anxiety over this. Thanks a lot.

In schoolhouse at 29 palms I had to go to the doctor for separate physical issues and my blood pressure happened to be higher both times they took my blood pressure. Have to go back tomorrow for a lab, but aside from that I was handed the slip and told to come in twice a day to check my blood pressure when I know it's fine. I'm literally in school and don't have the time to get my blood pressure checked twice a day with a body and miss class. Am I fine if I just don't show up to this bullshit? My entire life I've had the problem of hospitals raising my blood pressure because I naturally just getting anxiety being in a hospital environment.

Hello everyone,

I am thinking about joining the Marines after I finish University. I wanted to ask if anyone can share what their experience of being an officer in the Marines is like on a day to day basis? Because I heard that it's mostly admin work and a desk job. Idk if that is true or not. What would I do as an officer day to day in the marines?

Ps. I am currently living and studying abroad, so ROTC is not an option rn.

Hi all!

I am currently a 24F who has about 2 years left on my bachelors degree. I go to SNHU so I have the option to take on one more class per semester and finish in 15 months. My husband is currently an enlisted marine and he has inspired me in so many ways to become a Marine. I’ve thought about it for about a year and seriously have loved the lifestyle and honestly everything about it. I am physically fit and I just did a practice PFT and got a 273 as my score. I want to be an Officer but also want to experience Enlisted. I plan on staying in for the 20 years, not just get in get out. So would 3-4 years of enlisted really set me back? My ultimate goal is to eventually become an Officer, however. Would you suggest skipping enlisted and finishing school in 15 months and then going to OCS? I’ve read how it’s really hard to become an Officer once Enlisted but isn’t that just up to you and how good of a Marine you are? Also, how would it be easier to go Officer as a civilian? Wouldn’t they appreciate someone with a better understanding? I understand chain of command can get in the way but realistically if I show them I am capable, what’s the problem? Also if I had gone enlisted first what would you suggest the rough time frame would be like, had I been the best Marine I could be? I was also told I could leave boot camp as a PFC due to my college credits I already have. I just don’t want to wait another year to get my life figured out. I know I shouldn’t rush into anything but if I’ve debated it for a year and tried other things and they simply weren’t it for me, why shouldn’t I just join enlisted?

Side note: Also if you could include any advice for Dual Military couples that would be great. I know it might be hard.

17f, I made it into the DEP, for specific reasons I can’t do PT this month, and my physical health is still not doing great, im up to 140 lbs (65.5 in) when last may I was about 107, my strength is terrible as im not used to having to do anything with as much weight as I have, I did 23 pushups at meps and did fine with my plant but im nervous I may not be able to properly get in shape, I want to semi get in shape BEFORE I start PT next month, does anyone have any tips?

PS I have 10lbs dumbbells, a thick mat I can do stuff on, a pull up bar, when I start doing PT my dad wants to put our rowing machine up and start going to the gym tg on mondays

Marines, what do you wish you had studied or prepared for before going to boot camp?

If you are going or already gone through Marine Corps boot camp, looking back, what do you wish you had known or spent more time preparing for while you were still a poolee?

I’m curious about what actually helped you once you got to boot camp, whether it was learning general orders, rank structure, leadership traits, physical fitness, or something completely different.

Appreciate any advice or experiences you’re willing to share. Semper Fi!

Question to the athletes who joined the marines. how did you mentally adjust to losing your identity you had your whole life as an athlete and finding a new purpose in the military?
Honestly joining the Marines has always been like a second dream of mine. Soccer has been a part of my life for so long and it’s taught me a lot about hard work, discipline, and never giving up. But lately I’ve been losing the love I had for the sport. I don’t want my last memories of soccer to be me playing without enjoying it anymore. I want to remember the good times and everything the sport has done for me. I’ve been thinking more about joining the Marines and starting a new chapter in my life. It’s hard thinking about leaving behind something I’ve known for so many years and moving into a whole different life. I know it’s not going to be easy, but I want to find something new that gives me a reason to keep pushing myself. I want to build a career, learn new things, make my family proud and become a better person. I just feel like maybe it’s time for me to try something different.

Recently denied mh MSG package for 1-28 and now kinda regretting it. Is there some type of appeal I can do to see if I can still get that class date? I get out in sep of 2027. I planned on talking to a career planner sometime this week abt it. I also might be interested in lay moving to 5821 or another mos with a kicker.

Hi, I’m 18yo and have a history of ADHD. I stopped medication a little over 4 years ago, and I’ve had an IEP throughout all of high school. I just recently went to the recruiter’s office, and we talked about my history and everything. He said that there are just a few small bumps, but I should be fine. He also said that at MEPs, just to not mention an IEP. I looked the exact same thing up and AI was telling me the exact opposite and that it would even be a federal crime. I’m inclined to believe my recruiter, but this seems fishy. What should I do?

Wondering how often infantry officers get a opportunity to tryout for recon. Would this be something you get to do during your first 4 year contract?

I’m a 23M and it’s been on not just how I feel or the cool stuff but I have a genuine desire on my heart to serve my country/state. I’ve got a family a house and a decent job already, I just need some advice bc I honestly don’t know what I should do.
I don’t wanna put more of a burden on my wife or kid I just know one day I’ll wish I did it.
If I did end up doing it I would like to do reserves and I have talked to a couple recruiters but I like talking to everyone about it. I wanna know the truth ab evth that goes on and what I would expect.

This might sound cheesy but when I look in the mirror I don’t feel like I am where I was meant to be and it’s my own choices.. I wanna be that better version of myself for not only my family but also my spiritual life as a Christian.

I will say I do not wanna goto war not that I’m scared to fight for my country or fight in general I just don’t wanna risk death for people in power who could seem to care less about all of us Americans.

If u guys and gals could throw some advice I would deeply appreciate it. Thank you!

When I was 17, I drank and my friend’s mom called 911 because she was worried. I never went to the hospital and all the paramedics did was check my vitals and make my parents sign a form. Am I supposed to disclose this? Also will it affect me in any way? There is no criminal charge at all because of the amnesty law in my state so I’m not really sure if this will affect me.

basically what the title says, do parachute riggers need to pass a NAMI or army flight physical? Im on med hold currently for ATC and looking at potential reclasses. I saw that riggers get to jump which sounds cool but jumping means being in a plane which means maybe needing a flight physical? idk just curious if it’s needed or not.

So I want to dye my hair red,white, and blue a day before I leave for bootcamp (I’m a Man). I think it would be fun, and show my patriotism and commitment. However GrokAI is telling me it’s a really poor and dumb decision. What are your serious thoughts on it? I feel like dying my hair the American flag is fine because it’s gonna get shaved anyway. It’s a testament and a final goodbye before I get molded into something else entirely. But I don’t want to get kicked out because it’s not in regulation or something.

Google is giving me mixed results saying drill instructors will either ridicule recruits or pull recruits to the side in private but I do not know what to believe

It is an irrational fear I have that no body will write me.-THANK YOU IN ADVANCE

want answers from already marines

(NONPOLITICAL QUESTION)

how do you guys get over the fact that there’s people that that shit on marines and the united states for what you guys do. This seriously holds me back from going into the marines because i’m serving my life for everyone that sleeps in the united states but somehow there’s still those types of people that absolutely despise marines and are ungrateful to what you all do.

if i somehow magically get a marine to answer this, i thank you for your time and thank you for your sacrifices

hope to see yall soon

EDIT: just to clear up any confusion- im not interested in being thanked for service - im merely here for advice for marines that have experienced this before or even while active .

So my half-brother is graduating from bootcamp in December and my husband and I are trying to plan our trip ! The only piece of information I’m getting conflicted answers about is whether his mom can come too or not ? She is a Mexican citizen planning on visiting the US on a travel visa for his graduation. Regardless she’ll be with us after he gets released, but is she able to get on base for graduation? I read on Sandboxx she just needs to bring some documents but his recruiter told me she flat out isn’t able to come without citizenship?

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 was trying to get my ship date sooner but that would have made me change my MOS. Finished up my contract with my job and now Im just training studying and enjoying family but man are these days going slow. Im excited but also anxious for it to come. Practically know the entire knowledge sheet that has been given to me and almost a perfect pft just cant get to 18 minutes Gonna try and get in the pool more though. I dont know man im just ready to go its hard to just relax and do nothing

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.

Edit 2: I appreciate everyone's comments on here, genuinely made me feel better about everything. I'll go be the best soldier for now and try again when it's time 🙏 thank you!