Within the U.S. Department of the Navy, the United States Marine Corps is a maritime branch of the armed forces. In order to become a member of the Marines, you must pass both the physical and intellectual requirements as well as go through rigorous training to get ready for military duty. You can determine whether enlisting in the Marines is the correct choice for you by being aware of these procedures.
To assist you in learning more about a military career, we have included an overview of the Marine Corps in this page, along with information on how to enlist and the prerequisites for entering this branch.
Read More: Marine Corps Guidon
Important lessons learned:
As a component of the US military, the Marine Corps is tasked with defending naval facilities, escorting diplomatic missions, and serving as an international striking force.
A criminal background check, a high school graduation, residency in the United States between the ages of 17 and 28, and passing the Initial Strength Test (IST) are the prerequisites for joining the Marine Corps.
Meeting with a recruiter, passing entrance examinations, selecting your preferred career path within the Marines, finishing recruit training (boot camp), and graduating are all part of the enlisting process.
The Marine Corps: What is it?
Within the U.S. military, the United States Marine Corps, also referred to as the U.S. Marines, is tasked with serving aboard naval vessels, defending embassies, safeguarding naval bases, and functioning as a worldwide striking force. The United States Department of the Navy includes the Marine Corps, which some refer to as the “Infantry of the Navy.” Active Marines are frequently the first to respond to emergencies or engage in combat on the sea or land, with support from the Navy for transport.
Membership requirements for the Marines
The Marine Corps has qualifying standards, much as other branches of the military. You can apply for enlistment if you fulfill these prerequisites. The following are prerequisites for joining the Marines:
residing in the United States lawfully between the ages of 17 and 28
obtaining a high school degree
obtaining a clean criminal record and clearing a background check
evaluating your level of physical fitness by completing the Initial Strength Test (IST).
How to Become a Marine
To prepare you for military duty, there is an enlisting and training procedure when you join the Marines. The procedures to enlist in the Marine Corps and become a Marine are as follows:
1. Consult a recruiter.
You can get assistance from a recruiter in comprehending the steps and prerequisites for joining the Marines. Meet with a local recruiter to go over the next steps involved in joining. Recruiters can be located online or through the U.S. Marines website. To be sure you want to enroll, make sure you know everything there is to know about this military branch and your opportunities as a Marine by asking questions when you meet with a recruiter.
2. Take admission tests
You can take admission examinations at a Military admission Processing Station (MEPS) after submitting an application to join the Marines. At MEPS, the testing procedure usually takes two days to finish. You take a multiple-choice examination called the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) at MEPS. It covers a variety of areas, such as arithmetic, electronics, and mechanical understanding. A score of 31 or above is required for aspiring Marines to advance in their training.
To determine your suitability for duty, you must pass a physical examination in addition to the ASVAB. Talk to your recruiter about the paperwork you can bring for your physical examination; this could include a list of your medical conditions and forms of identification.
3. Select a career route.
After passing the MEPS physical and ASVAB, you meet with a counselor to determine which route to go in the Marines. The positions you can apply for are determined in part by the results of your exam. The Marine Corps has more than thirty military occupation specialties (MOS), each of which has several positions. Among the MOS choices are:
Administration and Personnel
Knowledge
Infantry
Organizational logistics
Interactions
Flying
Artillery on the field
Instruction
Services
Public relations
Oceanography and meteorology
4. Finish the onboarding process
You could go to boot camp, or recruit training, either Parris Island, South Carolina, or San Diego, California, depending on where you live. It takes 13 weeks to finish boot camp, no matter which one you attend. Boot camp trains you to become a Marine by putting you through both mental and physical trials. There are four stages to the training, which are:
First phase
During the initial stage of recruit training, you will study martial arts, weapons handling, first aid, and the history of the Marine Corps. The three main Marine values—honor, bravery, and commitment—are taught in classes. You pick up basic information in this phase that you will build upon throughout your course. This stage further comprises:
Rifle and equipment problems
Safety of weapons
Closed-order exercise
Overview of the Martial Arts Program of the Marine Corps (MCMAP)
Stage Two
Through more rigorous training, your endurance will be increased throughout the second stage of recruit training. You pick up close quarters fighting techniques and other advanced talents during this period. Phase two training consists of:
Combat and physical training
Combat sports
Academic guidance
Stage Three
A number of tasks are included in this phase to assist you in putting your newly acquired knowledge and abilities to use. It also consists of the 54-hour Crucible Challenge, an endurance test designed to evaluate your capacity to handle pressure and simulated conflict. You collaborate closely with other candidates throughout this challenge to hone your collaboration abilities.
Stage Four
Boot camp’s last phase brings your training to a close and gets you ready to graduate. You take your last academic and physical exams during this time. You also fulfill the standards for standardized training. You get your service uniform when you finish this phase.
5. Completion of boot camp
After boot camp, you’re invited to a graduation ceremony. There are usually two days to the event: a family day and a graduation day. You can extend an invitation to your loved ones so they can join you in celebrating your success. The graduation ceremony is when you formally join the Marines.
Advice on enlisting in the Marines
To be confident that enlisting in the Marines is the correct choice for you, there are a number of crucial things to think about. You can use the following advice to determine if you want to enlist in the Marines:
Before joining, think about employment. The Marines employ around 180 people, most of whom work in combat-related roles. Make sure the Marine Corps is the proper branch of service for you by thinking about what you want to do before selecting your branch.
Consider the training and work locations of each MOS. Think about careers that improve the chances of working or training in those locations if you have preferences regarding where you finish your training or are eventually stationed. Since you’ll probably be deployed at some point throughout your Marine career, it’s crucial to take your location into account.
Start your physical preparation before to boot camp. Get your body ready so you can participate in recruit training and pass the Initial Strength Test. To increase your endurance, try running 1.5 miles on a regular basis and engage in other activities like crunches and pull-ups.
Look into the Marines’ past. Understanding the historic history of the Marines Corps might help you better comprehend what it means to be a Marine. You may also get ready for the academic component of your recruit training by reading up on the history of the Marines.