Dream or Love

[iSwim95]

All my life I have wanted to be a Marine and being 17 my choice of enlisting or not is coming up fast. My girlfriend is my best friend and we have been togeter forever and we've known each other since we were in diapers I couldn't ask for a better person in my life but she is skeptical about this whole idea. She said she will stick by me no matter what whether I go into the Marines or go to college but if I choose the Marines it would definitely put a strain on things. I have no doubt we can survive it will just be really really hard. I am an all A student good scores all through me student career 4.0 GPA easily be anything I want.

This is basically my question, do i follow my dream and become a Marine and strain my relationship or go to college and have a strong relationship, but know I left my dream behind?

I full well know I could become a Marine later but I know that if I put it off to go to college and get a good job that there is a good chance I won't go and decide against it. I also know I could go to school during or after the Marines but I just don't lnow. I don't want to have to put my best friend through the hell of barely seeing me for a couple weeks for years at a time. I've looked into the reserves and everything else but there is no way of finding a middle ground to this. It is either Marines or school.

Thanks for your help.

[DerBear]

Honestly,

You need to follow your dream. You're very young and while a loving relationship is important. You're at that age where a dream is something you need to do and achieive. I don't want to sound like I am making the choice for you or telling you what to do but sometimes you need to follow your dream.

You could go to school and get a good job and all good stuff but really? Is that what you really want?

You only get one shot at life, don't waste it. You might regret not living your dream later in life.

[CharlieFinley]

NO. DO NOT DO THAT.

I've known many people who enlisted in the Marine Corps right out of ROTC, and not only do you make approximately no money, you're at the bottom of the totem pole. Your grades mean shit. Your competence means shit until you're in the senior NCO ranks. A guy enlisted before you did? He'll get promoted first, too. You sound really freaking smart.

You know what you should do? You sound like you want the Marine Corps lifestyle, so here's what you should do. Join a navy ROTC unit at a well-respected college. Put in your four years both having ridiculous amounts of fun (college is awesome -- just stay away from frats. Drinking citations are really bad if you're in ROTC.) and having your college paid for.

Then, accept a commission. The life of a Marine Officer, especially one as smart as you, is amazing. Make sure your PFT scores are great. Make sure your grades stay great. Then enjoy taking the first pick of MOS. Go out there, and put your ttalents to use where they can be most useful.

You're a really smart guy. Don't waste those talents being one of the grunts. Use them to lead your men; save their lives; be a great marine.

[DerBear]

OP banned, :locked: to prevent replies that will never be seen/read.