Still joining the service...but I need guidance. I'm not sure which one.

[BigVito]

Originally Posted by 12stones

Honestly, you should be glad they didn't let you in at that age. 30 is really too old to be playing the games they play at the beginning. And then just think of all the problems you'd have being told what to do by some schmuck 21 year-old who's in your face screaming about what an effin maroon you are cause you can't clean the springs underneath your mattress properly.

I wish someone would have kept out the 28 year olds that I had to deal with that thought they knew better too.

I see what you're saying, but I'm going to be dealing with that upon getting into the 75th Rangers Regiment. My mind thinks like this age doesn't matter. there is a chain of command I must follow. and even they were where I am today. And for the next 20 plus years this will be my life. In my perspective it was a slap in the face.(being told I was too old)

[12stones]

Originally Posted by BigVito

I see what you're saying, but I'm going to be dealing with that upon getting into the 75th Rangers Regiment. My mind thinks like this age doesn't matter. there is a chain of command I must follow. and even they were where I am today. And for the next 20 plus years this will be my life. In my perspective it was a slap in the face.(being told I was too old)

I hope you're able to handle it better than most. Many of the guys that wanted to be high-speed, low-drag that joined our outfit and were older, just couldn't hack the mentle anguish they suffered at some of the stupidity that goes on. But, I wish you all the luck in the world.

[BigVito]

Originally Posted by 12stones

I hope you're able to handle it better than most. Many of the guys that wanted to be high-speed, low-drag that joined our outfit and were older, just couldn't hack the mentle anguish they suffered at some of the stupidity that goes on. But, I wish you all the luck in the world.

could you pm me some examples? I work for a corporation shrouded in stupidity.

[Papichulo]

Originally Posted by BigVito

I work for a corporation shrouded in stupidity.

I see a lot of loyalty in here! Especially with you Marines. I am not knocking you brothers and I respect you. I know because I have trained several hundred Marine MPs in my day. It is all good. However, each person in the service is assigned a specific job in a specific branch, which all contributes to the global war on terrorism. It does not matter what uniform or the fact you wear a bra or a jock you all contribute.

I know what 12STones is saying when 28 or 30 is too old for a high speed low drag outfit. However, maturity and mind power is stronger then physically fit snake eating guru Most of the time you need all of the forementioned in a 24-26 year old body, which are the best candidates. As I mentioned before in the high speed world of Special Ops the majority, but not all, do not allow automatic acceptance. You need to prove yourself.

BIGVITO, the Rangers are high speed infantrymen that operate in small teams. If you can gut the physical aspect of a week long exercise on four hours of sleep you will be fine. Just do not attempt it without being physically and mentally fit. The Rangers are not SOF, but are great leaders. That is my two cents. As for the Coasties having the only civilian law enforcement authority that is true.

Do your research with all branches and don't get caught up in the hype of one service and always get your promises in writing! Good luck!

[BigVito]

great post Brother. RTLW (Rangers Lead The Way) My only mental block is being overwieght once I rid my self of the two other people I feel I will be an asset. In my warped perspective after the Marines said no I went looking for the next elite force one that I feel would be a challenge and very rewarding. I want to be a grunt

Originally Posted by Papichulo

I see a lot of loyalty in here! Especially with you Marines. I am not knocking you brothers and I respect you. I know because I have trained several hundred Marine MPs in my day. It is all good. However, each person in the service is assigned a specific job in a specific branch, which all contributes to the global war on terrorism. It does not matter what uniform or the fact you wear a bra or a jock you all contribute.

I know what 12STones is saying when 28 or 30 is too old for a high speed low drag outfit. However, maturity and mind power is stronger then physically fit snake eating guru Most of the time you need all of the forementioned in a 24-26 year old body, which are the best candidates. As I mentioned before in the high speed world of Special Ops the majority, but not all, do not allow automatic acceptance. You need to prove yourself.

BIGVITO, the Rangers are high speed infantrymen that operate in small teams. If you can gut the physical aspect of a week long exercise on four hours of sleep you will be fine. Just do not attempt it without being physically and mentally fit. The Rangers are not SOF, but are great leaders. That is my two cents. As for the Coasties having the only civilian law enforcement authority that is true.

Do your research with all branches and don't get caught up in the hype of one service and always get your promises in writing! Good luck!

[12stones]

Originally Posted by Papichulo

I know what 12STones is saying when 28 or 30 is too old for a high speed low drag outfit. However, maturity and mind power is stronger then physically fit snake eating guru Most of the time you need all of the forementioned in a 24-26 year old body, which are the best candidates. As I mentioned before in the high speed world of Special Ops the majority, but not all, do not allow automatic acceptance. You need to prove yourself.

You're completely right, here, Brent. And my post was talking about the maturity and mind power aspect. This is where most guys that age have a problem, not the physicality. It's the fact that they've already lived life on their own and for awhile. Now they've got some snot-nosed punk who's barely past puberty tellin' them what to do and how to do it and ridiculin' them and all that. It's hard for them to take. In any aspect, not just the special units.

And you're absolutely right about having to prove yourself. It's all about being able to put your life in the hands of everyone you work with and their being able to put theirs in yours.

[taltos]

Originally Posted by ragin' cajun

Being a Marine is not just a job its a way of life. It is promoted in everything you do whether you realize it or not. Everybody you know that your a Marine, and whether you hate the Corps or love it your still a Marine. With that being said if your not willing to put everything you have into becoming one of the few, one of the proud, I'm not sure that I want you in my beloved Corps. If your willing to give it everything you have then by all means walk down to the recruiter past all the other branches and say I wanna be a Marine, I wanna go to the toughest boot camp their is and I wanna be a Marine.

I would agree with this gentleman that if you want the hardest of the hard in boot take a walk on the yellow foot prints. I do agree with Papichulo about the AF ParaRescue that they are the best of the best and by saying this I am not being disloyal to my beloved Marine Corps. The key thing is that if you want to serve this nation, you must want to serve with your whole heart and soul. To do less would disgrace all of those who served before you and that would be a very heavy burden. Papi, I salute you Master Chief, you are truly the best of the best and I am glad that we have you on our side. Paul LCpl USMC

[Papichulo]

Originally Posted by taltos

I would agree with this gentleman that if you want the hardest of the hard in boot take a walk on the yellow foot prints. I do agree with Papichulo about the AF ParaRescue that they are the best of the best and by saying this I am not being disloyal to my beloved Marine Corps. The key thing is that if you want to serve this nation, you must want to serve with your whole heart and soul. To do less would disgrace all of those who served before you and that would be a very heavy burden. Papi, I salute you Master Chief, you are truly the best of the best and I am glad that we have you on our side. Paul LCpl USMC

And I thank you You are not being disloyal and you nailed it by wanting to serve the nation. I would be lying to you if I did not initially say join my outfit, but I could not out of respect and wisdom.

[Papichulo]

Originally Posted by 12stones

You're completely right, here, Brent. And my post was talking about the maturity and mind power aspect. This is where most guys that age have a problem, not the physicality. It's the fact that they've already lived life on their own and for awhile. Now they've got some snot-nosed punk who's barely past puberty tellin' them what to do and how to do it and ridiculin' them and all that. It's hard for them to take. In any aspect, not just the special units.

And you're absolutely right about having to prove yourself. It's all about being able to put your life in the hands of everyone you work with and their being able to put theirs in yours.

I see eye to eye with you. It is just like Taltos said about serving the nation.

[taltos]

Originally Posted by BigVito

one thing about the Marines, I really don't like. They told me I was to old at 30. They can now kiss my ass but for the Marines here you will always have my respect.

I went through boot camp at 28 3/4 they did you a favor. I survived but probably took 10 years off of my life. Paul

[BigVito]

Originally Posted by taltos

I went through boot camp at 28 3/4 they did you a favor. I survived but probably took 10 years off of my life. Paul

Maybe in a few years I will see it like the rest of you guys.

[macjoe53]

Originally Posted by Papichulo

You know what I salute each and everyone of the Vets that posted in this thread! My heartfelt respect goes out to my brothers and sisters of the Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard. As a loving father of four boys my oldest wants to join and become an Air Force Security Forces member, who by the way, deploy more days within a 20 year period then the majority fo the all the services. Yeah, more then the Army and Marines. They are 24K strong and are working along side all the aforementioned services. I know, I am a 21 year E-9. Now back to my son, I support him joining my ranks; however, I have many friends in the US Coast Guard and I am swaying him toward the Coasties! He already is fluent in English, Turkish, and is learning Spanish. Not only that he can read Arabic and he is only 16 Anyway, listen to the VETS and do you research. Now if you want to be a snake eater (e.g. SEAL, Special Forces, etc.) and you think you can meet both the mental and physical challenges join and attend the toughest school in the Departement of Defense, the Air Force Pararescue school. Basically, an RN combat medic with balls of steal that go in and rescue the majority of our special forces and pilots. Personally, if I was going to do it again I would consider this order of my interests: 1. Pararescue, 2. Coast Guard Combat Swimmer, 3. Navy SEAL, 4. Marine FORCE RECON, 5. Army Special Forces, and then 6. Air Force Security Forces. There is no better service then the other, just a different mission. As mentioned earlier if you are not combat oriented in the Air Force the quality of life is better. Just do your research and remember the aforementioned jobs are not just only physically demanding, but more mind numbing then you could ever imagine. You need to ensure you mind is in the game before you pursue one these jobs. Last thing, in some of the aforementioned jobs you need to be proficient in a job before they will accept you.

The proper term by the way is "Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer" and while 90 percent of the movie "The Guardian" was BS, there was some glimmer of truth in it. It does take big brass ones to do what they do which is drop out of a perfectly flying helicopter in the middle of a storm into rough water to try and rescue people who found themselves in danger. Of course, they were doing this before there was a school to teach them how to be rescue swimmers. And if you want to see really big brass ones take a trip to Illwaco, Wa. to the Coast Guard Motor Lifeboat School at Cape Disappointment. That's where the Coast Guard trains boat crews to go out in rough seas in small boats designed to roll over and keep running. They have a motto: "You have to go out. You don't have to come back."

Congratulations on being a 21-year E-9. I made Senior Chief in 18 years in a specialty that only had two E-8's and one E-9. I retired when the detailer called up and said "Congratulations!. We're putting you in the E-9 billet in DC."

[Papichulo]

Originally Posted by macjoe53

The proper term by the way is "Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer" and while 90 percent of the movie "The Guardian" was BS, there was some glimmer of truth in it. It does take big brass ones to do what they do which is drop out of a perfectly flying helicopter in the middle of a storm into rough water to try and rescue people who found themselves in danger. Of course, they were doing this before there was a school to teach them how to be rescue swimmers. And if you want to see really big brass ones take a trip to Illwaco, Wa. to the Coast Guard Motor Lifeboat School at Cape Disappointment. That's where the Coast Guard trains boat crews to go out in rough seas in small boats designed to roll over and keep running. They have a motto: "You have to go out. You don't have to come back."

Congratulations on being a 21-year E-9. I made Senior Chief in 18 years in a specialty that only had two E-8's and one E-9. I retired when the detailer called up and said "Congratulations!. We're putting you in the E-9 billet in DC."

Thanks for clarifying. My hat is off to you and you service to America this world's greatest nation If even had a clue of what the Coast Guard was about 22 years ago when I entered my delayed enlistment term I would have went into the Coast Guard. I learned more about you guys at my Senior NCO Academy where there were a couple dozen in attendance.

[ghostrider]

Originally Posted by Papichulo

Thanks for clarifying. My hat is off to you and you service to America this world's greatest nation If even had a clue of what the Coast Guard was about 22 years ago when I entered my delayed enlistment term I would have went into the Coast Guard. I learned more about you guys at my Senior NCO Academy where there were a couple dozen in attendance.

In my 18 years of service, I've seen members from every branch of the military transfer to the Coast Guard. I have yet to meet a former coastie in any other branch of the service. It's one thing to 'train' every day in and out for something that might happen, something else altogether when you're out there DOING the mission on a daily basis. The worst day at sea beats the best day ashore.

[macjoe53]

Originally Posted by ghostrider

In my 18 years of service, I've seen members from every branch of the military transfer to the Coast Guard. I have yet to meet a former coastie in any other branch of the service. It's one thing to 'train' every day in and out for something that might happen, something else altogether when you're out there DOING the mission on a daily basis. The worst day at sea beats the best day ashore.

Spoken like a true coastie! I did my first 28 months in the engine room of a wind class breaker out of Seattle. If they would have left me on icebreakers I probably would have retired off of one.