Well you got a lot of advice above my post and it covered alot of what I was going to say. I did my 13 weeks in MCRD is dec 87 and stayed for 8 years. The boot camp thing is all a head game but in a good way. if they are really getting to you just humm BUT NOT OUT LOUD. I spent most of boot camp pushing for laughing and smilling (and humming). boot camp is to see who can and can't take the pressure. after boot save your money becouse there will be little of it. Take advantage of the education system on base. You will have to activley pursue it but it is there. sign up for the g.i bill. The gibill that I paid 1200 dollars in to is now paying me 900 a month to go to college at 36 years old. do not get married untill you make e-5 at lest. Why becouse you can not afford it below that. the devorce rate in the corps is around 85% .
Well I noticed some thing about this board that I have notice on all good board and in all good groups of working men. this board is 65% ex-military. mostly jar-heads. every job I have gotten since leaving the corps has been in part becouse I was a marine. some of the best people on the jobs I have worked are ex-marines or army,navy,air force. why becouse we know what its like to work and get the job done. My last boss told me that the differance between ex-marines and civilians is marine ***** and complain louder but get the job done right and on time.civilians just *****.

Tom Elliott U.S.M.C.
p.s. do not die for your country, make the other asshole die for his.