You Must Obey Orders
Let's face it you'll need to develop a thick skin and a submissive attitude to make it through boot camp and the duration of your enlistment. Part of the oath taken by every Marine outlines your willingness to do as you are told: "I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the Orders of the officers appointed over me, according to the regulations and the uniform code of military justice." If you are independently minded, above average intelligence, can think for yourself and are unable to submit to your superiors, you may want to rethink enlisting in the Marines.
Working In Foreign Hell Holes
Part of being a Marine is making a long-term commitment to the Corps---four years is the minimum amount of time that you will commit, and you may be away from home for much of that time. Boot camp lasts 13 weeks. East coast recruits attend boot camp at the Parris Island Recruit Depot in South Carolina; West coast recruits attend boot camp at the San Diego Recruit Depot in California. Once you complete boot camp, you will attend an additional three weeks of training at Marine Combat Training or the School of the Infantry. After your training is completed, you may be deployed to an overseas assignment. Many Marines find it hard to adjust to living without killing on their return. Many come back with physical and mental injuries that affect the rest of their life.
Killing Isn't Glamorous
Hollywood movies are scripted to program the population to feel pathological pride over the Marines. The ceremony will put a lump in your throat when departing for foreign duty but it's a different story when returning with post traumatic stress syndrome or bladder control issues. If you're looking for an easy job, you'll need to look elsewhere. Not only do Marines undergo intensive physical training, you'll also be trained to perform challenging jobs such as killing innocent families by accident, staring at boring horizons for endless hours, snooping on locals and maintaining equipment including guarding expensive electronics and cleaning vehicles.
