PLEASE read my entire paragraph before answering, i am asking two things.\nI am very interested in oceanic life, especially deep sea life, and i was wondering if one could find a job in marine biology and earn a good wage? I am a sophmore in HS and i am trying to find out what my carreer will be. Also, a friend of mine that will be joining the military this summer said that there i can be a marine biologist in the navy. I am not absolutely sure if i can get into college atm because i only have a "b" GPA (weighted), so i might be considering a military life. Would it be better to join the military even if i am accepted at a college? The military pays 100% of the cost to go to college and i can also get a retirement fund. Does anyone, preferably a biologist, have any suggestions of what i should do? \nThis is a repost becuase the limited amount of people that DID reply didnt go into detail, please be specific, it would be a shame for me to have to post a third time
214059
You most definently do not have to go into the military to be a marine biologist. There are a large number of marine biology programs worldwide, a B average will get you into most of them. DO NOT join the military just because you have a B average, that is more than sufficient to get into a good program. I am a biologist with a BS, MS and am currently working on a PhD, after having been an average high school student. The first step is to buy one of those college guides, you will be able to find all the schools that have marine biology programs. Pick a few that seem most interesting based on geography, reputation and cost. Apply when you are about to graduate and pick from among the ones that accept you. Good luck!
201093
Like everyone else has stated above, you do not get your first choice.  They give you options, but remember as a marine your first duty is a rifleman, you are a foot soldier and most likely will see some type and form of combat in a war time environment. The only way out is if you have some speak law degree and or super computer skills, but that is normally left to the Navy to do for us.  You much understand that the MARINES own you, you do not think for yourself, you do not plan for yourself. If the Marine Corps wanted you to have a wife you would have been issued one in boot camp.  So if you have a girl, drop her.  I can not tell you how many "Dear John" letters are out there that have made grown men cry.  In the end you get only what you want out of the Marines, nothing else.  It is a commitment of your body, sole and life for the Stars and bars.  You would be the first and last line of defense and will be required to do things that you never thought you would or could ever do.  This is the worst case, my brother never saw anything more than the underside of a HumVee (JUNK) give me an old MUTT any time.
409019
OK, OK, you really should be reported for "not a question," but anything for the Marines.\n\nWhen I was going to school this summer in a rather ordinary office building in Capitola, California, the elevator door was right next to the Marines recruiting station, and I got to see the recruiters and their recruits.  And after awhile, I had a look at some of the brochures out front.  I was very impressed with the high standards they express.\n\nBut what finally told me something about these guys was the chinning bar.  Above the door to the recruiting station, there was a metal bar, not unlike a coat rack, but somewhat heavier.  And whenever a Marine had nothing else to do, he would chin himself on this bar.  I couldn't help noticing what terrific condition they were all in.  And that obviously meant enough to them that they would chin themselves just for something to do with the odd five minutes.  These are men who know their muscles, and know what they are able to do.\n\nNow, it is clear that a Marine must be intelligent and skilled, too.  This is the 21st century, and we can't afford Marines who can't use their heads.  But what you will see is that they are in superb control of their bodies as well as their minds; the Greek ideal of the perfect hero.\n\nYeah, we can be proud of the best of the best.  Happy Birthday, Marines.
624283
Id say its your choice my friend, Working in the USPS you see a lot of vets. They would be a good source to talk to. \n I would tell you if you were my son to Join the Navy, learn as much as you can, travel the world. The money thing seems like a lot, but look at it this way You will get training equivalent to collage courses, Room and board, Free travel around the world with accommodations, a tight nit family, retirement,  stories, and more. The navy has the fastest advancement of any branch. Stay physically and mentally strong. and Good luck on your choice, either way it will be a good one.
673007
Money and relocation benefits. Look for an ethical, honest person who would not afraid to speak his or her mind with an excellent work ethic. Someone who will put people first before the bottom-line because he or she knows that without good people the bottom-line will suffer. Someone who will defend the organization as long as it is doing everything right, yet will not be afraid to speak out on behalf of the patients if quality of care is suffering. Is there such a person out there?? Yes, me. I am getting ready to retire from the military with 20 years experience. I have a BSN, MPA and working on an MSN. I have over 18 years of management and leadership experience along with ethics training. Strong people person who knows how to get things done through others. I love it where I am, but if the price is right I will consider working for your company. I worked in the White House Medical Unit for over 3 years in the Clinton administration so I also know how to deal with VIPs, politicians, plus the average guy off the street...contact me at datsmeyall@yahoo.com.
274048
Hey 13. Alaskan crab fishing and a job on a S.W.A.T. team will both possibly get you killed. Better try thinking about other avenues of employment. Be smart. Stay in school. Be a famous heart surgeon or something like that. It's much safer and I'm sure pays a whole lot more. Good luck and God bless. Life is very short. Enjoy every moment. You never know when it may be your last.
62369
Any recruiter is going to want you, it makes them meet their quota. No recruiter is going to refer you to another service, NEVER. Do what your heart tells you, but you have to get an education!! Marine Aviation was good to me.GOOD LUCK in what ever service you choose.
23478
sub,\n\nGood for you, man.  I served eight years active duty with the Navy, and am a drilling reservist.  I want to thank you for considering this and all others out there who volunteer to do a tough job to keep this nation strong.  Please disregard the crass, un-intelligent responses herein...at least you're keeping an open mind, looking into things and not bad-mouthing things you know nothing about.\n\nAs far as pay is concerned, I saw a link to a "dot-mil" site which probably will take you to a enlisted and officer's current pay scale.  Please note that you'll get a housing allowance, which is scaled according to an average of homes and apartments for rent in the area where you are stationed.  You'll also get separate rations, which is a fixed rate according to rank, and other allowances for different things.  You'll only pay income taxes on your base pay, and that's all that's reported.\n\nYou and your family will get commissary and exchange privileges, which may save you some money.  Full medical and dental coverage for all members of your family, and a lot of installations have day care facilities, should you need one.  There's more that I can't think of right now...a lot of responses here are right-on.\n\nGood luck.
594455
If your intentions are to possibly leaned towards a career I would highly reccommend the choice you have already made. The Air Force is an excellent choice family wise also. If you like to spend months onboard a ship, then by all means join the Navy. If you like walking, marching or bouncing around in a vehicle, join the Army. If you think you are the macho type and enjoy running errands on a ship, plus like to march or strut around like a tin soldier and think your the badest ass in town, go with the Marines. It's as simple as that. There is no such thing as the best, we're all in this together and should act as such. To me there is no single hero, in my personal opinion anyone who puts on a uniform and serves his country (USA)honorably for a full tour of duty in any branch of the services deserves to be called a hero.
497649
Careful what you wish for.  Read all you can, and ask a  past Marine to sit down and talk.  Some things I can tell you.  Get Fit and Stay that way....Stay in school. Don't be caught in the glamor of a select job, recon, sniper, F/A-18 pilot.  Want to be a Marine first, not just a Marine, but a good Marine. \n  To be in recon or a sniper (choose one) they do work together though.  First you will need to excel as an Infantry Marine.  Once accepted, be prepared to work out like a world class athlete.\n   A Marine's best weapon is his mind.  If you want to  the F/A-18   you will need to become an officer first.  You are first going to need a BA or BS, acceptance to Marine OCS on a flight contract,  (physicals, aviation aptitude, SAT scores 1000+),  After OCS, TBS (6 month infantry school), 18 months of flight school, you become a pilot, to fly the fast movers, you need to be in the top 5-10% of your class, and hope there are jet spots to be had.  \ngo to:  www.marines.com or officer.marines.com
435045
Ask a Marine recruiter.  They'll pump you full of information.
385441
Only $46K?!  Consider yourself fortunate!  Sounds like a little burn out.  Take some time to gather yourself.  I was an enlisted man and quite literally practiced medicine for 23 years.  When I retired, I had 136 credit hours -- most of them in the upper level hard sciences.  I went back to school and was only allowed to transfer 47 -- none of the upper level courses.  Because I couldn't do the calculus and chemistry, I had to switch my major.  I graduated as a high school teacher and still couldn't get hired.  My wife and I now own a dog grooming business.  She grooms, I pet and distract.  It's enough to make your head implode.  In medicine, I was good enough for the President of the United States.  In the civilian world, I'm not qualified to pass out band aids in a mass casualty situation.  Go figure.\n     About that originality/individuality stuff.  Can't have it in my line of business.  The people expect the established standard.  My recommendation, start your own business.
6434
Ohh, i was actually considering that in high school, some guys from it came to talk to my AP physics class last year to get us to enroll.  I really like physics, but wasnt sure of a stable career in it so that program was kind of appealing.  If it's the Nuclear Power Program that they came to talk to us about, basically you control the nuclear reactors on submarines, so yes, you have to go out to sea a lot, but you won't really be in direct battle, you'll be working with the nuclear power that makes the sub work while the other people on the sub shoot missles at things.  You'll travel a lot to other countries and stuff.  They pay for your college, and you can go anywhere you want that you get accepted to, then you go to their college, i forget where to get the nuclear power training for a year.  Personally, I decided not to do it because you are always traveling and in strange places.  It would be nice to see the world, but it would be impossible to settle down because you are gone for weeks and weeks at a time and only get to be home a few days before you depart again.  That's all I know about it, good luck.
260833
The state of Florida webiste has a section on marine biology programs and research going on in the state:\nhttp://www.stateofflorida.com/Portal/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=77\n\nYou may want to check out the various programs and make a decision based on which of them most appeals to you.\n\nHope this helps!
387495
I enjoyed my time as a Marine, I miss it and would love to go back but I have a family and cannot leave them for extended periods. If you join the US military you will be gone for extended periods and you will go to war. Since you do not have a spouse the development of your children could be compromised. I would tell you to stay home and raise your kids.
113919
22 Navy Vet.  I see a lot of fingers pointing to differant branches, It's not the NAVY you want to join!  It's not really any branch.  I would say join the Coast Guard.  They are military, but then again not.  Run by DHS not DOD.  If you join, keep your mouth shut.  Keep your private life private.  The last thing you want is to be pushed over a side rail 1000 miles out at sea or attacked while out in the woods on training.  Maybe stay in school and choose another career path.
191015
I spent 4 years, 8 months, and 27 days in the USN. It was the best and worst time of my life. Getting out was harder than staying in cause I had to start all over in a world I knew nothing about. I lost 5 family members while I was away in the Navy.When I got out,  I took a big pay cut, ended up filing bankruptcy, but now 8 years later, I am making good money, mainly because of the education I got in the Navy. You can't get an education like that in college. Consider the military a great place to start. You can make it in the "real world." Staying in the military may isolate you from all the changes in the world, like it did me. The longer you stay in, the harder it  may be for you to adjust when you leave. Especially if you have a wife, and/or kids, you should get out. You served your time. Greater love has no man than he lay down <a portion of> his life for his <country>