I know that the Marines have the Crucible (a 54 hour non stop \ntest of knowledge and teamwork and endurance)\nDo the other branches have a similar event that will finally define them in their respective branches?\n\n( I am not a marine, my brother is and all he told me about the crucible was "it was crazy" he did not or does not want to elaborate)\n\nAlso Marines, can you describe What the Crucible was like for you, and the Warriors Breakfast, and finally being called A Marine for the first time?\n\nThank you I ask this because I want to get a feel of what it was like since I am too old to be a Marine.(Even though there is no greater feeling than do it first hand)\n\nThanks again\nDavid\nProud brother of a U S Marine\nCurrantly deployed
204658
Hello,\n\nThe Crucible for me was a few years ago I went on it in 1997, the most thing that I remember was that it really tested your endurance and knowledge of Marine Corps basic Infantry moves, every Marine being a Rifleman you have to know how to take care of your squad, being only 5'6 the long hikes and carrying that pack were pretty tough, but it really brings you and your team and platoon together as one, and being called a Marine for the first time, climbing up the Reaper listening to Proud to be an American, it was very emotional, going through 13 weeks of intense training and knowing that it meant something, will be something I will never forget. \n\nSemper FI
406486
Semper Fidelis.\n\nTo my fallen brothers, you fought valiantly, honorably, and laid down your lives unselfishly for the Corps, Family, God and Country.\n\nWe are forever grateful, and will never forget your sacrifices.\n\nFrom one United States Marine to another... Ooh-Rah, fellow Teufel Hundens!!
265677
SOI (school of infantry) is designed to teach you how to fight.  They have a plan and are well aware that no one knows what they are doing when you get there.  They work you into shape--which you pretty much will be anyway, since you'd have recently graduated boot camp and they teach you the skills you need.  I went to a mini verson that was 3 weeks long (all non infantry does), I think SOI is 6 weeks.  They taught us land navigation, patroling etc.  It was a lot of fun and we learned a lot.  Where is it?  North Carolina if you are east coast, California for the West Coast.  As for how dangerous is actual infantry work??? You are the front line.
188234
I served 3 years, 8 months and 10 days in the United States Marine Corps. I was a infantry machinegunner. (Look that up and it might mean something to you) I did 2 tours to Iraq. The first time I went 47 days without enough water to wash my body with. I slept on the ground, I slept in 3 hour increments.  The second time I went into Fallujah in March of 2004. There I lost my best friend and 2 other buddies after 28 days of continuos battle in the Jolan district. I spent the summer in various foxholes and bunkers at night, and foot patrols by day in 135 degree heat in full gear. Finally on my last patrol I caught shrapnel from a 155 mm artilery shell rigged as an IED (bomb) The shrapnel penetrated the right frontal and right temporal lobes of my brain 3 inches. Also took a 3 inch chunk out of my right shoulder. I have dementia, and severe headaches constantly. I am rated 100% disabled by the VA.......AM I A VETERAN?\nTechnically???? F*ck you, dont even say the word veteran unless you are talking about one of my brothers in arms!
174781
Ask a Marine what's so special about the Marines and the answer would be "Esprit de Corps", an unhelpful French phrase that means exactly what it looks like - the spirit of the Corps, but what is that spirit, and where does it come from? \n\nThe Marine Corps is the only branch of the U.S. Armed Forces that recruits people specifically to fight. \n\nThe Army emphasizes personal development (an Army of One), the Navy promises fun (let the journey begin), the Air Force offers security (its a great way of life). \n\nMissing from all the advertisements is the hard fact that a soldier's lot is to suffer and perhaps to die for his people, and take lives at the risk of his/her own. Even the thematic music of the services reflects this evasion. \nThe Army's Caisson Song describes a pleasant country outing. Over hill and dale, lacking only a picnic basket. \n\nAnchors Aweigh, the Navy's celebration of the joys of sailing, could have been penned by Jimmy Buffet. \n\nThe Air Force song is a lyric poem of blue skies and engine thrust. All is joyful, invigorating, and safe. \n\nThere are no land mines in the dales nor snipers behind the hills, no submarines or cruise missiles threaten the ocean jaunt, no bandits are lurking in the wild blue yonder. \nThe Marines Hymn, by contrast, is all-combat. We fight our Country's battles, First to fight for right and freedom, we have fought in every clime and place where we could take a gun, in many a strife we have fought for life and never lost our nerve.\n\nThe choice is made clear. You may join the Army to go to adventure training, or join the Navy to go to Bangkok, or join the Air Force to go to computer school. You join the Marine Corps to go to War! \n\nBut the mere act of signing the enlistment contract confers no status in the Corps. \nThe Army recruit is told from his first minute in uniform that "you're in the Army now", soldier. The Navy and Air Force\nenlistees are sailors or airmen as soon as they get off the bus at the training center. \n\nThe new arrival at Marine Corps boot camp is called a recruit, or worse, but never a MARINE. Not yet, maybe never. He or she must earn the right to claim the title of UNITED STATES MARINE, and failure returns you to civilian life without hesitation or ceremony.\n\n************************************************************ \nMy Son proudly served with the 31st MEU Marines SOC 1996 /2000
237915
I have 2 kids in the army, they say it, but like, a joke, or whatever. The Marines sound better, cooler. It's too much of a tradition to change it, but yeah, if you could, you would get NO complaint from the Army!
620670
Well now i can not comment on the A.C.L.U because i have no idea what it stands for. But i would like to comment on your comment about a Marine getting mad at you. my comment is POPPYCOCK. that's an English word for Crap. Just as your Entire Fantasy of  the  story you have just told. If that had really happened the way you say it did. I do believe you would never have had time to get out the ACLU card before you hit the ground Unconscious. After the Marine hit you.
109935
##rant starts here##\nIf you leave your post during a time of war you leave your buddies to die. \n\nSimple. Death by hanging.\n\nIn Starship Troopers, robert heinlen put it well. they hung the young man at his basic training site in front of the other troops. That is something that you would only have to see once in a life time.\n\nIf you don't want to join up, thats great don't.\n\nBut if you put on my green and you want to run. I feel that the rope should be the last stop on their out processing.\n\n##rant ends here##
448369
It sounds like it would have been better for you to join the Marines, I work with the Air Force and we talk about the differences in the branches. I'm in the Army myself, I'm not knocking the Air Force at all but, from my understanding it's not so "hi-speed". SERE school is just that a school. Go there do the school and graduate. Then move on, Rangers, Seals are probly the people you want to go to
67391
I was in the Navy on an amphibious assault ship (an LHA). When we went on our 6 month deployment to the western Pacific (WestPac), we would embark about 2000 Marines. About 2/3 of the Marines didn't have a job to do on the sip, so they just worked out and used all our fresh water. \n\nAnyway, someone one day put a sign up on a fan room door stating there would free ice cream at 1300. At 1:00, you should have seen the line of Marines waiting for their ice cream.
160157
I'm a Marine who fought in Iraq.  I'm out now, but you could say I'm lonely in a much different way.  After returning to civilian life, few people understand life in the military, let alone a war.  They don't know what it's like to be shot at, to be the hunter, to be the prey.  It's hard to relate to people sometimes.  But, best to our troops that are fighting the fight now, and for their fight to come.
47362
The US Marine Corps has this down to a science.  I suggest that if you ask one of their recruiters you will be amazed at the detailed answer.
610415
My brother is midway through his 3rd tour right now. I'm liberal, he's...well... he's "property of the Marines" for the next 7 months, but hopefully he'll snap out of it when he's out of harm's way.  Best wishes to you and your brother.
113099
1. Todays operations are primarily Joint, which means one service alone can not win a war... we all work together to defend our country. So we are all "bada" in our special and unque ways and should be proud of our service heritages.\n\n2. With regards to this question...in my humble opinion I think the Marines are a little more "bada" in the conext of the question. Why? \n\n  a. The Marines do 12-18 months tours vs usual 6-month \n     tours for Navy...thougb I admit the Navy at times does \n     longer.\n\n  b. Being on ship is not fun? Even with hot chow, internet \n     service, phones (carriers), cable TV, and an \n     environment protected from severe weather. Sure, I \n     know...it gets hot on a ship...but try being \n     in heavy canvass tents with no air conditioning for a \n     whole year and camel spiders and scorpions your night-\n     time bunk buddies or getting totally drenched in rain\n     or freezing your tail off in sub-zero weather with no \n     heater available.\n\n   c. I have seen a lot of Marines kicking in \n      terrorists/insurgents doors in Iraq and Afghanistan,\n      getting shot at, etc. As far as the Navy? Well,\n      there's the SEALs... right? I have seen a few Navy \n      seabees doing patrols...rare.\n\nThe bottom line is Marines, Sailors, Airmen and Soldiers have all shed their blood for the principles we stand for... WE ARE ALL BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN ARMS...GUARDIANS OF THIS GREAT NATION...WE ARE ALL B-A-D-A IN WHAT WE DO. Though we all have our favorites... mine being the Army.
625496
I was married to a Marine...after any major deployment all you had to do was go to a bar or club, to see all the wives that were crying as the bus left, with another Marine to keep her company.  It is a HUGE problem.
283020
what gives you THAT idea?! They do too shoot weapons in the Boot Camp.  Small arms as well as rifle.  Anybody who stands a roving shipboard watch is also qual'd in weapons handling.
223336
Ahh, another well thought out question from the traitor. Fool, the Marines will never "eat crow". They are doing their job, just like they were trained to do. Unlike yourself, they are not REMF's, who sit around, way back in the rear, far far away from any real combat, then cry about the job they are doing. As if you could do what they're doing.