[Bristol's Mommy]

My BF thinks he can just run "away" from his problems.. All of a sudden one day he tells me he wants to join the marines.. I do not even know what to say to this. Im not sure to support him or be mad. I don't know much about the marines and such, but I do know that I hear everyday about American soldiers getting killed over seas and the news in fort hood here recently. Hes even been making phone calls about it too and has hardly talking to me. His mom is giving him a hard time about just everything and he just got a pay cut and we can't afford to move out on our own right now so this is his plan to make it better. Im not sure what to say. I don't really have anyone to talk that has experience with their SO's going into the military or anything.

[KatieHeitman]

I wish I could offer some good advice, but I don't know anything about the marines either. You have every right to be mad that he's not talking to you about it. Running away doesn't solve anything, but I dunno maybe someone else can give a good reason for him to join the marines or what not.

[katidid622]

I wish I had advice. I know I would be upset if DH decided to do this. Yes, it is for a good cause, but I would have a hard time. Let us know how things go! Hopefully some military mamas will be able to help you out.

[Bristol's Mommy]

he just send me a TEXT message saying, "im going to the mall saturday to talk to a recruiter, you can come if you want"

***?? My text message back to him was not very nice and im very pissed off at this point.. I may not be here for him if he goes off to wherever he would be sent to.

[LadyBugMommyof1]

I dated a guy (well before I met DH) who was in the Marines. He was sent to Iraq while we were together. It was hard. But before he will be sent anywhere, he has to go to basic training. The entire process for your BF will be several months (or a year ...can't quite remember how long it will take). Anyhow, it will teach him responsibility & discipline. It definitely would not have been my choice, but my ex really thrived in that environment. The career path of military is nota bad choice, but it does take adjustment & getting used to. I hope other military mamas will have some good advice for you. IMO... You ought to go with him to meet & talk with the recruiter. ..it may help to answer some questions & reservations you are having.

[Bristol's Mommy]

Originally Posted by sladybug

I dated a guy (well before I met DH) who was in the Marines. He was sent to Iraq while we were together. It was hard. But before he will be sent anywhere, he has to go to basic training. The entire process for your BF will be several months (or a year ...can't quite remember how long it will take). Anyhow, it will teach him responsibility & discipline. It definitely would not have been my choice, but my ex really thrived in that environment. The career path of military is nota bad choice, but it does take adjustment & getting used to. I hope other military mamas will have some good advice for you. IMO... You ought to go with him to meet & talk with the recruiter. ..it may help to answer some questions & reservations you are having.

Thanks for ur advice.

[maryslittlelambs]

It's not an easy life, and if you do not feel like your relationship is strong enough now you might face problems. Are you ready to move away from your family? There are definite advantages. It has made me a stronger person, it offers job stability and health insurance, there's the opportunity to travel. I don't know much about marines as DH is Army.
I worry that you have mentioned that you do not see yourself with your boy friend long term. If he's in the military he will have to support Bristol, but they do not make much right off...
I'd go talk to the recruiter with him and make your decision then.

While I think I'd be mad if my husband suddenly made a decision like that on his own and I am know this is going to be a hard thing for you if he does join. But I do think the positives are that joining the Marines may teach him more responsibility, they might help him learn to deal with his problems and not run away from them, and I guess to a point it is some security for your family which is really hard to find these days, especially for people in your age group.

I do think you should go with him to the recruiter, this is going to be a big life altering decision and I think if he's willing to talk to someone about it you being there with him might help him talk to you about it.

[JayEnBe]

I just wanted to say HUGS first off. My DH is a Marine Veteran and I have nothing but good things to come out of his training. After 4 years of armory experience/training in the Marine Corps he now has a well paying job with the police department going on four years. I'm not saying all stories end like that, but there's a good one to start off with Now here's another side. His Dad retired from the Marines after 29 years. He was a bombs expert, and in his career got blown up once (he's alive and well just to let you know). The incident was an accident, and happened during training. Stuff CAN happen, even when we're not at war. There's risks no matter what, but the rewards are awesome.
For DH he grew up in that lifestyle, and understood what it meant so for him he knew it was what he always wanted to do. I have several friends who are still active and on their way towards 10 years in service.

There's an amazing forum for Marine Moms/Wifes/and Girlfriends that I think you should check out. It's called Marine Moms online (Marine Moms Online) it helped me out when I was a new Marine wife and it would give you some support and feedback on any questions you may have. Your BF will get a wealth of information from the local recruiter, just make sure he asks a lot of questions.

[Bristol's Mommy]

Its going to take me time to warm up to this idea. I just never saw it comming, not from him anyway. I already told him I don't think our relationship is strong enough, but If he leaves I want to go with him. I dont want to be alone and Bristol is so young, I don't want him to miss the most important times of her life when he reallys need to be. We have already been fighting about this for a few hours tonight. I think im going to go with him to the recruiter, just because I know nothing about any of this.

But Thanks to all of you for your great advice!

[danniegirl]

If you need to talk with any questions you can pm me anytime. My hubby is in the Army and I am in the Air Force. Like mary says it is tough but in my opinion it is well worth it. Yes there are soldiers over there and what not but anyone can die anytime. I knhow that sounds harsh. My hubby is getting ready to leave for his second deployment.

Now I dont know that much about the Marines i do have a cousin and my step brother is joining the marines. Even though I told him to talk to the recruiters of all branches.

To be honest is he dead set on the Marines if so why that branch. I would definately go with him to talk to the recruiter that will help you a lot. Also see if he will talk with other branches of the military. They are all good. I am biased as i prefer the military as i been in 8 years and only deployed once and it was only 4 months unlike the marines who do 6-8 months and the army who does a year plus. Each branch has benefits. As Bristol will have medical and if you two were married and you are moving with him you can get on post housing which sometimes sucks but when you are starting out its good. (dont get married just for that though).

I noticed that the Air Force is VERY family orientated unlike the Army (maybe its just my husbands unit) The Air Force no matter where i go always let me take care of my kids when i need to with no questions asked.

I am rambling now but the military is my life so like i said if you have any questions what so ever do not hesitate to ask me. I have experience with being in as well as a military spouse.