Marine Corps Enlistment from High School

Many young men and women enlist in the Marine Corps directly after graduating from high school. Anyone 17 years of age or older can join, though 17-year-olds need parental permission. The benefits of enlisting in the Marines include health care, life insurance, 30 days of paid vacation a year, and in many cases, housing and all of the perks of living on a base, including a food commissary and free use of recreation facilities.

Another attractive benefit of joining the military is the money available for college. The Montgomery GI Bill, enacted in 1944 to assist veterans of World War II, helps servicemen and women finance their educations, supporting them for up to 36 months in a college or university, trade school, correspondence courses, or flight school. The typical payment is $528 a month, though the amount varies with length of service, and it is good for up to ten years after a Marine ends his or her active duty.

Anyone who is considering enlistment should spend time talking to their local Marine recruiter who can lay out the nuances of the many programs offered. For example, two people can enlist together and be eligible for the "buddy deal," which insures that they will be stationed together and can qualify them for advanced rank and pay. The Quality Enlistment Program offers geographic choice in exchange for a six-year commitment. There is an enlistment option for musicians as well as "delayed entry," usually employed by high school students who wish to postpone the beginning of their active duty until after they graduate. Highly qualified applicants could be candidates for the Enlistment Options Program, which features cash bonuses and accelerated training programs.

When a person enlists directly out of high school, he or she has the rank of private. The first step in an enlisted Marine's career is basic training, better known as boot camp. Recruits spend 12 weeks being called "maggot" in either the Parris Island Recruit Depot in South Carolina or the San Diego Recruit Depot in California. They are up at five every morning for a day of marching drills, combat training, rifle instruction, and education in the history and traditions of the Corps.

With time and good performance, Marines are promoted through corporal, sergeant, master sergeant, and sergeant major levels, and pay is increased accordingly. Enlisted Marines who excel and want to join the officer ranks - a move that earns them the unofficial title of "mustang" - can do so by attending Officer Candidate School alongside of those seeking a commission out of college.

A high school diploma or equivalent is required for enlistment in the Marines. Enlistees also must take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test, which covers reading, math, science, and mechanics skills. Aside from the academic requirements, enlistees must be United States citizens and meet moral and physical standards.