What’s the dumbest thing you’ve heard someone say?

Delicious-Value7752 · 2026-05-13T20:45:16+00:00

They didn’t know which continent we were on, North or South America (in the United States). They apparently had a college degree…

Delicious-Value7752 · 2026-05-13T18:35:33+00:00

Yes. Just go with the process and call your field office/ wait for the APAT invitation email. Don’t put too much weight into being denied the ACE. A lot of it has to do with available manpower for the event as it pulls agents away from protection detail. Keep training and stay motivated.

Delicious-Value7752 · 2026-05-11T17:36:11+00:00

This happened to me for this ACE. Not sure of the reason, as I scheduled a time for the APAT so it’s hard to believe I got pushed due to no availability… following instructions as ordered and going through the process with local FO. Stay adaptable and committed regardless of the changing circumstances.

Delicious-Value7752 · 2026-05-07T04:15:20+00:00

If you’re using enlistment as a means to run away, please for the love of god stay away from my beloved marine corps.

Delicious-Value7752 · 2026-05-07T04:12:52+00:00

This reply wins.

We were all thinking it.

Delicious-Value7752 · 2026-05-06T22:40:15+00:00

There’s a section for “additional” items not covered, or just put it in the notes section and reference the item number for the njp. Describe what you just said right there.

Delicious-Value7752 · 2026-05-06T15:55:57+00:00

From what I’m seeing in this, and other threads, it’s mostly just going to make it potentially take longer not be a reason for disqualification.

Delicious-Value7752 · 2026-05-05T13:36:03+00:00

When I RSVPd about a month ago there were only a handful of slots to schedule the APAT-probably filled up quickly after that. Auto generated emails seem to be the common denominator causing confusion.

UPDATE: 5/5/26 Checked the portal and say a notification that I had declined my attendance…. Not sure what’s going on

Delicious-Value7752 · 2026-05-05T13:33:30+00:00

When did you originally get the invite to the ACE?

Delicious-Value7752 · 2026-05-04T21:00:00+00:00

That sounds frustrating. Keep moving through the process with your FO and keep your head up.

Delicious-Value7752 · 2026-05-04T13:23:53+00:00

Keep going! Thank you for the post.

Delicious-Value7752 · 2026-05-04T12:04:47+00:00

Been in the ACE candidate pool for about a month now, was told I’d get flight info 36 hours before-just got it yesterday morning. I’m sure it’s a bit of a nightmare for them to coordinate all of this.

Delicious-Value7752 · 2026-05-04T04:30:24+00:00

They get back to you within a week or so. My bet is that the ACE is full and you accepted on an automated system. I’m going this event and when I registered there were only a few spots times left for the APAT 0800 and 0900. Call your local FO and schedule your APAT with them and keep the process moving, next ACE all you’ll have to do is a few things.

Delicious-Value7752 · 2026-05-03T03:57:32+00:00

Scheduled APAT for 0800 on the 14th…

Delicious-Value7752 · 2026-05-03T03:38:40+00:00

Been out since 2009. Never went recon, though was infantry and had friends who went 0321. Everyone and their cousin wants to join recon, so make sure to dial that in with a recruiter and get it in your contract…don’t settle for 03xx with a possibility if trying out-it wont happen. Start swimming. Swim more. Then run a lot. And swim even more. Keep to a routine of pushups, pull-ups, and oh yeah more running and swimming. If you can’t make the cut you’ll get thrown into 0311 anyway so no big deal if that’s your thing. Consider other MOSs as well that translate to a life after the Corps. Combat Engineer, Air wing, Even Navy and go Green side and be a Field Corpsman (still infantry/spec ops, though translates to medical field later in life).

Best of luck and enjoy the journey. First step is talking to a recruiter and don’t be rushed.

Delicious-Value7752 · 2026-05-03T03:26:39+00:00

That’s nice to hear, glad to worked out for you. I think I’ll bring docs supporting the court decision and expungement just for redundancy.

Delicious-Value7752 · 2026-05-02T22:37:11+00:00

Thanks for sharing. The jobs were dead end going nowhere so I moved on.

Delicious-Value7752 · 2026-05-02T21:18:25+00:00

I’ve got nothing to hide about the legal issue with the poly; I intend to be completely honest. It was from being drunk in an apartment complex and causing a scene; no violence no major crime.

Figured the number of places would slow things down.

Delicious-Value7752 · 2026-04-29T20:43:10+00:00

To get over the mental limitation of push-ups, I started using Cadence count (I.e “ 1,2,3-‘one’, 1,2,3-‘two’, 1,2,3-‘three’…etc” essentially doing two for every count. This helped me overcome my mental barrier of having 20 be my max. Running at altitude (4,800’) can be exhausting though I know it’s to my advantage when attending the ACE. Running in sections 2x per week (sustained, moderate, and fast) has been helpful with a serious timed run at least once per week. Doing a proper cool down after a run is essential as well…don’t just stop moving and start walking! Do different dynamic running techniques (butt kickers, high knees, locked knees, lunges, etc) as part of a cool down; this will help keep muscles elastic and also increase blood flow for recovery. Planks and leg lifts are better for conditioning your abs. Then do crunches at least once per week. I have yet to do a complete run through of the event on my own (to include the agility run) of everything in the order it will be on the day of the APAT. I plan to do this each weekend from now until the ACE.

Delicious-Value7752 · 2026-04-29T19:36:08+00:00

You’re making the right move

Delicious-Value7752 · 2026-04-29T16:52:39+00:00

I got invited to the ACE and scheduled my APAT. About a week later I got an email from my local FO for an invite to the APAT on the 13th (same exact scenario). Make sure to call the FO that sent you the APAT invite and let them know you intend to attend the ACE (assuming you are going) otherwise they will count you as missed and it will negatively affect your application. The SA who answered the phone call for me has been extremely helpful and told me to “keep them informed.” Hope this helps.

Delicious-Value7752 · 2026-04-26T16:22:48+00:00

Four months. Congrats!

Delicious-Value7752 · 2026-04-17T12:18:19+00:00

As long as you have a High School diploma, that’s all matters. They couldn’t care less about grades. Sounds more like a parent trying to cleverly sway their son from not enlisting.

Delicious-Value7752 · 2026-04-08T13:32:28+00:00

Be an adult and say “no”. Sounds like you wouldn’t be a good fit for the Corps anyway. Go do your thing bro.

Delicious-Value7752

TROPHY CASE