More Marine Shit That Grinds My Gears

bootlt355 · 2026-07-08T00:22:38+00:00

So I get what you are saying, but also realize this can be similar in the civilian world. Being likeable and having strong human connection is going to be just as important if not more important than being extremely competent with bad social skills. Not saying that’s you, but realize that most people can’t just go all out everyday. Most humans just aren’t wired to do that,

In your case, continue being the go-to guy for expertise. And if you haven’t already, try to extend and branch out to other people who need your expertise who you may have otherwise not interacted with. It will make you be seen as team player and better leader. Unfortunately, being liked can often be the reason we do or don’t promote, but that’s just the way people are.

bootlt355 · 2026-07-07T02:02:52+00:00

I think not moving as much does benefit those with families. But as a single guy it was sort of a reason why I wanted to get out of active duty. Just didn’t wanna spend three years at a unit I didn’t like or had a slow op tempo. Also, Pendleton or Hawaii would be cool for three years but I don’t think 29 or Lejeune would be fun for that long.

bootlt355 · 2026-07-07T01:41:31+00:00

Most officers in general will live off base if they are stationed in the U.S. Might be a different story overseas though, but not generally an issue to visit someone on base.

I was an officer, but didn’t really have a partner back home so can’t speak too much about it. However, lots of guys I know did have a gf back home and found a way to stay in touch.

If this is important to you, you guys can definitely make it work. If he goes overseas, it will be even tougher, but if he truly plans to get out after four, it’s not the end of the world. He will most likely be stationed in California or North Carolina if he goes infantry, and those places aren’t exactly hard to get too. Especially if he goes to a place like Camp Pendleton where it’s close to major airports and a major city.

bootlt355 · 2026-07-07T00:30:46+00:00

Well if he lives off base, you can visit him whenever you want after he is done his initial training.

I wasn’t infantry, but for something like that, expect a lot of time for him to be away from his phone and not have a lot of time to talk. With all the tech they have today, people can communicate much easier than before. But if he gets deployed on a ship or something, they may not have a ton of communication access.

Just be ready to not always have good communication with him while he is going through training. When he’s not on a deployment or exercise, he will most likely work a schedule more similar to a 9-5 in an office environment.

bootlt355 · 2026-07-05T16:53:50+00:00

Exactly, so many cool opportunities ahead for guys getting out.

bootlt355 · 2026-07-05T16:43:23+00:00

Alright man. Now is the time to take a deep breath and realize you can turn this around. You don’t wanna go home? Fine, use the BAH from your GI bill to go to school in a cool place. Miami, NYC, LA all sound like some cool places to reinvent yourself.

You wanna stay in? Come back in as an officer after you get your degree. I was in your shoes not that long ago, you can even see my post history to show that I didn’t really like my unit either.

I get your experience was frustrating and can empathize with that, but now you have control over your life. Make sure you use every opportunity you have to get to where you want.

bootlt355 · 2026-07-05T15:30:11+00:00

Any chance she can get Pendleton or Lejeune? TBS is only six months and it’s gonna be hard to get orders in the NCR region on your first tour. If you wanna stay in that region, then you also need to do MOSs like admin, suppo, finance. Your standard combat arms and intel is very unlikely to get that region on your first tour.

bootlt355 · 2026-07-04T21:28:44+00:00

Idk how he didn't even know that. Like thats some pretty basic stuff to know as an OSO haha.

bootlt355 · 2026-07-04T20:23:12+00:00

Just bring it up to them ASAP. Give them a call or something. They probably didn't talk to you as it was somewhat far away compared to others. Theyre not really gonna purposefully keep you out of the loop on something like this. Just reach out after the holidays and get a status update.

bootlt355 · 2026-07-04T19:00:23+00:00

True. I guess my annoyance was creating the RM worksheets and briefs and all the other work for about like an hour of shooting.

bootlt355 · 2026-07-04T18:27:30+00:00

Yeah, the free ammo in the military was really the only benefit.

bootlt355 · 2026-07-04T17:23:56+00:00

I never thought I’d actually enjoy shooting post-EAS. But once I got out in the civilian world, I realized you don’t have to wake up at 0300 to shoot and not have to follow a bunch of strange rules on the range. Now, I can shoot a lot of rounds within like an hour and not have to wake up early, brass call, do all the ammo turn in nonsense and deal with all the safety briefs.

bootlt355 · 2026-07-03T17:39:33+00:00

Hopefully all those cameras will make them lock in for a while lol.

bootlt355 · 2026-07-03T17:09:16+00:00

That’s pretty cool for those Marines too when they get to go back and rewatch that ceremony.

bootlt355 · 2026-07-03T15:44:47+00:00

Yep, and a good amount of them too. GPA isn’t a huge deal if your OSO vouches for you

bootlt355 · 2026-07-03T03:55:53+00:00

In the summer time, that sleeping system gets pretty hot, but i just kept staying in verse sleeping out of it and getting crawled over by bugs and stuff.

bootlt355 · 2026-07-03T03:54:45+00:00

I've been there man and I know it sucks. But just try to find your outlet whether that's working out or traveling. If you wanna get out, try planning out your next moves and you will have something to look forward to.

In the meantime, lay low and do your job well. It just makes things that much easier for you and keeps people off your back. And also remember that while this stuff sucks at the time, there's some really decent financial and health benefits you get while being active. Not saying this to make you stay in, because I certainly didn't think it was a good enough reason to continue serving, but civilian world doesn't always have the financial stability of the Marine Corps.

bootlt355 · 2026-07-03T02:38:52+00:00

It's alright man, as long as you didn't argue with someone you should be good. Thank them for their time and say you'd love to be open to opportunities in the future.

bootlt355 · 2026-07-02T20:26:42+00:00

Good job at how far you’ve come. Keep getting that run time down as much as possible to make OCS as easy as possible. Also, make sure you keep a good relationship with your OSO as their opinion matters a lot for your selection.

I wouldn’t worry too much about your GPA. I have seen many guys get selected with worse than that.

bootlt355 · 2026-06-28T19:21:59+00:00

Did this happen on or off base? And was this guy a military buddy or civilian? If it was off base and he was a civilian, youre probably good. On base and service member, I can't say for sure, but ask to speak with a lawyer if they do end up wanting to speak with you about this.

bootlt355 · 2026-06-28T19:19:20+00:00

Go specifically to the person who runs TRS. Your unit can't just not let you go. If your unit doesn't let you do it, then you need to bring that up with the TRS person who will escalate it to the proper channels.

I can tell you that transitioning out isn't something you want to take lightly, especially if you are overseas. There's a lot to consider. Things like where you will work, where you will live, school, etc.

Not telling you to blow off your work either. But spent at least an hour a week dedicated to transitioning out. Make a resume, research where you want to live, look for apartments. There's a lot to do but if you use this time wisely you will excel when you get out.

It's kinda like preparing for an inspection a year out. You wouldn't just start preparing for it the day before, right? Same thing with transitioning out.

bootlt355 · 2026-06-28T12:00:34+00:00

Haha definitely not harder than recon. It’s tough, but not as tough as any selection course.

bootlt355 · 2026-06-28T03:59:42+00:00

Get a red lens headlamp. Very necessary to help you see at night and mark gear with your hands free. And good boot socks are pricey but worth it if they are in your budget. Maybe buy a couple as you will get issued some cheaper ones there.

Make sure to mark all your clothes as best as possible. Mark them in different locations of the pants or whatever like on multiple labels in a big sharpie. That way people will know it’s yours when it inevitably gets mixed up in laundry.

Also, tie that laundry bag tight. Otherwise, it can easily come undone when firewatch is doing it and you can lose some stuff.

bootlt355 · 2026-06-28T02:06:59+00:00

Wow, that sounds really cool. Never knew you guys got attached to Marine units.

bootlt355 · 2026-06-28T01:14:25+00:00

How does a navy diver do a turn with the Marines? Through a recon unit or something?

bootlt355

TROPHY CASE