Is it too early to start talking to a recruiter at 16?

Question

I'm 16 years old and I'm pretty certain I want to join the Marine Corps. I'm turning 17 in July.

Answer 1

Do not call your local recruiter YET.

Do some research on www.marines.com, www.military.com, and talk to recent veterans. I say this because, when you meet a recruiter and have at least one sheet full of detailed questions - they will be impressed, and under the impression that you are serious. Often we forget once entering the office! I have lol. Oh more more thing! Make a list of your educational goals in life, your lifetime goals as well (excluding the military, ill explain later), and what you'd like to improve about yourself. Now, I'll explain why. Compare the route to obtaining the most of your life, with a college education first - and enlistment in the Marines. Can the USMC offer you the opportunity to execute everything you've set to achieve? If the answer is yes, then welcome to the United States Marine Corp. We're proud to have you!

Also, I believe the Marines have a split option. You enlist at 17 with your parents permission, go to boot camp that summer. Once you graduate, you'll report to the USMC. The National Guard and Army Reserve has an option that may appeal to you too! its called ESC, when you attend college uninterupted for up to 4 years and recieve assistance pay. Look into when you get the chance! Good luck and God bless!

Answer 2

yes, they will start calling you near your 18th BD.

Answer 3

What is it that you think a recruiter is gonna tell you if your already set on enlisting?

A recruiter should only do your paperwork..All other questions can be answered through many sources available today. When your ready to enlist and you have your 3 MOS choices decided on go down and see him and tell him what you want..

If not hes gonna fill your mind with double talk and this and that. But if you feel you need to go hear him speak then by all means go right ahead.

Answer 4

So you just turned 16 last month. No judgment - just clarifying.

As for talking to the recruiter, yea.  I can see that.

ME- I was talking to the recruiters at your age but then I was 3rd Generation military dependent

Make yourself FULLY cognizant on what your aims are.  BEFORE, DURING and AFTER Military Service.

Don't get too darn serious but do your OWN INTEL -

1. Gather your own data about what you want to do in the Corps and against the duties of that MOS for the other services as well.  The internet is one helluva starting point.

2. Make yourself a PRO / CON sheet. What works for you and doesn't.

3. No matter which military branch, you need to get into shape.

BUT DO NOT forget to be a teenager and have fun now.

Do NOT take it too seriously and unless the Military gives you EXACTLY what you want or can live with the deviation from YOUR PLAN... DO NOT SIGN anything!.  

Good Luck

Answer 5

It's never too early to talk to a recruiter in my opinion. I started thinking about joining the Marine Corps when I was 16 too. Talked to the recruiters for a while, then did a lot of research on my own. Make sure you know everything there is to know, pros, cons, MOS's, just your research. Then what I did is when I turned 17, I talked to the recruiters again and went to MEP's got DEP'ed in and got a ship date and all. And I've never been more excited for anything to happen than this.