<p>BRM21o,
I am, like yourself a LCpl (Lance Crimial of the Marine Corps). I'm with II MEF disbursing right now, out of Camp Lejeune. When we're not deployed we've got a pretty lazy job which is why I was able to put together such a good application to the academy. Unless they let me stay on my current deployment team and leave Iraq early I will not have any sand box time. Which sucks...no chest candy...because as we all know...going to war is pretty much just about getting a sweet stack. What about you...what's your MOS? Where were you before NAPS?</p>
<p>I'm a Cpl over here at MCAS Miramar. I just finished my package a couple weeks ago (I was deployed and I didn't even start the app until after the 31 January deadline, but they extended it for me). Anyway, I got the Nomination but I haven't heard back about the Appointment yet, so I'm kinda bitting my finger nails and checking my inbox constantly ;-). Thought I'd go ahead and get in on this thread just in case I get appointed. There is one thing I've been trying to find out, and that's whether or not time at a mid counts for Time In Service (i.e. retirement, etc.) Do any of you guys happen to know?</p>
<p>Time as a mid is NOT creditable for retirement purposes or pay purposes while on active duty . . . BUT, IF you retire, your time as a mid is added back INTO your TIS. Thus, if you do your 20, you will retire with 24yrs for pay purposes. </p>
<p>"going to war is pretty much just about getting a sweet stack"</p>
<p>what is a "sweet stack?" A Marine friend of mine is about to be deployed to Iraq for the 3rd time--he doesn't seem to have the same outlook on anything called a "sweet stack".</p>
<p>a "sweet stack" is simply referring to the medals that you receive when you are deployed....GWOT Service / Expeditionary, Sea Service Deployment, and anything else you might pick up on the way. And I was simply being sarcastic in my statement. The more awards you receive the more you realize it's not about the ribbons and medals....besides...the more you get the more expensive it is every time you need to get new ones...I just spend 80 dollars this weekend to get everything I needed to wear my blues to a wedding. ouch.</p>
<p>While you may have merely been sarcastic in your comments, those of us who have lost loved ones in the current confilct cannot take your flippant comments with the same cavalier attitude with which they were stated. They are downright offensive.</p>
<p>A former student of mine is currently "stationed" at Walter Reed Naval Hospital while he learns how to use his new prosthetic arm and leg. His limbs were blown off by a RPG which hit the right side of the Humvee in which he was riding. No amount of "chest candy" will replace those dreams of a 21 year old which were shattered along with his limbs. </p>
<p>I know that oftentimes people cover their fears with bravado. But please, out of courtesy for those of us who participate in this forum whom you don't know and whose background you cannot possibly be aware of, keep those comments for social gatherings where you know your audience. </p>
<p>please accept my apologies. I too have lost many close friends in the war on terrorism. We as Marines have to force ourselves to detach from the awful truth that is war. We do so by making light of the situations we continually face. If we concentrated on the evil, and devastating loss that is brought about by the onset of war we would be unable to continue fighting for the freedoms we all hold so dearly. It is sort of a "the only thing to fear is fear itself" situation, so we attempt to backburn the fear -- which is so prevelant in our day to day lives as servicemen and women of the United States -- in order to head fearlessly towards the enemies of our great nation who attempt to jeopordize our way of life.</p>
<p>I absolutely understand the need to detach oneself from the awful truth of war.<br>
But those of us on this forum have a much different frame of reference than those of you who have put yourselves in jeopardy protecting our freedoms. That is why I say to be careful of what you say when you do not know your audience.<br>
The jokes you all tell and "making light" of your situation is a perfectly acceptable way of maintaining your sanity in light of the horrors you face, when shared among those in the same circumstances.<br>
It is when the conversation extends to those of us that do not have that same experience, that it becomes offensive.
I wish you well in your Academy experience.
"Fair winds and following seas."
CM</p>
<p>USNAmarine09,
I'm a a prior enlisted Navy doc and i applied to the academy. I have to go direct because of my age, I was wondering what where your stats when you applied academic and military? my SAT scores were 680V 580M, i know the math is a little low but i was told i still would be looked at, what do you think?</p>
<p>USNA Marine 09, I would like to offer you my sincere gratitude for serving our country & in giving me and my family the freedom we all enjoy due to that service. I did not get the impression that you were making light of our countrymen dying but rather that you are just living life like we all must do to get by. My heart bleeds red, white and blue for those who gave their all but know that you guys that are still with us are a breed apart and do what you have to do to fight the good fight. As to your "sweet stack", you deserve all the recognition we can give you for doing what you do and I wish you the best of luck in ALL you want to do!!</p>
<p>Doc,
It looks like your scores are good. I had to take a direct admission too because of my age...I'll be 23 in september. Are you taking any classes off duty? It doesnt really matter what they are (i took Business Law and Macroeconomics). Also, command recommendations are very important. Don't feel bad about getting as many officers to send recommendations as possible. I think I had about 6 or so recommendations on top of the 2 that were necessary. I've heard that applications are really low this year too, so put together a full application with as much as you can. They mostly want to see you working hard. Is your rep Chief Maxwell? that's who I went through, I think all the E-dogs go through him. Make sure you tell him over and over how much you want it. He helped me out a lot. I must have talked to him atleast once or twice a week, and more as I was finishing up my app. If you've got any more questions let me know. I'll do anything to help out a doc.</p>
<p>USNAmarine09,
thanks for the input, that gives me a little sigh of relief. My rep is Chief Maxwell too, he has been very helpful with my app. My app has been completed since Nov. but it hasn't been to the board because i want to put as much into as i can. I'll be sure to update you when i find out my status, hopefully we can be shipmates one day in the class of 09!</p>