Reply #10: I had a student who enlisted in the Marines in 2002

[Left_Winger]

First of all he wanted to prove something to himself by making it through boot camp. He did. Then he went on to his "guaranteed" MOS of aircraft mechanic, which he became....

Then he was sent to Iraq with an Air-Wing unit, but owing to the shortage of manpower (i.e. infantry) he was assigned to a line unit as a rifleman during the fight in Fallujah. He will not talk about his experience(s) and I cannot blame him.

One thing Marine recruiters will not, or very reluctantly, tell prospective recruits is that every Marine is first and foremost a rifleman, their assigned MOS is secondary. If they are needed in the field with a rifle, then they must go.

BTW, I served as a Marine from 1976-81.

Everytime a recruiter of any branch is present at my school I "run interference" and try to keep them busy talking to me in lieu of the students; and I am rather adept at this. As the motto of Veterans for Peace states: WAGE PEACE.

VFP has a video available via their website (www.veteransforpeace.org ) entitled: Know Before You Enlist: The Real Deal on Joining the Military.