Almost a marine :(

[Tommy]

Right chaps
im 19 and was set up for having my medical before the PRMC.
now i know that means diddly at the moment with every chance of failing.
But now i have a big dilema. I currently work for a big US firm that has offered my an excellent job in I.T with the wage to match it.
My heart if for the RM but my finances are shot at the moment. And this job could sort my loans out etc...
A: should i sod it and just go for the RM (as my parents will take my loan over until i can pay them back
B:Do this well paid job for a year and sort my finances out before going through the selection process again.

The clever option would be "b" but i dont want to put this financial burden on my parents

What do you think?

[Tommy]

........if i was to choose "A"

sorry missed a bit out

[ratso]

In my opinion you have to rule your own heart and must decide if your parents could afford to support you in your loan.
I was training to be an architect when I joined and would not turn back the clock for anything.
In a year your circumstances will have changed again plus you may loose your elligability for no fault of your own.
Remember one thing if your heart is not 100% you will become one of more than half who join and leave before the Pass out Parade.

Your Heart should be what guides you nothing else other than the determination to finish with a green lid and the Commando flash on your sholders.

[Nomad]

Your shout really. If your only concern is your debt sell your Playstation, Widescreen Telly, DVD, and car (keep the Motorbike never be without one)and pay off the debt, and join up. you won't need them in the corps anyway.

If you are tempted by the money and alure of a position in IT, you will always be tempted and never join, I know my engineers are easily manovered with small financial rewards and position. I served 24 years in the corps and left at the end of my time and walked streight into a high IT position (Engineering Manager) good money and benifits etc...

If you are worth the position in IT you will not lose anything by joining up because if it doesn't work out in the Corps you can always find another better job in IT. If you can't, send me your CV ( http://www.silversands.co.uk ).



_________________
Yours Aye

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: nomad on 2002-01-24 13:09 ]</font>

[Leigh Dowell]

Think hard mate,you are lucky in the fact that you are young and have time to really think about it, you may look back and think "What if?".
Remember, an opportunity missed is an eternity of regret

[ratso]

I once got called a sad git for saying I would give anything to go through basic training again (and be 19 again of course).
That same person bumped into me five years later his parting words, "Oh to be 19 and starting training again".
Once you have been there leaving is the greatest sorrow, but knowing you've been there is the greatest joy no one can take away from you ever.

[Shoulderholster]

Tommy
At the risk of sounding like "Victorian Dad"
take the big money job and get your financial
obligations squared away.
Chances are when you join up you will save Jack S**t,if you like a good run ashore and fast cars your money as a Marine ain't gonna
go very far.
As has been stated before you have time on your side, you've got another eight years before your considered to "old" to join.
But by all means join when you are ready,character wise it will set you up for the rest of your life.This site isn't called
"Once a Marine Always a Marine" for nothing.
Good luck in what ever you choose to do.

[Tommy]

cheers guys
i'll have a ponder on what move i should do next

[John_D]

Hi Tommy
From an older adviser,I have three sons the eldest being 34Yrs,firstly you dont mention if you are an only child.I have had cause to help each of my three sons in one way or another,I dont know the extent of your loans nor do I wish to,in my experience most youngsters around your age have not yet learnt the value of money,you say your parents are prepared to pay off your loans but what will happen if [ god forgive it does not] any thing happens to your parents and your loans are still active.two questions spring to mind

[1] if you are still in training would it effect your ability to carry on.

[2] If you are on active service would it effect your judgements,putting your comrades at risk.

Dont get me wrong I am not trying to turn you off joining the corps,[from what I read on your introdution it is the wisest decision
your have made,] as it has already been stated whilst you are in the corps you will want to keep up with your mate ie going out on leave having a drink [and anything else that goes with it] and if you start borrowing it never stops,the first thing you have to do is to control your spending and knuckle down to some serious thinking.
Sorry if I have offended you in any way but that is the way of the world.
AYE
John_D

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: John_D on 2002-01-28 22:53 ]</font>

[campbell]

Someone once said something like " it is better to live for one hour as a lion than a lifetime as a lamb".

Some other clever dick said "Good fortune favours the bold"

As others have commented here, if the corps and you don't get on, then as an I.T. wizz you will always cut it. What you don't yet comprehend,(if you make it to the green lid,) is the phenomenal feeling of self worth that you will have for the rest of your time. From the moment you hear them saying to your and your troop, "Royal Marines, to your duties, quick march", you will understand.

Good luck.

[Yorkie Malone]

Right another spanner in the works.

Go for your IT job, butif you get back to UK then you could always have a go with the RMR.

They do all the training but over a longer period of time.

I also had two Mne's RMR, who were on the dole, so "joined" for a year and were in my Troop in the FI. They fitted in well and did the job just like a normal (if ever you could find one!!) Royal Marine.

Out of interest I joined for a ten bob bet. That in the days when we had proper money.

SyY

[John_D]

Yorkie do they still give you a queens shilling when you join up?
AYE
John_D

[Mutley]

If you tread the water of life you'll go nowhere. You've got to kick out sometime, but only you can decide if it is for the safety of the shore or into the vast ocean of adventure.

Those debts and flashy lifestyle will eventually drown you!

Good luck

[Argonaught]

Dont mess about, if you want to be a marine
do it!
Ive worried about simular situations in the past and in truth another situation will apear that will get you thinking once youve paid your debts, like do i want to give up this career and go on a course that ive got a 30% chance of passing while earning 10K a year.
Trick is just do it, pay your debts of over as long as you can and dont burden your parents. But whatever you do dont put off something you really want to do for the sake of money as i promise you will regret it.

[Torbay Tug]

Tommy - don't look for someone to blame if things go wrong - it's your decision. I know it sound callous - but only you know what YOU really want - do it! If things go OK youre in clover - if they turn to poop - start again & thank gawd you have time to do so. My grandson is 22 yrs old ! Good luck & god bless!