I want to join the Military. Let me rephrase that. I am going to join the Military. However, at the moment I am not sure which branch. I want to be a sniper, and I understand that I cannot simply become a sniper right after basic. I believe you must be at least a Lance Corporal. Am I correct? I am really wondering which branch I should join. I have narrowed it down to the Marines or the Army. I'm am split 50/50, so any suggestions would be valued greatly.

Another I have worry is corrected vision. I wear contacts... do they accept people with corrected vision to be put in the field? I've been told that a sniper is not allowed to have corrected vision, however I have heard of snipers in Vietnam who wore glasses. I am completely confused on the matter.

I'm not worried about Basic... I am actually looking forward to it. I partly want to join the Marine Corps because of the longer boot camp and the crucible, but I do have a few questions about it. Firstly, I am wondering how long the initial fear lasts. By the next morning has most of it worn off or do you continue to shake in your boots through the entire thing? Secondly I am wondering if the movies I have seen are accurate. I've been told that a drill instructor is not allowed to hit you, however in movies like 'Full Metal Jacket' the recruits are punched numerous times, and my friend's father (a Marine who fought in Vietnam) confirmed the accuracy of this movie. Is it true? Do they hit you?

Sorry for the long post, but thanks for taking the time to read it. I'm pretty unsteady about my future.

Dude, relax. Basic training (Army) or Boot Camp (Marines) is pretty easy. As long as you keep focused, it's a breeze. The second that YOU quit, they quit on you.

It seems like you already made up your mind to join the Marines, and if so, then kudos. You really wouldn't have made a bad choice either way.

As far as US Army snipers, once you are in an Infantry Battalion, you can request to go to sniper school. Be aware, there is probably an Order Of Merit List, so you will have to wait your turn.

As far as contact lenses goes, Army personnel are not allowed to wear contact lenses in a field environment. That's not to say you can't wear your Army-issued BC (Birth Control) Goggles, so-called because youwill NEVER get laid wearing them in public.

In the modern US Military, cadre are not allowed to physically abuse recruits. All that Hollywood stuff might have applied twenty years ago, but not today.

If you're ultimate goal is to become a sniper, and that is the main reason you are joining, don't join at all.

If you want to serve your country, and eventually have hopes of becoming a sniper and feel you wouldn't want to serve more than four years without the designator, go Army. You'll have a better chance (if you're infantry) of getting a slot at Benning sniper school. You'll have to qualify, and then be selected. If you want more detailed training, you would have to be in SOF; Rangers, SF.

If you want to be a Marine, go into the Marine Corps. Right now, you have little or no chance of getting S/S in the Corps. That isn't to say in four years you won't have a chance, but you better be happy with being a Marine grunt.

As for BCT/Boot camp .. they can't hit you, they aren't even supposed to curse anymore .. and God forbid they deny you a head call. Thanks to all of the cry baby tattletails and their rich Mommy's and Daddy's out there.

As to your vision, it depeneds on what your sight is. I wore contacts during sniper school. My eyes kept getting infected from the dirt, and my classes were scratched all to hell .. so I ended up using the optics to compensate. It was never a problem.

Make sure you talk to both an Army and Marine recruiter .. find out what information you can from them. A lot of your questions can be answered that way, and whatever is left .. you can find active or prior service to assit you with.

Your screen name would lead one to believe you were already a sniper .. may want to rethink that.

Thanks for the info everyone.

Rnder, can army snipers get into the USMC scout/sniper school?

You'll be fine if you really want it. But I know Marine boot camp is hell. It will be hard and it's supposed to be, but if that's what you want, you'll make it. However, be prepared to be punched in the face, choked, etc. I know 2 guys who just got back from Parris Island a couple weeks ago and they said it happened all the time. Plus the fear thing. It lasts, believe me it lasts! But you can make it through! That's the biggest thing. These guys said they saw people wetting their pants in front of the DIs almost every day, literally. But don't let that scare you! They absolutely loved it and thought it was the best thing for them. So if that's what you want go for it all the way!

An edit on the physical violence thing. They can only hit you if you bring your hands above your waist when they are within a certain number of feet of you. So as long as you learn quickly about things like that you'll be fine.

Rnder, can army snipers get into the USMC scout/sniper school?

Yes, sure can. Can even attend the Royal Marines sniper course.

You'll be fine if you really want it. But I know Marine boot camp is hell. It will be hard and it's supposed to be, but if that's what you want, you'll make it. However, be prepared to be punched in the face, choked, etc. I know 2 guys who just got back from Parris Island a couple weeks ago and they said it happened all the time. Plus the fear thing. It lasts, believe me it lasts! But you can make it through! That's the biggest thing. These guys said they saw people wetting their pants in front of the DIs almost every day, literally. But don't let that scare you! They absolutely loved it and thought it was the best thing for them. So if that's what you want go for it all the way!

I'll be sure to pass this info along to the DIs at Parris Island, I'm sure they would LOVE to know this.

Oh, thats cool. One of the reasons i wanted to join the Marines (Not the only, mind you) was because i heard they had an advanced S/S. Thanks for that bit of information.

Originally Posted by RnderSafe

I'll be sure to pass this info along to the DIs at Parris Island, I'm sure they would LOVE to know this.

Hehe, yeah I'm only repeating what I heard, I wasn't there! However, I'm pretty sure these guys were being truthful. Then again, they are also young teenage hoorah marines who want to make themselves look tough... so you know how it goes...

Ok.... 'nother question just entered my head. Not that it's much of a concern, but what if you simply cannot do the given ammout of pushups or situps? If you're told to do 50 pushups and you're a faot oaf and simply cannot do them, what do they do? My thought is that people can always be pushed hard enough to do the required amount. I know i would be, but still...