Becoming an Enlisted Marine

Enlisted Marines make up the majority of the Marine Corps. They are trained to respond whenever necessary and are ready to protect our nation's interests in the air, on the ground and at sea.

Supporting Your Son or Daughter

While away from home, your son or daughter will find a place within the Marine family. He or she will still need your love and support, but brotherhood amongst Marines will keep him or her as safe as possible.

Discussion Topics

Becoming a Marine can be a life-changing decision, and it’s perhaps one of the first adult decisions your son or daughter will make. Talking about it will help you understand his or her reasons to become a Marine.

Recruit and Specialty Training

Marine Corps training happens in several stages. In order to prepare for life as a Marine, your son or daughter must first go to Recruit Training and then to Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) Training (MOS is the term for a Marine's job).

Physical Demands

The physical nature of life as a Marine is widely known. Recruits and Officer Candidates are trained intensely so that they will be ready for its challenges.

Your Role

As a parent or educator, you’ve laid the foundation of character that has led your son, daughter or student to consider the Marine Corps.

The Recruiter's Role

Marines recruit the best and brightest of America's youth by assigning experienced Marines to Recruiting Stations, Recruiting Sub-Stations and Officer Selection Stations across the United States and territories.

Demands on the Family

In order to support the decision to serve, you and your family must consider the realities of life as a Marine: selfless service, the potential to see combat, and time away from home, in addition to the many benefits of Marine Corps service.

Parent and Mentor Groups

Whether your son or daughter is still in the decision process, is waiting to ship to Recruit Training, is a recruit, or is deployed, there is a large Marine community of people who can share their knowledge, feelings and family resources with you.

From a Boy to a Marine

My son is a recruit at Parris Island. Like many mothers, I had dreams of my son going to college, starting a family, buying a home, and living a "normal" life. In fact, I had his whole life planned out for him.

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