Military advice

[Sterling]

Originally Posted by blkevrythng

25S...1yr?

It was 29Y (fixed terminal) when I was in training them it got combined with tactical and and changed to 31S. Yeah, I was in Ft Gordon, Ga for a year and I had to go back again for my Satellite Controller (1C) ASI for another 3 months I think. You needed to enlist for 6 years to get that MOS because the training is so long.

[Evil35th]

You will definitely want to wait to purchase a new Camaro, you will be aboard the Depot for at least 3 months, 10 days boot leave and then another 3 weeks up at Pendelton for MCT. You said you were given the intel occupational field (Marines dont enlist for specific MOS' unless your a reservist) however there are numerous itel MOS' and just as many schools so dont expect to show up in Virginia (Semper Gumby). Once you graduate your school you will finally make it to the "fleet" and you may recieve orders to a unit that is getting ready to deploy so there is more time away. as you can see you could be away from your camaro for almost two years before you ever have a chance to drive it. Instead of buying a new car, take this time to establish yourself financially and put away money for a good down payment. Also as soon as you have the chance join Navy Federal Credit union or USAA as they have awesome loan rates. And one more thing never buy a new car close to a miltary base!

[c_LoW29]

I agree with everyone else though I am in the Coast Guard its the same concept, wait until you recieve your actual orders because no matter what anyone tells you the needs of the service come first especially when it comes to asigning you to a new unit. Good Luck and thank you for your service.

[Sir Nuke]

David, first off, THANK YOU for your Service. 2ndly, as its been said by some others.....wait till get settled and in a more stable spot in your service. With that said......

Welcome to our happy little corner of the net, and to Camaro5. There is a BIG fridge on the back porch with anything you can think of in them...help yourself...of course only take what you can LEGALLY have. Make yourself at home on one of the big fluffy couches, kick your shoes off, put your feet up on one of the tables, yes we are allowed to do that, mom's, dad's, wive's, husband's, girlfriend's and boyfriend's here don't care....and take it easy.



oh...btw....every once in a while a food fight breaks out...so you may not want to wear nice clothes here.

Welcome!!

[garcmol]

Originally Posted by RocketCutlass

Wait to buy the car. First off, you don't know where your ging to be stationed after MOS school. They allow you to pick, but if your choice isn't available they will send you where you are needed. That means you could end up out here where I am. If that happens your brand new Camaro will be sitting somewhere for 2 years being taken care of by your family. Also it will be very hard for you to afford the car. You will not be making much money and you spend a lot of money on military related items you don't get reimbursed for but once a year in the form of a uniform allowance which is $400 and that goes quick. Worry about getting the car after you've settled into your first duty station if you can afford it which will be nearly impossible on a Private/PFC salary. You will be briefed on buying a car and spending money wisely and saving and all that. Listen to every word, believe it or not it's one of very few briefs worth listening to and taking notes on. To answer your main questions though, no you can not have a car during initial training (boot camp, MCT, MOS school). You can have a car at your first duty station if it's not where I'm at or other overseas locations, except Hawaii I believe. My advice is wait, for a long time. Now if your MOS gave you some rediculously insane bonus and you can pay for the car in cash and have money left over, which is very highly unlikely since we are down sizing and they want people out, then by all means get what you want. Good luck, I warn you the Marine Corps is not what you expect, but it's not bad.

Originally Posted by Evil35th

You will definitely want to wait to purchase a new Camaro, you will be aboard the Depot for at least 3 months, 10 days boot leave and then another 3 weeks up at Pendelton for MCT. You said you were given the intel occupational field (Marines dont enlist for specific MOS' unless your a reservist) however there are numerous itel MOS' and just as many schools so dont expect to show up in Virginia (Semper Gumby). Once you graduate your school you will finally make it to the "fleet" and you may recieve orders to a unit that is getting ready to deploy so there is more time away. as you can see you could be away from your camaro for almost two years before you ever have a chance to drive it. Instead of buying a new car, take this time to establish yourself financially and put away money for a good down payment. Also as soon as you have the chance join Navy Federal Credit union or USAA as they have awesome loan rates. And one more thing never buy a new car close to a miltary base!

Listen to the Devil Dogs OP, they know. Don't buy anything you would have to make payments on until you complete training.

Doesn't matter what job you signed up for, you'll be a Rifleman first. Just pack money away for as long as possible. See where you end up and then, maybe.

[classicrockr]

Originally Posted by Krapdavid

I recently enlisted in the marines and I've been considering getting a new camaro. Maybe not right away but in the near future. I was wondering if there were any military personnel on this forum that could give me some advice on what I should do. Should I buy a camaro when I come back or should I buy it and then drive it. More specifically, I'm in California. I know that the school for intelligence is in Virginia. I was wondering if there were any intel marines that could give some advice on that as well. Would I be able to drive my car on base if I'm even going to be on base for my mos. I know this is very vague but I can ask more specific questions when people respond. Thanks in advance.

-David

David - welcome to the Camaro and USMC Family! I was a Corpsman for 20 years before commissioning. Out of 22 years, I've spent 14 with the USMC. You've made a great choice in life - your military family will always be there to help you in any way we can.

I would say to wait until you finish school. You don't want anything detracting your attention for your studies and placing extra stress on your mind. Additionally, you'll have more money for the car once you finish training...that's more for customization if you want to....

[armysig]

No sense in buying a vehicle that's just going to sit. You'll find that you'll be able to get around any base/post pretty easy. Here at Ft. Huachuca everything is with in walking distance on post. There are also a lot of shuttles and cabs that come on post if you need to get somewhere direct.

If you really need a vehicle and will be allowed to have one, I suggest a cheap reliable one while you're at school. You can always sell it to a new recruit just before you leave for your duty station.

[S-eatin-grin]

I bought my first new car right out of boot camp (USMC) but didn't actually have the car as a daily driver until about my 3rd year in because in the Corps YOU WILL TRAVEL...I was a grunt though...maybe it will be different for you but I doubt it because everything in the Corps supports and moves with the grunts. Good part of buying my car was that it was paid-off in 3.5 year on a 5 year loan. I was never short of money while in the Corps (1989-1993) because everything is provided for you (food, housing) as long as you don't blow it on stupid expenses. The car had really low miles. I always looked forward to coming home on leave and driving it. Bad part was not having it available. All the advice on here is good...I'd say to save your money until U are done with your MOS training then put down a sizeable down payment. You have to consider what insurance is going to cost you. Consider having your folks co-sign the loan and put the car in their name so it can go on their insurance (if you arn't going to have the car with you full-time). The other point someone made on here about intel is true...you are set for life in the civilian world if you can stomach living near the capital beltway...more intel agency (CIA, NSA, DIA...and others) employees than you can shake a stick at and they all made nice money. Get a degree while you are in for free while you are at it..

[MichaelH]

ya just wait till you know where and what unit your going to before you get your car. Thats what i did but i still bought mine from ohio and than drove it out to cali. It was cheaper for me that way

[jcollins91106]

Get through your mos school and get to your first unit. I you are financially stable for for it, after all who knows your finances but you. People have money before the military. Good luck !

[lawman007]

Hi Krapdavid,
Doc Lawson here. I was a Corpsman and served with the 1st and 3rd MarDiv for about a year before being stationed to Gtmo. I must admit I had a blast with the Marines. Get it? Anyway, I wish you much luck in your career(Sounds like fun and a great challenge).

In reference to the Camaro, it may not be what you want to hear but, wait, it will be for the best. If you save up your cash you will be able to walk into the showroom and throw the whole bundle on the desk of a flabbergasted salesman. You will also be able to knock a few thousand off and then you can haggle a few more down as well(Negotiate).

I wish you all the best and hope things work out for you, Marine. Semper Fidilis, and Ooh Rah!

[Krapdavid]

Thanks guys. I'll be constantly reading up on these forums and when I get that camaro I'll let you guys know. Thanks for all this good advice. I'll be back to ask more newb questions and I'm sure you guys'll help me out no problem. Thanks to all my military personnel with good advice.

[GB EB]

Wait.
Enough said.

You will be glad you did, and it's worth it....

oops... I kept typing after "enough said".

Sorry.

[chazysoccer11]

Finish BMT and AIT and wait until you get to your official duty station. It will make things way easier. And when you get to your unit and show up with your new Camaro your NCO's will give you a hell of a time guaranteed.