Marines Vs Mission? Need Help!

[kirby101]

Thanks in advance for reading.

Anyhoo, here's my problem. I've reached the ripe ol' age of 19. Nearly 20, in fact, but that's besides the point. I've come to a rather odd path, and I'm really not sure what I should do.

I've been speaking to a marine recruiter, and the entire thing sounds great and all. Go to the basic trainings, then I can do the whole mission thing after those, then come back and finish up my 6 years. The mission would take off the 2 years of inactive duty they'd tack onto the end, which would be nice, and I'd get the money from training and the enlistment bonus to help me out. Training would also help me with my confidence, discipline, self esteem, as well as a handful of other mental/emotional things that I've had problems with over the last few years.

Now, while this sounds good to me, I've talked to a few others, and most of them have been really negative about the whole thing. My dad, especially. His main argument is that boot camp and training aren't good for spiritual growth and the like, and is otherwise not a good place to be if I'm prepping for my mission. On the other hand, I don't see how I could possibly be a good missionary without getting some of the aforementioned skills before I get out there.

I'll still be able to go to church, and read my scriptures, and stuff like that... It's just that I would be in boot camp, rather than at home with them.

I've gotten a lot of opinions, and some other fairly sound advice... it's just that... I don't know what's going to happen over the next 8 years, and as such... I'm hesitant to pick either one.

I'm still kind of leaning towards going through the start of the marine's program first, and then going through my mission, and returning and finishing up.

Any thoughts would be highly welcomed!

[BenRaines]

As a returned missionary and a Marine I think I can answer that question with some qualification.

I went to my Bishop in 1972. With a strong patriotic fervor I too wanted to be one of the Few and the Proud. My Bishop gave me this counsel. He said "Go on your mission first, after two years you can come back, enter the Marine Corps and continue doing missionary work". If you enter the Marine Corps first you will most likely never go on a mission as a young man." What wisdom that man had. He had served in the Army as a young man. I was able to serve the Lord first and then my country.

That was my experience. Good luck making your own decision.

Ben Raines

Semper Fi

[mom_of_jcchlsm]

I served in the Air Force. I know several people who were able to enlist, do basic and tech school, then serve missions, and return to active duty. I think all the people I know who did this were Army.

I have to agree with Ben, that serving your mission first would be best, though. Here are a few reasons:

1) We are a nation at war. No matter what your contract says, the needs of the military come first. Once you've been sworn in, circumstances may change and you may not be released.

2) If you think you need the didcipline and confidence you'd learn in the Corps before you serve your mission, you are probably selling yourself short. If you are the sort of person who will enjoy the military lifestyle, all that is already inside you. A few months of having someone else wake you up is not going to make you get up on your own during your mission, and the bearing and confidence of a Marine, though worked on in basic, don't fully mature until later, after years of service.

3) Surrounding yourself with a young, single, wild crowd is going to put you at risk. I lived in the dorms at a mixed-service tech school for nearly a year. What I saw and heard was an education in debauchery. On duty and off duty, young servicemembers are two different animals.

4) We tithe from our firstfruits. In other words, we serve the Lord first, then enrich our lives from the remainder.

5) The benefits that serving a mission will bring to military service far outweigh the benefits military service will bring to serving a mission, IMHO.

I guess what it boils down to is that if you serve your mission first, you've done it, and nothing is stopping you from entering the military and giving it your all. If you enter the military first, there are too many possible reasons why you might never put in your papers for a mission.

[sharyll]

I think it is wonderful that you want to serve your country. I do not know if it is possible for you to be a chaplain but that might be a route to look at. Otherwise I would agree with the advice here. I would say go on your mission first and then go into the service. I have not been in the service but am a Navy wife. My husband was fortunate to get support from churches he has attended and grown from there but that is not always been the case. I am not a member of the church and my husband isn't either. I am talking from a Prodestant background. Because of that my husband has struggled to find a church that he felt that helped him grow in his spiritual walk. From my experience serving on a mission with a christian organization that helped fly people in and out of remote areas, having been overseas where I had support from church and other missionaries helped prepare me to be a Navy wife. I cannot imagine it the other way around. I also know someone in my husband's command who did not do a mission first, got married young and been in the service has struggled with following the commandments. He just recently went back to the lds church after being involved with the wrong crowd which is very easy to find in the service. I think he has struggled with feeling different. I think going on a mission and growing in your relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus are going to make you stronger and able to handle the temptations that the service brings with it.

Sharyl

I served in the Air Force. I know several people who were able to enlist, do basic and tech school, then serve missions, and return to active duty. I think all the people I know who did this were Army.

I have to agree with Ben, that serving your mission first would be best, though. Here are a few reasons:

1) We are a nation at war. No matter what your contract says, the needs of the military come first. Once you've been sworn in, circumstances may change and you may not be released.

2) If you think you need the didcipline and confidence you'd learn in the Corps before you serve your mission, you are probably selling yourself short. If you are the sort of person who will enjoy the military lifestyle, all that is already inside you. A few months of having someone else wake you up is not going to make you get up on your own during your mission, and the bearing and confidence of a Marine, though worked on in basic, don't fully mature until later, after years of service.

3) Surrounding yourself with a young, single, wild crowd is going to put you at risk. I lived in the dorms at a mixed-service tech school for nearly a year. What I saw and heard was an education in debauchery. On duty and off duty, young servicemembers are two different animals.

4) We tithe from our firstfruits. In other words, we serve the Lord first, then enrich our lives from the remainder.

5) The benefits that serving a mission will bring to military service far outweigh the benefits military service will bring to serving a mission, IMHO.

I guess what it boils down to is that if you serve your mission first, you've done it, and nothing is stopping you from entering the military and giving it your all. If you enter the military first, there are too many possible reasons why you might never put in your papers for a mission.

[Nate]

On my mission I had a comp who had done what your thinking of but it was the Army. Right when he got home off his mission he went to Afganastan. He was an awsome missionary and had a maturity that most other Elders did not. I on the other hand went on a mission then joined the Army. My mission helped me get through boot camp and made me a better soldier.

I did notice one thing in military training. It splits people in two. Either you get "jail house religion" or you fall into the rest of the mainstream with profanity and casual conversation about inappropriate comments. I actually baptized a guy in my basic and then again I saw a lot of guys come in who professed faith and acted with dignity but by the end had mouths like sailors and turned into the type you wouldn't want in the same room with your mom cause it would make you uncomforatable. I was the only trainee that didn't cuss and eventually I kind became the spiritual backbone of my platoon. My role was almost of a chaplin. I completely contribute that to my mission. Through my whole training by the end I had taken about 1/2 the platoon with me to church.

"All of us are put against the grinder of life. We will either break down or buff out with a shine depending upon what we are made of" Unknown

[jonathan.plumb]

I recently (well 2 years ago) went through basic training for the Infantry at A-258 (which to all rumor beliefs is equivalent to Marine training, though I can't confirm that). I also did not go on a mission because of my own worldly ambitions. Instead I met my wife, got married, lived for a year or so before joining the Army. I can tell you a few things in this situation:

1) Basic training has 0 spirit. And I mean ZERO. Sure, I got to go to church almost every Sunday and what-not, but surrounded by people who swear and talk about immoral deeds all day long takes a toll on your spirituality. Luckily I had a friend who was LDS that went through with me, so we could lean on each other. Had he not been there, things could have turned out nasty. He held my head high when I was down and vice versa.

2) Advanced training is the same as above, but a little better, because you have more free time and you can study scriptures more often. This wasn't the case for me because Infantry training and advanced training are combined into one long basic training course, but I've heard about other training from friends and what-not.

3) On the brighter side, I have never once regretted not going on a mission since I joined the military. Before that I did, but since I joined I have considered the military as my service to God AND my Country. The opportunities for spiritual stuff isn't as often, and over here in Iraq there is still 0 spirit, but I can become friends with the people I work with much better than the time given in Basic and can slowly push more and more gospel onto them.

So saying that here's my recommendation. If you're set on joining the Marines right now, you won't end up going on a mission. As said earlier, we're at war, and they won't let you go on a mission if your unit is deploying. However you CAN always go on a mission first, however a mission changes a person more than you think. I haven't been able to recognize a single friend that has come back from a mission. It's like meeting them all over again. So you're probably going to have to choose between the two. A mission will definitely tune you more to the spirit, while the military can do both if done right. There is a LOT of temptation to do wrong in the military, so you have to be careful. For me, there is swearing, smoking, drinking, pornography, and immorality of all other kinds every time I turn a corner. It will be a constant battle for your soul, which some days will be better than others. I'm not trying to discourage you in any way, because I love the military life. I'm just warning you of things you may not have thought of.

[Rosewood]

I have a question. Its a little off the subject but........ something our family will be dealing with shortly. My son is sure he wants the military to pay for his college because right now he's considering it a career. I don't like him putting all of his eggs in one basket. I'm planning on researching this myself, but thought maybe someone here has already gone through this.

Does anyone know if scholarships or a congressional appointments will wait until after a mission? I know the army will. But I don't want that to be THE factor in him choosing a military career.

[BenRaines]

A few schools will defer a scholarship for a mission but I imagine that it is very few and they would require one year of attendance first.

I received word yesterday that a family in my ward where I raised my children and lived for over 20 years got the news that their son at 24 was killed in Iraq. Young man had served a mission in Switzerland, came home and married. Entered military and trained as a medic. He was killed the first part of February.

War is never nice or kind. It takes brave men and women to defend our freedoms and try to bring freedom to the rest of the world.

Do I want our soldiers to be in Iraq? No I don't think anyone does. Do I believe in what they are doing? Yes, freedom always comes with a cost. I am grateful that our founding fathers thought something was worth fighting for.

Ben Raines

[Rosewood]

Boy I don't know if I'll be able to do this. I'm sorry for their loss.

[insertwittynamehere]

Mission comes first. You'll be blessed for it and because you made the choice, you may even find extra blessings when you become a Marine.

[jonathan.plumb]

Mission comes first. You'll be blessed for it and because you made the choice, you may even find extra blessings when you become a Marine.

Well, although it is taught that every worthy male should go on a mission, it is also strongly taught that a mission isn't for everyone. Keep this in mind. If you don't feel a mission is for you, then guess what: your mission lies elsewhere in life. It's up to you to decide after your own prayers if you should join the military or go on a mission.

Like I mentioned before, I didn't go on a mission, instead I got married and then joined the military. My life has been full of blessings and not one moment of doubt in my decision. Usually, at least in my experience, when God is trying to tell you you made the wrong choice, your life will be filled with uncertainty and doubt and a heavy burden on your shoulders that can only be lifted through repentance. I can testify to you that God approves of my choices in life (well, most of them ~) and I am not going to be held accountable in any way for my choice in not serving a mission.

I hope you make the right choice for yourself. I think it's great that you're asking for advice, but don't feel condemned by the words that some people spew out. Not everyone is as understanding as they should be. I'm not knocking on you at all insertwittynamehere, in case you thought this was all aimed at your comment, since you weren't condemning him in any way, I'm just making sure the point is clear~

[inthearmsofsleep]

Matt. 6: 33

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

[ilovemymissionary5150]

Mission comes first. You'll be blessed for it and because you made the choice, you may even find extra blessings when you become a Marine.

i totally agree with insertwittynamehere, THE MISSION IS THE MOST IMPORTANT SERVICE YOU COULD EVER ACCOMPLISH.

my advice, GO ON YOUR MISSION

[the Ogre]

1) We are a nation at war. No matter what your contract says, the needs of the military come first. Once you've been sworn in, circumstances may change and you may not be released.

I was army at the end of the cold war. I believe what Mom says is accurate, however, I do know there are great number of very religious soldiers and marines (LDS or not). The best member of the church I have ever known was my platoon sergeant at Camp Humphrey's South Korea. He loved the church and was very happy when President Kimball opened the doors for him and his son to receive the proesthood.

That said, I would not believe the recruiter regarding the generosity of the corp. Go on your mission and then enjoy a meaningful career in the Marines. You can do both, but put the L-rd first.

I did not in my youth and because of some mistakes, I ended-up never going on a mission. I am not saying you will be a stupid as I was (and let me tell ya, I was dumb), but don't even give yourself the opportunity.

Regarding the sprititual experience of basic and advanced courses, don't worry about it. It will be as spiritual an experience as you make it.

Aaron the Ogre

[Palerider]

I have a brother who retired from the Army a few yrs ago....he too was a Recruiter....he always told young men who wondered about a Mission or Service first.....guess.....Service....Pray about it....and go with what you think your answer is....now if you ask my opinion.....I say Mission first!!!!!

[cchrissys1]

don't trade the blessings that being a return missionary will have on mortal existance not to mention your eternal one for a few bucks the marines would get you for the 2 years. it's not worth it. it would not only be your blessings but your wife and childrens as well. not to mention the blessings for each soul you lead to Christ yours and thiers. talk to your bishop and follow the advice he has just for you.

[Annabelli]

To my children, I said don't make a mission your "ace in the whole" or "a sure thing." Meaning that if what you choose is not a mission and it does not work out then you can always go on a mission. That is just so wrong. Going on a mission is not something to fall back on if all else fails.

Missionary work is just as important as any decision that you will make. If it is not a priority, what kind of Missionary will you be?

Many of the 19 year old Missionaries who I have met told me that they were at such a loss as to their futures that going on a Mission impressed them as a priority. Meaning that it was on their minds more than college or military. The call was there and they wanted it more than anything else.

[the_jason]

Well, although it is taught that every worthy male should go on a mission, it is also strongly taught that a mission isn't for everyone.

It is? I don't recall the prophet saying "every young man should serve a mission." and then following it with "a mission isn't for everyone." That would be completely contradictory.

Serving your country is honorable. There is nothing wrong with it. However, the prophet has never commanded anyone to join the military. The Lord's army is the higher army. Join His army first.

[CaptainTux]

Here lay the curse and the blessing of youth. You have all the options in the world and like the Queen song, you want it all and you want it now.

This is the time to do the things you will never be able to do with a spouse, mortgage, career, etc. Take what Ben said to heart. Marine Corps changes you. IMO for the better, but if you do the Corps first, you will not do the mission and you may have something old men should never have...regrets and woulda coulda shoulda.

Marine Corps will still be there and I suspect this war will be too.

[pushka]

Hi Capt. Tux...great to see you back on the site! :)

[CaptainTux]

I will try to poke the head in the door once in a blue moon. I am busy these days. Wish I could say it was important stuff.

[Palerider]

I will try to poke the head in the door once in a blue moon. I am busy these days. Wish I could say it was important stuff.

don't all of us wish we could say it was all important stuff.....LOL!!!

[CaptainTux]

I have important myspacing and Linux distro testing and video gaming to do.

[RachelleDrew]

As far as i'm concerned, fighting for the country we believed Christ to have walked on, IS putting God first.

It would have been pretty hard for Joseph Smith to print the Book of Mormon if we didn't have soldiers protecting his right to do so in the first place.

To the original poster; pray about this. None of us can tell you what god wants you to do. Although in the end it may be easier to go on your mission first.

[Moksha]

Serving God and manning the battlements are both important. Rushing someone else's battlements leaves much to be desired.

Go on the mission and hopefully the Democrats will win and the war will be over in two years. Your chance of being killed in combat during peace time is greatly diminished. Live long and have grandchildren.