Some Questions, regarding USMC!

Michael, talk to your recruiter ASAP. Find out if your dad needs to sign or not.

If he does then ask the recruiter to get you a September boot camp date. I am sure recruiters have a lot of experience with parents.

And September or Oct ship date gives you more time to get fit.

Now is it possible you are having second thoughts about being an enlisted Marine? Honesty counts.
The thing is, I literally had a August 29 ship-date, which would've been 2 weeks after my 18th birthday, and just last week I got moved up to July 17, because that is when my MOS is available, for Logistics.
 
Michael, don’t be talking to us talk to your recruiter. They are there to fix this for you. And they will understand the parent issue.

I am confused as to why it seems you have not talked to your recruiter yet?
 
Michael, don’t be talking to us talk to your recruiter. They are there to fix this for you. And they will understand the parent issue.

I am confused as to why it seems you have not talked to your recruiter yet?
That's the bottom line. You need to talk to the recruiter and tell him or her everything has to happen post 18th birthday. That might slide things further to the right than you want, but that's life.
 
I am torn in half right now...

I did enlist in the DEP with the USMC, and I can totally back-out if I desire to do so...

I need some advice

I got all my financial aid-information to Norwich University, and I need some thoughts.

I received a 24k/yr Dean's Scholarship, 17k/yr Norwich Gift Aid, $5,745 in FAFSA Aid, and a 2k/year scholarship for filing my FAFSA before Dec. 15...

Tuition before all these scholarships is around 60k/year, and with all this aid I received, it will drop my tuition to around 11k - 16k range/yr, which seems like an incredible offer.

I am willing to withtake some debt, as I could technically use parts of my GI Bill to help offset this debt later in my military career. I will still plan to do NROTC - Marine Corp option nonetheless.

PLEASE ADVISE, is this a good deal to take, should I back-out of enlisting take this opportunity.


I don't mean to be decisive in such matters, but these big decisions can be such life-changing these, I don't want to make a "wrong" decision per se.

I know Norwich is a nice school, and the campus is beautiful, I plan to visit when it warms up a bit more.

Any thoughts? THANK YOU
 
No brainer - agree with doc and @kinnem. Norwich is a great school and has the best financial aid of all SMCs.

A little advice - you seem like a very impulsive individual. In the short time you have been a member of this forum you have gone in about 10 different directions. Take a deep breath, get off SAF and figure out what you want to do and what you can afford. Get out a piece of paper and write these things down. The two options you are considering are completely different, have different outcomes and will have a huge impact on the rest of your life. PM me if you want my phone number - I am happy to talk about my time at Norwich as well as comparing Norwich to enlisting.
 
Norwich, Norwich, Norwich.

Norwich for 11 to 16K a year is a solid deal.

Taking on about a TOTAL of $40K in loans is not bad these days, in exchange for a four year private college degree, and a 2LT salary upon graduation.
 
A little advice - you seem like a very impulsive individual. In the short time you have been a member of this forum you have gone in about 10 different directions. Take a deep breath, get off SAF and figure out what you want to do and what you can afford.
@MichaelT2022, you’ve received a very gracious offer from @EEBTTF to discuss your options. You’d be wise to accept.

He is right. In your short time on SAF, you’ve swung wildly in myriad directions. Your commitment to serving is unquestioned, but your indecisiveness invites whiplash.

Stop. Take three deep breaths. Then plot out your goals, opportunities and constraints on a piece of paper. Seek the counsel of someone who knows you well but has no vested interest (i.e. not your parents). And again, talk with @EEBTTF. I sense he can settle you down a bit. And that would be good.
 
I'd like to add something to the excellent advice given above. As you sit down to write the pros and cons of each of your options, consider where you'll be 4-5 years from now if things go well. Here are just some starting points.

If you take the USMC enlisted route and stay out of trouble, you'll either be taking that DD214 and starting your post-military life or reenlisting. If you've managed your money you'll have no debt. You'll have education benefits if you choose to pursue a degree. That's not bad, but you'll feel like you're just starting out in life, which will be true. (This was my route back in the day. It worked out for me). If you reenlist you'll be a corporal or sergeant, capable of paying bills but not comfortably supporting a family unless your spouse is making a 2nd income.

If you go to Norwich, join NROTC and get a contract, then commission, you'll be a 2LT with light debt, a college degree, and 4 years of military leadership experience on the horizon. If a family is important to you, junior officers can do reasonably well financially.

Neither of these is wrong, they are just much different paths. I took the enlisted first, college 2nd route. My son is currently at Norwich taking the college first, officer route. Both can lead to happy endings, but if it were me starting over, or if my second son faced your choice, I'd advise going to Norwich.
 
I used to be worried about any amount of student debt. Now I realized that getting a college degree is an investment on myself that will lead me to a lot more jobs and opportunities after college instead of not going to college. Even after the military, a college degree will secure you with a lot more professions than without it. But who am I to give you that advice @MichaelT2022 I'm only 18 like you. All the users above have double, triple, maybe even quadruple the experience combined(no offense haha) than you and I have in life and in careers. I'd say evaluate what you want and listen to these helpful guys above. Good luck. Also 40k for a private education over 4 years is a steal now a days.
 
Don’t take this as a negative comment but I have been waiting for such a post from you since the first posts after you signed. It was IMO going to be something

. I saw regret or second thoughts in your comments almost the day after you signed for the USMC. Excitement followed immediately by worry and your dad.

I never understood how you went from , I am thinking about maybe enlisting, to signing for the USMC , in what seems like days or hours. I wondered then if you had thought things out.

of course if they are throwing money at you and you can attend college for pennies on the dollar it’s a good deal. See your dad was right all along

Maybe in time you will want to serve. Or not. Hopes wishes and dreams to serve don’t count. Right now you have a great deal. Make good on it.



Good Luck
 
I'd like to add something to the excellent advice given above. As you sit down to write the pros and cons of each of your options, consider where you'll be 4-5 years from now if things go well. Here are just some starting points.

If you take the USMC enlisted route and stay out of trouble, you'll either be taking that DD214 and starting your post-military life or reenlisting. If you've managed your money you'll have no debt. You'll have education benefits if you choose to pursue a degree. That's not bad, but you'll feel like you're just starting out in life, which will be true. (This was my route back in the day. It worked out for me). If you reenlist you'll be a corporal or sergeant, capable of paying bills but not comfortably supporting a family unless your spouse is making a 2nd income.

If you go to Norwich, join NROTC and get a contract, then commission, you'll be a 2LT with light debt, a college degree, and 4 years of military leadership experience on the horizon. If a family is important to you, junior officers can do reasonably well financially.

Neither of these is wrong, they are just much different paths. I took the enlisted first, college 2nd route. My son is currently at Norwich taking the college first, officer route. Both can lead to happy endings, but if it were me starting over, or if my second son faced your choice, I'd advise going to Norwich.
I appreciate the reassurance, from what it looks like, I think I will be attending Norwich; I just received another $5,000 scholarship for my Leadership in Civil Air Patrol as a SSgt, and from what I can see, it feels like an opportunity I can't miss.

I spoke to my admissions counselor, and she explained that my final financial aid award package will be coming in the mail within the next few weeks, which will tell me what I can expect for tuition per year. She also did explain that the next over-night visit, will be in end of March, but I don't know if I want to wait that late, since I must make a decision by May 1st.

I want to try and potentially visit in January/February if it's a good idea (I need some thoughts to this - I come from Indiana, so I won't be really shell-shocked by the winter-cold, but just some thoughts). (If I do go, my dad wants to come and visit with me, any recommendations of places to stay close to the campus?)

Thank you again though!
Don’t take this as a negative comment but I have been waiting for such a post from you since the first posts after you signed. It was IMO going to be something

. I saw regret or second thoughts in your comments almost the day after you signed for the USMC. Excitement followed immediately by worry and your dad.

I never understood how you went from , I am thinking about maybe enlisting, to signing for the USMC , in what seems like days or hours. I wondered then if you had thought things out.

of course if they are throwing money at you and you can attend college for pennies on the dollar it’s a good deal. See your dad was right all along

Maybe in time you will want to serve. Or not. Hopes wishes and dreams to serve don’t count. Right now you have a great deal. Make good on it.



Good Luck
I totally understand, I see it that maybe I didn't really think it through all the way. I wanted to make such a rushed-decision, so I didn't think it through, but with this opportunity from Norwich, it seems too good a deal to pass up.
 
I appreciate the reassurance, from what it looks like, I think I will be attending Norwich; I just received another $5,000 scholarship for my Leadership in Civil Air Patrol as a SSgt, and from what I can see, it feels like an opportunity I can't miss.

I spoke to my admissions counselor, and she explained that my final financial aid award package will be coming in the mail within the next few weeks, which will tell me what I can expect for tuition per year. She also did explain that the next over-night visit, will be in end of March, but I don't know if I want to wait that late, since I must make a decision by May 1st.

I want to try and potentially visit in January/February if it's a good idea (I need some thoughts to this - I come from Indiana, so I won't be really shell-shocked by the winter-cold, but just some thoughts). (If I do go, my dad wants to come and visit with me, any recommendations of places to stay close to the campus?)

Thank you again though!

I totally understand, I see it that maybe I didn't really think it through all the way. I wanted to make such a rushed-decision, so I didn't think it through, but with this opportunity from Norwich, it seems too good a deal to pass up.
A visit in March leaves you an entire month to make a decision. You won't need that long.
 
I appreciate the reassurance, from what it looks like, I think I will be attending Norwich; I just received another $5,000 scholarship for my Leadership in Civil Air Patrol as a SSgt, and from what I can see, it feels like an opportunity I can't miss.

I spoke to my admissions counselor, and she explained that my final financial aid award package will be coming in the mail within the next few weeks, which will tell me what I can expect for tuition per year. She also did explain that the next over-night visit, will be in end of March, but I don't know if I want to wait that late, since I must make a decision by May 1st.

I want to try and potentially visit in January/February if it's a good idea (I need some thoughts to this - I come from Indiana, so I won't be really shell-shocked by the winter-cold, but just some thoughts). (If I do go, my dad wants to come and visit with me, any recommendations of places to stay close to the campus?)

Thank you again though!

I totally understand, I see it that maybe I didn't really think it through all the way. I wanted to make such a rushed-decision, so I didn't think it through, but with this opportunity from Norwich, it seems too good a deal to pass up.
You're right, the weather won't shock you, but the risk of visiting in Jan/Feb is that you hit a snowstorm during your trip that just complicates everything or forces a cancellation. That's not a reason not to try, just be aware.

During your visit you'll do all the normal activities--take a tour, check out your favorite academic programs and sports, etc. From my view the biggest downfall of Norwich is the feeling of isolation for some students. Northfield is small and has no nightlife to offer. And if you go 20 miles down the road.....well, more (or less) of the same. Ski/snowboarding opportunities are extensive, but expensive, and those are really only possibilities after Rook year. Barracks life on the weekends is fine if you have a good group of friends.

So, during your visit give serious consideration to that intangible: Will you enjoy your place in the backwoods of Vermont. But don't get so hung up on it that you pass up a really good deal and good education because you can't tolerate some discomfort. You did almost go to Paris Island, after all. : )

My wife and I most recently stayed at the Margaret Holland Inn, a B&B within a 5-minute walk of campus. It was nice.
 
I appreciate the reassurance, from what it looks like, I think I will be attending Norwich; I just received another $5,000 scholarship for my Leadership in Civil Air Patrol as a SSgt, and from what I can see, it feels like an opportunity I can't miss.

I spoke to my admissions counselor, and she explained that my final financial aid award package will be coming in the mail within the next few weeks, which will tell me what I can expect for tuition per year. She also did explain that the next over-night visit, will be in end of March, but I don't know if I want to wait that late, since I must make a decision by May 1st.

I want to try and potentially visit in January/February if it's a good idea (I need some thoughts to this - I come from Indiana, so I won't be really shell-shocked by the winter-cold, but just some thoughts). (If I do go, my dad wants to come and visit with me, any recommendations of places to stay close to the campus?)

Thank you again though!

I totally understand, I see it that maybe I didn't really think it through all the way. I wanted to make such a rushed-decision, so I didn't think it through, but with this opportunity from Norwich, it seems too good a deal to pass up.
I've been following along your posts the past few months as my son was also bouncing between considering The Citadel v Norwich, as well as applying to SA. At this point, he's decided on Norwich as his backup if he doesn't get an appointment to West Point. We are in NY so Norwich is only a few hours drive away. I can say with reasonable certainty that it's cold and snowy there more of the year than I would prefer. My kid is a homebody and already has his eyes on different activities he would like to engage in at Norwich (drill team, pipe band) so for him, the isolation is something we all think he can live with. You can't beat the financial aid from Norwich, although The Citadel sure is making a run at it with the new scholarships they are rolling out for ROTC scholarship winners. My son applied for an AROTC scholarship, but with the financial aid, we've agreed that he can attend Norwich with or without the national scholarship.

As for travel, I believe Burlington is about an hour north of Northfield VT. When we visited in September we stayed near Killington because it was on our way. I'm not too familiar with accommodations close to campus, but you might actually prefer to stay in Burlington if you're flying in. It's a great town. Good to know about the overnight in March as I think my son will enjoy doing that even though he is sure about his decision. Definitely exciting times! Good luck!
 
Strangely...

I've taken some time to reflect, and I think that I see myself being the most successful and happy per se at a school like Embry Riddle; this will involve me taking a big load of student loans, but manageable after graduation with a nice-paying job.
 
Strangely...

I've taken some time to reflect, and I think that I see myself being the most successful and happy per se at a school like Embry Riddle; this will involve me taking a big load of student loans, but manageable after graduation with a nice-paying job.

@MichaelT2022 -

You have likely had more changes to the plan than any other person in the history of SAF.

It is hoped that you really do take the time to figure it all out and that you end up in the right situation. Best of luck.
 
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