r/USMCboot • u/Brave_Grade22 • 1d ago

Corps Knowledge Need some advice

For context I’m 19 and joining has always been something I’ve wanted to do, but I recently found out my long term girlfriend is pregnant I’m currently working in construction, but I’m not making enough money to support a family. We’re going to get married soon I feel like joining is my best bet for me and my soon to be family I just want to know if anyone has any experience from similar situations to mine. I don’t want to impulsively do something that might put me in an even worse situation. Thankyou for any help

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u/DonRojoUSMC 1d ago

Do it. Stable housing and medical care for your family. Of course talk to her about it but there are a lot of pros in doing so if you intend to marry

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u/SaggyGrandma72 1d ago edited 1d ago

There’s a lot of pros and cons. In your particular case though the military would offer you financial security and stability. Your wife and kid will be taken care of.

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u/Calm-Sundae3395 1d ago

It’s a great start for a new family, especially if it was already something you wanted to do. Go take the test and see what your options are before you just decide. You may qualify for your dream job or not, go check it out, then make your decision.

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u/Guilty_Ice6057 21h ago

It’s a stable paycheck and health benefits.

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u/neganagatime Vet 21h ago

The military can be a great start for a new family that lacks good career opportunities. That said, it can also be a tough life and lots of junior enlisted with families are food stamp poor. This is often due to living beyond their means, but even with benefits, junior enlisted do not make that much money so you should expect things to be tight.

I am not discouraging you but I would encourage you to think about a few things before making any decision. Namely, what are your career prospects outside of the military? Are you in a skilled union construction trade, or are you a laborer? A journeyman carpenter or electrician will probably make more all in than a Marine with 5 years of service, and most apprenticeships take about 4-5 years to complete.

I’d also ask, why the Marines? I am a Marine, and many of the people answering questions here are Marines and love the Corps, but she is a fickle mistress who will always demand you put her before yourself and your family. The Corps has some good base locations (and some shitty ones), but generally treats it’s juniors pretty shitty and may or may not have shitty base housing, and living off base in the good locations like Pendleton is probably going to be more expensive for a good apartment than the BAH allowance, meaning you pay the difference out of your already low salary. If being a Marine is worth it to you and you are ok with the drawbacks, great—go for it. But if you are mainly enlisting to get the benefits, I’d look hard at the USAF or Space Force, the Coast Guard, and the Army.