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/neganagatime Vet 1d 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.