Like you need a high school diploma to be a good Marine. 20 years ago the requirements for the Canadian Army was still grade 8 in general or grade 7 for the infantry. Reality was that it was a selection process and most had a high school diploma or more. For all I know that is still the standard.
And, yes, you'd better believe that I went back to my manuscript (now at a stage where changes are difficult) to check for this school. Thankfully, it's not there. It's a shame that the Marine Corps would do this, particularly since there are many such programs that offer services to members of the military. Graduate receives honors Tom Nixon
You know, at first I was kind of bitter towards this remark. However, I thought about it for a couple of minutes.. I think your your right (in a sense), Dennis. To do basic Marine "things": Drill, Rifle, perfect uniforms, PT, more PT, killing, etc. Being able to read and listen well might apply, but other than that, you don't need to be a high school graduate. However, not all these "basic" Marines are going to be infantry. Alot of them will be going to school for some pretty technical jobs. This may demand more math, reading and comprehension skills, and whatever else I can't think of. So, in regards to this, you DO need to graduate highschool. Now, with all that said, Marines have a different way of promoting than the other branches of service (well at least navy maybe army does it similar). A majority of the points earn for promotion comes from "basic" Marine skills. Drill, rifle, perfect uniforms, pt, killing, etc. Granted, your occupation skill is reflected in your proficiency score, however, I do not think it counts as much compared to the other skills required for promotion. SO, let me explain through a scenerio: You got two Marines who work avionics in the wing. One Marine who doesn't know a voltmeter from a hole in the wall (and clearly demonstrates this by avoiding work). However, he is a excellent Marine. He comes to work looking sharp every day. He volenteers for extra stuff (like aircrew or his flight wings or something... probably to avoid working in the shop). He shoots expert on the rifle every time. Scores a perfect fitness test. You have another airwinger (mechanic lets say). Who knows aircraft engines like the back of his hand. He comes to work early and goes back to barracks late just to work. He loves his job and everyone (even the senior members) come to him for help. He also never irons his uniform, doesn't get his haircut every week, and can't run or shoot very well. From what I've seen, the avionics Marine would be promoted first. Corps doesn't care if you were a proficient tech, mechanic, adminstrator, etc. They want you to be a proficient killer! So, I guess your right, Dennis. A high school education might NOT be required to do good in the Corps (but, they DO require it to get IN the Corps). Best Regards, Bill
The logic behind requiring a high school diploma lies not in the basic skills it assures. The services test with the ASVAB to measure those. But what a high school diploma does measure is an ability to be a part of an organization, obey its rules, and succeed in its processes. There is a strong correlation between dropping out of high school and dropping out of other situations. The Air Force used to allow non-graduates enlist--when it needed to. But when the Reagan era kicked in and recruiting became much easier, it didn't as much raise the standards as change them. Its lowest-level recruits likely had the same reading, writing, mechanical, and other skills. But what improved was their ability to fit into the Air Force regimen. The proportion of recruits dropping out of basic training and technical school dropped. (I was a training officer at Lackland AFB from 1984-88.)
When I thought Marine I was thinking of your basic infantryman. Of course the marines are an integrated force with everything except big ships and ICBMs. You do need better educated people to train as technicians. Would never have a bad word to say about the US Marines.
Very true, Dennis. Alot of people who haven't served or been around military assume Marines are just an infantry. Of course, this isn't true. All Marines, however, are trained to be infantry so they may serve as a basic infantry Marine (if needed). Some just get trained in other occupations to serve as support for infantry. Best Regards, Bill
And the truly sad part is that, given the war, I can't even make jokes about Marines being Gate Guards (as they are at many Navy bases). Sigh...what's the world coming to? Tom Nixon (U.S. Navy, 1981-1985)
