AGREED. I love this guy.

Many people get into the military because they can not afford college. The military does offer college-esque training programs. You CAN get the equivalent of many degrees through the military, including a PhD. The catch is that you have to get shipped off and get some uncomfortably immediate experience, plus the risk of DYING and all that... hah. And, no, nobody wants to be a grunt, but many people love the idea of being an officer. Just like nobody wants to be a student, but many love the idea of being a teacher. You have to go through training just like any one else. No real difference there... @80: Not necessarily does it mean he wants to fight in the current war. Possibly he just likes the idea of the physical and mental aspects of the military? I know that's what appealed to me before... but now I'm just a lazy twat so... yeah lol

Like #95 said, there are a lot of people who join because they can't afford college. Not only does the military offer training that translates very well in civilian life, that training can get them more money and higher positions than a college degree can. Military also offers programs to help pay for college after you're discharged. Sure, there are a lot of people who join with a lot of misconceptions, who are in fact low in intelligence or just lazy, but plenty of the personnel don't fall into those categories.

I love how a lot of people think Marines are uneducated, and that going to college somehow makes you so smart. Up until a month ago, i was an Infantry Platoon Sergeant for 9 years, a "dumb" grunt. I have never set foot in a college classroom. I do however speak Thai, German, Arabic, Farsi, and my Pashto is getting better. Like i said before i have been out for a month and i have had 3 job offers all of which i would be making $185k+ a year starting out. All i am saying is before you chalk us up as the village idiot, you might want to check yourself.

haha Me= believing in feminism not feminazi

Well, see, in a field like that, it's not easy at all to land a job, first off. Secondly, she's stupid because she is unmotivated. She has no interest in her degree (which makes her initially stupid, because why study something you don't want?), and instead decides to work in the mall and go back to daddy. As OP pointed out, she doesn't know what to do with her future, and then accuses someone else of that (who is clearly motivated and knows what he wants) and does so negatively. That's why she is stupid. She could have been trained to be a NASA scientist, but that doesn't necessarily make her smart.

Ah, don't misunderstand me though. There's absolutely nothing wrong with being uncertain, sounds to me like the two of them are fairly young so that's understandable. The point is OP is NOT uncertain and IS going somewhere, whereas his girlfriend IS uncertain and ISN'T going somewhere. Again, nothing wrong with this situation UNTIL she starts accusing him of what she is guilty of herself. Therefore, not only is she wrong about him, she is also a hypocrite, and finds something completely normal to be completely horrible, and that, essentially, makes her stupid.

Well he went straight to the marines after high school and she went to a university. So 4 years later, after she was done with school, she just decided to move back in with her dad because she probably does have some debt to pay off and finds it cheaper especially cause the economy is bad and that could also be the reason why she's working at a store right now and does not have a job in the field she went to school for. So both of them are 21-23ish right now and just too young to get married. She can see that his future is set but wont really go anywhere from where he is now. She's his gf and probably can see his potential but she knows she will land a good job once the econ is better and she's ready to get out there. She's thinking about the future rather than the present. Now this girl is actually the stupid one, who's looking at the good present time as oppose to the future. http://www.fmylife.com/love/341783

OP is a grunt. Going nowhere. She just hasn't figured out where to go yet. She's got options. He doesn't.

What part of "degree she has no interest in" did you fail to notice again? She's initially stupid just for that. There is no problem in moving with family for the expenses, no, but the point is it's blatantly obvious she ISN'T going anywhere. She clearly has no motivation, and without that she's stuck at the mall. A film degree is not a job guarantee. NO degree is, ever. I want to be a vet, and I know my competition is most likely going to keep me from a vet job for years, bad economy or not. But it's what I want to do, so I'm not stupid in that aspect. Same goes for the OP, except his pay IS guaranteed for a good while. There was no reason to dump him for the reason she gave. He DOES know where he's going, he IS going to get paid, he ENJOYS what he's doing. I can understand breaking up because she doesn't want to deal with his future (the pay, being away, risk of death), but that wasn't her reason, not even close. And blaming the economy is pretty stupid, too. You know, most colleges have programs that help you get a job in your degree field, and OP's girlfriend COULD have applied for that. Too many people blame the economy, even when the economy is supposed to be good. It's god damned annoying. And AGAIN why do you think her film degree is going to get her a job? Unless it's in ****, I highly doubt she's getting a good job any time soon. Especially since, once again, she has NO interest in it. @97: What part of "in the process of becoming and officer" didn't you understand? He could be a Colonel someday, for all you know. That's going somewhere. And many people who were in the military go on into politics. Definitely going somewhere.

She might not have interest in the degree right now, but that does not mean she hates it. He did not say she hates this field of work. Most people in the world don't end up with their ideal job, but that doesn't make that person a failure. The op didn't say he loves his job either. Like i stated before majority of the people in the marines go because it was a last resort. The woman still has more options, she can easily go back to school and get another degree because she has a bachelors already. Maybe she's taking some time off before she goes back to school for her masters too. The economy is a legitimate reason right now! There is still a very high unemployment rate right now which is causing a lot of college graduates to work menial jobs. In a few years, she could go far and become very successful but the growth to his future is limited. "And many people who were in the military go on into politics. Definitely going somewhere." That is a ridiculous claim. Tell me how many successful ex-marine there are who ONLY have marine training and nothing else, and are successful in politics. Most senators/ people of the house/ third parties are all former lawyer and if not they're still highly educated. There are some who were in the marines but that was due to the draft that happened but they all were highly educated.

You're not thinking kiddo--how do you know OP is 23 or 24? He could easily be 27-32. And this ex of his could be near 30 and be unmotivated. Don't assume.

Dude, do you not know how many Presidents of the United States were former generals? Also, I'm pretty sure if you're in college you don't qualify for the draft... or maybe that's been changed. And why are you all with this misconception that all people do in the military is point and shoot? My father got the equivalent of an engineering degree with the Army, and has a good job (well, he did, but his plant was closed, so now he's sitting at a desk bored as hell... same company, but he's not doing what he was trained to do so much anymore). They have many educational programs within all branches of the military. I mean, come on, you don't think they actually send out uneducated doctors and surgeons on the front lines, do you? And some people genuinely want to join the military. What's so wrong with that? It's not always a last resort. You're thinking of the stupid kids who think the military is an easy way out of high school.... There were about ten people (of a class of about 90) who joined the military in our class, and not one of them did it as a last resort. In fact, one of those who would normally fall under the "stupid kids" category actually wanted to join the military to help himself straighten up. Your perceptions are highly unwarranted. =/ And, my point was is that with the way the FML is worded and what it implies is that she doesn't want her degree and has no personal drive to go anywhere. It also implied he liked his job, since he is trying to make for a promotion. And her reasoning was STILL stupid, even if she was all the things you say she may be, because he is obviously secure in his future, whether anyone here agrees with him or not.

bluedoll- I was just putting some info together and came up to the conclusion. He said he's been in the marine for 4 years and she just moved in with her dad after finishing her degree which also takes 4 years. So like most people do, they probably also went to marine and college right after high school. Which makes them 21-23. I feel like everyone else is just assuming everything against her. I'm just trying to shed light on what could be her side of the story.

Granted they might be, but you can join the Marines at 20...I'm shedding light on other possibilities. And I see your point, but you're putting OP down in defense of the ex girlfriend. I don;t care if you're playing devil's advocate, that boy is risking his life in the name of this country. Whether you like the wars or not doesn't matter. He has a job and he has a goal. So stop acting as if he is a useless grunt and realize that he is just as human as the ex you're defending.

All those presidents actually went to college and got drafted. President bush, senator mccain and many more were all college graduates who got drafted back then. If he was a doctor or something then he would've mentioned that very important detail. Also he will be getting paid more as that than him becoming a marine officer so it doesn't make sense to why he would be doing that. Also you have to serve to become a marine officer, not do any of the other jobs you mentioned. I know there are people who go to the military by choice and those are the people i feel proud of the most and have the greatest respect for. That is why i said most or majority not ALL. Either way she still is young and can find a guy who is going to better places with his life and doesn't have a limited future. I see it as a guy just whining about a chick leaving him simply because he can't see her side of the story and is really trying to make her look bad. Also someone trying for a promotion doesn't mean the person likes his/her job. I have known people working at mcdonalds hoping for promotions but they really didn't think it was an ideal job. It was only cause that was the only job they had and promotions offer more money.

blue- Almost everyone only made negative comments about her, so i want to defend her side. You have to agree that more people will sympathies with him only because he's a marine. I do have respect for anyone and everyone who's out risking their life for us but people(especially on fml use that to get more sympathy) Now like you said they're both just human, just try to put it like this, the op only has a hs diploma and got a job right out of high school as a mechanic/walmart/some car parts company and made his way up in 4 years and will now be earning a better living due to his promotion($30,000/yr) and add the girls description. You wont see as much hate for the girl from people at all. All i did was replace his job

Woah, woah. You don't become an OFFICER if you don't enjoy the job. It isn't like your little buddies at McDonald's who want a little more cash in their pocket for whatever. OCS isn't easy, there are mental and physical requirements, and you have to have a degree (no matter what you say, you're WRONG that OCS is all you need...Please see an earlier post for a link). If OP didn't like the Marines he would do his years as a grunt and then say "See ya" and go find something else. If you don't like your field, you don't get a masters or a doctorate. HOW is his future limited? I'm so annoyed at your bullheadedness that I'm almost resorting to negative words. It has been shown to you over and over that he has the opportunities to rise in the ranks. And age has nothing to do with finding people--just so you know. Bush wasn't drafted. He served in the Alabama National Guard, his father worked some things for him, and he lived the cushy life on this side. McCain was hard core, POW, serviceman. Don't ever compare those two in terms of service. And EVERYONE on FML is a whiner. DUH. Here is how it happened: OP" Hey darlin, what is going on?" EX"Listen, I need to talk to you." OP (apprehensive because it doesn't sound good) "Why? Everything ok?" EX "No, it isn't. Listen OP, I don't think you're going anywhere in life." OP "I'm becoming an officer..." EX" Yeah, listen, that is great and all but just because you (will?) have a degree and you'll have the opportunity to rise in the ranks of the Marine corps...And just because the Corps offers plenty of educational opportunities... you don't know what you're doing with your future" OP (confused and a bit angry) "But...you're working at the mall...and you live with your dad...and you don't use your degree. I'm going to use mine and continue on with the Marines as far as it will take me..." EX :Listen, I have to be at FYE in a few...So I have to go..." (exit) OP "WTF?"

You continue to ignore the fact the guy has to have a degree to become an officer. I HATE when people equate education with success. It helps, yes. But just because someone doesn't have an education it doesn't mean that they're not successful (or good). If he were a mechanic and he were working his tale off and KNEW what he wanted to do in life, then I would have the same reaction. Why? Because I know what life hands you and that men who work hard as hell get bad reps. But he has (or will soon have) a degree and KNOWS WHAT HE WANTS IN LIFE. How is this "going nowhere"?

I could get paid more money if I became a people doctor instead of an animal doctor. Many vets don't really get paid a lot. But you know what? I don't WANT to be a human physician or anything. I want to work with animals. Does choosing the option that I actually want but earns less money automatically make me stupid or unsuccessful or senseless? No.. And you CAN GET DEGREES IN THE MILITARY. All branches of the military offer education programs. You do not just point and shoot. How many times do I have to say that...? Many people use the military to help pay for college, too. Specifically, the National Guard and the Army, but I'm sure all branches have the programs (I at least know the Marines do). And that all COUNTS as SERVING. I don't know why you would think it didn't. Also, I wasn't just speaking recent presidents. I think about half of the US presidents have military background. And you know, it doesn't matter if they went to college or not, your point was that the military automatically leads you no where, and apparently it does. You also sort of nullified your own point that "most" people join as a last resort, with your point of presidents joining after they had finished college. No, most people do not join as a last resort. Most people join because they want to.

I just read all these rants and wanted to add my two cents. My boyfriend joined the Army after he graduated from college. It wasn't because it was his last resort. There are several generations of men in his family who have served and chose to follow in their footsteps. He loves what he does, and I honestly believe he'll make a career out of it. My own personal experience though? I was talking to an Army recruiter in my senior year and came really close to joining. I scored fairly high on my ASVAB, already had a career picked out and everything, but the recruiter started harassing me because I wouldn't sign the papers just yet. I was still in my first semester and wanted to make sure it was the right decision. He got to the point of calling me everyday over it and finally told him that if he called again, I wouldn't join at all. Very next day he's calling. So I went to college. And here I am, working in retail because my art degree I was so passionate about has gotten me nowhere. What was I going to do in the Army? Intelligence Analyst (35F). Years later, I now regret my decision.