The Marine Corps Delay Entry Program Design Process

On September 11, 2001 I was on active duty deployed to Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands constructing a new office and laboratory building. I certainly put my engineer skills to work that year. The nation changed a lot that year, and will never be the same again. However, there was something positive that came out of 9/11. Because of the terrorist attacks a new education program was erected. In 2008, the Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act, was signed into law. The new Post 9/11 GI Bill, provides education benefits for service members who have served on active duty for 90 or more days since Sept. 10, 2001. My active duty time before 9/11 does not count towards this education benefit; however, now I will be able to attend college

I came to St. Louis job corps in June with goals of getting a high school diploma and doing carpentry. A few people were telling me that I was not going to be able to get the program but I push the issued. My family needed me to experience this so it would give me structure in life and figure out how to be a man. In secondary school all I wanted to do was play games and goofy off and go to the boxing gym and not do my work while every one of my peers advanced on and I didn’t. When I really got selected in this program I was thinking this was a joke or it wasn't for me, before I even gave it a chance yet I began to understand this is my last chance in discovering what it is to be successful in life.

For some people that have a reason they do not want to go to college right out of high school is because they may be tired of going school. When people look at the economy today, it is tough to get a job that they would want to make a career of without some kind of college credits or even a degree. That is one thing that the military can offer to anyone that does not necessarily want to take that destination in their life. First, they will go to the branch of their choice and attend their boot camp and learning the foundation of the basic knowledge recruits will need to know. Recruits then go to a school, also called A school, but it is a lot faster than taking the time you would to go to college. It is very similar to fast track classes they offer at college except you will go to school for about a month, learning everything you will need to know about your selected job. Once the recruits graduate from A-School it is time for them to deploy to their first duty station and that is where they begin their career. When the service members reach the end of their contract to the military it is the members decision on whether or not they will extend that contract and continue their work for the military, or end their military career and start back

I wanted and knew I had to give college one more shot, for the only way I could ever become a fighter pilot in the Navy was after graduating college. All Naval Officers are college graduates, so I had to try once again. But this time I “felt” I had to go north, into New York State. For me it was more than a feeling, almost like knowledge of what needed to be done. Once I told my parents about my plans they were upset once again, like when I had told them that I wanted to go in the Navy the year before. In their eyes, my idea was ridiculous. Their question was, “Why do you need to go so far for college, when New Jersey had some fine schools to begin with?” And since I was going to be attending public school again, it really mattered if I went to one in New Jersey, or one in New York State. “It would be more beneficial if I stayed in the state” they said, for then I would have more financial help, as where if I went to the SUNY (State University of New York) school system I would have to pay out-of-state tuition. But I wouldn’t listen; something inside of me was telling me that I had to go to New

In 2004, the Marine Corp changed my life when my mother married my step-Father and we were stationed to Beaufort, South Carolina. At this time in my life, this was the biggest change that I had ever had to encounter. However, it was one of the best things that could have happened to me as well. My step-Father became the Dad that he didn’t have to be and he ultimately created in me a drive to strive for more and accept nothing less than what I was capable of. Recently my family has had to face changes that made going to school seem more difficult than

I suppose if I did stick it out and go into the military, I would probably go into the Navy or Coast Guard to avoid the front lines. I would have a higher chance of making it through the war unscathed. Only 2570 men died in the Navy during Vietnam and only seven in the Coast Guard. On one hand, they would pay for me to go to college but on the other hand none of that matters if I don’t come back from the

I decided in 2008 I wanted to go back to school because of a traumatic EMS call that made me realize I could not rely on being a paramedic for the rest of my life. I set out to graduate in four years. December of 2012 was when I wanted to graduate. And I was on the right track. However, along with my life changes this goal had to be altered. With a failed marriage and losing weight I looked into joining the Air Force. I also started talking with a Department of Public Safety recruiter. I wanted out of EMS so back I was willing to settle for less than my dream of becoming a Game Warden. I was accepted to both departments. After talking to by DPS recruiter I decided this was the perfect opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream. So in 2012 instead of graduating college I joined the Air Force. In joining the Air Force it did delay my graduation; however I am better qualified for my future. When I began my college career the military was not an option. The information was always there but the ability to join was not mainly due to me being too large. Although I am four years late in graduating from my original goal, I would not change a thing about the choices I have

My first reason for attending Job Corps was I did not pass the high school graduation test. When I did not

A college education is an essential step towards a successful military career. To some enlisted members, continuing or starting a college education may seem difficult to do. My decision to continue a college education was easy. Being stationed at an Air Base for a year has given me an opportunity to do so without being sidetracked by some of life’s daily responsibilities. Since it is an unaccompanied tour and I have no choice but to live in dorms, going to college is much easier then back in the states. Being stationed here has given me great opportunity to dedicate all my free time towards a college degree. After going to the Education Center I was very pleased. Right now the Air Force will pay one hundred percent of my college tuition

I know that I will be able show others that I am worth it by proving them that I can be able to do the impossible, even when it starts to become callous, I am willing to work my way back up by any means necessary for my success in graduating and being a good student. I also would like to join the Marine Corps JROTC is so I can be able to develop the leadership qualities to enable me to assume progressively greater responsibilities to the Marine Corps JROTC and society. It will also help me build a feeling of confidence which will ensure the free approach for advice and help at home and school, not only in military matters but for personal problems. With these newly acquired skills of organization, self-discipline and responsibility that they will be quickly prominent in my high school classes, extracurricular activities, jobs and at the house. These are the reasons why I would like to join and be a part of the Marine Corps JROTC program and family as it will help me tons and will make my life not as stressful. Also, whereas it will show me as a good role model to my family members, especially to my nieces and to my future

One of the most Important self disciplines the US military stresses is timeliness. In order to meet hard times and avoid unwanted corrective training, a soldier must develop a sense of time management. Punishment for failing to meet designated hard times can range from corrective training, such as writing a paper, or harsher punishment, such as article 15s, for more serious offenses, like missing movement. In order to properly manage one's time a system and routine must be devised based upon expected time requirements, such as the time it takes to get to and from point A to B, and extra time must be allotted to allow for unexpected time sinks, or obstacles with a potential for a variance in time consumption, such as construction, or the security gates when entering post. After deciding upon a

Towards the end of my junior year, I was offered a program called “Senior Summer Bridge” due to my GPA. I was excited I would be receiving help with my college applications so it would be one less thing to worry about during the school year. However, I was uncertain about joining the program because it was going to cut my summer break short. I desperately wanted rest between two stressful years. Before making the decision I talked it through with my mother and with myself. This is when I realized I would be letting a once in a lifetime opportunity slip away. Now I don’t regret turning in the signed permission slip because this program has benefitted me greatly in many ways.

This caused much heartache for several years to come. This also triggered the biggest regret of my entire life, along with feeding a horrible addiction that began with marijuana and ended with methamphetamines. Had I stayed in the game, and not thrown in the towel, I would have graduated a year ahead of all my friends. I would have been primed and ready for the world at the ripe age of seventeen. This sent me into an

My father was in the military for over 35 years, which allowed me the opportunity to travel. I love academia and did not foresee me following in my father’s footsteps. As the situation would have it, God will sometimes allow you to have your cake and eat it too, but not necessarily in the order that we anticipate. I began my Academic experience only to be forced to leave due to extenuating circumstances. I realize that I would not be able to return to college after two years because my financial/support system changed. One day I saw an advertisement for the GI Bill and realized that I could travel, serve my country and earn money to return to one of my loves, school. I joined the military not knowing what to expect. It started off a little shaky as far as physical fitness and extreme mental conditioning. With much prayer and faith I left the military as a decorated solider, received several fitness awards, acquired unforgettable sights and experiences, and lifelong friends. This was one of my favorite jobs. I took away from my short tour in the military, confidence, discipline, a heart for service/protection, and a love for running. I completed a marathon years after leaving the military, as well as acquiring an AA, BA, and MA

My whole childhood I always wanted to be in the military. I would watch war movies, play G.I. Joe, and talk to my Grandfather about things he had done in three wars. When I became a senior in High School I couldn’t wait to talk to the recruiters. I talked to them all and bucked the family trend (My Grandfather and cousins were all in the Navy) and joined the Army. The day I swore in my life was to be forever changed and for the better.