Earlier Advice

Earlier Advice

In June 2014, I posted a request for advice when Jeremiah was considering joining the Marines. He had looked at the Navy and the Air Force, but he was set on the Marines. I just found my post from that day and the advice that followed.

Holly Summers Behling

June 24, 2014 ·

OK, Marines, Jeremiah Behling spoke with a Marine recruiter today. We're to go back and ask more questions tomorrow. I want to know what you wish you'd known when you joined. Pros and cons of joining that particular branch of the service. Shane Kennelly, Seth Newman, and Reiersen Connie, I really want your views since I know you are serving or have served as Marines. For the rest of my family and friends, if you served in another branch of the service, tell us why you chose that branch so that Jeremiah can make an educated decision. Thanks in advance! smile emoticon

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Dave Behling and Devan Shaul like this.
Jenci Desjardin Pro: there is a small group of marines in anchorage so he would have family close.... But that's all I got.... Good luck!

June 24, 2014 at 5:06pm · Like
Holly Summers Behling LOL. No guarantee that he'd be stationed in Anchorage. Good thought though! smile emoticon

June 24, 2014 at 5:07pm · Like
Jenci Desjardin Just throwin it out there!!

June 24, 2014 at 5:09pm · Unlike · 1
Helen Desjardin A pretty tough branch to join......my cousin was a marine....you go in a boy and come out a man! My uncle Ray was a marine too.....he was always proud of it.

June 24, 2014 at 5:36pm · Unlike · 1
Helen Desjardin wait......when does Jeremiah graduate?

June 24, 2014 at 5:38pm · Like
Helen Desjardin For that matter, he's not 18 yet, or am I off a year? I thought he turned 18 this next December.

June 24, 2014 at 5:39pm · Like
Helen Desjardin How about Coast Guard where the chances are he'll end up in Alaska someday........

June 24, 2014 at 5:40pm · Unlike · 1
Seth Newman I won't be shy, the Marine Corps isn't easy, and the environment is pretty rough, the people are tough and its a fight everyday to maintain your standards, but it is a furnace of refinement. The Marine Corps is a small branch so everyone is family, and they take care of their own. I have more I can offer, so if there are any questions let me know.

June 24, 2014 at 5:52pm · Unlike · 3
Shane Kennelly Marine Corps boot camp will be the most challenging and humbling 3 months of his life. He will be pushed to the brink of physical exhaustion, verbally berated on a daily basis and convinced he is lower than scum. His ears will be flooded with profanity and sexual innuendos. His very identity will be stripped from him from the moment he steps onto those famous yellow footprints. His conscience and ethical fiber will be tested as he aims his rifle at human shaped targets with the reality that, at some point, another person's life may be in his hands. All of that barely holds any weight when compared to the patriotism and brotherhood that he will come to embrace, the sense of accomplishment for the team of which he has become a part of, the character growth that will change him forever, the respect for the our nation's origins and the sacrifices of those who have come before him, and finally the feeling of holding that Eagle, Globe and Anchor for the first time, having EARNED the title of "United States Marine." There may be times he wants to give up and return to the comforts and safety of home, but if he dedicates himself to the cause freedom and selfless sacrifice he will graduate and return to you a different man.

June 24, 2014 at 6:08pm · Unlike · 4
Holly Summers Behling Helen Desjardin, Jeremiah will be a senior in September. He does turn 18 in December. Seth Newman, anything more you want to offer, please do so. You can message either Jeremiah or myself. Shane Kennelly, your comments brought tears to my eyes. I ...See More

June 24, 2014 at 6:14pm · Like
Shane Kennelly I joined right out of high school (even had to get my parents' signatures since I was still 17). If he is joining the Reserves then he will have a good chance to take a 2 year break for his mission, the Active Duty does not offer that option (I've hear...See More

June 24, 2014 at 6:27pm · Unlike · 3
Holly Summers Behling Shane Kennelly, That's been my thought too. Actually all branches of the service offer the two year break for missions...with the possible exception of the coast guard. Joe took leave from the Navy for his mission. I agree that a mission is more imp...See More

June 24, 2014 at 7:13pm · Like · 1
Reiersen Connie HI Holly I don't think he wants to join the Women Marines. The Marines have changed a lot since I was in. In some ways I think when I was in it was harder, but then they didn't try to make women into grunts. There is no way I could have handled wha...See More

June 24, 2014 at 7:53pm · Unlike · 1
Seth Newman I think there are some very good points here, I would say there are pros to both enlisting before and after a mission. I joined afterwards and it did help me through boot camp, but sometimes I reflect upon the possibilities I would have had if I had more discipline and courage to face people and testify of Christ and His wonderful gospel. Also the service, whichever branch, is a mission experience all in its self.

June 24, 2014 at 8:02pm · Unlike · 3
Patti Loudenslager Well said Shane, my husband came from a long line of proud Marines...he said it made him the man he knew he could be. It was tough but worth it.

June 24, 2014 at 8:18pm · Unlike · 1
Reiersen Connie It was great talking to you last night Holly. I guess your son has a lot to think about. Sometimes it is hard to let them grow up but it is necessary. I am still waiting on 2 of my sons to grow up. Well maybe they are grown up they haven't left home yet.

June 25, 2014 at 8:23am · Unlike · 1
Paige English I would not commit to enlist until after his mission. What he wants now and the opportunities available to him now may not be what he wants in three years. He may make contacts, learn a language, and have new doors open to him that may make him change his mind, what's the rush?

June 25, 2014 at 2:30pm · Unlike · 2
Reiersen Connie I agree with Page.

June 25, 2014 at 4:18pm · Unlike · 1
Holly Summers Behling Paige Brashear English, there's definitely not a rush. He took the ASVAB earlier this year and the recruiter called him up the other day for a delayed enlistment. We've just been asking questions. I actually pointed out that very thing to him this morning as we spoke with the Marines, Air Force and Navy this morning. The Air Force told him to wait. The Navy said put in four years and THEN go on your mission. The Marines told him, enlist in the reserves and you'll have enough money to pay for your mission. The Marine recruiter is inactive in the church, the other recruiters are non-members, but I think the Air Force recruiter gave Jer the best advice. I do know Jeremiah said he's not ready for his mission yet, but I pointed out that he has a year to prepare. Another year of seminary and a year to start putting some of the practices missionaries do daily (waking up at 6 am, reading scriptures, lots of prayers) so that he IS ready in a year. He's not ready for the military yet either. It would take him a year to get ready for that too. I understand his wanting to save up the money, but I really want him to go on his mission first. It's his decision to make though. He'll be 18 December 1st and (technically) an adult. All I can do is advise at this point and help him make an educated decision.

June 25, 2014 at 9:01pm · Like · 1
Karen Rogers Wilson He has to have a high school diploma before a mission so that puts some time frames up to consider. And enlisted in any service is no picnic. That earlier comment about following orders, ugly things said to you, foul language, being so regimented you can only pee at certain times and on and on...and missions are the same way....you must be up and going at a certain time and follow rules to the letter. Hope he's ready for that Whatever he does there's a lot of growing up to do.

June 25, 2014 at 10:17pm · Unlike · 2

After his contract was signed, I posted again and got the following responses:

Holly Summers Behling

September 12, 2014 ·

Contract is signed. He's been sworn in. After boot camp (starting July 6),Jeremiah Behling will officially be a Marine. I think he's called a Poolee until after boot camp...

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