Best advice for checking into your first unit | Do’s and Dont’s

Are you a new Marine who just got to the fleet? Are you wondering how to make the best out of your next few years in the Marine Corps and stay out of trouble? Will look no further because I have a handful of tips that are going to help you make the most out of your new career and these can apply to all marines not just new ones.

I wish I knew these things when I was a new Marine….

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Disclaimer: All views expressed on this video and comments made verbally or written do not reflect the views of the United States Marine Corps or the Department of Defense and are my own.

[Alex-iqjf]

I’m currently a poole, I’m shipping out to basic on August. I’ve been going to PT twice a week and working out on my own as well. Can’t wait!

[drob]

Excellent advice especially the warning to stay away from sh*t birds. Went to Fort Sill after boot camp. Another Marine that was sent there for counter battery radar repair convinced a young Marine to get high with him. Well lo and behold one day we’re awakened at zero dark thirty for a piss test. Both Marines failed and were discharged with Other Than Honorable discharges. Sadly, the young Marine like me had only been in the Corps 5 months. That was 1982. I guarantee you they both regret getting kicked out of the Corps.

[SSS-bdli]

Wonderful video. Everything you said is 100% true. Nice to see someone passing on good info to those who are just joining.

That said, the biggest benefit you can get after you hit your EAS is VA compensation. Please, make sure you are actively recording any and ALL medical conditions and symptoms. Go down to BAS, let your corpsman (and SSgt) know that your not looking for a light duty chit, but you just want to make sure your keeping your service treatment records (STRs) up to date. I don't care if it's a pulled muscle at the gym, allergies while on deployment, a migraine, ringing in your ears while on a live fire range, a cough, IBS symptoms, feeling tired, etc. All of this may seem innocouos and petty, but down the road it can be the difference between getting a VA claim denied or being 100% P&T. Benefits may include monthly compesation for life (rated 10% and higher), free health care(50% and higher), free college for the wife and kids (100% P&T), property tax exemptions in certain states, access to military installations (0% and higher), access to miltary resorts, and much, much, more. I was fortunate enough to have filled out a post deployment questionnaire with symptoms that I was experiencing during my 2nd deployment (I didn't realize it would go in my STRs). I also had a corpsman who hooked me up and explained to me that I needed to document EVERYTHING. I had absolutely no idea what he was refering to at the time. I just qualified for 100% P&T after being out for about 19 years. I wish I new about VA benefits a long time prior to that, but better late than never. Anyways, to all those entering service this is one of the biggest things to follow through on.

Semper Fi
2000-04, 0351, Corporal, 3/6, CAR:)

[RetiredTop]

Great video. I haven't been retired that long and I can tell you that I could tell if a new Marine was going to be an asset or be trouble within 5 minutes of checking into my unit. Be sharp, squared away and humble. Listen to what your leadership is telling you. Exercise on your own. Hit the gym. MOS credibility is very important. Learn your job better than your boss. The Corps isn't that difficult to excel at if you work at it. Lastly, make your boss's job easy. Take initiative and and the guy/gal that other Marines envy.

[MrCrab]

Make sure your PME complete as fast as possible

[minutezx]

I’m leaving for MCRD Monday- Excited as hell. Going in as an old man (27) is going to be rough, but I’m excited for challenge.

I’ve been watching a lot of your videos and TikToks; can’t thank you enough for the information!

[Yammieguy]

I ain't been in 29 Palms since 2007😂. My dad was stationed there so we all moved there for 3 years. Then moved to back to Iowa. He just recently got out of the Marine Corps in 2020. Now I'm joining the Army active duty, I take my asvab in a week

[Mr_Marine]

I tackled my MOS 0321 and I Mastered it !!!!

[christburns]

Im bout to be 28 on sep 1st I'll be talking to a recruiter soon studying my ASVAB TEST

[jackmercer]

barracks rats lol in 97-99 I was stationed at 29 palms and I left the base every weekend and went clubbing in LA and SD by myself, I was burnt out hanging with marines all the time. They went to bars and clubs only to be with other military members, or they go to strip clubs, such BS. But then I met party people like myself at the base, marines and some sailors. We went to raves and had a blast :D

[truckstopsuperstar]

Outstanding advice !!
1989-93 Marine
Everything he says applied then and still applies now.
Good job Devil Dog!! Great vid

[LRSB]

Your roommates. Sh't Gunny, when I was at Camp Lejuene in 1985, my roommates were the entire 2nd platoon. We lived in an open squad bay. Concrete floor, spray on asbestos ceiling, and cockroach infested. The f'kn toilets didn't even have partitions and no hanging racks for the sh't paper. At least we had a water fountain that provided cold water. But, that water was polluted with dry cleaning solvent. We were issued Vietnam era 772 gear as well. We even spray painted over top of US Army tags on the bumpers of our trucks, and then we pray painted USMC over them.

[Aurelisk]

You're senior enlisted will take care of you. Don't you worry.

[josephbarr]

PT…lots. Be the example for the guys in your unit and get them involved with you. Make it a challenge among you to get better as a physically fit Marine is less likely to become a shitbird. One other thing, eat right and stay away from alcohol and tobacco — full stop. Your body will thank you and you’ll save a lot of cash.

[StevenAcunaBG]

I'm gonna have to disagree with the car thing. There is no good reason a single Jr.Marine needs to buy a car. Every base has services that can get you out in town for free or super cheap. If you are a seasoned LCPL, sure. But a PVT, PFC and 1st year LCPL would be better off saving the money. The paycheck not looking so hot those first 2 years.

NCOs should definitely have a car

[ChuckHolland-ib]

Go gung ho or go home. Most of us only spend a very short time in the Corps when its all said a done. Get after it every single day. And stay off the booze! 9 times out of 10 when somebody gets into trouble, alcohol was involved.

[George-Cancel]

What about the person who don’t leave. What about 29 palms

[Mc-]

I don’t think the Corp get are fellow Marines prepared for toxic leader ship.

[wildwolfpack-cg]

Hi Tyler 👋 this is Gail my boyfriend passed away in July 14, 2024

[tombob]

Son trust me, you do not know about shitty baracks. Try WW2 Quonset hits at Margarita . LOL 1966 USMC . Another suggestion is to eat most all of your meals at the mess hall. Don't go into debt, remember debt is financial cancer. Need help? Follow your leadership and the chain of command. Max effort always and seize every training opportunity. Good luck. Semper Fi🎉