View Full Version : So. Thus ends my military career.
Divinus Arma
10-03-2005, 10:48
Some of you heard me talking about this and may actually care.
For promotions from Sergeant, the Marine Corps has three zones:
The Above zone: You were in the zone before and got passed over cause you suck.
The Zone: You are in the perfect range of dates and if you are not a turd then you shall be promoted.
The Below Zone: Next year you will be in the Zone. You can be promoted if you kick ass and take names and they happen to look this deep for qualified people.
I was in the below zone. Those of you that know me here, also know that I certainly kick ass and take names. Unfortunatley, the Corps did not look at ANYONE in the below zone for my M.O.S.
Which means I did not get promoted to Staff Sergeant. :embarassed:
Funny thing. The bastards are now offering me a commission to Lieutenant because of my education. And I go up for an NCO of the quarter board tomorrow morning (in... what, six hours? I can't sleep).
Oh well. I bid the Marine Corps farewell. It has been an illustrious and magnificent seven years. I get out this next summer.
I am sad but hopeful.
Is anybody in a position to recommend me for a job? I have an impressive resume.~D I'll move anywhere in the world if the price is right!
English assassin
10-03-2005, 11:36
I don't really understand the details or what your options are from here, but let me be the first to say "bad luck". Can you go for the promotion board again, or is your attitude, the corps had their chance with me and they blew it?
I can respect that. You have to have self respect.
Good luck on your next move.
Geoffrey S
10-03-2005, 12:09
Indeed, best of luck in future!
Seamus Fermanagh
10-03-2005, 13:19
D.A.:
Thank you for your service.
Condolences on this year's list not being long enough to include you. I have known many good service persons who met the same obstacles. Since you seem un-thrilled by turning Mustang, I wish you success in transitioning to Civvie life.
What area of expertise are you best set up for? The VA tidewater is pretty conducive to post military folks so....
Seamus
Some of you heard me talking about this and may actually care.
For promotions from Sergeant, the Marine Corps has three zones:
The Above zone: You were in the zone before and got passed over cause you suck.
The Zone: You are in the perfect range of dates and if you are not a turd then you shall be promoted.
The Below Zone: Next year you will be in the Zone. You can be promoted if you kick ass and take names and they happen to look this deep for qualified people.
I was in the below zone. Those of you that know me here, also know that I certainly kick ass and take names. Unfortunatley, the Corps did not look at ANYONE in the below zone for my M.O.S.
Which means I did not get promoted to Staff Sergeant. :embarassed:
Funny thing. The bastards are now offering me a commission to Lieutenant because of my education. And I go up for an NCO of the quarter board tomorrow morning (in... what, six hours? I can't sleep).
Oh well. I bid the Marine Corps farewell. It has been an illustrious and magnificent seven years. I get out this next summer.
I am sad but hopeful.
Is anybody in a position to recommend me for a job? I have an impressive resume.~D I'll move anywhere in the world if the price is right!
Dallas is looking for police officers - however the pay is not that great and the hours are long from what I hear in the news. And the Secert Service is always hiring - and from what you have stated - you already have many of the qualifications for the job. Since the Secert Service took a buddy of mine into their organization that was prior military without any real experience - they just might take you to.
My friend does counterfiet investigations.
Don Corleone
10-03-2005, 14:20
You know what, never mind. I understand a big mouth and a good set of kneepads are a requirement for the job. You probably wouldn't be interested.
Gawain of Orkeny
10-03-2005, 16:13
A sad day for the Marines.
Devastatin Dave
10-03-2005, 16:52
Is anybody in a position to recommend me for a job? I have an impressive resume.~D I'll move anywhere in the world if the price is right!
I work for the National Geospacial Intelligence Agency here in St Louis, if you have the clearence, I can get you a great job. Send me a PM and we'll talk off line.~:)
Goofball
10-03-2005, 17:31
Some of you heard me talking about this and may actually care.
For promotions from Sergeant, the Marine Corps has three zones:
The Above zone: You were in the zone before and got passed over cause you suck.
The Zone: You are in the perfect range of dates and if you are not a turd then you shall be promoted.
The Below Zone: Next year you will be in the Zone. You can be promoted if you kick ass and take names and they happen to look this deep for qualified people.
I was in the below zone. Those of you that know me here, also know that I certainly kick ass and take names. Unfortunatley, the Corps did not look at ANYONE in the below zone for my M.O.S.
Which means I did not get promoted to Staff Sergeant. :embarassed:
Funny thing. The bastards are now offering me a commission to Lieutenant because of my education. And I go up for an NCO of the quarter board tomorrow morning (in... what, six hours? I can't sleep).
Oh well. I bid the Marine Corps farewell. It has been an illustrious and magnificent seven years. I get out this next summer.
I am sad but hopeful.
Is anybody in a position to recommend me for a job? I have an impressive resume.~D I'll move anywhere in the world if the price is right!
DA, I will preface this by saying that I am certainly not trying to insult you, but rather to maybe prompt you to give your head a bit of a shake and make sure you are really doing what is right for you.
Okay. Quite frankly, your post sounded like it was made by a spoiled little kid who's mom wouldn't let him have a third cookie.
If I understand correctly, you currently have three choices.
1) Accept the fact that for whatever reason, you will not be promoted to Staff Sgt. early (i.e. prior to hitting "the Zone"). Carry on taking names and kicking ass until next year when you are actually in the Zone and are sure to be promoted, if all you say about your military prowess is true.
2) Accept the offered commission and take what sounds like has already been a solid military career to the next level. I will add that if you have based your decision to reject the offered commission on the standard enlisted man's natural dislike of those who wear rank on their collars rather than their sleeves, then you have made an extremely poor decision.
3) Quit the Corps because they didn't give you what you wanted a year early.
One thing that definitely comes across to me when I read your posts is that you are extremely proud (and rightfully so) of being a Marine. Another is that you believe very strongly in serving your country and hold the word duty in very high regard.
Both options 1 and 2 jibe well with what I know of you, which, admittedly, is very little.
And I also admit that there could well be many other factors at work that I am unaware of that may have influenced your decision.
But I hate to see anybody cut off their nose to spite their face.
The Stranger
10-03-2005, 17:42
so in simple english...YOU QUIT or did you got fired???
so in simple english...YOU QUIT or did you got fired???
Not even close - and very close to a personal attack in my opinion.
Promotion below the zone is an reward for excellent service - and only a few get it. It also requires that no others in the primary zone were qualified for the projected openings to the next rank. Its extremely rare to get promoted below the zone no matter how great your qualifications are.
Certain skills get more promotions below the zone (in the Army that is) because of the number of slots available verus the number of non-commissioned officers available for consideration.
To Divinus Arma
If your still interested in pursueing your military career Divinus Arma don't get out because of disappointment in not getting promoted below the zone - as Goofball stated that is cutting your nose off to spite your face, most likely in two to three years you will reget that decsion. Insure that you are leaving the service because you have greater possiblities outside.
If the below the zone promotion results was what was holding you back from your decision - then by all means make the decsion that is in your best interests. However the promotion should not have been the only reason you would of wanted to leave or even stay in the military.
Kagemusha
10-03-2005, 18:48
Good luck on your future endevours, Divinus.~:)
Del Arroyo
10-03-2005, 19:38
I work for the National Geospacial Intelligence Agency here in St Louis, if you have the clearence, I can get you a great job. Send me a PM and we'll talk off line.~:)
Hey, one of my sister's friends dad's works for them I think, Mr. Boever (Baver?) ?
At any rate Divinus, if I were you I wouldn't be too mad-- I mean, regardless of what the Corps did it sounds like you were kind of ready to be out anyway. And that's nobody's fault.
If you have a college degree then teaching English abroad would be one option, if you have the right attitude for it. You could go pretty much anywhere in the world outside of the EU-- Asian destinations tend to be the best paying, and tend not to require specific training or experience.
An EFL certification takes about a month and tends to be quite useful even if it's not required for a job-- if you want more information, I can tell you about some good schools.
Whatever you end up in, good luck!
DA
The_Doctor
10-03-2005, 19:58
You could become a bodyguard. My uncle employed (not if he still does) ex-SAS men to protect him when he was in Albania.
Or you could be a mercenary.
Or write a military novel.
Divinus Arma
10-03-2005, 20:48
Goofball, EDIT: Reworded: I found your "spoiled little kid" comment to be ignorant of my situation. I have editted my post to give you the benefit of the doubt that you did not mean to be insulting, though offense was taken. Perhaps I simply did not communicate my point of view.
I am good. Damn Good. I won't list my credentials in this forum again (since I have already done so), but I am the best Sergeant in my Battalion. Period. No one even comes close.
The fact is, Headquarters Marine Corps (HQMC) does all the promotions to Staff once a year. My immediate command has little, if any, say in the matter.
I made a decision prior to the board that if I am selected, then I will consider making the move to the officer ranks.
In my opinion, it only makes sense to do that if you are a SSgt first. Sure, I can do it now as a Sergeant. But going up as a Staff Non-Commissioned Officer gives me enormous credibility with the ranks once I am a lieutenant. There really is that much of a leap in respect from Sgt to SSgt.
The board will not come around until next year, which puts me a year behind the pack for future promotions. Also, my second enlistment runs out before that second board.
It just makes more sense to leave the active-duty Marine Corps. I may stay in a reserve component, but now it is time to look outside for brighter opportunities. I was only half kidding about needing a job. I thank all of you for your kind suggestions and words of wisdom.
EDIT: Comment removed. Pointless.
On another note, I just got awarded Company NCO of the Quarter today. No one even wanted to compete against me for the honor. The command just gave it to me. blah.:dizzy2: Kind of funny, actually.
The Marine Corps has been great. I hope no one thinks I am bitching. I loved every minute of it. From the day I was screamed at and did a zillion push-ups to the day the tide turned and I was the one doing the yelling.:charge:
It's just time to take my absolute awesomeness elsewhere, that's all.
Del Arroyo
10-03-2005, 20:52
Wow, and so humble, too! ~D
Divinus Arma
10-03-2005, 21:03
Wow, and so humble, too! ~D
Who said Marines weren't arrogant?
Swaggering soldiers of the sea we be.
The Few and the Proud.
All Marines are bad ass. I just happen to be extra bad ass and have proved it.
Of Course, I am not nearly as bad ass as some Marines are. Like that one guy who won the Navy Cross after clearing a trench filled with Iraqis.
That guy was way more bad ass than me. Probably by a lot.
But then I never had the opportunity to clear a trench. I just drove through minefields and ambush points and had rockets shot at me. But, hey. Whatever.
~:cheers:
The_Doctor
10-03-2005, 21:09
The Few and the Proud.
It is true that the USMC is the same size as the British army?
I once heard that on TV, future fighting machines the program was called.
Sjakihata
10-03-2005, 21:10
I think you should come to denmark - and teach our defense to mount weapons on their helicopters before sending them to Iraq.
Divinus Arma
10-03-2005, 21:11
It is true that the USMC is the same size as the British army?
I once heard that on TV, future fighting machines the program was called.
How big is the British Army?
The Coprs has three Active division and one reserve division. The total active duty force is about 180,000.
By contrast, no one actually knows how many divisions there are in the U.S. Army at any particular time.:laugh4:
The_Doctor
10-03-2005, 21:27
How big is the British Army?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Army#Statistics
112,700 regular army.
40,000+ territorial army.
Kaiser of Arabia
10-03-2005, 21:30
Bad luck, sorry to hear about that man. Good luck, may I suggest police work? The pay sucks but it's a relativly good job anyway, plus it's a cool job to have.
Though, if I was in your situation (and I am probably totally off though) I'd accept the Lt. Commission. It's not logical, but still, it'll keep you in the Corps.
Either way, good luck, if you need help finding somthing in the Tristate area or Philly, gimme a PM I'll look around.
ShadesPanther
10-03-2005, 21:43
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Army#Statistics
112,700 regular army.
40,000+ territorial army.
Yeah but the populations are very different
The_Doctor
10-03-2005, 21:46
Yeah but the populations are very different
err, yeah kind of guessed that.~;)
Taffy_is_a_Taff
10-03-2005, 22:18
but but but DA,
If I did choose to go the military route I was going to offer you a race to see who could get to the top first.
now I can't do that.
~:mecry:
Strike For The South
10-03-2005, 22:31
Come here we need firemen
Alexanderofmacedon
10-03-2005, 22:46
No we don't...
I'll move anywhere in the world if the price is right!
I don't know why nobody has jumped at this before, so I'll play devil's advocate here.
Anywhere in he world for the right money? Why not seek employment at a security agency working in Iraq, I hear they need qualified employment, and pay very well.
:hide:
Actually, I would rather like your take on that option. Would you really do it or is that "the entire world" minus that (not bashing at in case of that mind you). You are obviously good, so I guess good pay would be a certain.
Strike For The South
10-04-2005, 01:51
No we don't...
yes we do
DA, if you can excel in the Corps then you know you can do whatever you want wherever you go.
Think of something you might enjoy and be good at, then go kick its ass
Semper Fi mate
ichi
I really don't see the difference between getting the promotion to Staff Sergeant and then going to Lt and going to Lt now. As I see it, they figured that the best man for the job would get the biggest promotion. The second-best man gets the lesser promotion.
I don't mean to offend you, but I don't quite understand your reasoning, DA. Post or PM me if you'd like, but I can't comprehend your decision.
Del Arroyo
10-04-2005, 07:53
While the paths which lead to being an NCO and a commisioned officer are different, and their responsiblities are different, the level of responsibility held by and respect recieved by a senior NCOs tends to be greater than that of junior Officers.
The other thing that concerns Divinus is that promotions within the Officer Corps are very competitive, and he might possibly fare better over the long haul had he spent some time as a SSgt first.
DA
Divinus Arma
10-04-2005, 16:35
I don't know why nobody has jumped at this before, so I'll play devil's advocate here.
Anywhere in he world for the right money? Why not seek employment at a security agency working in Iraq, I hear they need qualified employment, and pay very well.
I would love to. But my wife would kill me before the Iraqis ever had a chance.
Actually, I would rather like your take on that option. Would you really do it or is that "the entire world" minus that (not bashing at in case of that mind you). You are obviously good, so I guess good pay would be a certain.
As far as the entire world, I recently posted a thread on "Why should I move to your country?"
I quite enjoy service. It is one of the few environment where many people truly believ in thing s like "honor", "integrity", "loyalty", "courage", and "commitment". So I guess I prefer a service-oreinted job like police, fire, medical, or military.
But I think the bottom line is professionalism. I am a professional. And one does not need to be military to be professional. No matter what I do, I will take my job seriously and treat it and my employer with deserved respect.
Its the lack of professionalism out in the civilian world that scares me mmost. For example, I had some lady get in a car accident and it was her fault. When I told her that it was her fault, she said I was just playing favorites because the other driver was military. I find this hilarious since I am a Military Policeman and my primary apprehension authority rests in my ability to arrest military. I have very limited authority over civilians. My point is that this lady really believed what she said. I am not looking forward to dealing with all the nuts out there like her.
And BTW, Del Arroyo is exactly correct in his assessments of the promotion system and my reason for leaving.
Geoffrey S
10-04-2005, 16:47
I am not looking forward to dealing with all the nuts out there like her.
Yup, the world is indeed a scary place outside the military. ~;)
Yup, the world is indeed a scary place outside the military. ~;)
Likewise for former prison inmates.
While the paths which lead to being an NCO and a commisioned officer are different, and their responsiblities are different, the level of responsibility held by and respect recieved by a senior NCOs tends to be greater than that of junior Officers.
The other thing that concerns Divinus is that promotions within the Officer Corps are very competitive, and he might possibly fare better over the long haul had he spent some time as a SSgt first.
DA
And he would be correct - those soldiers who become officers in the Army have a tendency to do much better on the promotion boards if they reached Staff Sergeant - (E6) before accepting a commission. I would image the promotion boards in the Marine Corps are even more competitive then the Army because of the number of slots available decrease significantly as you advance in rank.
For instance when I was promoted to Major - the stats for my year group - ie the date of commission was that only roughly 30-35% of us reached that rank.
THe percentage of Majors promoted to LTC is somewhere like 50% in 2000 when I was released from active duty. Or 20% of the officers commissioned in 1986 making it to LTC in the year 2002-2003.
I really don’t know much about the American system regarding promotions in the none-commissioned and commissioned ranks. So bear with me.
If Divinus Arma really is all that you have told us so far and that it really is true that your superiors want you as a butter-bar (the lowest rank of lieutenant?).
I would say, jump at it man!
You are qualified and would obviously excel in you new rank. You would be closer to your superiors and they would more easily see what an excellent soldier you are.
I would think that further advancements would be easy and find place when they are due.
The rank-system I know, I believe, is quite different as we have compulsory service.
There are quite many soldiers serving from 3 to 12 months and if you stay longer, the chance to advance in rank are quite high. That is, up to lieutenant as many officers leave at that rank.
I myself left at the rank of ensign (fenrik) which would be equivalent with your butter-bar (you would probably not quite agree ~D ). It is of course not automatic, having a brain helps… ~;)
Stefan the Berserker
10-05-2005, 20:45
Funny thing. The bastards are now offering me a commission to Lieutenant because of my education. And I go up for an NCO of the quarter board tomorrow morning (in... what, six hours? I can't sleep).
However I understand your viewpoint and also Redleg's issue on the promoting-system, but I think you should accept the commission. Your Wife would certainly also prefer that.
If you reject it, it will take years until the possebility will come again. Of Course, the Iraqis create good conditions to be promoted in the US-Army but it is pretty sick.
Staff Sergeant is mostly equal with a Stabsfeldwebel, it is not worth to cry about it if you can be Lieutenant.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3d/US-Army-OF1b.gif
Put this on your shoulder, damish!
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