Well, maybe not better, but which is the right path for me?
For so long, I've poured everything into the Marines, and now, the thought going through my head is "If I go any other route besides Marines, I will be a failure..." I have people telling me that, that is wrong, yadda yadda, but that's how I feel! I feel like I would be letting myself, and ALL OF YOU down. I do love the Marines, but I love being with Colin! So here is my pros and cons list of both branches of service, up to this point:
Marines, PROS:
- empowerment
- part of a VERY elite few
- tough both physically and mentally
- shorter deployments
- resume uniqueness
- won't be able to join in 2 years
- male dominated
- I get to serve
- very slow promotion rate
Marines, CON
- Colin = Army (not living together)
- about a year and a half of training, away from everyone
- demanding
- male dominated
- fewer opportunities (deployments & MOS)
- fewer places to live and transfer to
- can deploy at a drop of a hat
Army ROTC, PRO
- get a free Masters degree
- get to be with Colin, possibly even at the same base
- I get to serve
- more chances for deployments
- faster promotion rate
- many places to live (including Colorado, or Maryland!)
- a lot of MOS opportunities
- get to go to the U of M for a while!
- Make HISTORY at the U of M, being the first married couple ever through the ROTC program
- get to be with family for the next couple years
Army ROTC, CON:
- I don't get to be a Marine, and I let everyone down
- I spend 2 years in poverty with Colin
- longer deployments
- takes longer to get my commission
- not as much camaraderie as with the Marines
- have the constant question "what if?" in the back of my mind
- I already have a lot of Marine crap! lol
- probably will move around a lot more
There are more to each of the lists, but, just right off the top of my head, this is my pros and cons! People, I am SO darn torn still. Normally by now, I have a pretty clear cut idea, but I just don't know! I hope this helps all of ya to get an idea as to what's going on in my head and why it's eating me alive!
You made a VERY telling statement, my dear. In the Army ROTC, you said, "I will let everyone down." NO YOU WON'T! No one, and I mean NO ONE, would ever judge you negatively because of the choice you make. You've heard Colin and what he thinks. You are trying to think of everyone else and not Cara. The only--and I do mean ONLY--other person whom you need to think of is Colin. Not Mom and Dad, not your friends. The only person you might let down is YOURSELF. Maybe Colin, but I don't know about him. Here you go again worrying about everyone except Cara. Forget about us. Think about YOU, YOUR SITUATION, and YOUR HUSBAND. We all love you, and if someone says s/he is disappointed, then s/he is not a friend. YOU GO, GIRL!
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