Marines: Qualifications and Preparation (Research Paper Sample)

Name
Instructor
Course
Date
Marines
Qualifications and Preparation
The Marine Corps is not a place for anybody; there are certain qualifications and requirements that interested individuals have to meet before joining the Marine. Individual usually go through an intense testing process to decide whether they are qualified and fit to join the Marine Corps or not. Some of the qualifications that candidates have to meet are that they should be at least 17 years of age during their enlistment, and 20 years at the time of commissioning. However, candidates should not be more than 29 years at the time of enlistments and not more than 28 years during their commissioning. Candidates should also be confirmed citizens of the United States with legal proof of residency. In addition, candidates should have either a Diploma or a Degree and should pass the various Marine tests. Marines should get both mental and physical training in preparation and this is done at boot camps. This training includes running regimes, hiking regimes, swimming regimes, and dietary preparations. The physical training is the most important part of Marine training, and this includes physical exercises, such as pull-ups, abdominal crunches, and flexed-arm hangs, among other exercises. The candidates also have to undergo medical tests and initial strength test before they are allowed to join the Marine (Smith, 1).
Job Description
There are different job positions in the Marine, with different descriptions and for different reasons. The administration deals with the management of clerical and administrative functions at the Marines. The intelligence unit deals with the collection, processing and distribution of intelligence information. The logistics unit deals with planning and maintenance of the Marine forces. The infantry focuses on the training of core competencies of combat operations, gunnery and battlefield awareness. There is the marine Air Ground Task Force Plans, which deals with the management, planning and execution in the deployment of marine forces. There is also the Field Artillery unit which deals with three main functions; the firing battery, observation/liaison, and field operations. There is the Command and Control Systems unit which specializes in the design, interconnection, and installation of information systems and communications networks (Millitary.com, 1).
There is also an Engineer, Construction, Facilities and Equipment unit is made up of marines who deal with welding, metal-working, maintenance and operation of heavy equipment used in emplacing, construction and movement of obstacles. The Tank and Assault Amphibious Vehicle unit deals with the operation, employment, and maneuvers of armored vehicles in operations ashore and amphibious assaults. Apart from these there are also other units in the marines including utilities, Ordnance, Motor Transport, Ammunition and Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Ground Electronics Maintenance, Signals Intelligence/Ground Electronic Warfare Operators, Financial Management Legal Services and Data Systems. All these have different job descriptions depending with what the marines are required to do.
Pay and Benefits
Working with the Military or as a Marine is a huge challenge in the life of an individual, and for this reason the Marines get rewards in terms of salaries, incentives, benefits and bonuses. There are different types of pay and benefits that the marines receive including competitive pay, healthcare and insurance, veterans benefits, retirement benefits, basic allowance for housing and education benefits, only to mentions just but a few. Marines usually get their basic pay depending on their rank and the time they have been in service. However, there are other allowances and special pays that the marines get under some circumstances. Active duty members in the marine receive full-time pay, while those, not on active duty, or guard and reserve members receive part-time pay, or drill pay. Just like any other jobs in the state, marine pay is subject to income taxes, with special exclusion of income earned from designated combat zones. Apart from the listed benefits, the marines also get additional or miscellaneous benefits including benefits for recreational activities, shoppi...