Hey all... I tried to search google and the PU for something similar to this, but have not been able to find anything so far. So here goes...

My husband is an E5 with an EAS date of Dec 2014. We have been through a lot together, and I have always made it a point to keep up with his fellow Marines, know their names, (first names too) and chat with them making sure everything is all good. We have a really cruddy FRO, and his unit is notorious for having some of the lowest morale on Pendleton. I really like people, and helping others comes naturally to me, so I always offer my ear for bending. This does not cause any issues inour marriage or anything like that.

The Marines in his unit have become our family. Not just his family, his brothers, but mine too. Slowly, one by one, they have all been getting out of the Marine Corps. As time goes by and we attend more going away parties for our friends, I feel more and more that I should do something. As much as I want to be there for these Marines, my close friends, I often find that there are somethings that I will either simply not be able to fully relate to, having never been through these things, or that it is sometimes not my place to offer support in regards to certain situations. This troubles me. As I have said, the morale is very low in this unit, and the chain of command often fails these Marines who need someone to talk to. They are often sent officers who are inexperienced, or who have screwed up enough times that other units just dump them with my husband's unit, or they are sent officers who are crusty and just waiting to get out, so they are no longer invested in their Marines. They don't care, they haven't carried their pack in quite a while. I am not bad mouthing these officers, I am merely stating that this is the case with a lot of the command in this particular unit. Again, there are some officers/higher ups who DO care, and they are so appreciated; but in general, the chain of command is broken.

So this leads me to my point... I am a 27 year old healthy female who is considering enlisting in the Marines more and more lately. Our last going away was for a Sgt who really made a big impact on a lot of the Marines in the unit. He is compassionate, a real people person, and is always there to give advice to the Marines. Losing him is a great loss to the unit, and even those Marines who have only known him a few weeks, he made an effort to help them in any way he could, and never once dropped his pack.

My husband, of course, does not want me to join. Most likely for a multitude of reasons, many of which, I am aware of. But again, having not been in the Marines, there are certain aspects that I cannot know until personally experienced, so that is why I am here.

As a female, I would really appreciate the advice of other females who are or have been enlisted, or those who perhaps went straight into OCS before joining. Male Marines are of course, welcome to comment as well. It would be great to get a well rounded perspective on being a female Marine from both genders. Any advice on the topic is greatly appreciated, and will be taken to heart. Thank you in advance. 

Do you have children? Why do you want to enlist? What do you hope to accomplish by enlisting? If your husband doesn't support your decision is it worth risking the relationship? It obviously is a big decision for you. Have you put further thought into this?