If you want to join the Marine Corps, you should be aware that you would be joining a very proud service with a long successful tradition in the United States Armed Forces. There are a number of very advantageous benefits available for those seeking service in the Marine Corps that can aid a person in reaching their life goals. Many of these benefits stack up pretty well to what is available in the private sector. The benefits are numerous, and if you are a young person looking for job training and good benefits then joining the Marine Corps is a smart career choice. As a member of the Marine Corps and as an enlisted person you will be eligible for a number of different benefits, such as food, uniforms, housing, recreation and other benefits. Benefits such as:
Food- As an enlisted Servicemember in the Marine Corps you will receive a daily food allowance. If you are married and have dependents this likely will be a financial amount that you can use to purchase food and eat with your spouse and family at home. If you are single, you can choose to receive instead “rations in kind†and eat at the meal facility or dining hall on base for up to four meals a day for free. There is often a variety of food choices, many of which are often of the “home cooked†type.
Salary- One of the best things about being in the Armed Forces is the salary is pretty good- after boot camp you will receive about $1500 dollars or so a month as an E-2 or E-3, and as you are in longer, and rise in rank the amount you make goes up. And when you consider you receive money for Food, Housing and other benefits, and then it becomes very attractive as a starting level salary.
Housing- When you are an enlisted person in the Marine Corps you are eligible for housing and the amount is very reasonable. You will receive an amount that covers living expenses, utilities, and maintenance.
If you live on base, then your basic allowance for quarters will be less because it is likely that the housing and all utilities will be provided by the Marine Corps as part of its base housing.
Depending on your duty station, and your eventual rank/seniority, you will have an opportunity later on to live off base.
