Is it a good idea to join the marines at 20 years old?

… Well, that’s a loaded question.

In my honest opinion? No, not at all. If it’s not something you actually want to do, I wouldn’t suggest joining just for the money. You may not be able to – or want to – follow their rigid rules. You may end up having to see and do things that you can’t handle or that will stick with you for the rest of your life. Your free time will be cut back extensively and doing things like traveling, starting a family, etc. will be much harder for you.

I’d say it’s a better idea to join the Air Force, or Navy if any branch.

Though, I am envious of the Marine’s Uniforms

I am joining the Navy after i get my degree which should make me around 21. I don’t see why you shouldn’t join the Marines when your 20, its always your choice. Just don’t join for the wrong reasons do it for your country or the experience, not because the economy.

I spent my first 8 years in the Army and my current 13 years and counting in the Air Force. The Air Force takes better care of their members than other services do. If you join the Marines or the Army, you take the chance of being put on upcoming deployment rotations to Iraq or Afghanistan.

Joining the military at a younger age is better because you are more able to assimilate into the physical fitness standards that they require and you can also benefit from college money from the G.I. Bill. Although, I noticed in your details that you hate school.

While it is true that joining the military in a bad economy will earn you job security and a steady paycheck, if your heart really isn’t in it and you’re not ready to completely uphold all committments that the military expects and needs from you, then it might not be an ideal career choice.