29M, is it too late to join the marines?
Never thought I'd be making a post for this but ive come to a very late conclusion in my life that military probably should've been my route at 21 when a marine recruiter said It would be good for me. It doesn't bother me to join late, ive always been a late bloomer and a slow starter but its never stopped me from improving or doing better.
Skip 8 years later and while I do enjoy civilian life, I still think about serving. Only problem is how out of shape I am. Terrible eyesight, surgery on my right foot from a work related injury, sleep apnea, smooth brained and just not in the greatest condition. I have the mentality to stfu and do what im told. I have no issues with working under people who are younger than me. Id like to say my life shaped me into a decent person with some mental fortitude and tenacity to fucking get somewhere in life even if it isn't that far.
I know they have medical waivers but I hope I dont get turned at the door. I can still actively move and work.
Worked a lot of jobs that at least helped me develop some sort of grit and good work ethic. A lot of it out in the field with vets who had similar advice saying I'd excel well with my mentality and work ethic. Some who also envied the fact I could sleep anywhere and boot up on the spot like a machine and work like I wasn't a dead corpse for the past 10 minutes. A lot of my experience has been some bs field tech work so I am no stranger to working long hours and working alongside people as a unit. Prob the only pros I can take with me if I enlist.
I have no relationship, I don't mingle with family, if anything im as recluse as a mountain sage. Only con I can think of is lack of privacy when enlisting but that's to be expected when joining. I realize the benefits of joining and taking advantage of those benefits while in. I want to learn more, grow more, do more. I want to be a better me with better skill set. Of course there are always lingering thoughts of if im capable enough or good enough to join but atp in life, I need some major realignment and direction.
Thanks for any input you guys leave on this post
Posted Aug 14, 2026, 6:04 AM UTC