Is dating a Marine worth it?

Dating a Marine can be incredibly rewarding with deep bonds, shared understanding, and unique experiences (like military balls) but comes with significant challenges like frequent separation, deployments, and the need for independence, requiring strong communication, self-sufficiency, and adaptability from the civilian partner to navigate the demands of military life. It's worth it if you value commitment, can handle uncertainty, and prioritize open communication, but it's tough if you need constant presence or struggle with independence.


Is it hard to date someone in the Marines?

Challenges of dating someone in the military
  • You don't get to spend much time together.
  • Sometimes communication is nearly impossible.
  • You never feel secure because there's so much uncertainty.
  • Your partner is likely to be stressed, overwhelmed, and exhausted a lot.
  • You constantly worry about whether they'll be okay.


What is the rule of 3 in the Marines?

Generally, it follows the “rule of three,” meaning there are three lower units within each of the next larger units. Teams consist of three Marines with a corporal as team leader. A squad consists of nine Marines with a sergeant as the squad lead. Platoons consist of 27 Marines with a lieutenant in command.


Do marine relationships last?

If you're willing to put in the time, military relationships do work — even if you're dating someone as hardcore as a Marine. With a little adjustment on both of your parts, you can make it work well, no matter how many time zones apart. Want to learn more about thriving as a military couple?

How much do 1st year Marines make?

A first-year U.S. Marine's salary starts with an E-1 (Private) base pay around $2,144/month (or ~$25,700/year) for the first four months, quickly moving to E-2 (Private First Class) at ~$2,261/month (~$27,100/year), with potential bonuses and allowances (like housing/food) significantly boosting total pay, especially in high-cost areas, with some estimates placing average first-year earnings closer to $40k-$50k+ with allowances. 


Things New Military Girlfriends Should Know



Do marines get paid more if they are married?

Yes, Marines (and all U.S. service members) get more money when married, not as a "marriage bonus," but through higher housing allowances (BAH) and sometimes extra cost-of-living pay (COLA) because they are considered to have "dependents," allowing them to move out of barracks into family housing and get more funds for living expenses. This extra money significantly boosts total compensation, making the paycheck look much better, but it's tied to supporting a family, not just the act of marrying. 

How much money do you get after 4 years in the Marines?

After 4 years in the Marines, a Marine's pay varies significantly by rank (like Corporal E-4 or Sergeant E-5) but generally ranges from around $30,000 to $50,000+ annually in basic pay, plus allowances for housing (BAH) and food (BAS), potentially reaching over $40,000-$70,000+ total compensation depending on rank, location, and time in service (TIS) for higher enlisted ranks (E-4/E-5/E-6) with over 4 years. A Corporal (E-4) with over 4 years earns roughly $2,900+/month, while a Sergeant (E-5) with similar time earns over $3,900+/month in basic pay, showing significant growth over starting pay. 

What is the 3 3 3 rule in dating?

The 3-3-3 rule in dating is a guideline suggesting you evaluate a potential partner at three checkpoints: after 3 dates (for initial attraction/chemistry), after 3 weeks (for compatibility and effort), and after 3 months (to decide if it's worth pursuing a serious relationship or moving on). It's a tool to slow down, prevent getting overly attached too fast, and gain clarity on a connection's long-term potential by checking in with your feelings and observing the other person's actions. 


What is the divorce rate for Marines?

The Marine Corps divorce rate generally hovers around the overall military average of 3-3.3%, often tied with the Air Force for the highest rates among services, while having higher rates for enlisted members and significantly higher rates for female Marines (around 7%) compared to their male counterparts (around 2.5%). These rates, while stable for years, are influenced by deployment stress, gender, and rank, with officers having lower rates than enlisted personnel. 

Can a marine girlfriend live on base?

Financial considerations. Cohabitation also complicates money matters. Unmarried couples typically cannot live on base unless under specific circumstances (such as being designated a caregiver for children). That means most cohabiting couples rent military housing off base, often with both names on the lease.

What are Marines not allowed to do?

Marines may not act as a posse comitatus, or function as law enforcement. They're barred from conducting surveillance and, in general, crowd control, as well as officially arresting people, and may otherwise only support police in narrowly defined ways, according to Defense Department rules.


Why is 1.9 Marines called the Walking Dead?

1st Battalion, 9th Marines (1/9) are called "The Walking Dead" due to their extraordinarily high casualty rate and relentless combat in Vietnam, a grim moniker allegedly given by the North Vietnamese, but embraced by the Marines as a symbol of their resilience, signifying they were like "dead men walking" who could still fight fiercely. They endured the longest sustained combat of any Marine unit, suffering the highest Killed-In-Action (KIA) rate in Marine Corps history, earning them the fearsome reputation.
 

What is the rarest MOS in the Marine Corps?

The rarest Marine Corps MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) varies, but often includes highly specialized roles like 0511 MATTA Planning Specialist (very small numbers for logistics planning), 4133 Community Services (Retail/MCCS) (fewer than 100 enlisted), and specific Reserve roles like 0471 Personnel Retrieval & Processing (PRP) (only one company in Reserves), highlighting niche support and unique operational needs, though Special Operations (like Raiders) are also highly selective and few. 

Are military men faithful?

Just like with any other group of people, there are both faithful and unfaithful individuals among military guys. It's unfair to generalize an entire group based on the actions of a few. However, military life can be stressful and challenging, which can sometimes put a strain on relationships.


What are Marines always faithful to?

This promise is proclaimed in our motto, Semper Fidelis, and it means that we are always faithful to those on our left and right, from the fellow Marines we fight alongside, to those in our communities for which we fight.

Can you kiss in uniform at the USMC?

Public display of affection (such as holding hands, kissing, or close bodily contact) is prohibited.

What military job has the highest divorce rate?

Among the four branches of the military, divorce rates were highest in the Air Force. Dentists, speech language pathologists and religious workers tended to have the lowest divorce rates.


How often do military relationships last?

Q: What is the divorce rate among military couples? A: The divorce rate among military couples is 4.8% compared to approximately 2.5% of the general public.

What is the 10-10-10 rule in military divorce?

The 10/10 Rule in military divorce dictates that a former spouse can receive direct, monthly payments from the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) for their share of a military pension if the marriage lasted at least 10 years, and those 10 years overlapped with at least 10 years of the service member's "creditable service" for retirement. It's crucial to understand this rule doesn't determine if a spouse gets a share of the pension (state courts do that), but how it's paid, ensuring the ex-spouse gets payments directly from the government rather than relying on the retiree. 

What are the 5 C's of dating?

Take them in the spirit in which they are offered—as a a lens to think about your own relationship. This blog is part of a series on the five Cs: Chemistry, Commonality, Constructive Conflict, Courtesy and Commitment.


What is the 2 2 2 dating rule?

The 2-2-2 rule in dating is a simple framework for maintaining connection in a relationship: every two weeks, have a date night; every two months, take a weekend getaway; and every two years, go on a week-long vacation, aiming to prioritize quality time, reduce daily stress, and strengthen the bond through consistent, dedicated experiences. It's a guideline, not a strict law, designed to foster communication and fun by ensuring regular connection points, even when life gets busy. 

What is the 3 squeeze rule in dating?

The 3-squeeze rule is a trend that's currently going viral on TikTok. It's defined by kissing your partner after they've squeezed your hand 3 times. In this case, the 3 squeezes aren't just a comforting way of saying, “I love you,” but also a tender request for a kiss in romantic relationships.

Is Netflix free for the military?

No, Netflix does not currently offer a specific military discount, but service members can sometimes get it free or discounted through cell phone plans (like T-Mobile) or by using library-linked apps like Kanopy for other content, though Netflix itself isn't directly free through them. While Netflix doesn't have a military deal, other services like Disney+ do offer discounts for military families. 


Can you make $100,000 in the military?

At this point, his basic pay is $71,604, his BAH is $33,120 and his BAS is $3,043, for a grand total of $107,767. It should be noted that this is just one of the ways in which someone in the military can achieve a total compensation of $100,000+.

What is a Marines starting salary?

Starting pay for a new U.S. Marine (E-1 Private) is around $2,017 per month for basic pay, but this increases after four months to about $2,144+, with allowances for housing (BAH) and food (BAS) adding significantly to total compensation, especially without dependents, making the first paycheck around $250-$750 net after deductions. Your total take-home pay depends on rank (E-1 to E-9), time in service, and deductions like taxes and benefits.