What do you think of the state of your country culturally, economically and geopolitically and how much do you think your perspective differs from other marines and civilians
The United States is a cultural wreck. A military organization comes with an identity, a team, and an objective (vague in peacetime, but still existent). Having those things washed away a lot of the tribalism that makes Americans so fractured. We were irreverently racist and prejudiced, and we found a way to make fun of anyone for any reason, but we were still a team. I'm not saying racism and prejudice didn't exist in the military, and don't get me started on sexism, but a person's identity as a Marine was more important than anything else. Americans don't have that anymore. They don't have a sense of what it is to be "American", nor can we define that average American man or woman. I think maybe Americans are realizing they aren't proud to be from their country anymore and need to find reasons for national pride again (without becoming national socialists).
Economically the past four years were the equivalent of the world's largest economy planting its foot in the sand and saying "we're going to keep doing what we've always been doing but better." But the progress of technology is marching on and I think American can continue to lead in developing alternative energy and transportation. Our infrastructure is horrible, however, and the solution is not printing more money. We may dilute our own money supply and collapse the US Dollar. Also our securities market is full of corruption and manipulation, the line between the rich and the government gets thinner every day, and a citizen is now even more easy to manipulate using the internet, instead of acting as a more transparent alternative to the media.
Geopolitically we are weak and growing even weaker. I was one of the Marines to continuously suggest that China could readily wipe our Pacific forces off the map in a fashion that would make Pearl Harbor look like a joke (I spent a couple years in Okinawa). Many Americans, especially in the military, continue to think that we are unassailable. It would be nice for the rest of the world to take a more proactive stance against countries like China and Russia but America made a habit of sticking up for other countries, self-interested or not, and now we're expected to keep doing that. By the way, I have no issue with Chinese or Russian people or anyone nationality. The people are great, power struggles and politics suck. Before a war starts a good government villainizes the enemy and makes you hate them but in the end we are all just people and war is terrible.
And that really sums up the answer to your last question, that as an INTP it's hard to put on the war paint and not analyze a situation from all angles. It's also hard to just "drink the kool-aid" and have the same measure of pride and devotion that your fellow Marines have. Despite those obstacles I did feel like part of a team and I was driven by love for the people around me to be good at my job and not a liability. I am concerned I'll never feel the same love and connection with so many people ever again. The camaraderie is an amazing experience.
What do you like about the Marines and what do you not like about the Marines?
Do you feel it suits your personality? Have you had or do you have any issues with that?
Are you overall happy in the Marines?
The Marines, whether they are the best or not, think they're the best. They go through more pain and suffering than the average soldier/airman/sailor and this gives them pride. They love to rub it in other people's faces. The feeling of being a Marine (at least at first) is amazing. It feels like you really accomplished something and I'll always feel that way and be proud of what I did. I liked belonging to that organization. It took care of me, taught me a lucrative skill I can make a career out of, paid all of my living expenses, fed me, gave me a free education after my service... the list goes on. Most importantly it introduces and bonds you to hundreds of similarly-aged and like-minded people. I liked the people and I will miss the people. Always.
I did not like the anxious fixation you acquire for minor and totally illogical and irrelevant details, i.e. the condition of your uniform, whether you shaved, if you can wear a certain article of clothing in a certain place. Every dumb rule in the Marine Corps can be refuted with logic or traced back to its source: some dumbass officer who thought it would be a good idea or represent his views. Example: Marine Corps tattoo policy has repeatedly been the result of the Commandant being against it (they're usually old white men, go figure). Dumb rules everywhere, getting yelled at then being told by another Marine of the same rank that you didn't do anything wrong actually, bad leadership, becoming a leader yourself and telling people to do something then being told to tell them to do something else.
I think INTP's can be good in the military, especially when they climb the ranks a bit. My aloofness and lack of attention to detail from being stuck in my own head, and my lack of assertiveness, made the lower ranks difficult. I struggled to make others realize how intelligent I was and how proficient I could be, but when my leaders realized I was mature and capable it really helped my career via high marks from leadership. I was able to make Sergeant my last year in which not everyone did in my MOS.
INTP's are going to be thoughtful leaders and they're going to care for each and every person on their team, even the shitbags, because an INTP can see the shitbag's perspective. I loved the Marines under me and only wanted to help them all out. That made it difficult to be a hardass. An INTP Marine is going to be less of a yeller and more of the disappointed dad who tells a Marine why what they did was stupid and how it makes them look.
I was happy in the Marines and could have stayed in for a full career but I think I was curious what the outside would be like, plus my wife hated me being away.
I understand that's a lot but I would have loved to read something like this before I joined and that's why I wanted to make this thread.