I’ve been looking into joining the military as a JAG, and for a number of reasons I would prefer the Marine Corps.  I’m trying to find out if I’ll be able to get through OCS, TBS, and remain a Marine if I am Orthodox.  I’ve spoken to a couple people who aren’t Orthodox and they said it isn’t really possible and I would likely be thrown in jail.  If there is anyone out there who has done it or knows someone who has done it, that would be very helpful. 

I spoke with an OSO and he said that weekends are off on Liberty after the third week, and TBS also has the weekends off so this seems to make Shabbos not as much of an issue as I originally thought, and there are kosher mres (I don’t know what the policy of this is in the Marines-I could see how they wouldn’t like someone doing things differently, making themselves an ‘individual, but it should be possible) which I assume I can supplement them with fresh fruits and vegetables.  I spoke with a recruiter who said they wouldn’t let me use an electric shaver, but could use a depilatory cream.  The regulations for hair that I found at http://www.ocs.usmc.mil/New_Web_Format/Candidate_Information/GroomingStandards.htm seem to be pretty close to what halacha permits-I still need to speak with a Rav if 1/8” is too short for the payos area and find out if its possible to have the sideburns extend a couple millimeters below the regular regulation for religious reasons.  Do they shave candidates heads at OCS?  Davening during OCS seems like it will be a challenge, I got the impression that they don’t want candidates awake when they are supposed to be sleeping, but there should be a way to work with this issue also.

I need to find out how much of challenge Shmiras Shabbos and Mitzvos will really be and if it will it be possible to obtain grape juice for kiddush, rolls for lechem mishneh, and things for havdalla?  What are the REAL kosher food possibilities at OCS? Are Tallis, Teffilin, a Sidur and maybe a small chumash or mishnayos allowed?  Will I simply be considered failure to adapt because of my religious convictions?  I assume it will be an extra challenge because the sergeant instructors don’t like “individuals”, I am willing to live with that and doing things bedieved, but I don’t want to put myself in a situation where I will have major problems.

Good luck in your inquiries.

I do know that My Own Meals supplies Kosher MREs to the military.  These are glatt kosher under the Soloveithcik hechsher.  We have dealt with them in the past, they are great people.  I don’t know if you can get this from your supply officer, or you have to buy them on your own.

Our firm is the Jewish Prime Vendor for the military.  We sell kosher wine, mezzuzot, siddurim, chumashim, shabbos candlesticks and candles, camouflage kippot and tallit, lulav/esrog sets and sukkahs, Kosher for Passover seder kits, Jewish book, psalms, haggadahs, menorahs, machzorim and more.  Find out if your chaplain or supply officer knows how to obtain them.

To see some of the items listed, go to warfighter.dla.mil.

Dee
Jewish Prime Vendor

PM me and I will give you my phone number and we can talk. I think I might be able to answer most of your questions.

-Tzvi

thank you Tzvi, I sent you a pm

Newbie,

I hope you find what you’re looking for, but I think even more importantly, I think you need to come to terms with your beliefs.  It really comes down to what is your hierarchy of beliefs?  If your Yiddishkeit is going to come before the mission and protecting the United States, then perhaps you should consider another profession.  The military is not about bending to your individual needs.  If you think the Marine Corps is an “Army of one,” you may be in for a shock.  You are a cog in the machine.  That is your duty.  Your purpose is for the mission.  If that means eating non-kosher MREs in Fallujah to keep up your strength so you can kill the enemy, then make your choice now.  Don’t wait until the lives of everyone in your squad rely upon you and you have to double check the Shulchan Uruch before acting. 

Also, keep in mind that the military is a team.  You say the Marines don’t like individuality, but there’s a damn good reason for that.  Think how the Greek Phalanx would’ve worked if one soldier decided to lower his shield?  Eat, sleep, pray together.  I would recommend that you take that to heart.  Which side would you rather be overly-cautious on?  Not breaking a chalacha or being responsible for the death of a fellow American soldier?

I am an Orthodox Jew in the Navy, hoping to work with Fleet Marine Force.  I keep kosher and daven at shul, but I know the moment I have Active Duty, where my priorities lie.  The military doesn’t exist for you.  You exist for it.  I hope you make the right choice.

All I can add to this is my son is a Marine, 19 years old. He isn’t Orthodox but he does go to services. He can wear his Kippa under his helmet. He’s deploying soon to the bad place and can take a Tallit and his Siddur. He doesn’t keep Kosher as it’s not an issue for him. They do as much as they can for religion in the Marines and I’ve been impressed by how they’ve treated him in this regard. He was the victum of some anti-semitism in bootcamp and the guys who did it were kicked out. He We are also have dual citizenship with Israel and they’ve never asked him to give that up.

Have you ever checked how the IDF deals with this? You really should. You’ll be really surprised. I read the last post and that person’s so right. But I think you know that. They have to take care of each other and your life is more important than Kassarut. Check the IDF.