DevilDog,
I've been in the Army for 20 years this month. Many years as an enlisted soldier and now 12 years as an officer. I've been to Bosnia, Kosovo, Macedonia and OIF and OEF.
There's a lot of good things to say about joining the Marines. If you have any general questions about the military in general that you may not feel comfortable asking you Dad or brothers, I would be glad to help.
Most of my buddies think that my Mac is both cool and a little strange. I brought it with me my first time over for OIF and made some movies that everyone thought were brilliant (though they would have thought any movie would be brilliant). I'm always talking up Mac's as great alternative to wintel's. I think I only made one convert so far.
Keep us updated as to your plans for the Marines.
Good Luck,
Dan