Rushing as a Veteran

[Wolfpackmarine]

I've searched the forums, and the only threads really dealing with anything military was either about ROTC or high school kids joining up and thinking six years down the line about joining a frat, so they didn't really fit my situation.

Anyways, I'm a marine rifleman, active duty 4+ years and getting out hopefully this spring. I am applying and will attend University of Maryland if I'm accepted. I am considering joining a fraternity, but have some reservations.

My interest in joining comes from two facts. First, having been gone for over four years I no longer really know anyone going to UMD, nor in my hometown for that matter. Most everyone I went to highschool with recently graduated and are now pursuing there careers and have moved out. By the time I actually do go to school, anyone I would know still in the area probably aren't the kind of people I want to hang out with.
Second, marines (infantrymen especially) are a pretty hatefull bunch of guys. I've spent the last four years looking down on most college kids mainly out of jealousy for what I don't have (freedom, vacations, access to plenty of good looking women). I really don't want to be that bitter asshole vet that hates on everyone when I go to school.

I'm hoping that joining a fraternity will give me some kind of social life and a network of friends that I can kind of rely on. In the military I was never that far away from friends I could drink with or do whatever, I'm kind of looking for that close-knit community when I go to school.

I have reservations about joining because I've developed a fairly high sense of self respect; and Im worried about being percieved as "boot" or being treated like shit while pledging. I've got no problem being the new guy, but Im not going to be anyones bitch. Perhaps the media missportrays how fraternities really are and thats not an issue but still. I just really don't feel like coming out of the marines after 4+ years, having accomplished and experienced a lot, just to have some 19 year old kid talk shit to me.

Does anyone have any opinions or advice they could offer? And does anyone know any veterans in fraternities and how they've adjusted or are treated?

Thanks