Thinking of joining the Marines

Hello, I'm a 17 year old teenager I'm interested in advice from marines and former marines to tell me advice about the corps.  I have been interested in joining since I was a junior in highschool I've always thought to myself I'd be a great honor to join the brother and sisterhood. My only probably is my parents are having trouble understanding, they don't trust recruiters too much I know cause I had to fight them to go talk to mine they believe they " Just tell you what you want to hear to get a pay check," so I thought I turn to the people who are serving and have served. Also if your a marine parent friend, friend or just someone who knows what their talking about don't feel shy to speak your mind about it, I'm looking for all the advice I can get about the Marine Corps, I don't want to walk into it blind I've done some research but I'd like more from people who know a thing or two. I would like to know about: basic training, life styles, benefits, everything positive and negative, so if people could help and have the time thanks million.