As a former US Marine, yes.
Marine Force Recon
One can join the US marine corp my first ensuring one meets all requirements of joining. One can then apply and complete the training required to join the marines.
BY GOLLY, no!
Speaking for the US Merchant Marine only: Yes girls and women can join us.
actually a better question would be what is the marine cores equivalent to the army rangers. the rangers are considered more highly trained and more elite soldiers than the marines (although a marine will tell you other wise). And the marines equivalent would be MARSOC which stands for Marine Special Operations Command.
Apples and oranges. The US Army Rangers and Marine Corps Recon are two very distinct groups with very distinct missions. They cannot be equally compared.
To join the US Marine Corps, a Nigerian born native must become a US citizen, or be a resident alien with qualifying paperwork.
18, or 17 with parental permission.
No. However, in certain circumstances, a waiver can be given for some misdemeanor charges.
You need to be a resident alien in the United States.
Yes, a reason is MEPS needs to make sure you are legal in the US.
That's a decision for you to make. It all depends on what you want out of it, perhaps where you want to be stationed, etc.