If someone is going to join the military what branch and why

[tallmike]

Start this off by saying I was in the Marines, so I am a little biased. That being said....are you married. The Marines and Navy have very few overseas assignments that allow the spouse to go along. The Air Force is a gentlemans service...good bases, good barracks/housing, etc. The Marines have nice tents and the Navy has big grey boats. The Army has most of the money and great equipment. The Marines have the tradition. Lots of men join the service to be Army Special Forces, Navy Seals, Marine Recon, or Air Force Para Recue. Very, very few get accepted for those schools and even fewer finish those courses. All that said, look at the Coast Guard. They have great base locations, great bases, and they are always performing a mission, not just training for one. They are very involved with Federal Law Enforcement, so that might give you an "in" with them.

I was in the Army and I would echo this post. It really depends on what "fits" you.

Do you want to go with the branch that has the highest standard of living (Coast Guard or Air Force), the proudest one (Marines), or the largest ones so you have more school options and more places to go?

I am nudging my kids toward the AF or the Coast Guard.

[x007x]

My schooling has not been the best. I was not a good grade student, and I'm coming to an end with schooling. I am 24 about to be 25 in couple months and I still don't have anything to go with. I've always had a priority problems, but I mean, it's me. No one else is to blame. I should of had a degree by now, but I was never taking the general degree classes and only taking classes for the major. I feel the military will be a good life changer. Also, if I do go and I am able to open a business; ill find some good buddies out there that will make a good team partner.

Have you taken the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) test? That might be a good place to start, to see what areas you are strong in and what areas you are weak in...for instance, I was strong in mechanical and electronics areas and weak in administrative...I ended up being an aircraft electrician and mechanic in the USAF. Also, I agree with the person who said go talk to ALL of the recruiters...I also agree that the Army and Marines are likely going to put you more into contact with firearms, but that might not get you armorer training. Talk to the Navy and USAF and see what they have open for that sort of job...you won't know until you ask. BTW, I served with some folks that said they weren't all that great in school, but they did well in the USAF anyway. A clean background and the right attitude is much more important than straight As in school, IMHO. Good luck with whatever career choice you make.

No I have not taken the ASVAB test.. I have the the army, navy offices near me. So I know where to go to talk to them.. Thanks for the replies.

Will the marines usually get sent overseas lately too? I also look into the army/marines for the tactical experience. Never know when it can come in handy. Instead of being an armed deer in headlights.

[x007x]

Start this off by saying I was in the Marines, so I am a little biased. That being said....are you married. The Marines and Navy have very few overseas assignments that allow the spouse to go along. The Air Force is a gentlemans service...good bases, good barracks/housing, etc. The Marines have nice tents and the Navy has big grey boats. The Army has most of the money and great equipment. The Marines have the tradition. Lots of men join the service to be Army Special Forces, Navy Seals, Marine Recon, or Air Force Para Recue. Very, very few get accepted for those schools and even fewer finish those courses. All that said, look at the Coast Guard. They have great base locations, great bases, and they are always performing a mission, not just training for one. They are very involved with Federal Law Enforcement, so that might give you an "in" with them.

Meant to say also. No, I am not married. Just living with the girlfriend.

[Moby]

The little known service.

The United States Coast Guard.
We were in Viet Nam
We were in Iraq.
We're the unsung hero's
And I do mean HERO'S
(I'm speaking of current members)

You will never know the feeling of accomplishment when you save civilian lives. Think fire Rescue mixed with Police work, with counter terrorism thrown in.
On the high seas during a serious storm you will question your decision to join. We all did. I served for ten years and was in two hurricanes one with 60 foot seas and so many storms I can't count, and served as an LEO. It's just Maritime law.

No other service will cross train you in so many different tasks.
It's because the Coast Guard is small. In the Navy if you’re a gunners mate you'll
learn a lot about guns. Plus cannons.

But in the coast Guard you'll learn about guns, Law Enforcement, SAR, firefighting, emergency medical response, and much much more.
A Coast Guardsman can and WILL be called upon to do far more than his MOS (main job description)

In ten years I learned so much. I had so much excitement and adventure it was mind blowing.

Two down sides. You most probably will not see the world.
And it's VERY hard to get in. But you're instantly part of DHS if you do get in.

A word of caution. It's not for sissy’s, Boot camp is as tough as the Marines without the Crucible march and they will throw you out.
But trust me they will show you you can do far more then you think you can.
I'm unsure how things are now but in 1976 I was pretty they were trying to kill me.

There are not as many medals and not as many bullets flying. But trust me, you will be put
in harms ways. Just not against an enemy you can shoot. Mother Nature is more of a B***** than most people know.

Want a truly awesome career? Try the Coast Guard. Some will say we're wimps but few can actually cut it.
I recall pulling a group of marines out of the water of the Coast of North Carolina,
and they sure as heck didn't think we were sissy's. Never been thanked more.
The ocean is a big place 7 miles offshore when you're treading water.

Want to fly a helicopter. YOU WILL NOT FIND FINER PILOTS THEN THE USCG AVIATORS!
They fly in serious weather all the time. SERIOUS CASHEWS!!!!!

EVERYONE thinks the service they were in is the best one.
The reason is simple. We all served the flag and the Constitution of the United States of America.
And every darn Vet I ever see I am grateful for.

The fact that you want to serve makes you an awesome man already.
Whatever service you choose, remember, keep your mouth shut, your ears open, and nothing you are being taught
is a waist of your time. YOU WILL USE IT ALL!!!!

Good luck son. And God Bless you.
Semper Paratus
Always Ready

[CrimsonSoul]

Navy or Air Force, I'm partial to the Navy because I was in it, but if I had to do it all over again I'd probably go Air Force because of their schools.

[K.Mooneyham]

Navy or Air Force, I'm partial to the Navy because I was in it, but if I had to do it all over again I'd probably go Air Force because of their schools.

My older daughter is a Aircraft Non-Destructive Inspection specialist, my nephew is in Basic Training and will be going to Aircraft Structural Maintenance (sheet metal and composite repair) school and my son leaves for Basic in March to become a Aircraft Metals Technology specialist (machinist)...all mission-essential to making aircraft fly. I would say that the Navy probably does just as good at training sailors as the Air Force trains it airmen, at least when it comes to aircraft work (which is all I really know about).

[Vol Texan]

I was Army (and darn proud of what I did), but I have to echo some of the postings I've seen below.

In the 20+ years that I've been out, I've never seen as proud a group of people as the former Marines that I've met. They have an incredible amount of honor, and they maintain a 'once a Marine, always a Marine' state of mind. If I had it to do over again, I would have considered the Marines for that reason alone.

And for the Coast Guard - they are amazing, indeed. They live in condition red whether in peace or in war. They have a huge responsibility to protect our nation's 'wet' borders from terrorism, drug smuggling, and illegal immigration, in addition to keeping vessels safe while they're in our waters. Plus, as the previous poster said, once you're in, you're part of DHS, and that can be a heck of a career path opener for you.

Best of luck to you, and thank you for wanting to dedicate yourself to protecting the rest of us!

[jmra]

I think I would be tempted to look at something drone related. Seems to be where tech is going these days.

[gigag04]

To the OP


This will be a little shout out to my Brothers-n-Arms, Special Forces Weapons Sergeant (18B).

http://www.professionalsoldiers.com/18b.php

If your long-range goal is a career in weapons and guns, those guys get taught a lot about every type of “gun system” ever made! Plus as SF there is experience in tactics and technics.

Now to be honest...it aint easy but it’s not supposed to be!

This is a great forum to lurk on btw...been there for years. My dad pulled out of Delta selection when my mom said she had enough and she was pregnant with this guy ~~>

Best job in the army (in my outsider, but well researched opinion), is a warrant officer aviator, or going SF. Besides that, I'd go boarding crew or coastal patrol (small boat) in the USCG.

[3dfxMM]

The Army has the largest variety of jobs. As some have already stated, you need to get in to a recruiter and take the ASVAB. You will find that it is not particularly easy to join right now. All the services are downsizing. If you do well enough on the ASVAB and meet the other requirements, you could get an 18X contract which will guarantee you a shot at SF selection.

Dad of a former 1st/19th Grouper. :)

[x007x]

So, I am pretty sure I'm going to go into the Marines. Going to take the ASVAB test in a couple months after this semester of school, and see what I'll be good in. Also, goto the offices to talk the them and see what they offer for AF,Marines,Army, and Navy.

[RiverCity.45]

What branch is right for you depends on what you want to do.
I spent 21 years in the Air Force and spent my entire career in multi-service environments (so I learned a great deal about all the other branches, since I worked with them).
One of my observations has been this: a fundamental difference between the AF and the Army/Marine Corps is that in the AF, they tend to send their officers into harm's way (pilots). In the Army/Marine Corps, it's the enlisted (and junior/warrant officers) who are sent there. Navy? Most sailors don't see much combat action in most situations. Of course, there are exceptions in every branch (e.g., para-rescue for the AF, SEALs for Navy/Marines), and non-combat positions in the Army. And, naturally, having a job on any aircraft is going to be inherently more dangerous than a desk job (aircraft load master vs. pay clerk, for example).
So. I agree. Get your degree first, then find the branch that has an opening for the type of career you want. Remember, there are many military jobs that have no real civilian equivalent, which can be a problem when you decide to leave military service. Plan carefully.

[RiverCity.45]

I think I would be tempted to look at something drone related. Seems to be where tech is going these days.

Drone related. That means Air Force pilot training if you mean you want to be the one flying the drone, rather than maintaining it or launching some of the smaller ones.

[Frankie]

My dad is Retired Navy
My brother is Retired Air Force
I am Retired Army
My Mother was active duty Navy but was forced out when she became pregnant with my older brother (see above), she then went on to serve civil service for both the Navy and the Air Force with a total of 47 years of service. She has since retired.
Holidays in our house are a ton of fun, pulling on each other’s legs about whose branch was best but in the end, we are all equals and family.

Regardless of what branch you choose serve with honor and pride. You will be a part of a large and select brotherhood.

[bdickens]

None. No way. Not until the imposter squatting in the White House now is gone and a real CINC takes his place.