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Joining the Military
- Thread starter go1lum
- Start date
Do what you want. If you want to shuffle papers go officer if you want to work go enlisted. You always have the option to go officer later.
Good luck. Take your combat and combat life saver training seriously, no matter what your job is.
Darky
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- 29 Palms, CA
Going Marine Corps will bring out any weaknesses in your knees with all the running. I loved my time in the Marine Corps, but my knees didn't like the running. I almost considered re-enlisting into the Air Force.
I like the Navy promotion scheme better, with their testing. You have to pass a test to get promoted, make sure you know your job before getting promoted. In the Marine Corps it's based on rifle range score, fitness testing, an arbitrary rating of your proficiency and conduct (which is almost entirely based on what your SNCOs think of you), and a couple other things. I had a sergeant who was completely clueless on the gear but always got great ratings.
EDIT:
You can get a job in the Army or Marine Corps that would allow you to be on the front lines or one that would be highly technical and keep out of the line of fire. A Marine Corps officer (depending on job) is expected to lead from the front and do everything the enlisted folks do (physically) and do it better. I would be hesitant about going in as an E4...could cause a lot of resentment from the guys you're supposed to be leading seeing as to how you'll be in the same boat as them time in service-wise, yet still expected to know more and be a leader. At least in the Marine Corps an E4 (Corporal) is expected to be a leader. I've heard different about an Army E4 (Specialist as opposed to Corporal). Pay grades are more than just a pay raise, responsibility, experience, and leadership are expected to come with it as well.
I like the Navy promotion scheme better, with their testing. You have to pass a test to get promoted, make sure you know your job before getting promoted. In the Marine Corps it's based on rifle range score, fitness testing, an arbitrary rating of your proficiency and conduct (which is almost entirely based on what your SNCOs think of you), and a couple other things. I had a sergeant who was completely clueless on the gear but always got great ratings.
EDIT:
You can get a job in the Army or Marine Corps that would allow you to be on the front lines or one that would be highly technical and keep out of the line of fire. A Marine Corps officer (depending on job) is expected to lead from the front and do everything the enlisted folks do (physically) and do it better. I would be hesitant about going in as an E4...could cause a lot of resentment from the guys you're supposed to be leading seeing as to how you'll be in the same boat as them time in service-wise, yet still expected to know more and be a leader. At least in the Marine Corps an E4 (Corporal) is expected to be a leader. I've heard different about an Army E4 (Specialist as opposed to Corporal). Pay grades are more than just a pay raise, responsibility, experience, and leadership are expected to come with it as well.
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Army's promotion system is the same. Works good in some ways but always leaves room for corruption. The Navy system is decent but you get people that are book smart but can't lead for shit. I think a combination of the two would be best.
Did you RE-up Navy?
XJ_Vikings
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Simsbury, CT
Everyone here has good points. I think the biggest questions you have to ask yourself are if you want to go career and what job you want to do. If you want to go infantry, Marines hands down. If you want a technical job or an administrative job, pick any of the other services.
Also, I really cant stress enough how helpful it is to go to a recruiter with someone who has military experience. Even if its a friend of a friend of a friend.
Also, I really cant stress enough how helpful it is to go to a recruiter with someone who has military experience. Even if its a friend of a friend of a friend.
mcantar18c
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Fayettnam
chAir Force. Unless you're the brainy type that wants to sit in offices and labs all day and not really get up and do anything, stay away. Just over 2% of Air Force personnel are actually pilots... the rest are what give them the bad name about being lazy.
I have to disagree. If you want Infantry (best job in the military), go Army. You can pick your specific job with the Army (which from my understanding you can't with the Marines), and there's aways Infantry slots open with the Army whereas last I heard from my Marine buddy who just got back from Afghan, they're not taking anybody for Infantry at the moment.
Also, like I said earlier, you'll have more doors open to you in the Army. They're larger, better funded, and more interconnected with other agencies than the Marines are. Say you go for 35M, an intel job, and after your contract is up and you've got some 4-6 years of experience under your belt in the field of Intelligence you want to get into spec ops or you want to apply for CIA, NSA, etc.... its a much easier jump to do that from the Army than it is from the Corps. My buddy's doing that right now. Or you do what I'm doing and go spec ops... get a contract as an 11X (Infantry) and put in for Airborne and Ranger schools after you get done with basic, then after your contract is up and you've spent time as a Ranger you can put in for SFAS (Special Forces selection) and have a pretty good chance of getting in (to selection, actually qualifying is still tough shit). Again, going from regular Infantry to spec ops is a much easier step to take with the Army than it is with the Marines.
But X2 on bringing someone in that branch's active service for whatever recruiter you talk to. Great idea.
Gearheadette
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Fort Hood, TX
Go to ALL the recruiters, a branch that might be best for one is not nessisaraly best for all. The Marines, and Army are awesome for learning a Trade, their training is great. Navy is Awesome for it's Judicial and Medical feilds, trust me I am in the Army, and I love Navy doctors, they are way better at it. Air Force is Awesome for Computers, and IT professions, you only get to be a fighter pilot if you are in the top 5% of your class and its hard just to make it into pilot school in the first place. Coast Guard is awesome for staying in the states, and not deploying, and best if you wish to pursue a career in Criminal Justice when you get out.
My #1 peice of advice is IF IT IS PROMISED TO YOU MAKE SURE IT IS IN YOUR CONTRACT BEFORE SIGNING OR YOU AINT GETTING IT!!!!
My #1 peice of advice is IF IT IS PROMISED TO YOU MAKE SURE IT IS IN YOUR CONTRACT BEFORE SIGNING OR YOU AINT GETTING IT!!!!
Gearheadette
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Fort Hood, TX
Dont get me wrong there are other fields in the different branches that might be good. I know someone that was a Aircraft Mechanic in the Navy, mainly because there arent that many of them so he was able to pick out his specialty easier than if he went Air Force. So you just gotta look around.
XJ_Vikings
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Simsbury, CT
Personal preference. However, there are infantry openings right now, and if they ever tell you there arnt, wait 2 months and they will reopen it. Also, with a college degree they will want you badly. Keep in mind that I do not suggest Marine infantry if you are planning a career, and I do not suggest attempting to get infantry officer. Odds are you will go to OCS, TBS and then get selected for public relations or some shit like that. After the basic school your command will give you the MOS that best serves the Marine Corps, not necessarily your first choice.
Generally for active duty you pick 03 open, meaning you can be a rifleman, assaultman, mortarman, or machine gunner (best MOS in the military). If you go with someone with experience in the military its not hard to lock on a specific MOS, just gotta strong arm them.
Everyone here who has served is going to be a little bias, but if you read through it all youll notice some patterns about what people think is the best career move.
RichP
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Effort, Pa
Finish school no matter what, get that degree. The Navy is the cleanest, gets to travel to more places where people for the most part are not shooting at you. I spent 7 years in, 5 on submarines as a RM/ET 2333 electronics repair and crypto repair. Submarines offer the best schooling opportunities.
Army National Guard as a 13F for 17 years which is a great MOS, the best IMO if you can do the profile, we carry 60 pounds more than an infantryman so knees become an issue.
Army National Guard as a 13F for 17 years which is a great MOS, the best IMO if you can do the profile, we carry 60 pounds more than an infantryman so knees become an issue.
I talked with the air force today. Haha from what I seen I have to agree it is more like the chair force. They offer no tuition reinbursment or signing bonuses. Right now I'm planning on the army. I know I have to get everything in writing and I told the recruiter that today. They are offering up to 65K in tuition reinbursment which is close to what I am currently in debt in student loans. She garanteed me that it would be in the contract. If it isn't, I simply won't sign. Plain and simple. Also as mentioned I am trying to enter as an E4 through the Army Civilian Aquired Skills Program. If the job is open and I get all the correct paperwork that will also be stated in my contract. The MOS i'm going for is 91W/Metal Worker. The ACASP program for that requires 2 years proof of experience in body and metal, and an A.W.S certification in welding which I currently have. Now I'm going to go have a :smoker:
Boatwrench
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Petaluma, CA
Best advice I have read so far.
I did 35 years in the Coast Guard. Being an enlisted was more fun than being an officer. The small search & rescue boats are a young person's job and I terribly missed them after getting promoted. The problem with the CG was I never went anywhere overseas like the Navy guys did until I became an officer & part of the joint forces. After being recalled for 9/11 there was extensive travel.
Good luck in whatever choice you make.
XJ_Vikings
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Simsbury, CT
"Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country"
Don't get too caught up in $$$$$
Don't get too caught up in $$$$$
Darky
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- 29 Palms, CA
No, I'm out, just got to talk with a few sailors while in and promotion system came up.
Darky
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- 29 Palms, CA
I'm not so sure on it being easier to get into other agencies from the Army than the Marine Corps. It wouldn't make any sense if you think about it. It's easy to get into Force/Amphib Recon selection, difficult to qualify, much like Special Forces. Not to start a flame war (honestly) but general Marine training is usually regarded as the best in the services. Get into to the SOC, and everybody's pretty even, just different specialties.
Air Force is a lot more than labs and pilots. They have all te same jobs as the oter branches minus service specific stuff like infantry in the Army and USMC, or boat related things like Navy/Coast Guard. You still have MPs, mechanics for all the aircraft, air traffic control, firefighters, admin, intel, etc.
Any of the branches would be an excellent choice. Army makes it easier to fly than the USMC (helicopters at least); Marine Corps is smaller and tighter knit, if you make a career of it, you'll get to know just about everyone in your field and all adjacent fields. Navy has the widest variety of locations and jobs. Diego Garcia alone is almost wort joining....Air Force is probably tied with the Navy for most technical jobs but with the added benefit of not having to be trapped on a ship for months on end.
Don't let the money influence you too heavily. I switched from aircraft mechanic to aircraft electronics on my contract to get a $4000 bonus. After taxes, the bonus was more like $2600 and I ended in an electronics job related to aircraft that never touched an aircraft. Kinda different from what I wanted. Find the service that will suit what you want/need most and then get as much as you can bonus wise. Also, make absolutely sure that your tuition reimbursement covers tuition from prior to service and not just what you do once in.atriot:I'm not all about the money. But lets be real, it's deffinatly part of my decision.
Gearheadette
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Fort Hood, TX
That is my MOS it is no longer 91W metal worker, as of Oct 1st we merged with the Machinists we are now 91E Allied Trade Specialist. We weld and machine, basicly fabricators.
Gearheadette
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Fort Hood, TX
even if you breeze through the welding section you still have to go to machinist school
Jeepdog85
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Brookfield ct
I'm a Marine Corp recruiter and yes i have a biased opinion. For the Marines the jobs arent garenteed however the marine recruiter should have a general idea of whats available. but its all about what your looking for, what you want to do and where you want to be in five or ten years, is there a specific trade your looking for? and talk to all the branches were not all infantry and every branch of service has there strong points, however if your looking army talk to the marine recruiter to you minght learn something you didnt know.
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