I would like to ask which branch is the best to go into Army, Military, or Marines?

You pick a wonderful day to make a decision and if you are asking this community what service to possible give up your life you should be asking your priest/ preacher and family.

Please allow me to answer your question with this preface:

I was wounded, the last time long before you were born, May 10 1971. I still dream about the people we eliminated under "Operation Phoenix". I see each of their faces, hear them begging. I see the Vietcong stick grenade spitting smoke and turning end over end; bouncing on top of the APC before bouncing into Doc's lap and detonating; blowing off the top of his head; seriously wounding Tex; penetrating my lower back and kidneys, going from the rear through the front exiting through the knee cap and through my right elbow, ring finger, little finger and wrist. I was unable to return fire in the conventional manner.

I pulled this out for the second time in 35 years it reads:

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in armed conflict against the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong communist aggressors in the Republic of Vietnam. On 10 May 1971, while on a long range reconnaissance patrol in Ankee providence his men came under an intense enemy attack. The initial attack wounded Sergeant Adams and several other personnel. Refusing medical aid, he commenced giving first aid to the other wounded. At the same time, he directed his remaining forces into a defensive position. When the medical helicopter came, he chose to remain behind to make room for these more seriously wounded. During the ensuing fighting which would include face to face combat and in spite of his wounds and disregard to his own safety, Sergeant Adams continued to defend his position. Sergeant ADAMS 's decisive actions in rendering first aid, directing his personnel, while in defense of their position, while exposed to enemy fire, was directly responsible for the saving of his personnel. His devotion to duty, courage under fire, exemplary professionalism and outstanding leadership were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army".

I am not bragging but getting ready to make a point. When I got home no one cared and guess what they don’t care today. When I tried to get a job, I had no skills if you want to join a branch of the military at least select a decent job and something that if you decide not to make the military a career you can make a living. If you are really taking advice, I would suggest The Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center. If one took FARSI or Chinese they could step right into the CIA or NSA as a GS12 or GS13, one could not ask for more. (Upon competition of the School, you are given the equivalent of an Associate Degree).

Branch of the Military. You don’t want to ask us what you want look at what it is you want and what kind of training “you” want for yourself.

I never lie so you and others might not like what I am going to say here, but what they heck? Wait I always wanted to say this: “You can’t handle the truth”! Cool huh?

I live near the Norfolk Naval Base (Worlds Largest Naval Base) and laugh each time a ship goes to sea. All the Navy wives get on TV crying expressing horror at being left alone for six months, fearing their love one might be injured, mad because they do not know how they are going to make it for six months. I know our Navy went to sea in World War I and II and Korea for years! At that time, they might actually be killed in combat. My cousin served on a carrier off the coast of Viet Nam and complains to this day, what he went through. You know how rough it is have three hot meals a day, a clean warm bunk, ice cream games and hot showers. Since the conception of the all volunteer military cruise are a maximum of a year but usually six months. What can you or any one say?

I took my rest and recuperation (r & r) at Da Nang Air Force Base on the South China Sea, and was amazed and enjoyed the movie theaters, sidewalks, pools and A/C. It is no different today. Most of the Air Force personnel are in the rear at that base if working in operations they get the flight in the air, go to a fast food establishment, the pool or movies. From time to time, a pilot might be shot at and even shot down, but the majority of the time is safe and requires brains and skill.

The Army, what can anyone say? God Help us. The Army has again lowered the standards and wonders why a soldier is being arrested for rape, murder or assault and battery. Talk to the old timers our Special Force are getting the equivalent of what the average World War II soldier received. They run in tennis shoes (I have asked that in combat do they ask for a cease fire and change shoes). Hell, they cannot even be yelled at anymore! The classes are lacking with many of the areas were skills used to be taught now occupied by civilian contractors. (They pull everything from maintenance to operations).

There fore many of the skills, which would help the GI in private life, are gone. Therefore, if you chose the Army try to find a decent career.

The Marines. What can anyone say about a Marine? What ever they say it had better be quietly. Before I can discuss them, I have two scenarios I want to discuss:

The wounded Marine just shook his fist at the hillside and yelled: "Damn it! If you're going to kill me, then kill me, but stop trying to scare me to death!"

April 6, 1865 at Saylors Creek Yankee Troops took a quarter of the Army. When heavy fighting was heard off in the tree lines, officers rode down to see who had not been informed of the surrender. A senior yankee rode up to a Confederate Marine and asked, “Why was he still fighting”? The Confederate yelled back asking, “why, aren’t we winning”?

Look at Viet Nam and Iraqi the Marine get more killed with less casualties then the Army because they train their men. A military has to learn think on their feet and when ordered to jump without question. That is what getting our Army boys killed, not the insurgents, epically not themselves but the Army and their training program. The worse thing about a Marine is once they get out they don’t function as well in the private world; the training drives it out.

So ask yourself do you want to be a dead hero (Army); be in combat but come home (Marines) do nothing but play video games, eat and make the people at home think you are in danger- ask yourself if you look best in white or blue. When you say you don’t believe me who up the causalities per branch. I’ll bet you’ll find Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force!

God Bless you and the Southern People.

This is a question only you can answer. Ask yourself this..What can YOU do for the armed forces and your country. I've read all the answers and everyone seems to be on this job, experience kick. You won't get rich or come away with some invaluable job skill. You will be basically trained in both military virtues and MOS specialty. You are not joining the job corps you are joining the military to serve your country so you need to pick a service that you will be proud to serve in. It is admireable of you to want to join and I highly respect that. Don't listen to the bullcrap about one service pays more or has better training than the other because all services are paid according to thier rank which the pay scale is the same for all services and most MOS schools are multi-service. You will hear recruiters say that you can get more college money or bonuses thats bullcrap as well. All services offer the same benefits, think about it, the department of defense does not come out and say we are going to give the Army more money for college than the Marines, Airforce and Navy. All of them get the same the only difference is how they market thier benefits to the young people. Attaining rank depends on the service. In this area some services promote faster than others again it depends on the wants and needs of that service. Some services make you take a test and if you score higher than the other10,000 that take the same test you may get promoted, other services like the Marines promote based off your performance and conduct. I read earlier that the fastest promoting was the Army, Marines, Navy, Airforce and I believe thats pretty accurate. Well good luck with your decision and remember that you are joining to serve your country not yourself.

Marines. Hands down.

We've got the snazzy uniforms, the original digital cammies, and in my opinion, the best and hardest training.

But of course, I'm biased. Haha.

But seriously:

Army:

Hardness: 3/5

Training: 3/5

Military to Civilian: 4/5

Jobs (MOS): 4/5

Opportunities: 3/5

Promotion: 2/5

Encampment: 5/5 (high)

Overall: if you want a good job, but want to transition easily back into civilian life, this is definitely the way to go. However, promotions, opportunities, and the possiblity of being stationed somewhere for a long time are definite negatives too.

Navy:

Hardness: 1/5

Training: 2/5

Military to Civilian: 5/5

Jobs (MOS): 3/5

Opportunities: 4/5

Promotion: 3/5

Encampment: 4/5 (somewhat high)

Overall: the good thing is that there are plenty of opportunities in the Navy, and transition is good too. However, you will be stuck in the middle of the ocean for long periods of time.

Air Force:

Hardness: 1/5

Training: 1/5

Military to Civilian: 5/5

Jobs (MOS): 2/5

Opportunities: 3/5

Promotion: 2/5

Encampment: 1/5 (low)

Overall: okay it's easy. However, jobs are hard to get and so are promotions. Though you won't get deployed very often, it's hard to get out there and see the world.

Marine Corps:

Hardness: 5/5

Training: 5/5

Military to Civilian: 2/5

Jobs (MOS): 3/5

Opportunities: 2/5

Promotion: 2/5

Encampment: 4/5 (high)

Overall: there is a lot of pride from being in the Corps, however, opportunities are few and far between, due to deployment and the lack of said opportunities anyway. It's also hard to transition too.

Coast Guard:

Hardness: 3/5

Training: 4/5

Military to Civilian: 4/5

Jobs (MOS): 1/5

Opportunities: 1/5

Promotion: 3/5

Encampment: 5/5 (high)

Overall: you're always stationed here in the states, however, jobs are few and opportunities are fewer. It's also the second hardest training, behind the Marines.

Hope that helps

Assuming you are talking enlisting as an enlisted.

Best branch not to get your butt shot off. Tie 1. Air Force and Navy.

Fastest promotions: 1. Army 2. Marines 3. Navy 4. Air Force

In the Army, it is very possible to be promoted to E6 in 4 years.

Best Conversion of military skills to civilian: 1. Air Force 2. Navy 3. Tie Marines and Army.

I was in the Navy and I recommend that branch for several reasons. First, unless you really like camping out in the mud in all kinds of crappy weather and possible getting shot I would avoid the Marines or the Army. the Navy and Air Force offer great training that you can take back to civilian life. When I was in the Navy I spent a LOT of time at sea aboard an aircraft carrier. We had hot food and a warm place to sleep. That went a long way with me. both the Navy and Air Force have huge support and logistics networks so your chances of a truly dangerous MOS are minimal.

I told my son the same thing because I wanted him to come home alive.

Hi QT,

Going into the forces, isn't a choice that many people would be thinking of and because each branch of force has many dangers - it isn't as great as it sounds and there is also a great deal of training involved.

But, I think that each one has it's own appeal. The navy is more interesting, but less 'action' is involved and most of the work is done onboard ship for many months. Also, the navy is much better paid and you are less likley to get yourself killed or to kill anyone else!. You have to be good at maths to get into the navy.

The army and military and marines is far more dangerous but a lot easier to get into than the navy and you have to do a lot of physical work - you also have to want to kill somone - so you would have to be prepared for this. They will train you, but there is a lot of tough training to go through and it takes a long time to be trained up.

I not trying to put you off, but you have to really want to die for your country as this comes with each branch, but the navy is the best option if you want to go into the forces without wanting to get yourself killed and there are a lot more job-roles in the navy and a lot of money can be made in the navy. Men look great in a navy outfit, so this is another great plus!

Hope I have been able to help? - good luck and hope you can get to find more about each one more before you really make a decision.

The marines is similar to the navy

As a former Marine I'm biased toward the Corps. I've never met a finer bunch of men and women than those who I served with. In reality, it depends on what you are interested in doing while in the service.

I would talk to the recruiters from every branch and see what they have to offer so you can make an informed decision.

Thank you ahead of time for your sacrifice and willingness to serve your country. If only more young people were like you.

All your going to receive is baised answers, I am an Army vet so therefore I prefer the Army, what you need to do is SERIOUS research on the jobs, benefits and what each branch has to offer according to your needs and what you are trying to get out the joining the service. Never rush the decision (I am a former Army recruiter). Good luck with your research and God bless ya for wanting to serve.

The Marines

i say air force. they give u good training and its something u REALLY have to be intelligent for. u learn a lot. and its not as dangerous as the marines. but either way if ur part of the U.S. military, i support u. God Bless the Troops

If you want to get real hard around the edges join the Marines.