Army or USMC? I'm looking at which branch to commission in and I was wondering what's best on the family?

Of the two, the Army would have the better chance of stability for your family, even though there is not much difference.

What would really matter would be your job in each of the services. If you end up working as some type of strategic planner/asset type job in Military Intel for example, your family would be more stable then as an Infantry Officer, Army or USMC would not matter. The Army does have more of those positions though.

Also, the USMC is expiditionary by nature and is built around that. The Army is also expiditionary now, but still has the strategic and long war aspects of war as well.

Overall, both will not be easy on a family.

god IMO nothing is better than the air force for what u r asking about. i was in the navy and that sucked ALOT. Aside from the airforce. I would say army in terms of time away. USMC are always forward deployed. In terms of facilities and housing im going to be honest and say i dont know. But on the flip side who cares about housing and facilities if you're away all the time. In that case i vote army is better if i had to choose between army and usmc. But still airforce is the easiest bootcamp (and shortest), less time away and in the end u end up with the same benefits as all of the other branches. FYI jar heads with all due respect tend to be ummm stupid robots

I had to update: please make sure u do your homework and research all this stuff. people on here tend to be judgemental and subjective. Free housing isnt really what u may think it is. My experinece was 4 roomates on bunk beds, a shared bathroom for the whole floor, inspections, and a**holes that are in charge of the barracks. Recruiters lie!!! Like i said do ur homework. google everything!

I know the army is terrible about that and I don't think the marines would be any better. The Marines may be a little better, mostly just because the bases are all coastal so most of them are in nice locations. By far the best branch in terms of having a family is the air force. Coming from an air force background, you may be shocked and saddened by how those other branches will disregard your family once you're in. I was in the army and its a lot of separation, crummy housing and long hours doing work that doesn't even need to be done. When I was joint tasked with air force personnel they were like, wow sucks to be you. We had to live in these barracks once and the air force people got an extra check every month for what the AF called a substandard living allowance. We all lived in the same barracks but army/navy/marine people didn't get any check or apologies for the substandard living conditions. The marines were the only ones not whining about it though. They think they're tough. I think they're brainwashed.

The Army and Marines both seem to have the basic philosophy that if they want you to have a family, one will be issued to you.

The Air Force is far more agreeable to family life. However, if you don't plan on making a career of the military I'd suggest any branch except the Air Force; the travel opportunities for single people are far better in the other branches, especially the Navy. The AF does not move their personnel very much when compared to the other branches and you could get stuck at some dismal duty assignment for your entire commission.

Update: That guy telling you to contact a recruiter is either a recuiter or he's clueless!!! Recruiters LIE!!! That's their job to get you to sign at all cost.

I wanted a brand new 1994 Bonnieville SSEi when I met my recruiter (Derrick something), but I didn't have any credit yet. He told me my First Seargent would co-sign for me once I got to my permanent duty station... The First Shirt threw me out of his office laughing.

I know I was dumb to believe that one, but the point is recruiters are like used car salesmen, they will say anything to get you behind the wheel of that 1973 Chevy Vega with 400,000+ miles on it.

i say army because its a family friendly job. the only concern now is deployment but the odds are small depending on your mos(infantry, medical, engineer, etc...) but the army take very good care of your family 100% of the way with free health care and housing(on base). if your really curious speak with your local army recruiter and he will tell u everything you need to know. GO ARMY HOOAH!!!!!

neither but out of the two army but airforce is the best branch

air force is the best when it comes to family...if you think it was hard then, you wont do good with a family life int eh army or marines.

the army is more family oriented thant he marines though

As far as benefits... go Army.

As far as prestige go Marines. But the USMC carries a great load of bs you have to deal with on a daily basis so be aware.

Go Army!

cept marines have better housing locations and shorter deployments

why don't you just start your own business instead of killing yourself in the army