U.S Marines/Airforce etc, what is better?

Question

When I'm 18 I'll be serving this country. If you had experience or know some one who has in the U.S Navy/Army/Marines/Airforce could you help me?

I'm thinking about being a Marine or joining the Air Force. The army is always at wars but the Marines get sent out first, and I don't really like being a Sailor.

I heard the Air Force pays more an is 'better'.


Thank you.

Thanks for the information, I still have a couple years to think. Some of you said the Air Force is hard to get in to an you need to take a test to join?
That won't be difficult for me. I'm very knowledgeable. But I'd rather be out on the battlefield. My chances of dying are higher, I know that.

I'm leaning towards Marines but more information would be great! I don't want to talk to a recruiter because from what I heard they tend to lie to you to get you to join.

Answer 1

Each service pays the same based on the pay grade. The enlisted grades are E-1 through E-9; officers are O-1 through O-10. The names of the ranks are different; the pay is the same.

Each service has a different life style. Your decision needs to be based on what you want to accomplish while you are in the military. Talk to veterans in your area. Ask them which service they would want to join if they did it all over again; then ask them what their second choice would be.

I was an Air Force Recruiter for 6 years so you can tell which service I believe is best. But in those years I found that the USMC also attracted a very high caliber applicant. Each of the four services has different qualifications based on education (no drop outs), test scores (no dummies); previous drug usage (no druggies); and law violations (no crooks). Good Luck!

Answer 2

The Air Force is better as a whole. But the pay is the same in all branches of the military. The Air Force is more like a 9 to 5 job.

Answer 3

The AF doesn't pay more. The Armed Forces pay the same for a particular pay grade. Which one you go into depends on you. Are you wild man that is very physical and ready to risk it all then go for the Marines. If you are a little more reserved and basically have more common sense and brains then consider the Air Force. I could never do the strict discipline and rigorous activities of the Marines so I did electronic communications equipment repair in the Air Force. I envy and respect the Marines ! These guys are the real meat of the US Military. OOH RAH !!!

Answer 4

They all pay the same. If you want to learn electronics or aviation, then the Navy or air force are both great. The army and marines are good just for the discipline if nothing else. I was in the navy and would recommend it just for the travel. I saw the orient in a way i never will again. If you like to be home at the end of the day go air force.

Answer 5

All services pay the same, as has been mentioned. Give some thought to what you want to do after your time in the service. I joined the Air Force in 1979 and was able to take the training I got in four years, and turn it into a career making decent money when I got out. 25 years ago both the Air Force and Navy had the best training programs for the civilian afterlife.

Answer 6

A friend of mine was trying to get into the air force. That one guy that says it's hard to get in, is right. He took the test, but somehow his results were lost. He was interested in the Air Force because it seemed very family oriented. He's married with a second child on the way.

I also have a cousin that is married to a sailor. He just re-upped for a second tour on the Nimitz. I think he loves it. Just do your research and remember that the recruiters are paid to make you want to join. Go into the meetings with a clear and open mind. If you have a question ask it and keep talking to people with experience in the service.

Good luck in your journey!!!

Answer 7

I was in the Navy, but I wouldn't call one branch of the service "better" than the other. I think you are meaning, which is a better choice for you - and that is strictly up to you...YOUR CHOICE.
I'm not sure you were told right about the pay, because there are different pay grades, but I could be wrong.
It probably is wise of you to get different opinions, but you should actually ask people that you know personally.
By the way, I was a "sailor", as you put it, but I never spent one day on a ship!
EDIT -
My brother was also in the Navy and did a tour in the middle of a desert in Afghanistan! So, no matter what branch you join, you might end up doing ANYTHING, ANYWHERE the tell you.

Answer 8

i have four friends that have joined the military. the truth is that if you join any of the armed forces, depending on your job, you will be sent. My 3 of my friends were sent because they decided to do Infantry. Oddly enough those 3 are in the Marines. The 4th is in the navy. The Marines are more discipline and in my opinion have the best uniforms. Marines are better trained. If you are thinking about money, the Army gets paid better than all armed forces.

Answer 9

All the services pay is the same. The air force does have better living conditions, and you can have a bit of a life. The Army and MArines are equivalents. What field are you thinking of pursuing?

Answer 10

All the services pay the same...they go by the same pay table. That said, the Air Force has the slowest promotion rates of all the services.

Your quality of life will be better in the Air Force, however. Newer facilities, more of an emphasis on family, and usually it's the officers doing the fighting. :)

Full disclosure: Retired Air Force, 20 years.

However you choose to serve our country...thank you for doing so, good luck and be safe.