Whats the difference between the army, the airforce, the marines, the navy, and the coastguards?

Question

websites apreciated! : )

Answer 1

The differences are mainly the areas of expertise and responsibilities. Here is some great information.
http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/generalinfo/a/military101.htm
http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/generalinfo/a/military101_2.htm
http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/generalinfo/a/military101_3.htm
http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/generalinfo/a/military101_4.htm

Answer 2

All the branches have a lot of overlap with each other. They also mostly have many of the same jobs. The exception really being infantry in the Marines and Army. The Navy has ships. Fixed wing Aircraft in Air Force and rotary wing in Army. And lastly there is no medical in the Marines. If you want to a payroll clerk or fly or be a dog handler, special forces etc you can potentially do it from any branch. The biggest difference between the branches is personality of the people. Marines are proud to the point of *********. They can be kind of ******* about it actually. (not saying they don't have a reason to be proud just explaining what its like to hang around with them when you aren't a Marine yourself) It's extremely testosterone driven and you really need to be able to hang with that type of crowd. Usually anyone who doesn't absolutely know they want to be a Marine isn't happy there. Army is similar. The people I've met are mostly doers. They want to be down on the ground getting dirty. Navy and Air Force are more intellectual types. There's a lot more work dealing with electronics. Go talk to a recruiter from each and ask them why they joined that particular branch. (The Marine recruiter might tell you that if you have to ask then the Marines are not for you. That's what mine told me and he was absolutely right). Your job has a lot to do with how you experience that branch as well. There are plenty of nerdy soldiers just like there are really tough Airmen and sailors. It's all just about what you personally want to do. I chose the Air Force because my number one goal was to be in a plane. The Air Force gave me the best shot at that with the least hassle. I considered the Marine Corps because they are known to be the "best" and I wanted the challenge and the title. Ultimately though I'm turned off by the need of most Marines to constantly prove themselves to everyone else. Some of them are definitely compensating for something. Instead I chose the better standard of living.

Answer 3

Army usually means land force - there are exceptions like the SAS who work on all terrane

Airforce is self explanitary usually but in britain we have the RAF regiment who are our airforce ground troops like normal soldiers.

Marines are part of the navy and like the RAF they are there soldiers and are often commandos

Navy again is self explanitary, the naval force of the country ie, Royal navy, attacks from the sea using ships of subs and usually has its own airforce for protections from the enemy.

www.army.mod.uk
www.raf.mod.uk
www.royalnavy.mod.uk - Has the marines on there i think

I know there British and your probably american but im british and thats my military. Is a good read and there is some very good history there that predates the USA by hundreds of years.

Answer 4

When joining the AF I asked the same question of several enlisted people. This is the best that I came up with as answers.

If you are looking for the military experience, want to fight, and like getting dirty joing the army.

If you want to travel, want to be meaner than the rest, and don't mind the ocean join the marines.

If you want to receive the best technical training, travel the world, and enjoy the ocean join the navy.

If you want the join the military and have it be the least military-ish, are looking for an education, and don't really care to fight, join the Air Force.

Answer 5

Army = ground
Airforce = air
Navy = big water
Coastguard = greatlakes and big water
Marine = Higher level of Special Forces