I want 2 enlist into the Navy or Marines. Which branch helps me get better career and $$$?

Question

I am 18yrs old and really wanna go 2 college in Florida.......but i want to get help on paying for college.
I want to choose a career in the military which will help me get enough credits throughout 4 years of service that will make it to where when I attend college I will only have maybe 3 years of college left. (Is that possible?)

My main problem is that I don't know what career I want to go into?

Any answers will be helpful....thanks

Answer 1

Good question. I'm a Navy Vet and a current college student, so I might be able to at least steer you in the right path - one way or another.

First off, don't join the Marines. While they are hard working and duty bound soldiers, they do not get paid to think.

With that said, I'm going to say join the Navy. Now, as far as a career.. that largely depends on how well you score on your asvab. I'm thinking you could possibly score well since your mind set is to go on to college for higher learning. It's sad, but it's a fact of life that people who are farther down the intelligence scale do not think of going to college.

So, I'm guessing you are intelligent so I'm going to say you might want to sign up in: Intelligence (CT's, CTO's, CTR's, & EW's - your recruiter will know what those mean). Or, you could be an Electronic Technician like I was and work on Radars/Radios. Here is a hint, us ET's have it made. Most of the time all we have to do is make sure our gear is up and running and it's goof off central from there. Another job similar to the ET's is the FC's, these guys launch tomohawks, CWIS, and other onboard weapons.

Now, not all of the college credits you get in the military will be accepted by colleges or universities, some maybe, but not all. It's just like knocking two years out at a Community College, not all your courses will be accepted there either. However, you can take loads of courses while you are in the service and have them paid for by Uncle Sam as long as you keep your grades up. With the vast number of online courses that are made available from a multitude of schools, it is highly possible that you could get your degree while in the service and then go on to further schooling once you get out.

Sounds great, huh? Well, you have to also realize that this path can be accomplished if you work hard enough for it and your command allows it. Some will and some won't, it all depends on your current operations at hand. Plus, there is a lot of unneeded bullshit in the military. Petty **** that's worse than what you've seen in highschool. But hey, I'm just warning you now, k?

Here is a question, do you want to join the service for college money or do you want to join the service for other reasons?? Because if it's just for college money then let me tell you that there is a lot of money out there that you can get to help you through school.

I'm just going to finish with this, before you sign up, go talk to a college advisor about the financial aspect of it. Trust me, it can sound overwhelming but it can be done. If that doesn't meet your needs, then join the Navy and prepare yourself for one long, strange trip.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Just my two cents...

Both branches offer similar education benefits (Montgomery GI bill and an "enlisted-to-officer" program.) I don't know if the Marines have it or not, but the Navy has a Tuition Assistance program where you can get 12 college creds a year (studying either online or at local schools) FREE (and NOT taken out of your Montgomery GI Bill), so long as you pass the course. And I heard that if you do exceptionally well in the courses, they may give you up to 4 more college credits. So if you work extremely hard during your four years of Navy work, you could quite possibly come within a hair of a 4 year degree by the time your contract expires (and then you have that GI bill to help you finish up).

The training will probably be the same for you no matter what branch you go into. For example, I'm going to be a CTI (interpreter) in the Navy. My schooling is at an Army school in California. And then I go to an Air Force base to finish my training. The training can be unique to each branch (such as tank driving for Marines or Army, or nuclear engineering for the Navy, and speical forces would vary between branches), but it doesn't have to be. Just remember that. Marines, Air Force, Navy, Army... all go to the same school for similar jobs.

Also, I don't know about the Marines, but with the Navy, you choose exactly what job you want (as long as you're qualified for it). I think with the Marines you choose a more general field and they'll put you into a job in that field, so you sort of get what you want but it's not necessarily always going to be what you want (that's how I understand it anyway).

Pay grades are the same for each branch, and enlistment bonus (do the Marines have that? I'm not sure) depends on your ship date and the job you enlist for (harder jobs or jobs that need to be filled offer higher bonuses).

You'll also get college creds for your training (so if you get into a communications job you'll get a few creds for that)... I'll have enough after my schooling for a free Associate's, and you can CLEP college courses for credits (testing your knowledge of the subject matter to get the credits... can help save some time!)

Either way you're going to get equal training for your job (Marine bootcamp will be harder though) and travel opportunities (though dare I say the Marine's deployment might be harsher than the Navy's...).

Just something to think about.

Answer 3

If you want the military as preparation for college or a career I would recommend the Navy, which has better technical training for civilian specialties.

You might also want to look into the Army or Air Force as both offer specialties that match up to civilian careers and both have training that can be applied to college credit--as does training in the Navy and Marines.

As a Marine, however, you are basically an infantryman, and that is a little bit limited as a civilian specialty.

If you want to be in top physical condition, and don't mind possibly being in combat, it is an excellent interim career choice--but that is entirely a matter of what you want out of military service and life.

Answer 4

Okay, I know for a FACT that you can enlist as a single parent in the Army. However, you have to have a care plan for your children - meaning that if you are deployed, how will you make sure they are taken care of. You can also only have 2 dependents (kids) otherwise the Army questions whether you can support them with your small salary. My husband was in the Marines for 5 years and is now in the Army. I would recommend the Air Force because they have much better pay and their bases are much nicer. You will also be less likely to be deployed as much. The Coast Guard is also very limited in deployments, so those are probably your best options. Talk to your recruiter about getting an MOS that will work for you - that is their job!

Answer 5

Any branch of service will help you with college. The GI Bill is the same across the board. Depending on the specialty you end up with, you may be able to attend courses and work towards your degree while in the service. As far as "technical" training goes... that's great...if you know what it is you want to do with your life. Most college students change majors several times. I would recommend looking at the intangibles that will help you in any future career path, such as leadership for example. Each year thousands of people earn degrees....what is going to set you apart and get you hired? I've had one unsolicited job offer for my technical skills and dozens for the intangible traits I've acquired through my service. As for your two choices....you need to decide who you are and where you fit. Generally speaking, Marines and sailors are different types of people. As for having three years left, very doable, but it's up to you. Online courses, base satellite college campuses and clepp testing will help move you towards that goal. Additionally, some of your millitary training can be count towards a degree.

Answer 6

Between the 2 you mentioned, the Navy has more high technology positions, which translates into better career options once you get out. As for direct assistance with college, you'll have to talk to your recruiter; much will probably depend on your qualifications and how much they need people for certain specialties. Be careful before you sign, though; recruiters are notoriously slick operators...

Answer 7

right now out of all the armed forces, the air force offers the best bonus for sign up. it also pays for 50% of your schooling with the g.i. bill. my son just graduated from there and is going to be able to get his associates before his term ends from his tech school. i am an army brat and my husband is a marine and air force is definitely the best right now. my son received a 12k bonus for signing on 2 xtra yrs.

Answer 8

i'm not positive on the Navy. but i am going into the Marines and they are paying for my college 100%. what you should do is go to a recruiter's station close to you and ask them question. ou can do college while you are in the military. it tends to be quicker that way. but i suggest talking to different recruiters and possibly looking on the site called military.com, there's lots of accurate and useful info on that site. hope i help a little. good luck.

Answer 9

Didn't someone once say "It's not what your country can do for you, it's what you can do for your country"?
So you want a career and $$$, that's understandable.
Personally, I would enlist in the Marines. Force Recon.

Answer 10

Have one of your friends kick you in the nuts then flog you with baseball bat until you come to your senses.