which is the safest during war time marines, army, navy, air force, or coast guard?

Answer 1

Good Morning,

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.

Answer 2

As many have said before me it's the job that makes something dangerous. Coasties are always boarding ships and patrolling U.S. territorial waters which has it's own inherent dangers. As for the Navy, they are now sending Sailors to Iraq to help augment ground troops from various rates. Army and Marines are by far the most dangerous and the Air Force is also deployed to the fight. Depending on the type of work you do would depend on the amount of danger you would face. Police, infantry, artillery, are in harm's way a lot, whereas admin types don't leave the FOB much if ever, but do have to contend with rockets and mortars flying over the walls. Any job that might require you to drive is in danger of encountering IEDs, RPGs and small arms fire.

If your looking for statistics the Army has had the most casualties in Iraq, followed by the Navy, then the Marines, and The Air Force is last. The Coast Guard has had no deaths or injuries related to operations in Iraq. It should also be noted that while the Marines are third for casualties they are the smallest branch of the military and therefore percentage wise their casualty numbers would put them in second.

Answer 3

Probably Coast Guard.

Answer 4

Marines are known to be bullet catchers and are deployed regularly.

Army are the second on the list.

Navy and airforce these days are not as good either due to the fact the military is "involuntary" volunteering sailors and airmen as ground patrol specialists. In short infantry.

The coast guard seems to be the best but is extremely underfunded but least you be close to home.

Answer 5

Even though their training is the toughest, the Marines are the safest because, statistically they have the fewest casualties. Which, means they are the safest, because they have the best training. But I guess I could be a little prejudiced on this matter, because I am a former Marine.

Answer 6

Every Military Job has inherent dangers. Regardless of which branch of service, regardless of which specialty or job skill one has, there are dangers and possible loss of life. The safest professional in the military is the individual who adheres to the training they received. The reason for the training, is to ensure that one can get the job done, and return. I'm not saying that those who lost their lives did not adhere to their training, I am saying that no military job is without it's risks, and that to minimize those risks, is to react with your training.

Answer 7

Not sure but I have heard of Coast Guard deploying to Africa. I just thought that was an interesting bit of info.

Answer 8

It is not the branch it is the job that determines it.

If you are infantry it is not safe.

If you are an engineer doing research for the air force back in the US it is pretty safe. If you are an air force pilot flying combat missions it is not safe.

If you are a musician in any branch you will probably not get in much danger.

Answer 9

Coast Guard by far. Only one Coast Guard sailor has been killed in Iraq.

Source: http://icasualties.org/oif/Service.aspx

Answer 10

Coast Guard...but others are safe depending on your MOS and what unit you're in.

The safe jobs aren't as fun, though.

Answer 11

Traditional warfare - USMC

All others a very close second nowadays.

Special Ops is a different story, because the mission is different.

It's all about ethos.