Why did you choose the branch(es) of the US military you serve(d) in?

Question

This may or may not be slightly different than previous questions posted, but I thought I'd give it a shot.

I know there have been various reasons given to join this branch or that branch (Air Force has the best technical training, Marine Corps has the best camaraderie, etc...). I'm not here to debate whether or not those distinctions are accurate.

I'd specifically like to get some feedback from those in the armed forces as to what went through their minds during recruitment as they made their decisions regarding their future in the military.

Feel free to comment on any of the following: basic training, education, pay, career advancement, pride, family legacy, travel opportunities, physical requirements, or anything else I missed. I don't presume to have included all the considerations.

Also, how does your experience in the service compare to your expectations before enlisting, with regards to the factors that influenced your decision to join your chosen branch?

Answer 1

My brother joined the Navy and I wanted to see the world. I stayed in and saw most of the world.

Answer 2

I joined the Army because it was the best deal I could get. I joined ROTC in college; they paid for school and only demanded one year of active duty per year of tuition. The Air Force wanted 2 for one, and tacked on more years if they deferred your enlistment to go to medical school, which was what I wanted.

The Navy would have been OK, but I didn't like the idea of being on the high seas trapped on a ship with a hundred other males. At least everyone in the Army has a weapon!

You should figure out what you want from an enlistment and try to get the best deal from your recruiter. . . in writing! All recruiters promise more than they can deliver. The needs of the service always outweigh anything promised by a recruiter. Be careful.

Also, if you join the Army or the Marines in 2007, you will almost certainly go to either Iraq or Afghanistan. So, if you want to fight, join the ground forces. If you just want money to go to college, consider another service. If you join the Navy and become a hospital corpsman, you basically signed up to be a combat medic. Be careful.

I don't regret a day I spent in uniform. The people are great, you're serving your country and you really can make a huge difference. Not everyone nowadays can make that claim. Good luck to you.

Answer 3

I tried to join the U.S. Air Force, but the recruiter never called me back, so I joined the U.S. Army. On another note, my father was in the army, so I guess you could say that I joined because of family legacy also.

The Air Force and the Navy have better technical training. The one bit of advise I could give someone who is looking to join the military. Wait to join after college. Going into the military with an education gives you an upper hand when it comes to promotions. Not only having a degree, if you go to college in the ROTC Program, the military will pay for your education to a certain extent.

Answer 4

I joined the U.S. Army because i wanted to be a ground troop. I was deciding over the Marines or the Army and picked Army becuase the benifits were better and the post locations were more to my taste and i also did not like the idea of being on a ship for months with the Navy. But what really got my attention were the special forces of the Army. The Army Rangers are known to be the worlds most elite light infantry and the Army Green Berets are even better. I did not like the fact that the Marines special forces, Marine Recon, were not a part of SOCOM wich means they were not expected to get as much action as the Army special forces (remember all work done by special forces is to remain classified so dont try to prove me wrong).
But 3 months ago I was reading the Marines were finally going to get a membership in SOCOM (aparently its not SOCOM its called MSOCOM i believe). They said they were allowed in becuase the Army, Navy and Air Forces spec ops were thined out and needed more spec ops for other missions. So now its probably going to even out but im sure the Army's spec ops will still remain the most used becuase of traning and size.
Also the one thing that just pulls you into the Army is the chance to become the worlds most elite and top secret special forces member, Delta Force. Delta Force is said to be the best in the world but then again the Navy SEALS are know for the same(its hard to compare them when Delta Force is top secret and the Army actually denied its existence back then). Being a member of the Rangers or the Green Berets increases those chances more than being in any other branch.
Also another thing i liked about the Army is that we are in charge of all the main combat of a war. The job of the Army is to over power all enemies and destroy them. For example 100k of the 500k soldiers in the Army are in Iraq. 25k out of the 195k Marines are in Iraq. Not only that but the Army is starting to add 4 months to a few soldiers that have already been there for a year. I was reading that a top Marine general was thinking about increasing the Marines 7 month tour by 3 or 4 months. So i decided that the Army was for me because after the war is started the Army is the one with the highest % of troops on the frontline. The things i like about the Marines is that they have the toughest basic training and also i love the way they care so much about tradition and discipline. But still the Army was just to much to miss out on. ARMY HOOAH!!!

Answer 5

I chose the Navy in 1984... I was out of college money. I had to enlist because I hadn't finished my degree... I had already applied to the NAVCAD program, but needed to raise my GPA a half point.

I went Navy, because I grew up surrounded by pilots from NAS Moffett Field. When I made the decision to go Navy, my neighbor (CO VP-47) told me the ONLY job I should take was AW (Aviation Anti-Submarine Operator)... it was guaranteed position in aircrew, and I'd be a good shot for getting back into the NAVCAD (Naval Aviation Cadet) program.

I had NO interest in the Army or Marines... I did enough camping as a Boy Scout... and I like my camping to be FUN. And Naval Aviation sounded far more interesting than the Air Force.
I figured I'd do well in the training and get to come BACK to NAS Moffett Field (girlfriend, home, sneak by for meals from Mom).

The Navy tried to push me into nuclear power program because of my test scores and prior college (chemistry and physics classes), but I stuck with AW.

Sadly, I hadn't noticed a piece of fine-print on my contract that stated that IF I was selected after graduation from Aicrew Candidate School I would HAVE to go to Rescue Swimmer School or surrender my AW-Schooling. Oooops.

I ended up in helicopters as an AWH / Rescue Swimmer for 5 years before going to a series of ASWMODs after my Shore Tour.

I finished my BA at the beginning of my shore tour, my MBA at the end of my shore tour, and a Masters in Education during my second sea-tour. I then got a commission as a Limited Duty Officer.

All in all, there were a FEW things that didn't turn out as I'd thought or the Recruiter had "suggested"... but I loved my time, the people, the travel, and the job.

Answer 6

Actually I joined The Air Force because my buddy talked me into it. Once I was in got stationed at a Army post and saw how much better we was treated and knew I made the right decision. The Living conditions are much better and once you get to a Air Force Base the food is 10 times better. It is true the schools are better also. But these are some things to think about before you join

Answer 7

I enlisted in the Navy in 1968 and became a Hospital Corpsman attached to the Marine Corps.

My father was a Marine and told me one time that he held the Navy's Hospital Corpsman with admiration and respect. So I became "Doc". Attached to the 3rd Marines, I did 3 tours in Vietnam. Hated Vietnam, hated the war but gained an insight and an attitude that no other event could have developed.

It was after coming home that I finally, completely understood my father and had an inseparable bond with him that was more than a father-son relationship.

For that relationship, forged by combat and love of comrades, I shall always be grateful. More so since his death. I don't know if that makes any sense or not, but we had an understanding that surpassed me being his son and he being my father. It is probably the only 'good' thing that my military tour did for me.

Welcome home and thank you to all of the veterans out there.

Semper Fi

Answer 8

I wanted to serve as long as I can remember... all the way back to playing with GI Joes. I wanted to be Infantry because I thought it would be cool (and still think so). Air Force does not have infantry, nor do the Navy. So it was the USMC or the Army. Both my parents were Army, so thats the route I took and I don't regret it one bit.

I have had very good experiences and very bad experiences, all of them making me the person I am today. I've gotten to see the world, do some hardcore, bad-a** training... help people through peace-keeping in Kosovo... and kick terrorist tail in Iraq.
The job satisfaction after a days honest work in the Army is beyond explanation.

Answer 9

I joined Civil Air Patrol at age 13 as a cadet. I was involved in 23 active SARs by the time i turned 17 and had personally saved 4 lives at a major auto wreck. When my friends and neighbors sent me my we are taking away your birthday notice I did not open it but looked up my Coast Guard recruiter. The US Coast Guard the lifesavers. By the time I served 6 years the lives saved score was up to 37 personal and crew man on 200+ more. The undercover work resulted in a drug bust eliminated over 100 tons of uncut Iranian Heroin. Everyone thinks the war with Iran hasn't started. It started with the Embassy takeover under Carter's administration. The US military has been defending this country with little or no thanks for over 200 years.

To every veteran of all services: THANK YOU

Answer 10

Father was Army - tanks in Northern Africa during WWII. Oldest brother was Air Force - two tours in Viet Nam. Middle brother was Marine - several tours to Okinawa.

I knew I was going to serve my country and stay 20 years for retirement. I choose Marine Corps for pride and promotions (much faster than Air Force - oldest brother went in 5 years before me and I made E-6 before him). I enlisted with an air wing guarantee. So, I knew I wasn't going to be a grunt and I got more technical training. My only regret is not taking advantage of off duty education at a younger age. It helps toward advancement and when you get out. I finished my associates degree before I retired and started bachelors. I finished bachelors after I retired.

Answer 11

I enlisted in the U.S.Air Force in 1973.The Viet Nam war was still a hot spot.I was looking for a medical tech training and the Air Force offered this to me.
Now 34 years later I am still using the skills I learned in the Air Force as I am still in health care.
My choice was simple My education was first and formost.Next would be location of bases around the world.