My heart says marines and my brain says army. please help me decide?

Question

I've decided that enlisting is the step for me and I am prepared to go active duty and deploy to iraq if necessary. After my commitment I plan on going to college and getting my degree. but the problem and my question is deciding between the two branchs I've narrowed it down to and they are the marines and the army. could someone tell me why you chose one branch over the other or the pros and cons of both?

Answer 1

The few, the proud. Once a marine, you are a marine for life. Semper Fidelis! And thank-you for choosing to serve our country. God Bless you.

Answer 2

The casualty thing brought up earlier has me troubled. If you check the statistics for all major combat engagments you will find that as a percentage of total numbers for each service, the Marine Corps suffers a disportionate share of casualties as a percentage of their total numbers. That is because:

"....the Marines get the toughest jobs because the average Leatherneck is a much better fighter. He has far more guts, courage, and better officers... These boys out here have a pride in the Marine Corps and will fight to the end no matter what the cost. "
2nd Lt. Richard C. Kennard, Peleliu, World War II

Let's see what some Army and Navy top brass has said about Marines:

Why in hell can't the Army do it if the Marines can. They are the same kind of men; why can't they be like Marines.
Gen. John J. "Black Jack" Pershing, USA; 12 February 1918

The American Marines have it [pride], and benefit from it. They are tough, cocky, sure of themselves and their buddies. They can fight and they know it.
General Mark Clark, U.S. Army

The Marine Corps has just been called by the New York Times, 'The elite of this country.' I think it is the elite of the world.
Admiral William Halsey, U.S. Navy

I can't say enough about the two Marine divisions. If I use words like 'brilliant,' it would really be an under description of the absolutely superb job that they did in breaching the so-called 'impenetrable barrier.' It was a classic- absolutely classic- military breaching of a very very tough minefield, barbed wire, fire trenches-type barrier.
Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf, U. S. Army
Commander, Operation Desert Storm, February 1991

There are only two kinds of people that understand Marines: Marines and the enemy. Everyone else has a second-hand opinion.
Gen. William Thornson, U.S. Army

This in no way means any disrespect to the great units of the US Army.

Answer 3

A bit biase here...As a former Marine, I would have to say "The Few, The Proud, The Marines".

Faced with the exact same situation 20 years ago (Father was an Army retiree) I wanted to "see the world". I too wanted to attend college after my enlistment. My father pushed the Army hard of course, but something inside me knew that being a member of a TIGHT fraternity of brothers and being labeled the best of the best was what I longed for.

Long story short....I chose the Marines.

The Marine Corps IS NOT an easy style of life. If it were, our numbers would be as high as the Army's. That is not to say the Army would be a walk in the park though. I am simply saying that the Marine Corp instills discipline that the other branches of military don't.

I am convinced that had it not been for my stint in the Marines, I would not be as successfull as I am now. I have friends that joined the Army and have not been able to reach an acceptible level of success for themselves.

Once you have earned the title of MARINE. It sticks with you for life! There are many high level executives whom are former Marines and prefer to employ Marines. As I said, it is a brotherhood that pays dividends in the long run.

If you want to feel the pride that comes with being a Marine, you are going to have to earn it! Reaching the decision to join the Marine Corps does not make you a Marine. 13 weeks of hell (and I do mean hell) will make you a Marine.

Let's talk a second about the rate of casualties brought up by someone in your thread. He says chose the Marines as they have less casualties over the Army. My opinion: That response is a chicken **** response. No one joins to die. The Marines suffer less casualities in the world due to the nature of the business. Marines (depending on your chosen MOS - Military Occupation) are not designed to go "in" and sit around (occupy). We go in, kick ***, and then get out quickly and let the Army stand watch. If casualty rates were the sole determining factor, you could join the Coast Gaurd.

Best of Luck on your decision. Either way, Congratulations on reaching a level of maturity that most your age seldom see. You've won half of the battle already. Grab life by the horns and enjoy the ride!

Answer 4

The few, The proud, The Marines.

Once a Marine Always a Marine.

I'm Sr Vice Commandant of Northeast Colorado Marine Corps League Detachment 1008.

21 years USMC, air wing - Communication / Navigation Repair Technician, finished AA degree and most of BA before I retired. Many marketable skills when I got out.

Semper Fi
Gunny Bill

Answer 5

USMC. Depends on what you are looking for. The Marines are not just a branch of the service. They end up being a way of life. God, Country, Corps. In that order. If you can handle strict discipline and a rugged lifestyle and an experience that you will carry with you the rest of your life, then the Marines may be for you. Our Army is full of very fine people that are dedicated to their country and since the all-volunteer system has been in place, the differences between the two branches has been slightly blurred. The Army will always be the Army and we should all be proud of their members and their service to our country. The Marines are a much smaller branch with emphasis on the rifleman.....everyone is one no matter what specialty they may occupy. Once one you will always be one-in your heart and your head. Trust me. That pride and identity will never leave no matter your age or station in life. You will always know that you measured up and will always rate wearing the eagle, globe, and anchor.

Answer 6

The Army is much larger than the Marine Corps and I suppose that means there are more opportunities for advancement as well as more opportunities to learn a skill at the same time.
I joined the USMC and became an aircraft mechanic. I made this a civilian career working for the Airlines for 29 years.
You may discover that you like the military life and once you have gotten some more education, you might find the military is a good place as an officer.

Answer 7

I'm in the army, we traditionally talk **** about the marines and they of us just for **** and giggles, but the marines will give you a much more personal respect for yourself if you can make it as a marine, its harder, less time off, and very physical though the army is no joke in itself you will have more time between deployments to work on your college degree even before you get out, but the army also does 12-18 month combat rotations while the other services do 6-12

Answer 8

Marine Corps. That's Marines... with a capital M. 30% of recruits wash out of USMC boot camp.. that is one of the many reasons those who graduate are known as the few and the proud. Those who graduate will know, for the rest of their lives, that they earned the title. They love seeing that capital M. It's a sign of respect.

Also... USMC Boot Camp remains essentially teh same as it has been for years... 13 weeks long... No "stress cards" like the army issues... (I wonder how that works in a combat situation?) and Marine Corps minimum rifle qual's in boot camp are equal to that of Army rangers.

If you are deployed and are called upon to fight, would you REALLY want to fight along side of anyone BUT a Marine??

Answer 9

With the current situation in Iraq, I would suggest neither. Unless you are prepared for the reality that once you enlist, you get deployed to Iraq, there's always the possibility you'll never return home. And if you do, you may be disabled for life. If you're fortunate to make it home alive and unharmed, you will be fortunate.

I'm not sure how old you are, but remember, you have your whole life in front of you. Why take the risk? If circumstances were different and we weren't involved in a hostile occupation overseas, then my advice might be different.

Best of luck to you in whatever decision you make....

Answer 10

I have never been to the military, so this is just what I think off the top of my head. I have heard the slogan,

The Marines, home of the brave and the proud( I could be paraphrasing this.)

It sounds to me the Marines would present more of a challenge if you are looking for challenge. I could be wrong though, so go with your heart.

Answer 11

After 16 years in the Army and growing up in the Corps (my Dad was a Jarhead for 36 years), I say GO AIR FORCE! You get the same benefits, it is less likely you will be shot at, there a more jobs with technical skills to give you a leg up when you get out and the girls are much much prettier in the Air Force. Plus, in the Air Force, it will probably be easier for you to take classes in your off duty time (that they pay for 75% of!) making your time in college shorter; thus starting your career earlier. Good luck and thank you for being willing to serve our country.