who sees more combat marines or army? and which branch would be a better pathway if I plan on special forces?

Question

I'm interested in Special Forces but would like to start out as infantry first. Which branch marines or army would provide a better outlet into Special Forces and which would see more combat?

ps I mean no offense to anyone in or was in the armed forces of any branch! This is just for personal reference

trust me i have......no offense but its like having two girlfriends. they have a biased agenda again no offense but they have an obligation to there branch. they seem similiar but the small things like how the marines boot camp is longer and standards are higher (grades wise). but that is not to say that army is not as good. they take in anybody "but" they turn them into somthing great, same for the marines though. it is a very touchy subject and was looking for personal opinions on the matter.

I meant special forces as in recon or army special forces, I don't know to much about branch transfers but if possible the seals do not sound bad either. but again I wish to join one after having experience in the field.

Answer 1

All 4 branches have special forces. It depends on you. Keep in mind only about 10 out of a 100 make it all of the way through Spec. Force training. The Marines have Force Recon, The Navy has Seals. The Army has Rangers and then if you can excel in that you may move on to the Green Beret. The Air Force has the Red Beret. If you join the Marines, remember that they are usually first in and last out. They make the way for an invasion and cover your back after wards. Force Recon is rough to say the least. You have to rely on your own ability most often. They are sent in harms way on their own, or go in a team of 2. Seals and Green Beret vary in groups. It could be anywhere from 1 to 30 as a whole. Rangers are an advanced infantry with more training. Red Beret do a lot of rescue and retrieve. The main thing is that no matter which one you chose, you had better be in the best of shape and be able to run miles, swim miles, and be able to survive with nothing but a knife. You also have to be a good student in school and be intelligent. Spec. Forces are extremely selective of whom they chose. It is easier to become an officer in the Army than it is to get into the Spec. Forces.

Answer 2

If you can make the cut and get into special forces you will get your fair share of combat no matter what branch you decide to go into. All of those guy are running around some god forsaken desert kicking in doors. MarSOC is tough to get into. Most of the guys that are in MarSOC is because they were Force Recon or were lucky enough to get into FMTU. The Recon Battalions are still around though and would most likely be the best road into MarSOC. From what I know about the Army, I believe they offer the SF training pipeline as a signing bonus, but I could be wrong about that. Navy wise its been a long time since I have run into a Super Squid so I really cant tell you much more other than to go talk to a recruiter. If you want to give it a shot the blog http://www.blackfive.net/main/ has a some guys that write for it that are Army SF and I think one Seal Corpsman who might be willing to answer some questions via e-mail. No guarantees though.
Good Luck and Semper Fi.

Answer 3

The Army is a better choice for thing such as career advancement, training opportunities and definitely the Special Forces.
The Marines will get you into combat faster with less training.
I was a Marine for four years and after discharge was recruited into the Army. I have seen both worlds on the ground as an Infantryman. I left the Marine Corps as an E-5 and was offered E-6 to enter the Army. In the Army I was trained to be a Drill Instructor, and then when the Infantry got tiresome I was able to transfer into the Military Police. There I got the advancement to Senior NCO and subsequently went into Aviation where I retired after 30 years. In the Army I was able to do a lot more with my career than in the Marine Corps. I retired with a Masters Degree that I could never have earned with the deployment schedule of a marine.

Answer 4

Army you have too train and go too school for this may take 4 or more years too apply for Army Rangers then head into Special forces If you re-enlist.Like the Guy said Special forces is a Army Organization.

Marines right now seem too head into the red zone In Iraq they seem too get into combat more. If your in a Recon or Infantry you will see some action same goes for for the Army. Special Operations or Special OPS they are kind of like Special force is what they call It In the navy since the Marines are Navy Organization.

Answer 5

Marines have always been considered an Elite branch. Just this past year, a SF was created, within. Both will get you into combat, but Marines, often go in first, then turn it over to the Army.
All SF, are Infantry first, then you request SF. For a true SF, either Army or you can request SEALs, From\m any branch, so long as you have what it takes,

Answer 6

The Marines are more of a speciality force, but not special focres. Generally the marines are sent in first and see battle first. They are sent to establish a beach or base of opperations so the Army can come in and continue a sustained war. I believe the Marines would be a better fit if you would like to get into the special forces. The Navy and Marines are related and you will have more luck getting into a force like the SEAL's by gowing that route.

Answer 7

The Marines see the most action thats why they are trained so hard. Training to become a Marine is like 3 months while its only like 2 months for the army. The best special forces would be the Navy Seals they are some dudes. So if thats what you wanted you should join the Navy and if your a good soldier you might train to become a SEAL if your good enough

Answer 8

Its hard to say which, however (keep in mind I'm a little bias) Marine Corps Boot Camp at 13 weeks is longer than all the other services. Then Marines go through MCT or Marine Combat Training, THEN to their respective schools even infantry get that four week MCT before going on to Infantry Training. I was in 92-97 then again from 02-04. Around when I first enlisted in 92 I was told of a test so to speak conducted using Marine and Navy personnel who went through Navy SEAL screening course side by side. I can't remember the exact numbers but out of the Marines somewhere around 90% passed and out of the Navy it was between 40% and 50%. For Marine Force Recon only around 10% of those who go threw the indoc actually get to begin training where even more are dropped. That should about sum it up.

One other thing, the statistics just to get threw the gates of the two Marine recruit depots is 3 out of 100 applicants. My Boot Camp platoon started at 83 and graduated only 52 of us who were in the platoon from day one. MCT attrition rate is up around 50%. It takes allot to be a Marine Infantrymen. We truly are the few.
Don't get me wrong though I respect all who serve in any branch all though I will poke fun from time to time. Keeps em on their toes.

Answer 9

If you plan on Special Forces, the Army is the obvious choice, since SF is an Army organization. The Marines have a different name for their SOF. Either branch will give you all the combat you manage to get yourself into.

Answer 10

I'm not sure I'd start out as infantry - they might not let you change to SF when you want to.

You could always go into another MOS - and be in a SF support unit - which isn't a bad thing to do.