Officer in the Marine Corps or Army Rangers?

Question

I have made my decision to join the military and go into college under an ROTC program(Army ROTC or NROTC Marine Option, not sure). I would either like to do infantry or fly helicopters(preferably Sea Knight in the Marines or Black Hawks in the Army, but again, still not sure which branch). Im really just not sure which one I would like to do. In some ways the Marines seem better because at least then I would become a Marine Officer and lead a Platoon WITHOUT having to "try-out" for the Rangers and take the risk of failing and not becoming one. But at the same time Rangers SEEM(not sure PLEASE correct me if Im wrong) more elite than Marines having Airborne training and being integrated into SOCOM. If anyone would like to offer advice/opinions/whatever that would be great.

Thanks

P.S. - I am leaning more toward Infantry right now if anyone needs to know to help, but I could change my mind.

Answer 1

Marines. You won't regret your choice. If your considering the Infantry, you could even go Recon. Being that Marines are stationed everywhere in the world, your chances of being deployed are increased. Should you choose to fly, there are many places you could be put to use. Remember that the Marines are 1st to fight. Wherever there is a coming conflict, there are Marines waiting offshore. Choosing the Army might land you a unwanted desk job (due to its large and cumbersome organization) unless you go Ranger. Having served with a former Ranger turned Marine, I can tell you he was happier with the Marines; but everyone is different. Educational, training, and equipment options are much improved with the Army. But the advantages of the Marines are due to its small size, the unity within the organization, and professionalism you'll encounter. As a Marine, I've attended several schools located on other Army & Airforce installations (Kirtland AFB & Fort Knox, etc.) and can tell you Marine & Army Installations are equally comparable. If you choose one organization and are displeased, you always have the choice to join the other.

Answer 2

To the person that said "Only Warrant Officers" Fly Helicopters is just plain stupid. Officers fly helicopters too of all kinds(BlackHawk, Apache, ect). A Warrant Officer is simply an Enlisted man who wanted a job that "ONLY" Officers can do the Army. Then they get stuck without room for Promotion(Warrant 1-5 grade) and don't move alot.

I'm an ROTC Cadet who is becoming an Army Officer. I passed on Naval ROTC, even though I was accepted. The Army offers more room for advancement(and promotion). You can change fields, and do different kinds of work in the Army. As a 2nd Lieutenant you won't go DIRECTLY to Ranger school, but you will immediatly get a Platoon.

I'm trying to Branch in Aviation in the Army, as a young 2nd Lieutenant. I'd REALLY like to learn how to fly the AH-64 Apache. So we're in the same boat, we both want commissions, and both want to fly choppers. I considered the Marines, but keep in mind they have the lowest budget of any service, and are basically a side-off of the Navy. They get very old equipment, and fly outdated Helicopters they keep having to refurbish. The Army has everything cutting edge. If you decide on the Army you could make Major in 6 years, in the Marines it will take 10. Even the free ranks(1st Lieutenant and Captain) come slower in the Marines, even though they're supose to be "Time in Grade" rank

Answer 3

I am in the Air Force- and there are opportunities for helo pilots in the af too. I guess what you will have to ask yourself is- what do you want ten years from now? Marines- is a hard life- with stringent discipline. I believe the discipline is a harder than the Army. Army seems to be always deployed to the dessert for 6 months to a year at a time. Either way- hard for a future family. Both , I am sure, major job satisfaction and faster promotion rate. Air force, not as deployable, more family oriented, and better quality of life aspects. my husband was navy and was stunned on how good i had it in the air force. i hope this helps you can also check out: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/marines/United_States_Marines.htm Good luck!

Answer 4

I just wanted to correct Sancho1313's answer. He got everything wrong.
1st, Officers do fly helicopters in the Army, so ROTC is the way to go if this is your goal.
2nd, Officers don't use a system of promotion points, so Ranger school doesn't give "promotion points". It is almost a must for Infantry officers.
3rd, 2LTs don't lead squads, they are platoon leaders.
So, Sancho, keep watching war movies and maybe someday, you will get it right.

Answer 5

So, you want to either walk on the ground, or fly in the air and you can't decide, and you are willing to trust people on a faceless bulletin board for advice for YOUR future.

If you want a lifetime career in the military, you will have better command opportunities as a trained infantry officer. If you want an excellent paying job when you get out, learn to fly.
You can lead a platoon, company, or regiment in the Army without having RANGER certification, it helps climb the ladder however. If you are concerned about failing RANGER school, you will never pass MARINE OBC. The most difficult part of RANGER school is convincing the other members of your team that you are worthy, not the cadre. They can vote you out.

As a Marine, you can attend parachute school, and other schools similar to RANGER training, if not the same as ranger training, in addition you have access to SEAL training, which anyone will agree is the elite of the elite.

If you need outside designators to validate your existence, go for the RANGER certification. If you want to earn lots of cash, go for helecopter training and leave when your 4 yrs are up.

Answer 6

Army is a smarter way to go than the Marines. Statistically, men in the Marines have greater chances of being injured or killed, but lower pay and fewer chances for promotion than men in any other division of the US Armed Forces. Army Rangers are indeed an elite unit, and statistically you are less likely to get hurt and more likely to get promoted as a soldier in the Army than you are as a Marine.

Answer 7

You can always go Special Forces after Ranger School!

Many Marines have Airborne training. They used to get theirs from the Army at Ft. Benning!

You have a bigger chance of seeing a lot more action in the Army. The Marines hav had 1/3 of the KIA of that of the Army! Of course, the Marines were, and never will be, the primary fighting force of the United States. That has always been borne by the oldest service, the US Army!

Answer 8

I think you need to examine why you want to become a military officer. Johny0802 has it right. If you think you might "fail" ranger school, you have already failed. Next consider that ALL Marine officers are infantry officers whatever their specialty might be. If you are just looking at "trying out" for Ranger school for the prestige, forget it, you will never make it. Same for Airborne school. You either do it or don't do it, there is no "try".

Answer 9

The Army can ensure you get the job you want. If you go Marines (nothing against them) they can't give you that assurance. If you want to fly you can go "High school to Flight School" with the Army. You do not have to go INF to be a ranger, just be sure you get the course in your contract. Either way you go, just know you are likely going to go to Iraq. I've been, it's not as bad as the news says it is, but it's not a walk in the park either. Good luck.

Answer 10

Army officers will have a greater range of assignments with the possibility to go to all of the elite schools. As much as I love the Marines, they are the tip of the spear and they are the first responders with short careers. You must really love the infantry to go Marine.