Army or Navy?

Question

I am 19yrs old and a female. I am considering joining the military. I would like the join the Marines but they do not offer the MOS i want. I would like to be a medic/emt. Which is better for this, Army or Navy? Also is the 2 yr active duty option still available? I am considering the Reserves.

Answer 1

A female HM right now I believe is pretty tough to get into if you can get or become one at all in the Navy. The Marines don't have medics, they are covered by the Navy Corpsman (HM/Medic/EMT). As far as I know there is no 2 year contract with the Navy at all, normally most contracts are 8 years in total as you do 4 years in and then 4 years IRR.

For the Reserves it can be different, your best bet is to talk to a Reserve Recruiter to get the most up to date information.

Answer 2

Don't join the Peace Corps .... less you wanna smoke dope ...

As far as the two go I like the Army. I started out in the Navy but I know what the Marines use for medics. The Marines use Navy Corpsmen, aka Devil Docs as they're called when they roll with the Marines. What you'll need to look into is the Fleet Marine Force, aka FMF side of the Corpsmen field. Ask your recruiter if they take female FMF types. I know they had female RPs who were FMF as well as Dental. Not sure about Medics since you'd be with the infantry. Get a DEFINITE answer on if you can do the FMF program. I think you volunteer either in Bootcamp or at your A-School. Again don't quote me ... ask around or ask the recruiter. Hopefully you have an honest one and not some shitbird who wants to sign you in, but then again, the Navy isn't hurting so they don't need to lie necessarily.

As far as the Army goes you could be a Combat Medic. They're pretty cool and you could get assigned to just about any type of combat unit. Army medics go through some tough training down at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio. From what I know is that is very challenging mentally. So be prepared to study and if you fail go into another job. They have a high attrition rate from what I know, so be forewarned. Don't know if Corpsmen school is the same though even though chances are you might get stuck on the ship if you can't make FMF.

Answer 3

Don't know about the 2 year option. When I was in Reserves , I did 2 years active duty. The Navy supplies medics to the Marines , so if you joined the Navy and became a corpsman, you could get attached to the Marines. They do take very good care of their corpsmen though

Answer 4

well do realize that you will see combat in that MOS, for the army you would just be called combat medic. They may have changed the name now to make it seem more intriguing but it is still the same job. Really depends what you like, I would stay away from the army just bad expierences, and deploy for sure. Atleast with the navy your safe better yet airforce, plus there schooling is way better. The army only offers so much to do with schooling versus other branches. So like I said if you want to deploy than get ready, why not just join the local hospital emt or whatever its called.

Answer 5

If you want a career you can use the rest of your life, then pick the Navy. Navy offers more of a variety of fields, and you can provide an important service to the Marines as the Navy provides all medical services for the Marine Corps.
Unfortunately, Navy Corpsmen are only men, they are sent into the combat zones along with he Marines, so women (at leas when I was in) could not become corpsmen.
Either way, the Navy is much better. Most of the duty stations are located in nice places near the water, the Army has all their bases out in the boonies in some dusty little town.

Ignore that comment from enigma, peace corps does not provide medical training and you don't get paid and still wind up in some dusty little town (or village)

Answer 6

Have you considered the Army National Guard? Most all states have medical MOS for females and many states have better College options than just the GI Bill.

Answer 7

Marines use Navy HMs.. HOWEVER as a Female, your chances of getting HM is extremely slim. Also, you cannot do 2 years AD with this rating.

You have a better shot with the Army at this point.

Answer 8

I would agree with enigma. Why would youwant to join the Marines? To go to Iraq, lose a leg or get gang raped by your own guys?
Join the peace corp where youwill get plenty of experience and not get violated.

Answer 9

If you want to be in the Marines and you also want to be a medic try the Navy's corpman program.They are the Marine's medics.That way you can be both.Good Luck

Answer 10

Army of course. Better pay, Better training. Reserve or active. Plus. Army women are beautifull. Some of them.