Planning to join the military. Any advice?

Question

Ok, so I definately want to join the military; either Marines or Army. Much respect to the other branches, but they're just not for me. More than likely joining the reserves while I attend college, but if I do get deployed, so be it. I'm not interested in being an officer, at least not now, if not at all. I love a challenge, hard work and discipline. I'm not concerned about money except possibly paying for college.

Now the age old question: Army or Marines? More specifically, which one better suits ME? I want something demanding either manual labor or intellectual stimulation. Preferrably both. Being female, I can't do infantry or special forces (which is what I had wanted to do). That narrows the playing field. I don't care about enlistment period either or using the service as a "springboard" to a civilian career. If I like it, I wouldn't mind making a career out of the military (of course that getting ahead of myself).

I'm somewhat bias towards the USMC, but what interests me in the Army is the options of airborne and/or 68W that the Marine Corps doesn't offer. Not that medic is the only MOS I'm looking into, just the only one that has me researching the Army.

Cnadian1, what are you talking about!? The government specifically says a woman cannot enter the military in a position of direct combat (front lines). This includes infantry, tanks, Special Forces, artillery, etc.

I have talked to recruiter from both branches, I just want some personal answers now. I'm looking for as many responses as I can get, hence the numerous posts, because I'll have to decide soon and I guess I'm just a little nervous. Not of serving, just, as I've said before, which service better fits my goals and personality. Of course in the end, it will be my decision.

Answer 1

l'm in the Army and my best-friend(female) is joining the Marines. I think thank it good that you are sure about joining the military. my opinion is that you should join the Marines. l know your probably thinking that this Army girl is telling you to join the Marine. there is nothing wrong with the Army. i was going to join the Marines but I'm gad i joined the Army, but the Marines seem like it suites you better. Sorry to tell the truth but the Marine require a little more out of you. That might be the branch your looking for.

I really want to know your end decision so e-mail with your choice.

Answer 2

What Canadian means is that you can end up doing infantry like work. I am a female who is a cook but I am "attached" to a field artillery unit. I, therefore, can be a gunner of a humvee just like the men. We also have Airassault school, drill sgt school and lots of other schools in the Army. We have lots of educational benefits and bonuses as well. I am bias to the Army because I in it but my brother who is a Marine would say that the Marines are more demanding physically. I went to school with Marines so we all worked hard. I think you are going to end up picking your branch based on which you think is cooler and which one offers you the job you want. The cool thing is though if you don't like one branch you can transfer to the other.

Answer 3

You don't want infantry, you don't want to be on the front lines exchanging bullets?
The Navy is not a hand to hand combat service, the worst you can get is on a ship, you get all the educational benefits of Army or Marines. You want to be in shape? There are gyms on military bases. In the Navy you work more with your mind than the Army or Marines. And I don't say that to say anything negative against them. They serve an extremely important role in protecting the U.S.A. Thank goodness for the Army and Marines. Also take a look at the Airforce.
Good Luck!

Answer 4

OK I read the top three answers you got... Ignore these idiots, they don't know their @ss from a hole in the ground, and listen to me, I got five years in the Army, been to Iraq twice... been in more combat than most have seen on television. If you want a taste of the action you may try and join the Army as an MP, they get sent out there female or not... You won't be kicking doors and stuff but you might have the honor of dying on the side of some road in Iraq during convoy security. Hope this helps.

Answer 5

I serve in the USN.
Hospital Corpsmen (HM) usually get deployed to the Middle East. I'm not a HM but I just came back from the Middle East.
The fastest way to finish a degree and serve IS joining the reserves..it's really hard while on active service.
So, you're startin off on the right track.
If you wanna retire at an early age..you will have to do 20 years active duty. Reserve won't give you early retirement since you'll only be active when you're called for duty.

Take a look at this site:
http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/navyjobs/navyjobs2/blawa.htm

I think you will find this job interesting.

Answer 6

Why I joined the Marines, initially:
1. I don't like boats.
2. I don't like planes all that much.
3. I really didn't like the Army beret.
4. I walked into a joint recruiting station (one where all 4 services are represented), and I saw a sailor eating donuts who just stared at me, an airman on the phone who glanced at me once, and some soldiers with their feet up completely ignoring me. In front of me was a Marine PFC who greeted me enthusiastically, and beckoned me come in. First impressions count.
5. I wanted to attempt to join the most elite and difficult branch, because I didn't want to live my life wondering "what if"... if i could have made it, but just copped out.
6. I was impressed by the depth of culture and camaraderie that the Marines professed and displayed every single time I saw them.
7. I wanted to be a linguist, and USMC could guarantee that.
8. I thought that taking the easy(er) way out (USAF) would eventually bother me.
9. I liked the mixed mission of USMC, i.e. Air, Land, Sea, because it seemed like there were more varied opportunities.
10. My recruiter seduced me with In N Out value meals from right next door. So not fair.

The reasons I reenlisted:
1. Can't lie, the 61k bonus swayed me.
2. I'm not finished being a Marine yet. There's still things I want to do, like influence junior Marines in my MOS so they can keep doing work at the same quality level or better.
3. Guaranteed second language school (in civvies.. for 9 months) = more pay, more new responsibilities
4. Choice of duty station, closer to my family.
5. New duty station will afford me to begin and perhaps complete my master's degree, 100% free.
6. I still feel the pride of being a Marine, especially when in a mixed force environment. It feels good to be single out as exceptional merely because of the uniform you wear.
7. Marines are dumb, Marines are frustrating, but it's the ones you get close to that become your family. I would honestly really miss the people in my tiny little family if I left.
7. My mom really likes it when I wear my Blues to church on Christmas.


Besides all that, you don't necessarily have to have your degree before you go in. The USMC pays 100% of your tuition costs, and it really isn't that hard to complete classes on your own time, given that you are motivated enough to do so. They will send you to language school (if that is the MOS that you pick) and in 18 months you could speak Korean or Arabic like a native. Definitely explore all your option with each recruiter before you decide.

Hope it helps!

Answer 7

I chose the Army just because the recruiter was a lot more helpful. Here's my advice:
1. Get your bachelor's degree BEFORE joining. Which degree doesn't matter. Whatever interests you and will help you get a job when you're out. Take lots of math, science, writing, electronics, and mechanics. Take a foreign language until you're fluent. If you can't afford it, take out a student loan.
2. Go to an Army recruiter and tell him you want to be military intelligence (like intelligence analyst!). Those college classes you took will help you get the MOS you want and promotion points.

Answer 8

To answer your question;

Congrats on your decision, I admit that I am sorta biased. I was in the Navy and my wife was in the Marines. She often told me that the Marines was the best choice for her. The camaraderie and the challenges was the best thing for her. She still get the Marine corps magazine and everything. I believe their are more opportunity for women in the Marines that can lead to civilian jobs in the law enforcement and medical fields. Plus I believe the marines have better bases and do travel out of country to foreign port of calls.

Answer 9

lol at cnadian. Women CAN'T be infantry.

Well you have made 3 questions in the past little bit. I say go with your gut if you are so indesicive. Talk to a recruiter from the Army and Marine Corps and see which appeals to you more. I am proud to say I chose Marines.

Answer 10

I do not tottally have a valid answer to your question BUT i did want to say that you being a female does not hinder you in anyway and that women can be in infantry and that if you wish to go into infantry then honey you should jump right on in
It is your life and you owe it to yourself to push yourself to your limits and not let sexist assumptions and stereotypical thinking get in your way and or further more hinder you.
(Besides it has been proven time over time that women can kick *** in combat just to name a few the more Fa-Mulan ya know that disney movie was based an actual woman oh and Jean D'Arc http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/Network/7309/warriors.html)