Marines or Army?

[Mobydick]

Well, i'm in my senior year in highschool and i've been talking to guys from the marines and the army. I talked to the marines guys first, and I liked what they told me, I wanted to enlist in the reserves when I graduate.

I talked to the marine guys again this morning and I again liked what we discussed. But, then at lunch the army guy was talking to me, and he was saying how the army reserves can get me more money for college and can get me into just about any job in the army, like aircraft mechanic, logistics, diesel mechanic, etc. Basically that they have better benefits.

I know there are some guys currently enlisted, reserve and active, what do you guys think? What did you enlist in and what are your opinions on which is the better branch of military based on the benefits?

                                                                  Thanks,

                                                                      Ian

[skunked_again]

coast guard

[heathen]

I done 6 years in the Marines so my opinion is biased on what I would pick  ;D

But having said that, if GI Bill/money for college is of major concern, then definitly rule out the Marines. They have the worst of any branch. Back in the late 80's early 90's when I was in I think you paid in 1200 bucks to the GI Bill and got back 12,000. The Army was getting way more than this.

[Mobydick]

Thanks for the opinions!

                                                                    Ian

[Catt]

They are in need of Crew Chiefs & Flight Engineers; sleep in your own bed every night  

[Top]

the Marines have more Esprit de Corps...all them guys is brainwashed  ;D   the Army has more to offer, not better.. more... we are so much bigger so the chances of you getting the job you want are MUCH better... either or your butt is going to Iraq or Afghanistan... if you can go in expecting it you should be good to go in that aspect... but then... the Marines is so much smaller you WILL have more responsibility as young NCO... I don't think advancement time wise is that much different between the two.. I KNOW that advancement in the Air Force is MUCH slower than the Army... anyways... its really what you want to get out of it... its actually as much of what you put INTO it too... its a good life but plan on moving every 3-5 years... if you get married.. its hard.. especially the long deployments and going to the field... its as hard on the wife as it is you... but then you have job security... a sense of accomplishment very few other jobs can give you other than police or fire dept type thing... anyways.. the Military is never a bad decision... any branch has its good points and its bad... the first year or so SUCKS.. but after that you will get some rank and more money and its actually pretty good...

anyways.. that is enough to consider for now... pray on it... and let us know what you decide

AL

[SDoolittle]

  I did a tour as an Army recruiter from 2001-2004 and I got to know my competition well. There have been some changes since then, but I don't think they were anything too drastic. The GI bill is the same for all branches, but each branch has an additional college fund that you may qualify for.

  Something you need to think about if you're looking at the reserves is job availability. While you may qualify for a whole lot of jobs, there will be much fewer available in your area. If you are set on being an MP, for example, and the nearest MP unit is 300 miles away, you may need to consider a different job (or a different branch). Be sure to talk to recruiters from all the reserve components and find out what types of jobs are available.

  If you want to talk about active components, PM me and I will give some pros and cons for each branch.

[Bassn Blvd]

How about college first.  Then go into the service if you still want to.

[BASS fisherman]

How about college first. Then go into the service if you still want to.

I would have to agree with Bassn Blvd.

I dont want to start a fight here, but I know a few recruiters and they tell you what you want to hear within reason to get you in their branch.

They ask you what you want out of life and tell you how there branch best suits your wants in life. And sometimes, more often than not, they flat out lie to you just to get you in.

My brother's recruiter swore up and down he wouldn't be shipped over seas. Guess what? Right after basic training he was shipped over seas. This was in the 80's and he was shipped to Germany.

For my senior year in High school we had to do an internship. I did mine with a local recruiting office and was amazed at what they told poeple to get them signed up. I watched them sign people up who weren't really sure, but by the time they were walking out of the office, they were totally gung-ho.

I do however know alot of vets and most of them loved their time in the military, and if they could go back, they would have done it as a career.  

Just use your brain when you talk to the recruiters.  Know what you want and how to utilize those skills when you are discharged.

[Top]

How about college first. Then go into the service if you still want to.

if you have the means.. HELL yeah.. and join ROTC and get a commission while your at it... but some of us didn't have the means... *shrug*

AL

[Mobydick]

Thanks for the suggestions!

Bird Dog, I did ask the recruiter about job availability, he said that the mechanics jobs are guaranteed because there are so many of them, he said I would probably be placed in Johnstown. But I understand what you're saying.

I know that each recruiter is trying to tell me that their branch is better than this one and that one and all that.

This is a hard decision, but I want to do it because with the economic situation, lol, I know I can't afford college. I want a college education because I know that as the years go on, paying bills and all that will become harder and harder to do. I want to be able to afford college so I can get a decent job.

                                                                      Ian

[SDoolittle]

I know that each recruiter is trying to tell me that their branch is better than this one and that one and all that.

And they all truly believe it! Something else you might consider, since you're looking at the reserves, is to visit the reserve center and talk to some of the guys there. They may be able to tell you a little more about the unit, planned training events, future deployments, etc...

Also, check out goarmy.com and marines.com. They never lie!

[Kimbro]

As an active duty Air Force troop I am neither for or against any branch more than the other.  Benefits/GI Bill are basically universal Department of Defense wide.  Each branch has something different to offer so look at your options very closely.  Honestly your best bet if you are truly looking at the military is getting your degree and getting commissioned.  Google the pay charts and take a look at the difference between enlisted and officer pay.  Two different lifestyles altogether.  Again, I'm not for any one branch more than the other but each branch has something different to offer.  The military is a great way of life though if you can adapt and are thick skinned.  I've given ten years and will gladly give at least ten more.  If you have any questions don't hesitate to pm me and I will answer any questions honestly, you won't get that from many recruiters.  Keep your focus your senior year and I hope to see you in the ranks.

Take Care

Joe

[Red]

i dont know about now, but when i joined, the army was the only branch that guaranteed your job.  so if you signed up to be a cook, you WILL be a cook.  things may have changed since then though.

[cart7t]

Since the idea is to spend time in the military in order to take advantage of the educational benefits after military,  you've got to make it to the end of your military duty to do that.  The best odds of doing that are the Airforce followed by the Navy, then the Army and last,  the Marines.

The marines are always the first to hit the beach and most of the time wind up with the most dangerous jobs.  

[Sam]

Marines stick together much more than Army folks.

Army has lots of career opportunities.

Get your high school diploma; do well in either branch; and go for Officers Candidate School and become an officer and a gentleman.

Clank, clank, you are a tank!  ;D   ;D   ;D

[jeremyt]

I am currently a Marine Corps recruiter. If you want the reserves then your job will be guaranteed down to the MOS. The reason you can guarantee jobs to reservists is that the reserve centers local to your area only have specific fields. As far as bonuses go, if you qualify and they are available then the recruiter should do all they can to get you one.

If you have any specific questions that you need answered in an unbaised way then please feel free to ask me. I don't care what branch of service that you are looking at, but you need to know that the benefits are the same, pay, medical, dental, education. If you want to go into the reserves then ask your recruiter about the PLC program.  This will pay for your college while you serve in the reserves and you can make the big bucks as an Officer when you complete college.

[roadwarrior]

I am currently a Marine Corps recruiter. If you want the reserves then your job will be guaranteed down to the MOS. The reason you can guarantee jobs to reservists is that the reserve centers local to your area only have specific fields. As far as bonuses go, if you qualify and they are available then the recruiter should do all they can to get you one.

If you have any specific questions that you need answered in an unbaised way then please feel free to ask me. I don't care what branch of service that you are looking at, but you need to know that the benefits are the same, pay, medical, dental, education. If you want to go into the reserves then ask your recruiter about the PLC program. This will pay for your college while you serve in the reserves and you can make the big bucks as an Officer when you complete college.

Sounds to me like you can have your cake an eat it, too!

If you are ready for college, this suggestion sounds great.

However, service first will add maturity and responsibility

that cannot be matched in the private sector. Good luck!

Your future looks bright.

8-)

[Fisher of Men]

The marines are always the first to hit the beach and most of the time wind up with the most dangerous jobs.

Back in the day, we called marines "Bullet Magnets" or "Bullet Sponges".  I had several buddies who went the National Guard route with the GI bill and don't regret it.  Of course this was 20 years ago when the Guard wasn't sent overseas.  There have been many Guard troops from Texas sent to Afghanistan and Iraq recently.  

One thing to consider.  As a senior, you DON'T have to sign in for some time now.  Take your time and don't let anyone rush you.  As a middle school teacher, I have talked to former students who let a $1000 or more signing bonus sway their decision to join up before graduating.  Remember that you are committing at least four years of your life to these people.   AND, IMO, a little prayer into this matter might not hurt (if you're in the habit of praying).

-Fisher

[SDoolittle]

Since the idea is to spend time in the military in order to take advantage of the educational benefits after military, you've got to make it to the end of your military duty to do that.

Thats not really true. You are eligible for 100% tuition assistance while you're still in the military. Every Army post has an education center where you can take college courses. There is also correspondence, distant learning, CLEP, etc. available at the tax payers expense.

The best odds of doing that are the Airforce followed by the Navy, then the Army and last, the Marines.

What?

The marines are always the first to hit the beach and most of the time wind up with the most dangerous jobs.

During Operations Iraqi Freedom and Desert Storm the Army and Marines went in at the same time, after the Air Force bombed the crap out of the enemy.

[KYntucky Warmouth]

My aunt's boyfriend was a marine and he told me this joke:

A marine and an army soldier are both standing at the urinals doing there business. The army soldier finishes first and goes to wash his hands. The marine then finishes and heads toward the door. The soldier stops him and asks "Don't they teach you to wash your hands in the Marines?". The Marine replies "No. They teach us not to pee on our hands."

[bilgerat]

I've been a diesel mechanic for about twenty years now and I can tell you with certainty that you WILL find work in this field if you choose to pursue it. We've always had a shortage of mechanics and always will. We do have slow periods of work, but a good mechanic will always have work. Plus the discipline that a military background offers is always a plus to employers.

Best of luck to you whatever path you choose.

[Dan:]

Being a senior in college, I have received a few emails about certain programs that involve reserve training during the summer that pays like $4000 each summer while you are at school, then you serve after you graduate as an officer. I would look into the ways that you can get the military to pay for school, like ROTC and other stuff. I think there are some programs that most people probably don't know about.

I wish that I had done some sort of ROTC or officer program sometimes.