Should i join the Army or Marines?

[Recon by Fire]

Army officers are assigned by their rank standing in their class. The higher ups get to choose (combat arms is high priority!) and the lower guys get what they are given!

Don't buy no crap about one service being better than the other, they all have scum bags and they all have high speed troops.

What ever you decide, let us know!

[cabldawg]

I was in the Air Force. If you you can make the OCS take it. I think the worse that will happen, if ya don't make it through, is that you end up in the enlisted ranks.
Nothing wrong with your reasons to be in infrantry. My teammate went in the Army last yr. He had just turned 30 when he enlisted. He has already served a tour in Iraq. He likes it.
As for talking to the recruiters: ask specific questions and make sure thay answer the question. Write out your questions take them with you. maybe write 2 sets of questions, those about becoming an Officer and those about being an enlisted.
not sure if any of that helps

[91Foxtrot]

I was in the Army Reserve as a psychiatric specialist/combat medic for 8 yrs. A few points: as stated above, you should be able to enlist as an E-4. My sister got E-4 when she enlisted. But don't sign the paper unless it lists everything you were promised.

I went to basic with a number of folks who had airborne school in their contract. Maybe you can work OCS into it?

Look into the student loan repayment program they offered. I got SLRP. I walked around saying, "Yeah, they'll pay off $20K in student loans, awesome!" Then I found out that they actually make small payments every year that you are in. So, if you are in for 4 years, then decide you don't like it and get out, don't expect that $30K to be gone. Of course, I enlisted in 1994, and there was no war going on. They have probably changed the rules. Ask your recruiter about the details.

I would go the officer route. For all the reasons all the other folks have said. Just a note, though, butterbars (0-1, 2nd Lt) don't get too much respect. Rather, they get the respect that is owed to the rank, but they are generally considered idiots. Of course, in my observation, 2nd Lts who were previously enlisted got more respect from the enlisted.

Oh yeah, and remember these famous words to live by: Never volunteer for anything.

Also, don't call sergeants "sir".

And "sucking chest wound" is redundant. All chest wounds suck.

[hardr0ck68]

Never volunteer for anything.

Does this just go for basic or is it an ongoing thing?

Also, don't call sergeants "sir".

Why not? I dont quite understand the whole rank thing. Is it because they are NCO's?

[Recon by Fire]

Yes, don't ever volunteer for anything....ever, LOL.

Officers are "Sir" or "Ma'am" (Mr. in the case of Warrant Officers). NCO's are not called by those titles because they work for a living

[MicroMiniMe]

Yes, don't ever volunteer for anything....ever, LOL.

Officers are "Sir" or "Ma'am" (Mr. in the case of Warrant Officers). NCO's are not called by those titles because they work for a living

Hehe, go watch 'Good Morning Vietnam.'

/Yes Sgt. Major Dickerson

Its a good movie with Robin Williams and nice soundtrack if anything.

[91Foxtrot]

Officers don't seem to mind as much if you accidentally call them "sergeant", but NCOs will definitely let you know if you call them "sir".

Oh yeah, and if you ever thank a drill sergeant for anything, they will likely respond, "Don't thank me, thank your recruiter."

This is quite a trip down memory lane...

[hardr0ck68]

Ok so can anyone tell me what an officer is likly to go on any given day?

Somehow i doubt i would get to play ps2/3 all day and eat chips while getting paid? How about enlisted infantry? are you our running, shooting, training and whatnot everyday?

I know that officers have many different jobs, but the only ones i have any understanding for the responcibilitys and tasks done daily are pencil pushers (my uncles in the airforce were very good at pushing pencils) and recruiters.

Someone mentioned that comanding combat troops was infact very desiarable, if this is true how difficult is it to get a position doing this? Im thinking it might be next to impossiable for me.

So far i know if im going enlisted im going Army; if i decide to go officer i think i will go Marines (however as i mentioned way at the top i will need to sign up as a reservest and go to basic to get in shape before i can even submit a packet...yes i could start working out on my own, but i probably wont, plus im morbidly intrested in going to basic)

[Recon by Fire]

Pretty much a combat arms officer leads his unit in the field but the Platoon Sergeant or First Sergeant leads the men when in garrison. The officer is always in charge (on paper) but in garrison they more or less fade out of sight somewhat.

Now they still do attend training, physical and tactical, and make formations. But they will spend their time with tons of delightful meetings and doing their own officer training also. Their is of course always the Officers Club

The worse thing for any Butter Bar (2nd Lieutenant) to do is show up to his first unit and pretend he outranks that Platoon Sergeant. The smart ones keep quiet and learn from the Plt Sgt who is most likely to one can help him and teach him the most. I have seen some Lt's who were too big for their green britches get laid down pretty low by First Sergeants (Top) for such actions. The only thing worse than that is the ones that then go and complain about Top chewing their ***! LOL They really get it!

[IronCore]

[Recon by Fire]

If you want to be an officer, you need to be good at land navigation day or night

That goes for any combat arms! LandNav is not hard though.



<----Scout

[whistl3r]

haven't read the other posts, but i am air force enlisted and i can give you tips

an o-1 makes about as much $$$ as an e-6. so you would get mad cash right from the start.

whoever told you the officer life blows is full of crap. a lot more is expected of you as an officer, but quality of life is much, much higher. if you're a sharp troop, being an officer is cake. but if youre a dirtbag, you'll get hemmed up bad and never get promoted. enlisted is allowed to be a little more dirtbag-ish as long as they know their job (in the af anyways).

what is your degree in? the army will probably allow you to use your trade more than the marines will.

anytime within your first 6 months of being enlisted, you can get an "entry-level discharge", and it's honorable. no one will tell you about it, but it's there. you WILL want to quit in basic, but don't. wait until you get to a station to make a decision.

sure you don't want to come into the af? its pretty nice haha jk i won't try to recruit you

ask what jobs are available before you come in and try to come in with a guarenteed job doing something you like. if for some reason they can't give you that job later on, you have the choice to retrain or be honorably discharged.


i volunteer for tons of stuff! mostly community service related... but DO NOT volunteer if a sgt. or luitenent walks into the office and says "i need a volunteer" and doesn't say what it's for.. because it isn't something fun ussually hehe.

are you married? officer is probably better if you want to see your family more often.

hope this helps! just ask if you have anymore questions! HOORAH! AIR POWER!

[hardr0ck68]

Ok WOW the last 3 posts have been exactly what i needed. As for air force the Marine luitenent was very excited when i told her i had 20/15 eye sight; she started raving about Marine flight school.....sounds fun and all but not my thing. Plus im left handed and right eye dominate, making me all goffy when it comes to anything designed for a righty!


Im still unsure what exactly i want to do.

Im not maried yet, but i know a little lady who would like to put a ring on me in the next year or so. Not that i mind much.

Sooooo can an officer give up the butter bars and become enlisted say half way through the contract? The army recruiters have been telling my that i can always start enlisted then use the "green to gold" program to become an officer. The Marine recruiter has been more up front saying that you never want to trust your advancement to a sgt. who may or maynot think your trash.

I trll you what, the Marines are losing ground in one aspect, i saw a young guy in dress uniform and it looked different (did they redesign it?) Gone in my mind was all the "few the proud the Marines" commercials as i stood there looking at this bell hop


EDIT: yeah my degree is in secondary education Social Studies; and yes Army if you troll this thread any i will tell ALL my students how to pick appart the whole CW was for states rights argument! Yeah the degree looks nice on my wall and all, but i do not feel ready to teach; i still feel like im 18 myself. This is a part of why im signing up, i think maybe it will satisfy my need for some "right of passage" and help me grow up ; or at the very least let me kill 3 years in a manner that will be nothing if not interisting!

[whistl3r]

i have NEVER heard of someone going from officer to enlisted, but people go enlisted to officer all the time.

for the most part, your CO wont just be a huge jerk and not help you out. that is what COs do. they take care of the people and the people take care of the mission. they will especially be more than glad to help you if you are a sharp troop.

get to know your chain of command so that they know you by name. always try to be on good terms with your first sergeant, NCOIC, supervisor, and CO and they will do anything for you. i know from experience. and it isn't that hard to get on their good side.

[AutomagBoy]

Well Ill keep it short

The Corps is imbedded in the lives of its marines. The marines are also the craziest people you'll meet. They usually lead the assaults into countries. They get some of the hardest action . Once the territory is occupied it is handed over the army and when the army screws the marines will come right back (If you're reading, no personal offence Army)

The Army isn't as importantant to its soldiers(there is still a strong sense of pride and belonging, just not as great). The poeple in the army are a bit more normal.


But I'll tell you one thing. No branch has more fun than the USMC, none of them.

And i didnt read any of the other posts, so i might be a repeat....I dont care