Should i join the Army or Marines?

[hardr0ck68]

So i have been hearing good old Rummy say that they plan on removing 7,000 troops from Iraq next year. Now, personally i think that its untrue; and if it is a poor decision made for political reasons. I would think pulling men out would only make it harder on the guys left there, as it seems the war in Iraq is far from over.

What do you all think? Is it bound to get uglier still over there?

as for rotations, do you think i will be spending all of my 3 year contract out of the counrty? I wouldent have any issue at all with 6 or 8 month rotations; so long as i get some time at home to remind my woman that she loves me . Even over a year would be fine just so long as i get to be with her for more than a weekend before heading back over. Sigh; growing up, seeing the world, serving my country doesnt mean much to me without her.

How about getting out? WHen my time is up, maybe i decide its time for me to move along what are the chances of getting called back up after my 3 years? Your still on some kind of reserve for another 3 years or so correct?

[devildog]

the 7k troops pulling out are army reservists, so usmc will still be there.

if you go to japan as a marine, you will go for 2 years, and you will not be able to take the wife the first time you go. of course there are special circumstances.

if you do usmc, you will do at least 4 years, and you will do 7-8 month rotations in iraq. in 4 years, ive been over there 4 times (once to afghanistan), and am going again end of january.

i think reservists do 6 year contracts, but im not sure. if youre gonna do it, go active duty, not reserve. reservists suck. although they get treated way better, and they still whine like babies.

you most likely wont get called back up after you get out, shouldnt worry about that.

if youre gonna sign up, no matter what branch, tell them you wont sign up unless you get a bonus. they ALWAYS have bonuses to give, but theyll try not to give it to you. make sure whatever job field you pick, sign for it on paper. if you wanna be a helicopter crew chief, make sure you sign for that exact mos. for example, all 5900 jobs are some sort of electronics techs, but if you want to be an atc comm tech for instance, make sure you sign for 5954. otherwise theyll put you wherever they need you in 5900.

oh yeah, and GET A BONUS!!!

[Recon by Fire]

Did he mention, get a bonus? Everybody gets a bonus...get yours!

[sgt_easton]

the 7k troops pulling out are army reservists, so usmc will still be there.

if you go to japan as a marine, you will go for 2 years, and you will not be able to take the wife the first time you go. of course there are special circumstances.

if you do usmc, you will do at least 4 years, and you will do 7-8 month rotations in iraq. in 4 years, ive been over there 4 times (once to afghanistan), and am going again end of january.

i think reservists do 6 year contracts, but im not sure. if youre gonna do it, go active duty, not reserve. reservists suck. although they get treated way better, and they still whine like babies.

you most likely wont get called back up after you get out, shouldnt worry about that.

if youre gonna sign up, no matter what branch, tell them you wont sign up unless you get a bonus. they ALWAYS have bonuses to give, but theyll try not to give it to you. make sure whatever job field you pick, sign for it on paper. if you wanna be a helicopter crew chief, make sure you sign for that exact mos. for example, all 5900 jobs are some sort of electronics techs, but if you want to be an atc comm tech for instance, make sure you sign for 5954. otherwise theyll put you wherever they need you in 5900.

oh yeah, and GET A BONUS!!!

And once again, the reserve gets bashed. You're right about bonuses though; I re-upped for another 6 and got $15K.

Nice bases? Yeah. Maybe some not-so-nice bases? I did a tour in Oman. Tents, sand, etc. The food was cooked by TCNs. It was horrible at best. Overall, I don't agree with the food statement. I've eaten on many bases, including some Army bases, and it's average. From what I remember, Ft. Dix had better food that McGuire AFB (neighboring base.)

I'll agree with the funding. We definately have cool stuff. But then again, if you have a $45 mil jet to work on, you're not going to do it with tools from the dollar store. You're going to use the best their is. Seems justified to me.

The Air Force may be different from other branches, but it's still the military.

[IronCore]

1. So i have been hearing good old Rummy say.. as it seems the war in Iraq is far from over.

2. What do you all think? Is it bound to get uglier still over there?

3. as for rotations, do you think i will be spending all of my 3 year contract out of the counrty?... serving my country doesnt mean much to me without her.

4. How about getting out?...Your still on some kind of reserve for another 3 years or so correct?

1. I dunno about that one, those decisions are beyond my paygrade

2. I believe that you are the one that studied social science, what do you think? Then well do it the army way and criticize your opinions

3. If you choose to, for example I was stationed in germany and extended the remaining enlistment year there, ya just gotta love their bier

4. If you enlisted for 4 years, you will be on inactive reserve for another 4. So chances of getting a recalled is close to none.
edit: you did say 3, so you will be inactive for 6 years. Also theres this thing called a stop law or something to that effect. If you are getting out and the military needs you, then you are stuck or screwed (whatever term you prefer)

5. Happy New Year!!

[hardr0ck68]

hurm, now im wondering how upfront the Marines were to me; for example i told them i would love to get stationed (at some point) somewhere forigen where i could be with my woman (she would be my wife by then and we both really want to see the world) and it was the recruiter that brought up japan, but it seems i could only go without her; which of cousre kinda ruins the whole see the world with my wife thing.


Also i asked about bonuses once before and was told "thats only something the Army does and they lord it over us, we dont have bonuses just better troops" (he said that half jokingly he was not Army bashing TO hard).

So what do i say to him? "hey buddy how bout you give me that bonus then i will sign up?"

As for getting a specific MOS if i go officer i dont get to make that decision do i?

[warbeak2099]

If you want to be a part of the more elite fighting force IMO, the Marines is better. But I'm going into the Navy, so of course I'm going to say the Navy/Marines is the best.

The Army is probably better if you are looking for benefits.

I have family members who are officers in both the Navy and Army, and I know a bunch of Marine officers. They are all doing very well for themslves. Officer is the way to go if you have a college degree. You do not want to be an enlisted man, you've worked to graduate college, don't waste it. If you let them get you to enlist, they're going to trap you.

I would definitely go through OCS (Officer Candidate School) if I were you. You will make better money and you'll still get everything paid for you. You get housing paid for, insurance (your wife's too), almost everything. Your wife can't come with you? That's bs. The military supports families incredibly. Wherever you are stationed, your wife and family live with you. If you are serving a tour somewhere for a period of time, your family can certainly visit you, but you have to pay for the plane ticket.

That having been said, I noticed you mentioned Japan. If you are concerned about your family being in harm's way, I would not choose the Pacific. China is preparing for an invasion of Taiwan and we have a formal agreement with them that says we have to help defend the tiny island. In 2008-2010, the Pacific is going to blow wide open.

[Eagle]

In my expierence, officers don't usually get bonus's. As for MOS, I believe it usually works as the higher you grad, the earlier you get to pick your MOS.

[hardr0ck68]

In my expierence, officers don't usually get bonus's. As for MOS, I believe it usually works as the higher you grad, the earlier you get to pick your MOS.

This is what i was led to believe well, but if the ealier statements were correct and there is some way to demand both a bonus and MOS when i sign i want to know; cause i can be demanding if need be

[Recon by Fire]

They cannot offer a bonus where none is authorized. It is not like hagling with a used car salesman. But definitely ask about a bonus no matter what you sign up for. If you really plan on being married in service you need to think of the family also. General basing/housing, etc...support I would rank as such (from worse to best:

Marines
Navy
Army
Air Force

Based on what you have been saying that you would like, my recommendations would be to go Army in officer ranks; pursue Infantry with airborne, ranger schools. SF may be possible. For overseas you can request 25th Infantry Division (Light) out in Hawaii! Trust me, it is considered a OCONUS assignment for a reason! LOL Plus you get the benefit of actually still being in the US and do not have to worry about the family while you are gone on deplyments. Plus being in Hawaii is not so bad 25 ID (L) is over in Iraq currently too.

[devildog]

if you go overseas with the airforce (to japan, or germany), or army (germany), you will have better chance of taking the wife. if you go to japan with marines, your firt tour there will be unacompanied. you will be able to take her the time after.

as far as bonuses are concerned, the recruiter has a certain amount of quotas for all mos's. for instance, in norwich, CT office, he might have 3 spots open for 5900. 1 spot will be with no bonus, and 2 will be with a bonus. he will try his best to get you the non bonus one first. i dont know why, its just how they do things.

bonus also depends on what field you sign up for. a technical field, like communications tech, or computer whatever, you will have a good chance at a bonus. but infantry man, you will almost definetly not get one.

last but not least, i dont think officers get bonuses, so if you go officer route, you might not qualify as well. but its still way worth it.

[hardr0ck68]

Well everyone, thanks for the help.

Im going with the Army, mainly because they offer OCS year round, while the Marines only offer it twice a year; and getting out of my parents house has become a priority. I went to the MEPS station monday, got all tested and whatnot (got a 99 on the asvab lmnop whatever) next wednesday i go infront of some board, if i can convince them that im officer material then sigh a contract swear in and ship off! I should be gone by the end of the month.

[Vex]

Well everyone, thanks for the help.

Im going with the Army, mainly because they offer OCS year round, while the Marines only offer it twice a year; and getting out of my parents house has become a priority. I went to the MEPS station monday, got all tested and whatnot (got a 99 on the asvab lmnop whatever) next wednesday i go infront of some board, if i can convince them that im officer material then sigh a contract swear in and ship off! I should be gone by the end of the month.

Good luck and stay safe!

Thank you for choosing to serve our country and our people.

[IronCore]

Well everyone, thanks for the help.
... I should be gone by the end of the month.

Good luck and have fun

[Boski51]

Good luck. Your life will never be the same. That's a good thing!

Semper Fi ground pounder.

Salute!