Should I go Army infantry or marine infantry?

Question

Ok, so I'm enlisting in march and I can't decide. On one hand I want to join the marines for the tradition and weight the name brings. But on the other hand I plan on making the military my career and I've been told that the marines make that hard. So I'm kind of stuck. Though I have heard of people joining the marines for 4 years then going army for the remaining 16. Is that really do able? Also how much of marine boot camp is swimming? Anyone who is either a current member of either branch or a veteran I welcome your advice. And any advice pertaining to military life in either branch is welcome as well.

Answer 1

So are you saying that the Army has no tradition and the title of "soldier" holds no weight? Kid, you've watched too many movies or listened to your little friends about how "cool" the marines are too much. Soldiers and Marines get equal respect. Today it is really hard to 1) change branches and 2) reenlist. If you are looking for a career then go army. You cannot stay infantry forever if you want a career and the Army offers the most options for reclassing when the time comes.



eta: Of course you *can* stay infantry forever but it is not as easy as it used to be

Answer 2

go to the serve you wanna go to



they both have traditions



IE: ever heard of the 101st and 82nd airborne ?? duh huh



2. ignore the first to fight - obiviously that answer has never served in the military or they would know thats simply not true



3. your gonna have to learn to swim -- in either service - and go through drown proofing



4. you can pretty much forget changing service branch nowadays, it just rarely happens anymore



and note : you can stay infantry forever - just where did the other poster thank infantry 1st Sgt's and Sgt Majors come from ?



5. so the choice is yours - there is no wrong choice



most choose based on family history, or maybe a neighbor served in one or the other, heck, maybe just because you saw a john wayne movie about one of the other service -- even which uniform you like best



it really doesn't matter - only you know which service you wanna enlist into.

Answer 3

You've already answered your question. If you don't have a real desire to be a Marine, you'll never even be sent to stand on the yellow footprints, much less earn your Eagle, Globe, and Anchor. Go talk to an Army recruiter, the Marines don't want you.

Answer 4

Well, the Marines have more prestige, better discipline and a little bit better Infantry training. On the other hand, the Army has more career opportunities and better courses for Special Forces / Light Infantry such as Ranger School and RASP.

Answer 5

If you want to do both, do both. Join as an infantry get your fitness up then join the Marines

Answer 6

It's all up to you. I don't know a ton about Marine Infantry but my dad was in Army Infantry (it still counts right? I remember a lot and learned a lot from him) and he loved it. For Army Infantry you are in AIT (Advanced Individual Training) for 4 weeks I believe. You'll do lots of field exercises (probably same with Marines). My father trained at Fort Benning, Georgia (that's where you'd go if you go Army). It was such a family friendly base and the people were amazingly kind there. We had parks, pools, schools around (I was only 4 at the time but I remember a lot) and the housing is nice. I lived in an apartment building (It has since been tore down and made into beautifully large houses) and the apartments were pretty big. But this was for soldiers who had a wife and kids. I assume you have no wife or kids (correct me if I'm wrong) so you'd be in smaller housing.



People can say all they want about Marines and Army but they are equal, as all branches are. Sure Marines have a "brotherhood" but so does Army. My family made a lot of friends with other Army families. My dad was medically discharged in 2007 due to psychological disorders he didn't know he had before the Army (Army did not cause it, so do not worry about the same happening to you, and he never went to Iraq, thank god). I am still in contact with one family that were our neighbors at the base. My dad did make a lot of friends (from just about every state) and it truly was like one big family. In the Army you get a battle buddy and he'll be your best friend in basic training. Battle buddies teach you communication (very important in Infantry) and how to work together during high-stress situations.

Answer 7

That depends, are you up for the challenge, and the tests that the Marine Corps has to offer? The difference between the two branches are, 1st to fight. The Marine Corps are the first ones to fight in any situation. Now yes, the Army does have some better equipment. But are you wanting something that is going to push you, are you looking for a proud tradition where you can say, yeah I did it, I became a UNITED STATES MARINE!!! Something that most people cant do, or are you looking for better equipment?

Answer 8

`Nuff said:

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