Marines or Army

KoolRainbow · 03-19-2006, 03:38 PM

im just curious of the reasons people join the army infantry over the Marine Corps infantry , or the Marine Corps infantry over the army infantry.

ColeGyreneJROTC · 03-19-2006, 09:24 PM

I considered the Army for a short time before I enlisted into the Marine Corps as Infantry.
Honestly, I was impressed with the Marines whom I had met throughout my life.
They held themselves differently and were above all else, "proud of every damn day they spent in the Corps," as a retired Gunny told me.
Former members of The Corps remember where they came from, and who they are.
The Army....not so much.
I also had a little problem with the Army recruiter and what he told me, compared to what was on the first enlistment document that he showed me, but that's another story for another time.
Have a good one.

**SGRock** · 03-20-2006, 06:21 AM

My father is a retired Army Master Sergeant. I have been around soldiers all of my life. Before all the services were allowed to wear cammies, or as the Army calls them BDU's, anywhere, I rembered, all my life seeing Soldiers wearing their class A uniform jackets unbuttoned and tie askew and wearing their covers inside airports. This, of course, does not account for all soldiers.

I joined the Corps and went infantry because the Marine Corps is on the cutting edge. The Marine Corps as a whole is a rapid deployment force and I knew that if I became a Marine I would have a much greater chance of seeing combat.
The Army tried to recruit me out of high school into Army Rangers but everything I just liked the Esprit de Corps that I saw within the Marine Corps.

A side note. I did NOT consider the Navy because I sent away for information concerning opportunities in the Navy and they sent me a letter sying that as a Master Sergeant in the Army I could not join the Navy. If they got me mixed up with my dad, even after I gave them my SSN, I did not see that as a good thing.

cowsrus · 03-21-2006, 04:32 PM

I joined Army Infantry for a few reasons.

1. I did not want to get stuck on one of those damn boats.
2.I want to get into Rangers and Special Forces and the Marines don't have that. (Marine Recon is not for me)
3. I know way too many "cocky" Marines that diss other branches of the Military and didn't want to be like that. (CURRENT AND FORMER MARINES, PLEASE DO NOT TAKE OFFENSE TO THE ABOVE STATEMENT I HAVE MET MANY MARINES THAT AREN'T LIKE THIS, THE PROBLEM IS I HAVE MET TOO MANY THAT ARE.)
4. Alot of my family has been in the Army hence tradition.
There are more reasons but I can't think of them off the top of my head.

I joined Infantry because:
1. I think it is where I will excell the most in the Military.
2. If I go into Combat and want to have the most training possible.
3. They are the ones that everyone remembers.
4. They get to play with a lot of cool toys.
5. Rangers and Special Forces.
Again there are more reasons but I can't think of them off the top of my head.

**cincymarsdad** · 03-21-2006, 09:39 PM

My son had a friend I didn't think much of. He dropped out of high school, I had an inkling he was into drugs, he was slovenly and lazy. He was not welcome at my house. Chris stayed friends with this person nevertheless. When Chris went into the Marines, I learned this buddy was trying to get into the Army, and signed a contract with them. I later learned from him that Chris had been telling him to get his s%^& together and do something with his life.

When Chris was killed, this friend was almost as inconsolable as I. He came by, was welcome, and we talked quite a bit on several occasions. At one point soon after, he ditched his Army contract and signed with the Marines with a GED. He wanted to honor Chris I think. But he later went back to the Army, as he had it in his head to get into Ranger training. Last he wrote me, he completed Army boot and was off to Infantry School and feeling very good about his decision. He told me that Chris' influence on him to get it in gear was crucial to him in feeling good about himself and doing something. Good for him. The Army was his path. I know Chris is proud of him.

My only purpose in relating this story is to suggest that you need to do what YOU need to do, silly as that sounds. In my book, if you VOLUNTEER to serve in ANY branch, I salute you, period, I don't care if you are a cook or admin. Do your research and go where it seems "right" and don't look back. What other people opine or thing or advise should be taken for what it is - someone else's opinion, possibly worth something, possibly not. The Army offers a lot of options. The Marines have cool uniforms.

I will say that if my daughter ends up in the Army I will be one proud father watching her be pinned with that 2nd Lt. gold bar in four years. I will be equally proud watching her graduate in ONE MONTH with mosquito wings on her shoulder too. Yeah, I will admit to being biased as far as branches, but you can't blame me for that I think.

Listen to your heart and use your head, and you'll be fine.

USMC Chuter · 03-22-2006, 05:47 AM

^ Very well said. I think the reasons people choose one branch over another are as varied as people themselves. Certain training opportunities, branch culture, family tradition, and even whims play into it. I think it's also true that there are a lot of people who join the first branch whose recruiters pay them any attention. Regardless of branch and reasons for joining, military service is a good and honorable endeavor.

**Covertness** · 03-22-2006, 02:57 PM

I have the same last name of one of the Marine Commandants and didn't want that shadow over me during my service. My biological father was an E-9 in the Navy (Submarines) and I didn't want his shadow over me either. My dad was a Brigadier General in the Air Force and was still on active duty when I joined. Same reason.

Bronco1986 · 03-22-2006, 03:43 PM

well, that kind of narrowed it down for you.

SSGMike.Ivy · 03-22-2006, 04:05 PM

When I got drafted at 18 years old back in 1968, I weighed 120 pounds socking wet. Well down at the induction station then "Whitehall Street" I sat in a room with maybe 50-100 guys and the Sgt's at the front of the room when "you" (me) "you" to both of the guys sitting on both sides of me who were about 190 pounds and like 6 foot. Man was I happy.
I love all our services, but you have to do what you feel is right for you. I wore my uniform and still do at parades and functions proudly.

Proud Army grunt

**cincymarsdad** · 03-22-2006, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSGMike.Ivy

I wore my uniform and still do at parades and functions proudly.

Proud Army grunt

As well you should, as well you should.

eutopiatetheory · 06-22-2006, 08:26 AM

I got a 90 on my asvab
joined the army because i wanted the advance training. ( Ranger, Possibly SF)

Recon isn't for me ever one i met in recon has been overtly agressive and well out side of the marines complete disfunctional.

BrianP · 06-22-2006, 09:12 AM

Everyone in my family that has served has been Marines, my grandfarther my uncles and my dad, i joined the Army because i guess i just wanted to rock the boat a little bit.

As for the Infantry, well i guess i just wanted to keep that tradition alive. i also cant imagine joining the Army or Marines to do anything else but fight. No offence to anyone in NON Combat fields but i personaly cant understand why anyone would want to joined the service without wanting to kick some ass