What is the best branch of the military to join if I do not want a boring 9 to 5 desk job. I also plan on making the military a career? Do you have any specific MOS you would recommend? Please provide details below and would love to hear your feedback. Here are some of my own thoughts.
Of the four branches, each has good and bad qualities
Marines – not the smartest branch, and most go to combat. If you want to see combat then the Marines is the way to go.
Air Force – lazy and well paid. These guys get good duty stations, dont work hard and get paid well. They don’t promote fast so that’s the downside.
Army – really big, goes to combat, but I would say they are the worst of all. Poor leadership and terrible living conditions.
Navy – Go on ships, but you see the world. Many other duty stations all over the world. If you really want to travel then this is the best. Advancement is not too hard, and pay is alright. Going special forces in the Navy is the smartest choice. Extra pay, combat and you will be the celebrity of the navy.
I’d say the Navy is the best branch, if I am to be lazy and paid well but not advance fast then Air force (chair force) is the way to go.
You need to decide FOR YOURSELF what branch is best for you. None of us know you; we can’t give you an accurate decision. Here’s some basic info about all 5 branches:
US Marine Corps – By far the most challenging branch. Very combat-oriented. Long deployments. Longest boot camp. Marines put the most stock in their Physical Fitness Test. They’re also the most proud. Talk to an Airman and ask her what she does and she’ll say, “I’m in the Air Force.” Ask a Marine what he does and he’ll say “I AM a Marine.”
US Army – Second most challenging physically after the USMC. Lot of pride here too. Best enlistment and re-enlistment bonuses – but keep in mind that can easily change, and money is easily spent. Very long deployments. Fastest promotions of any branch. Largest branch.
US Air Force – Currently close to the Army in terms of physical fitness requirements (AF BMT requirements are more stringent than Army BCT requirements, but thereafter AF requirements drop off). Known as “the smart branch” because it attracts technology-minded types and currently has the most personnel with degrees beyond a High School diploma. Shortest deployments. Some say it has the best quality of life. Slowest advancement.
US Navy – About equal to the AF in terms of physical fitness requirements. Medium-length deployments, but Sailors go out to sea whereas Airmen, Soldiers, and Marines are on land and usually have a means to get in contact with their families; Sailors’ laptops and cell phones usually don’t work. Long and proud history. Lots of opportunities to complete a degree while out to sea.
US Coast Guard – Some say the CG has shorter deployments than the AF but that’s not always true; typically they go out to sea for 2 months, come back for 2 months, and go back out for a period of 6 to 18 months straight. Most stringent entrance requirements (you’ll be with high-quality people – not that other branches’ members are low-quality by any means). Technically under the Department of Homeland Security (unlike the other branches, which are in the DOD).
As far as suggesting a MOS (or AFSC for Air Force jobs and rate for Navy / CG jobs), I can’t do that without knowing your goals. Think about what you’d want to do if you were to remain a civilian, and then look for the equivilant in your branch of choice. Also think about where your talents lie. I have a friend who is in electronics but is terrible at it, and therefore is regularly frustrated at work.
I think you run the risk of getting a boring desk job no matter what branch. My boyfriend just separated from the air force after ten years because he hated his boring desk job. If combat doesn’t bother you I would suggest the army or maybe marines, you won”t be behind a desk when your in Iraq.
Im currently in the AIR FORCE…..im getting gout because i have a nice job lined up and it will pay more….but if i didn’t have those things lined up…i would stay right where im at now. living is good, lots of jobs, but it takes 20+ years to make the rank. 3P0X1
Security Forces or nothing!
as a Marine, AF is the only branch i understand people doing 20years.
Now… for fun on the otherhand…
USMC all the way
MOS
0311, 0313, 0321, 0331, 0341, 0351, 0352
Marines Infantry
HooAh
i would have to say marine’s also. navy would be the worst choice.
Marines. be supply admin. you will pick up rank fast and get more money.
Not sure why Navy would be worst choice. Most technical. Duty stations world wide. 6 month deployments (other branches double or more). World wide travel. Most career fields.
As far as staying away from desk jobs….Depends on what you want to do. Avionics, Engineering, Advanced Electronics, Computers, Nay has it all!
Marines- Department of the Navy. Have a rep of being “hard core” and stupid (jarhead). they claim to be the most elite or people think so but, take a look at SOCOM website and you will see who has the most elite warriors. Their elite RECON unit requires a lot of training from the Army(Ranger,Airborne,Reconnaissance and Surveillance Leader Course). By the way deep RECON units in the Army are not even considered SPEC OPS look up Army Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol Teams.
Navy- The only other real branch besides the Army (The other two came from the Army and Navy).Promotion is Faster in the Army, according to the Navy Times, their own service newspaper.
Air Force-Goes to combat just like every other branch. I know I was actually there during the invasion of Iraq. Everyone thinks of them flying but, this is a small part of the Air Force. You have a better chance of being a pilot in the Army.
Army- The Original and largest branch. The most opportunities, more SPEC OPS units. Newly renovated Barracks, faster promotions, go higher in the ranks (more E9 slots then anyone), which means better retirement. 150 different entry level positions, 225 after the first 3yrs. Best education benifits, number one university in the world(according to Forbes Magazine). More boats than the Navy. The Army has everything I encourage you to stop asking people their opinion and just compare facts.
I looking to join the Airforce I wanted to know which job should I go for that will qualify me to be a Port Authority Police Officer once I decided to leave the Airforce?
I looking to join the Airforce I wanted to know which job should I go for that will qualify me to be a Port Authority Police Officer once I decided to leave ?
About to join the airforce and I was wondering which job I should choose if I’m looking to become a Port Authority police officer after I’ve served??
What about the Coast Guard? Is it good to go to?
Those who say the Marine Corps is not challenging and is not the best branch only wish they had courage to do what we do and be who we are.
Every branch is different. Doesn’t matter what everyone says. You might want to be in the thick of combat with an M16 or you might want to be pressing the button that fires off the cruise missile or you might want to be doing intelligence work or whatever it may be. Everyone’s partial to their own branch so you just need to figure out what you want to do. Once you know that we could help you pick out which branch has the best jobs for that position.
What are the chances of advancement in cryptology?
This information is bit incomplete, I must say that the homework was done really good, but the problem came when you tried to assemble this information and present it. No doubt you did your best and I appreciate the fact that this will help as well, you should read other posts as well to make your posting really to the point and really understandable. I will PM you some of the threads about this topic so that the next time you visit the forum and post something really informative like this, it will be more effective and helpful to all.
I think people are funny. “Marines are better!”, “No, marines are stupid!”, “screw the lazy boys in the Chair Force.
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I am in the USAF, serving as Security Forces. I assure you all, we can and do bring the pain. (when its called for) Courage has very little to do with becoming a Marine. Courage is something you earn as you mature. Others just happen to get a brain with their maturity as well. :O JK “Devil Dog” The fact it, we all have pride in what we do, and the mosr combat we have seen/survived the more proud we get about what we do. We all deserve respect for what we are good at. And I give mine to the Army and Marines for their ground force abilities.
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Find a job you like and are good at. If you see your self as a member of SWAT, go Army Ranger or Special Forces. If you like bombs, Army EOD. If you want to be a profesional bar fight started and you like makeing up names that sound “Hard”. You like big guns and lots of yelling. Be a Marine. (No disrespect meant, but it is true. You have to be a dickhead to do it right.) Want to be in the medical field, Id say Navy. Mechanic, Airforce. If you want to be a cop, any branch will do because we all get the same training and do the same things as MP’s/Security Forces. Security Forces just double dip a lot as Infintry, so we get a little more action than MP’s do.
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Best of wishes to you!
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3P0X1 for life!
Our son went NROTC. He will be graduating college this May and reporting to the Fleet as an Ensign aboard a destroyer out of Norfolk, VA. For the last 3 or 4 years his plan was to go Surface Warfare for his first two tours and then put in for the LEP program, so he go to law school on the Navy’s dime and become a JAG officer. We were proud that he had it all planned out. However, tonight over drinks on the patio he informed me that he probably wasn’t going to go JAG after all and that he would probably only do 4 years in the NAVY and then go to culinary school which he said was his real passion. I have to admit I was stunned that he would throw away the potential for a possible 20 year retirement and the ability to start a second career with guaranteed income for life. I realize it’s his life but I don’t want him to throw away the potential for a good career and wind as a cook in a restaurant. Am I over reacting and is he just expressing the typical reservations of a 22 year old about to embark on a job with heavy responsibility? When do most military officers decide to stay in longer than the initial 4 years? I want to give him the right advice without putting additional pressure on him. Any vets out there care to give a proud papa the benefit of your experience?
I am in the USAF and my DAD and younger Brother are both in the Marines…I have lived in a Marine household all my life and know of the Core and the proud tradition and history. But I had to make my own path and choice that was best FOR ME. My dad respected that. And he was yelling the loudest at my graduation in his dress blues. By the way after 2007 the Air Force has upgraded their Basic Training putting more and more emphasis on combat training. Me and my brother compared boot camp experiences and there are not that far apart in terms of intensity.
If you don’t want to be shot at:http://www.onlinecollegeguru.com/blog/career/9-safest-entry-level-military-careers/
Everyone always forgets about the Coast Guard. In reply to the below poster, there is NO cutter other than the polar ice breakers in the CG that are on deployment longer than six months. Besides deployable units within the DOG (Deployable Operations Group). I’m currently on my fourth month in a seventh month Kuwait deployment and believe it or not the CG has been in EVERY major war except the Korean war. I also deployed to GTMO for six months as well. However I volunteered for both.
Also, if you mean most difficult boot camp by physical means, I would easily say the Marines. I wouldn’t say Army second however. They play football as PT throughout boot camp. In the CG you have tests regularly and we never had “pt.” It was “incentive training” followed by 4-6 hours of sleep, if that, and then more tests. The discovery channel actually did a special about the toughest boot camps. CG took second to the Marines.
Of course I’m biased, I’ve been in the CG for the past six and a half years. However, I must say, it’s more difficult to advance here because it’s left entirely up to you. You don’t get promoted because you stayed out of trouble and did what was expected of you. You get promoted by completing certain tasks that is expected of you at the next level. Thus the CG is very frustrating for people who can’t motivate themselves and need someone else to do it for them.
Because you even said lazy, and totally disregarded the USCG in the first place, I wouldn’t recommend it to you personally. Plus it’s the hardest to get into out of the four branches with its highest asvab score and amount of people (we have less people in the CG than the NYC police department)enlisted.
Also a 378, who is not underway more than three months hits port calls almost all over the world and does drug interdiction and search and rescue. The CG is unparalleled in terms of military to civilian transition and relations between the two jobs.
I’m bored on deployment and decided to verify the asvab requirements for each branch to see ours was the highest. I’m deployed with the Navy and I will tell you right now that the CG sets the standards in every single way possible when it comes to seamanship. When your job is everyday to protect and save the lives of the people on the water, you become inherently better at it than those who train for war.
Good luck to you.
I will also never do another deployment with the CG under the Navy command ever, ever again.
I am wanting to join the Coast Guard, but I heard that you have to spend your first year out of basic training “painting ships”? Is that true?
Ok…ok…I read majority of the posts on here…well I’m going to give it to you 100. If you have low self esteem, always been a loser your whole life, suicidal/homicidal, and looking to be all messed up in the head later on in life. Join the marines and army bunch. They will get you to that point and you’ll probably end up on the side of the freeway or in the crazy house. Marines are best bunch in the military ONLY!!!! They aren’t the best after the military…they are killers and cops aren’t hiring marines now of days because they are train to “shoot to kill”, “not shoot to neutralize”. Very few marines have a life on. the outside. Now the army that’s the worst bunch…they are wannbe marines that’s why army means Aren’t Real Marines Yet…they handle stuff after the marines went in there and killed everybody. So army ppl are just second class marines and you don’t have to score high on the asvab test to get in they take anybody even gang members, and other criminals that are on the run. Navy its nothing really bad about them it just your on a ship full of guys for months…and rumors safe some of those navy boys are on the “down low” just look at their uniforms. But I heard guys relations with one another on them ships, so I heard…Now this bunch is the best in my since you get the best of both worlds civilian and military…we are the smartest outta all bunches and after E-4 you’ll have to take a test to rank up til you get to E-8 and E-9 then you have to get voted in and take a test… we are the hardest branch to get into not many ppl pass the test at meps or tech school, we don’t give second chances, we pretty much run the battle fields behind enemy lines and skies, we are the United States Air Force. The U.S.A.F is the best bunch because we never lost a battle that’s why are wings are up and the army and marines are down. If you don’t want to come back home in a body bag, or straight jacket. Join the air force we don’t die we multiply, and are death toll is low also. Thing of this the military on big mob and the air force is the Godfather, and the marines are the gangsters, and the army are the thugs. Oh yea you get your associate degrees right outta tech school in your job field, and you have time for a education… Remember this too ” muscle gets weaker over time than the brain does”. So join the air force if you want a life or join the over branch if you are ready to behind over and get used…because when you get hit by that IDE…the marines/ army don’t want you anymore so what you going do then stay at the V.A. shelter….ill take a paper cut any day…
Ok…ok…I read majority of the posts on here…well I’m going to give it to you 100. If you have low self esteem, always been a loser your whole life, suicidal/homicidal, and looking to be all messed up in the head later on in life. Join the marines and army branches. They will get you to that point and you’ll probably end up on the side of the freeway or in the crazy house. Marines are best branch in the military ONLY!!!! They aren’t the best after the military…they are killers and cops aren’t hiring marines now of days because they are trained to “shoot to kill”, not “shoot to neutralize”. Very few marines have a life on the outside. Now the army that’s the worst branch…they are wannbe marines that’s why army means “Aren’t Real Marines Yet”…they handle stuff after the marines go in there and killed everybody. So army ppl are just second class marines and you don’t have to score high on the asvab test to get in they will take anybody even gang members, and other criminals that are on the run. Navy its nothing really bad about them it just your on a ship full of guys for months…and rumors say some of those navy boys are on the “down low” just look at their uniforms. But I heard guys have relations with one another on them ships, so I heard…Now this branch is the best in my since you get the best of both worlds civilian and military…we are the smartest outta all branches and after E-4 you’ll have to take a test to rank up til you get to E-8 and E-9 then you have to get voted in and take a test… we are the hardest branch to get into; not many ppl pass the test at meps or tech school, we don’t give second chances, we pretty much run the battle fields behind enemy lines and skies, we are the United States Air Force. The U.S.A.F is the best branch because we never lost a battle that’s why are wings are upward on are uniforms and the army and marines are down. If you don’t want to come back home in a body bag, or straight jacket. Join the air force we don’t die we multiply, and our death toll is low also. Think of this the military as one big mob and the air force is the Godfather, and the marines are the gangsters, and the army are the thugs. Oh yea you get your associate degrees right outta tech school in your job field, and you have time for a education… Remember this too ” muscle gets weaker over time than the brain does”. So join the air force if you want a life or join the over branches if you are ready to behind over and get used…because when you get hit by that IDE…the marines/ army don’t want you anymore, so what you going do then stay at the V.A. shelter….ill take a paper cut any day… FYI we are all equal no matter what you join you still are somebody and we need ppl in every branch…so do your research first and if the you aren’t looking to make the military your life long career than join the navy or air force or coast guard. But if you looking to join the military til you retire join the marines.
Maybe you should join the marines because you think you know it all. It seems people the branch that require the smallest amount of brains think they know it all. For the the playboy who seems to think that marines don’t have a life your an idiot not every marine is a grunt some marines don’t do shit but sit at a desk all day doing bitch admin work or cook. They have short deployments compared to the army. 6 months versus armys 18 months. The marines go overseas to die for little per diem and that would be the best branch please that is a joke.
I know all branches have pride and they deserve the same amount of respect. They all contribute to our country’s glory and combat in one way or the other. Navy, Marnines, A.F., and Army are all military….thats why it’s called THE MILITARY.
But which branch do you think gets the most respect from our civilians, if not even?????????
i just read playbxy5150′s post and i had to put my input. first of all im not going to trash any other branch because i am a Marine and thats the only branch i know. but what i do know from being a marine is what Marines do that other branches dont. firstly Marines are trained for combat situations….yes….however there are many MOS (military occupational specialties) within the Marine Corps that take alot more education that some people give them credit for. Not every Marine is a “jarhead” yes there are some pretty young and immature ones but seriously do you not see that in every branch? secondly Marines have a higher sense of pride in themselves. Some people say that its over confidence and some say its cockiness but whatever you want to call it i think regardless of a military career or civilian career everyone wants to have a sense of belonging and feeling like they are making a difference. and that is what the Marine Corps gives you. also in reference to playbxy5150′s post in all my life i have not seen anyone who was not already mentally unstable join the Marines or Army and be “brainwashed” or mentally incompetent. and as for the Army not being ready to be Marines yet. they have some pretty tough special forces who may not be Marines but are trained just as hard. in every branch however no matter which one you decide the job that you get will determine smart or dumb you are. for example in the Air Force i dont think that an air traffic controller would be nearly as advanced educationally as say a Crypto-linguist in the Marines. So in the end every branch has its pros and cons but the job you get within that branch will decide what you become from your career in the military. also playbxy5150 how exactly does a person get “hit by that IDE” never heard of one of those maybe you meant IED (improvised explosion device). How about you stick to your paper-cuts and let the other branches handle the big stuff. so instead of thinking of the military as a “big mob” lets think of them as a happy family. You have the dad(Marine corps) who does most of the work and takes care of the rest of the family. the son (Army) helps the dad around the house once most of the work at his real job is done. the mom (Navy) always there to lend a helping hand whether it be driving you somewhere or giving you a band-aid. and the theres the sister (Air Force) shes taken care of by the dad brother and mother that way one day she can grow up and make something of herself. Semper Fidelis.
all you guys suck the navy is the bets way to go!!
armed forces dating
I have also read everything that everybody posted on here and even though some of it may be valid look at it in this guys perspective. He is considering on joining the armed forces and everybody is bashing the other branches. What the hell? I won’t do any bashing of any other branch but tell you what i know. I am a marine that joined this branch for a reason. If you are looking for brotherhood for life and also looking to always being able to be called a marine even after you retire, despite the hard time, long deployments and constantly getting yelled at for things that may not be your fault, then the marine corp is where you belong. The U.S.M.C are far from some stupid. There are 3 things that we as marines live by. Honor, Courage and Commitment. If you meet all three, then why not join the core. I have a brother in the Air force and one in the army. I have been told that their basic training is almost as hard as ours were at Parrish Island. Every branch has their own unique way of doing things. I guess that it all depends on what you want after being enlisted.
For playbxy5150 the navy has a very large number of women on my second deployment our ship had a crew of 48% female which I believe and single one could beat the $hit out of any airforce fag. Moving on I also believe the navy has more aircraft then the chair force so tell me why we need ya’ll again? O that’s right the rest of our branches need supplies thanks for that dude…bitch
Canon 300d customer manual. I only bought a used Canon 300D, and this didn’t avail via a handbook. Is here anyplace I could might download it? Or perhaps are a web site by tips?
I am a senior, and i have read all what everyone has posted but i havent read which branch is positve on someones life and how it benefited them. I dont know what branch i want to go in. Right at the moment i have a recruiter but you know how they are. they will make thier branch sounds all peachy just for you join. I dont want to regret going into the wrong branch and not liking it in the later time. What i want to do is to fly helicopters and work on airplanes. I also wanted to go in the navy as aircrew, but i dont know if i can. can someone please help me or guide me that more experienced with the system.
Looking in to USAF for PARARESCUE/Possible TACP any suggestions? already a firefighter, and want a challenge and the next step for career advancement.
Hey iv read some interesting things on this site. I plan to join the military, but have been thinking for a looooong time which branch. Not to say any other branch is bad but i have basically crossed the ARMY/USMC/CG of my list for personal reasons, not that i am scared of combat but b/c i know i wouldnbt be happy in those branches. So basically im looking at The NAVY/USAF…My main goal is to not only serve my country BUT to have a very good career when i get out of the military. lol. i want that money, so im leaning towards something thats cool/interesting/ easy to rank/ and fun while im in, so if any ideas please let me know. thanks.
I am an Airman, and first off I just want to say that I have a mutual respect for all my brothers and sisters in other branches. I think choosing what you are most interested in is the main concern you should be looking at when choosing which branch of service you join. I am a maintainer on the B-2 stealth bomber and I thoroughly enjoy it. I won’t talk bad about the other branches because each person is loyal and dedicated to their particular branch. We all have our own parts to play, and have our individual missions, that’s why there are branches of the military. Nowadays our deployments are right on par with the rest of the branches. More and more we are getting picked up for 1 year and 6 month deployments. 4 month deployments will soon be a thing of the past for most of the Air Force. USN03, you need to get a grip on the fact that the Air Force is, and alway will be #1 in AIRPOWER. Don’t be mad.
Great!
Great!
I am currently 17 years old and I am a junior in high school. I heard that the National Guard has the best benefits money and career wise. However I’m not really interested in national guard and I’m leaning more for joining the Marine Corps. I would like to become a marine officer by going to a 4 year college first then serving. My problem is that I don’t want to get myself into something i might regret, any advise?
Lots of posts! I just graduated college and would like to go into officer candidate school. I also have prior law enforcement experience. I just am so uncertain what branch like some have stated. What I want to do is some type of MOS involving law enforcemnt, drug interdiction, along that line. Anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks for all your help and for all you GUYS and GIRLS do for us, no matter the branch!!!!
Every branch has special forces. If you want to be the baddest mofo ever, be a SEAL. We take names everyday we’re deployed. We also get extra combat, air, underwater training and EXTRA PAY. AF tried to tell me that they have the baddest SpecOps there are but theyre pussies. Marines are badasses and I respect them too. Army does too much construction..
I’m having a hard time deciding between the usmc and the usaf. Any tips?
wow I am not sure now which branch to join I have always liked the marines
I am still indecisive on what branch I want to join. I keep getting different stories from different people who either know better or who are just taking a guess at which branch is better.I was wanting to get into the Coast Guard but nothing happened, all I was doing was wanting. Then one day I go into the Marines office and things started rolling. Taking my asvab next week and meps the following. It just seems like to me that the Marines is what I should be going for. I am a women who can kick some serious botty. I am graduating this June class of 11′ baby. I have drive, passion, and hope. My parents are having me look into more of the other branches because they have heard from family and friends that the other branches are loads better than the Marines and the Marines go into combat but I have been trying to explain to them that women CAN’T go to combat. I like being in water but I don’t want to be out in the water for a long time. I love helping people (but don’t we all) I seriously can kick some butt. I have never flown in the air before but the air force is out because they aren’t recruiting where I live at the moment. But I don’t want to go to the army that is out of my options. Which branch to choose which branch to choose. Marines sound the best to me and I am athletic, strong enough, confident enough, and capable to do the Marines. My Parents just think that I am going on a whim here and not thinking about my life during or after the Marines but I am; after the Marines I am going to Massage therapy school and getting my License for Massage and I practically am a masseuse right now. I know what I am getting myself into I have looked up asked questions and everything about the Marines and it’s what I want any advice about the Marines or any other Military branches? Please
contact me at Kmspefreek@gaggle.net I would love the advice or comments or anything at all
Your a smart dude. I am thinking of doing the same thing. I would like to become an officer so I can lead by exaample and save lives. Plus see action on the side. I think ur making a smart choice of joining the Marines. SEMPER FI!
ive read alot of these post because im thinking about joining the military i just dont know which one i wanna choose… im not yet out of highschool though almost though im a junior i was thinking about the navy but staying on a boat all the time might kinda stink but i dont wanna get shot either….
After reading this. I feel the need to respond, I am married to a Marine for 22 years I love the Marine Corps with all it’s pride and history. Remember though we are all fighting for the same country on the same team, and you should join the service that suits you and feels close to your heart.. Each service has good and bad things about it, bottom line.. We have enough enemies in this world, we do not need to be hating each other..
i am in the army, as a 12B combat engineer. i love the thrill of being in firefights and being around IED explosions. i love combat and kickin ass. my dad is a retired marine.
my family has the best of both worlds. ARMY AND MARINES!!
HOOAH!
I am trying to join the Army, but want to be a Marine. I have no choice because the Army has a strong presence here in America Samoa. But, if I were you, I’d join the MARINES!