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I am an engineering student at a university with all four branches represented in ROTC. I've always known that I was going to join the military but now i'm torn on which way to go. The three services that I am considering are the Marines, the Army, or the Navy. I want to know which service has the best chance of being deployed on both combat or humanitarian missions. Which one has the best discipline and which one has the most room for advancement. It would also be nice to know what do you do and do you enjoy doing it? Thanks in advance to anyone who answers.
What Would You Do
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Potential Recruit
Edited 8 y ago
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 45
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(Join to see) Since I served in the Navy and the Army, served with the Marines (actually, I drove them around), and flew all over in Air Force planes, I strongly urge you to seriously investigate the Coast Guard, from whence I retired. I'll forgive you this one time for not picturing it or mentioning it. But, if you want to receive every benefit you can receive in those OTHER outfits, including rank, pay, medical, retirement, BUT have greater advancement opportunities in a military service with ELEVEN federally-mandated missions versus basically one or two for the others, then give the USCG an honest and thorough look. Fifteen years after I joined the Navy I found a wonderful home and even better family in the Coast Guard. Best thing I ever did, military-related. No matter where you are, I can help open doors with a few phone calls. Ball's in your court, but, please do not overlook the USCG. It has everything you asked for and much, much more.
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Suspended Profile
Wonderful... If I hadn't been a Nuke, I would have loved to do a crossdecks tour on a cutter...
PO2 Donald Walsh
DoT definitely has benifits and jobs that cross directly over to civilian sector law enforcement. Mostly drug ops and illegal immigration. DoD not as much; especially with ratings requiring security clearances. Those jobs are highly competitive and rare.
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SP5 Joel O'Brien
While I was VERY lucky to have wound up doing something I wanted to do when I joined the Army, the first service I looked at was the Coast Guard. A service that saves lives and property. At the time, they were chock full and had a huge waiting list, so...that's why I went Army. A look at the Coast Guard is something I would strongly encourage!
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Why are you discounting the Air Force? I started out in the Army and moved to the AF. As far as being deployed, the AF has actively been at war since 1991 (the first Gulf War) as we never left Iraq after that war.
Picking which service depends on what you want to do in the military? Since you have are an Engineering student, is that what you want to do? AF REDHORSE and CE units deploy all over the world for both military and humanitarian reasons.
Also, do you want to be enlisted or officer?
You are on the right path though, talk to as many folks as you can before you make your decision.
Picking which service depends on what you want to do in the military? Since you have are an Engineering student, is that what you want to do? AF REDHORSE and CE units deploy all over the world for both military and humanitarian reasons.
Also, do you want to be enlisted or officer?
You are on the right path though, talk to as many folks as you can before you make your decision.
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1LT (Join to see)
(Join to see) - Cadet land is a very weird place.. From what I have seen at my university, I have to agree that the Air Force tends to be more on power trips. I don't count the time I have been saluted for no reasons by freshmen/sophomores in AFROTC. Whenever I walk pass one of them and shout out a "Hey what's up?" they immediately stand at attention and salute. Moreover, I have talked to couple AF cadets and they were like: "When I commission I that CSM doesn't salute me (not on purpose) I'ma counsel him".. I was like: "Suuuuuuuuuure you will lol".
However, those are SOP and I would say that every detachment/battalion have their owns. Some put a high emphasis on rank/ribbons/whatever, and other don't. Same with individuals. I have gotten some certificates/""ribbons""/awards, but they all end in the same place, the garage. Because who cares? Those who do don't get it, it's not about competing with others, it's about competing with yourself.
Otherwise, go army :)
However, those are SOP and I would say that every detachment/battalion have their owns. Some put a high emphasis on rank/ribbons/whatever, and other don't. Same with individuals. I have gotten some certificates/""ribbons""/awards, but they all end in the same place, the garage. Because who cares? Those who do don't get it, it's not about competing with others, it's about competing with yourself.
Otherwise, go army :)
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TSgt Pennie Snyder
(Join to see) - I think that all services have people that are good and excellent at their jobs. All services also have people on "power trips." I think you should consider taking a personality test like Meyers Brigs (several others are also available.) Once you do that you may be able to narrow down the field of service you would like to join based on job opportunities that interest you. I served in the Air Force for 20 years, following my dad's footsteps so to speak. Easy decision for me. On the other hand, my brother joined the Marines and served 20 years there. My dad and I are both very proud of my brother's service as well. All of the services have a lot to offer. I believe all of the services have deployments supporting the war and humanitarian efforts. Do you want to deploy? Do you want to be in the thick of things? Do you want to lead? Would you be better as a follower? These are all things you need to think about when making the decision on which service and where you will fit in best.
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SMSgt Thor Merich
TSgt Pennie Snyder - Great answer. Making sure that ones personality matches that of the service is important. I have a nephew in the Marines right now that is not a happy camper. Apparently the Marine culture doesn't agree with him. However, from what he has told me, what he is experiencing is exactly what you would expect from the Marines.
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PO2 Donald Walsh
An enlisted Nuke gets much more daily hands on with the tech but less pay and worse shipboard accommodations than an officer. Officers actually are more broadly trained in the Navy with career command goals in mind. This usually means long term distancing from Nuclear Engineering knowledge. Officer does look stellar ln a resume though.
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I suppose it depends on what you want to do. All four services deploy all over the world for various crisis in various capacities. As for advancement, that is almost an impossible question to answer, as those metrics change all of the time. It depends on the needs of whatever service is at the moment and what career field you are in as well as specific metrics that each service has for promotion. Also you are more likely to excel in a career field that you really want to be in. I have seen some people chose career paths for the advancement opportunities, but when they got there, they hated their jobs and did not really excel, so keep that in mind.
What you should do is talk to each of the ROTC unit admissions officers and find out which jobs appeal to you the most and meet whatever goals you have. You might find the job you want may not be in the service you envision.
From the sounds of your engineering pursuits, you might look at the Army Engineer's branch or the Air Force Civil Engineering career field. They deploy all the time for humanitarian missions.
What you should do is talk to each of the ROTC unit admissions officers and find out which jobs appeal to you the most and meet whatever goals you have. You might find the job you want may not be in the service you envision.
From the sounds of your engineering pursuits, you might look at the Army Engineer's branch or the Air Force Civil Engineering career field. They deploy all the time for humanitarian missions.
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