I'm seriously considering switching from the Army to the Marine Corps and I'd love some opinions/feedback. What are your thoughts?

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 12 Nov 2016 21:04:14 -0500

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 12 at 2016 10:05 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 12 Nov 2016 22:05:09 -0500

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member The Marine Corps is always looking for good men and women. What is your reason for wanting to switch branches?

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 13 at 2016 1:42 AM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 13 Nov 2016 01:42:56 -0500

I have a few reasons why I'm considering this.
1. I want to be on active duty but the active Army wont take me due to the current business rules, the Air Force wont due to their rules, and the Navy will only take me into the Navy Reserve. I talked to a Marine recruiter a while back and initially refused because I would lose my rank and have to repeat boot camp. However, he reviewed my ASVAB scores and said I could pick whatever job I wanted. I told him I'd like to go Warrant Officer and he told me that I met the requirements and could apply as soon as I finished boot camp. Again, I didn't do it. To me, it would feel like the last ten years of busting my ass would have been for nothing.
2. I'm sick and tired of my current unit. I hate to talk bad about a unit, but I just can't avoid it and still be able to give you an honest answer. I switched from the round-out to the 11th ACR to this unit in Colorado when I moved and it's a night and day difference. It is full of toxic leadership, I'm overruled when I try to enforce the standard, and I've been railroaded three times since coming here. Plus they will not let me switch units, even though the unit I'd like to go to has a slot for me. I'm simply stuck in a place I hate.
3. I am a Deputy Sheriff in Colorado and a lot of my fellow deputies are current or prior military. All the marines were celebrating the USMC birthday, which I didn't give a second thought to. Then, one of them came up to me during my shift and asked me what the Army birthday is. I was embarrassed to say that I didn't know. That's when it hit me. The corps puts so much pride in their history, traditions, sense for honor and family. While an argument can be made that the Army has those too, we are never taught that. Sure, you are taught the army values and soldier's creed in BCT, but that's as far as it goes. We were never taught our branches history, never had lessons to instill that undying love and pride in our branch and I feel like that's part of the problem the Army has today. It is a factor in our ever eroding discipline and professionalism that I see everyday online and every time I'm on duty. I know that the corps isn't perfect and they have their share of jack holes too, but every time I tell one of my marines buddies about the things I see or am putting up with, they are dumbfounded. I feel like the corps may have what I've always wanted out of the Army. Granted, any one of us can learn these things about the Army on our own time, but I feel it is essential to have this taught in training.

I guess the bottom line is that I'm not happy where I am at right now and want something more out of the military.

Response by 1SG Al Brown made Nov 13 at 2016 7:46 AM

1SG Al Brown — Sun, 13 Nov 2016 07:46:44 -0500

You better make sure they are taking prior service slots at the MEPS (ask a Marine recruiter) or you will be unemployed. It's your personal decision, but not a good financial move. By the time you get to SSG in the Marine Corps, you would likely be a MSG in the Army...if you stayed. Follow your dreams, but watch out for the possible consequences.

Edit: I just caught the "I want to be active duty". Same advice on the MEPS. There is no "I think it will work" there. Good luck.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 13 at 2016 10:24 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 13 Nov 2016 10:24:19 -0500

I think we've all seen the recruiters tale of "you can apply after you get to your unit"... When I was assigned to the MC back in the day, only Staff NCOs were eligible for Warrant Officer. You'll be a LCPL unless the rules have changed, which is possible but I doubt. The MC does not change much, they don't have to. They have enough people scratching for the top jobs already in place.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 13 at 2016 2:02 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 13 Nov 2016 14:02:14 -0500

You do know you will have to go through Marine basic training. And they don't care where you come from or your experience they treat all the same.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 13 at 2016 11:54 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 13 Nov 2016 23:54:32 -0500

You are going to have to start over. Your movement through ranks will be faster but the culture shock is going to hit you like a wall.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2016 7:05 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 07:05:02 -0500

Go for it!!!!!

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2016 7:57 AM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 07:57:11 -0500

Well since i went the opposite way from the corps to the army i could only talk to you about my perspective. We had a prior service army E-5 at parris island and he hated life lol he left the island as a lance corporal. I wouldn't change my years in the corps for nothing and loved it but family wise it wasn't the best thing for my children. If you have the chance take it remember all your years active duty transfer so that is always a plus.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2016 7:07 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 07:07:26 -0500

I switched from the USMC to the Army. Here is why: In the Army you actually have a say in what job you want, where you want to be based, what schools you want to go to. In the USMC I didn't have those choices. Everything was "needs of the Corps". That being said, I LOVED the USMC. If they had let me do what I wanted to do, I would still be Active Duty with them.

If you have specific questions about the Corps, I'll be happy to answer or put you in touch with friends of mine who are still in.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2016 7:58 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 07:58:02 -0500

I just left Parris Island recently. We had a prior Army E5 come through as a recruit (saw a similar post from someone else). Because of his prior service he was able to enlist as an E2. He did leave recruit training as an E3, but that was only because he showed he was at a different level from everyone else in the company. I saw a few new Marines leave recruit raining as E3s, but I am pretty sure he is the only one that came out of any of the 10 cycles I worked. And trying to make the argument that "I was a staff sergeant in the Army" once you get to school or your unit will likely get you nowhere. Its all well and good, but you will likely be a PFC and you will be accepting that you want to be treated like one.

I will caution you with everyone else that there won't be any handouts just because of your prior service. You will have to earn the title just like every other recruit, but at the same time you will be evaluated based on your age and prior service (i.e. you should be a lot more mature, so if you don't act like it that will count against you). I highly doubt you will be eligible for any WO program out of boot camp - that just seems contrary to how the Marine Corps utilizes the Warrant Officer community.

This is a huge commitment and risk that, honestly, I would not recommend anyone take. Not to sound like I'm pounding my chest, but I find it curious that you are trying to go to the Marines because the army, air force, and navy are all telling saying you can't do what you WANT to do. The whole premise throws up red flags in my mind, and besides that the Marines aren't exactly a "do what you want" organization either. I would argue that they are the least apt to let you choose what you want - the will gladly listen to what you have to say, but it does come down to the needs of the Corps. I have heard Marines start throwing tantrums about "if I don't get to do (fill in the blank), I'm getting out.". The general response is, "then we don't need you, thanks for playing."

Response by Cpl Todd Woolverton made Nov 15 at 2016 9:41 AM

Cpl Todd Woolverton — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 09:41:47 -0500

Why don't you try for the Warrant Officer program in the Army? You have devoted this much time and effort into the Army that it seems a waste to change services now.
When I tried to go back into the Corps I asked about the warrant officer process. My recruiter told me I had to be a e-5 or above but my time in service was good. I was also told that I was going to drop from e-4(Corporal) to e-3(lance Corporal). You are going to lose your rank completely and start all over.
Please rethink this. You need to get the pride you had for the Army back.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2016 10:03 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 10:03:23 -0500

I don't know how long you have been in the Army, but I know that they promote faster than the Marine Corps. You will start over, and it can take ten to twelve years to earn the rank of E-6 in the Marines. If you were to spend that time in the Army you would probably be an E-8 by that time. I also know that the Army is a very large place, and would advise you to look into applying for more specialized units before looking at another service. So, professionally it might not be the best avenue.

Having said that, the Marines is a great organization to be apart of and I wouldn't trade my time there for anything. So personally, if you truly feel called to that lifestyle then you will succeed there.

Response by Sgt Carlos Barrera made Nov 15 at 2016 11:36 AM

Sgt Carlos Barrera — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 11:36:18 -0500

I do hope you are in shape to go thru boot camp again

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2016 12:44 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 12:44:28 -0500

Donit just remember it's not for everybody if you ask me boot camp is a lot easy than back in the day but some ppl still can cut it

Response by Cpl Leland Hank made Nov 15 at 2016 3:35 PM

Cpl Leland Hank — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 15:35:06 -0500

Don't fucking do it! Waste of time you'll lose rank make less money in the long run. You have to go to boot camp again. Everything you took for granted in basic training you have to but in boot camp. Toilet paper, etc.... I was e4 in arng I wanted to go fulltime army, I just didnt want to be fulltime 13b plus I was young and wanted to get out of hometown and said fuck it and went into usmc. So 3months of basic and a it I ended up with $3500 in the bank after 3months of boot camp I had $1200 and 4 years of getting the green weenie after that.

Response by SSgt Gordon Olayvar made Nov 15 at 2016 5:08 PM

SSgt Gordon Olayvar — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 17:08:04 -0500

Went through Army Basic at Fort Dix New Jersey back in 1978 when the Army had a temporary two year hitch for combat arms. After my two years there I joined the Marine Corps. All my uncles were Marines, My Dad served proudly in the Army with the 187th Abn RCT and 82nd Abn Division.....I never regretted the switch...though I did have to go through Marine Corps boot camp....worth it.

Response by Sgt Gabriel Benavides made Nov 16 at 2016 1:16 AM

Sgt Gabriel Benavides — Wed, 16 Nov 2016 01:16:22 -0500

I went from active duty Marine to Reserve Army. I would not recommend going Marine, especially if you are already a Staff NCO. you will loose too much, and the promotion system is not the best, if you don't pick up SSGT before you reach 15 years in service combined, you will be forced out. As a SSGT you have too much to loose and the risk is too greate.

Response by LCpl Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 16 at 2016 1:36 AM

LCpl Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Nov 2016 01:36:36 -0500

I'm not aware of any special dispensation for prior service into the Marine Corps, that's not to say there isn't. Pro&Con's, criticalMOS, etc, etc. otherwise it's boot camp. In '71 we had a VN combat E-5 Army who had to go through with us. We could tell the DI's cut him some slack on the harassment part but that was about all.

Response by GySgt Thomas Reichard made Nov 16 at 2016 5:10 PM

GySgt Thomas Reichard — Wed, 16 Nov 2016 17:10:09 -0500

First you are going to have to go to Boot Camp again. Until you graduate you are just another 'Recruit'! Once done there will be some early advantages.

I went to school with a former Army S/Sgt. (a very long time ago) He left Boot Camp a L/Cpl and was a Cpl. in less than a year. This was all contingent that he didn't screw up. From there on up he was on an even field with everyone else.

Response by Sgt Kevin Sullivan made Nov 16 at 2016 9:17 PM

Sgt Kevin Sullivan — Wed, 16 Nov 2016 21:17:52 -0500

Enjoy boot camp PFC. Went through Parris Island with an 8 year navy man that was an e6. PFC USMC.

Response by LCpl Sam Southard made Nov 17 at 2016 6:33 AM

LCpl Sam Southard — Thu, 17 Nov 2016 06:33:16 -0500

I've been stationed on both army(for training) and obviously marine corps bases,the corps is it's own animal,one in which based on your reasons for leaving the army, I don't think you will find success or happiness in.

Response by SPC George Teetzel made Nov 17 at 2016 2:19 PM

SPC George Teetzel — Thu, 17 Nov 2016 14:19:16 -0500

Brother I have one thing to say and you take it for what it's worth... ARMY, because even Marines need a hero....

Response by SFC Carlos Gamino made Dec 16 at 2016 3:19 AM

SFC Carlos Gamino — Fri, 16 Dec 2016 03:19:03 -0500

If it is for pride do it, or than that you need to look at your future, career. Most of all your priorities.