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

SSG (Join to see)
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.

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."

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.