Posted on Apr 30, 2015
If being a Marine is so awesome, why is it that there are so many Marines that join the Army and Air Force?
179K
1.45K
526
97
97
0
If being a Marine is so awesome (I am the son of 2 Marines), why is it that there are soooo many Marines that join the Army and Air Force?
Marine Corps
Re-enlistment
Branch
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 294
232
232
0
Im going to answer your question with a short story.
Several years after my time in the Marine Infantry, I was considering doing something with Army National Guard. I was in Las Vegas at the time, and I went down to an ANG recruiting office. As soon as I walked into the door, eyeballing all of this ARMY stuff to see, I thought I might feel just a little awkward at first. Instead though, I felt a sense of familiarity I could not explain...it was not a bad thing, it was just rather unexpected.
I waited around for maybe 5-6 minutes, was greeted by an Army SSGT, we begin our usual discussion about my being a Prior Service Marine, etc. He then hollars to the SFG whom I guess was the Senior Man on post, and says rather empathically "Hey SFG, we got another live one here!" (It became somewhat obvious this was somewhat of a routine for them). The SFG comes out of his office and yells to all of the other recruiters "Hey its that time again, get up here!" I am then asked to stand up for a second, so I oblige. I am suddenly surrounded by 7 Army people all E5-E7, and the SFG calls out his makeshift commands: Gather around our brother. Remove your (ACU blouses). Ready...Post"
Each of the arms stuck out pointing in my direction had various USMC Tattoos on them.
I said Oh, well Whats' up my Brothers and Sister? (yes even she had a tattoo of similar description, albeit a bit smaller) Then everyone starts laughing, and it became clear to me that this was their collectively-speaking favorite thing to do during their routine work-week. I said "I thought I sensed something far too familiar when I came into that door."
The SSgt who I was originally seated with, says "What we have figured out is simply this:
When you want to learn to become a badass, as we all once did, go Corps. Later when you actually want to be better paid for who you are and what you do, go ANG."
I did not ultimately go ANG, as I was trying to match up a job-skill Id have interest in with what the ANG needs were for that State (in this case, Nevada). Seemed at the time most of the options were either MPs, or Motor-T Diesel Mechanics.
But I thought this experience with that particular ANG Recruiting Office...was hysterical. =)
Several years after my time in the Marine Infantry, I was considering doing something with Army National Guard. I was in Las Vegas at the time, and I went down to an ANG recruiting office. As soon as I walked into the door, eyeballing all of this ARMY stuff to see, I thought I might feel just a little awkward at first. Instead though, I felt a sense of familiarity I could not explain...it was not a bad thing, it was just rather unexpected.
I waited around for maybe 5-6 minutes, was greeted by an Army SSGT, we begin our usual discussion about my being a Prior Service Marine, etc. He then hollars to the SFG whom I guess was the Senior Man on post, and says rather empathically "Hey SFG, we got another live one here!" (It became somewhat obvious this was somewhat of a routine for them). The SFG comes out of his office and yells to all of the other recruiters "Hey its that time again, get up here!" I am then asked to stand up for a second, so I oblige. I am suddenly surrounded by 7 Army people all E5-E7, and the SFG calls out his makeshift commands: Gather around our brother. Remove your (ACU blouses). Ready...Post"
Each of the arms stuck out pointing in my direction had various USMC Tattoos on them.
I said Oh, well Whats' up my Brothers and Sister? (yes even she had a tattoo of similar description, albeit a bit smaller) Then everyone starts laughing, and it became clear to me that this was their collectively-speaking favorite thing to do during their routine work-week. I said "I thought I sensed something far too familiar when I came into that door."
The SSgt who I was originally seated with, says "What we have figured out is simply this:
When you want to learn to become a badass, as we all once did, go Corps. Later when you actually want to be better paid for who you are and what you do, go ANG."
I did not ultimately go ANG, as I was trying to match up a job-skill Id have interest in with what the ANG needs were for that State (in this case, Nevada). Seemed at the time most of the options were either MPs, or Motor-T Diesel Mechanics.
But I thought this experience with that particular ANG Recruiting Office...was hysterical. =)
(232)
(0)
SPC Nancy Greene
I was Army, published CID orders for Army and Air Force, my Father was Army Air Corps in WEII and Air-force during Korea, My Uncle was an ensign in Navy during WEII and His squadron took out Kamamoto’s ship during the Battle of Midway (which was the‘Turing point for the war’ and dramatically shifted the balance of power and ensured OUR VICTORY). What I’m trying to explain is the fact I learned Army Jargon as a Soldier, Air Force jargon from my Fathet and the CID students, and Marine Corps jargon as a civilian employee after I completed Grad School with two Masters Degrees. I was exposed to and learned various jargon from different Branches of the Military! I was able to learn Army enlisted Ranks, some recognition of Air Force rank, and definitely USMC Enlisted tank as a Civilian for the USMC at Camp LeJeune, NRAS, and Cherry Point! Military Jargon is f’all fruit’, some apples, some oranges, but all fruit( that came from “My Big Fat Greek Weddimg, yet I thought it would explain I have had similar experiences! Never ‘mastered’ Navy Rank and Could NOT figure out why a Navy Lieutenant was wearing Captain Bars! LOLCPL Dan Renear
(0)
(0)
MAJ (Join to see)
SPC Bogus Cornett - My father-in-law did the exact same thing. Marine in WWII, Army in Korea, and Air Force in Vietnam. Break in service each time.
(0)
(0)
121
121
0
Better pay, benefits and treatment. Easier life. And you still get to call yourself a Marine.
(121)
(0)
CWO3 (Join to see)
1LT William Clardy - Which would be his right. I'm just telling you how the USMC sees it. People don't get expunged, only records do. People get discharged and the character of their discharge gives a snap shot of them when they left. They may have served honorably up to a point, but due to their actions they were discharged as something other than honorable. General, OTH, BCD, or Dishonorable. Note that you didn't see the term "real Marine" anywhere in my post. If he was FR he was the ultimate Marine for a time, and in his heart he still is. In the eyes of the service he just ended it in a manner that led to his status. "An "ex Marine" has not left in good terms.", does not mean he wasn't a real Marine. An ex-wife was a very real wife - maybe too real at times, same as a former wife.
(0)
(0)
MGySgt Jerry Suarez
Yes you are correct. All enlisted and officer rank regardless of branch will get paid the same if they have the same amount of time in. In other words and E7 with 8 years TIS will get paid more than an E7 with 6yrs TIS. And for promotion I will disagree your average TIS for an E6 in the AF, AR and NA is between 12 to 20 years most will never see E9. Your average TIS E6 in the MC is usually 6 to 8 years and most will see E9 within 20 to 24 years TIS. The promotion rate in the Corps is much faster than the other services.
(0)
(0)
Cpl Dave Dziados
Pay can't be better since all ranks in all services get the same pay according to rank but I'll say less work for your pay lol
(0)
(0)
97
97
0
Although not a Marine, I have a known reason. Marines are few and far between. Their MOSs are spread out and limited. Often times they get off active duty and move to some place due to a civilian opportunity then want to be a part of the reserves. If you are stuck in Hartford CT or some other place and all you have is Army and Air around, then that is your only option.
(97)
(0)
GySgt Leo Rochon RETIRED
There are only 182K Marines period, world wide. Each year, 25,000 to 26,000 First Term Marines compete for approximately 4500 slots called "Boatspaces". Anyone not making the cut for a boatspace simply goes home. The Marine Corps has an "Up or Out" policy. Once you get a boatspace and become a part of the career force, you still have service limits at each rank. If you don't get promoted within the time limit, you go home. The entire force structure of the Marine Corps is COMPETITION based. Only the most competitive Marines get to stay in. That's why so many go to the other services, and it also explains why so many Marines are straight up badasses.
(4)
(0)
SSG Eddye Royal
I have friends that where Marines, and we trained together, and I’m Army Highly tried. I told him I would take him to MEPS station because I neeeded check my OCS stats at the time, when we went, he had to go back through BT not AIT, but some due to change in career or MOS. Due to his age, and other factors he couldn’t relist for various that the Mariines stated to him. But the ARMY did accept his rack, with no problems. Where as the Marines would demote him., no slot or too much out.
Now some Marine part from my friend will need to be re-trained, both BT, and AIT. Then a bonus might be in order. That is what I have found. You will need to also check the current Regs.
Now some Marine part from my friend will need to be re-trained, both BT, and AIT. Then a bonus might be in order. That is what I have found. You will need to also check the current Regs.
(0)
(0)
MSG Louis Alexander
SP5 Ronald R Glaeseman - Then volunteer for Airborne, Rangers or Special Forces, we are always looking for the elitists in the crowd.
(1)
(0)
Conner Fleury
Hartford you say? Small world im from mass. Its pretty sweet. Im in an area where 3 out of the 5 branches are either in my town or in the next town over.
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google