Posted on Apr 30, 2015
TSgt Joshua Copeland
183K
1.44K
526
96
96
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?
Posted in these groups: Ega Marine CorpsRe enlistment logo Re-enlistment3916126932 armedforces xlarge Branch
Avatar feed
Responses: 294
Votes
  • Newest
  • Oldest
  • Votes
PO2 Michael Mayeda
1
1
0
Hard to make higher rank
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SSG William Fairbotham
1
1
0
It's simple. I hated my job in the Corps. I loved being a Marine, to this day I still feel that they honor their history and heritage better than any other branch. But when the time came for re-enlistment I asked to change my job, "no" asked to change my duty stations, "no" asked to change units, "no". So I got out and joined the Army, did what I wanted to do to begin with anyway, and experienced more duty stations that I never would have had the opportunity to see. Needs of the Marine Corps is more important than individual wants or needs.
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SFC Joseph Weber
1
1
0
Edited >1 y ago
Not sure about today but I remember a friend of mine from the 90s who was a small arms repairer in the Marines. When his reenlistment came up he was told that he could reenlist but only as a rifleman. He was mad, ets'ed and joined the Army as a small arms repairer. He told me that was how the Marines did things.
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
LTC Michael Garrison
1
1
0
The only branch with upward mobility is infantry. The specialty branches are so small it's hard to make them a career.
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
Cpl Bill Johnson
1
1
0
The answer is simple: Because they can receive the same benefits with an easier life. Additionally, Marines get promoted faster of they join the army... the corps is relatively small in comparison.
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SGT Robert Hawks
1
1
0
Simple more chance for advancement in the Army
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SSG Scooter Drake
1
1
0
You know I spent 14 years in the Army and saw many ex Marines and the story was always the same "they down sized my MOS or did away with it". So if they still wanted a military career they had to transition to another branch. As far as Marines being so badass, my battery was attached to the 1st Marine Expeditionary as artillery support for the invasion of Iraq in 2003. They were a great team to fight with and would do it again but I saw really no difference in the intensity, discipline and fighting will we all fought together as a team in the worlds largest sandbox under some extreme, butt puckering conditions. To some it up, the enemy doesn't care what branch your in they just want to kill you.
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SFC Darrell Adams
1
1
0
There are many reasons. For me it was the opportunity to go to Europe. The Marine Corps has limited duty stations, whereas, in 1989/90 at the time, the Army had a lot of based in Germany. Not the case now.
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
PV2 Infantryman
1
1
0
My cousin's waiting till he's up and he's switching to the army. His explaination: army literally offers you more on terms of compensation and advancement. I'd say just as well their more direct style complements most teams very well.
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SFC Telecommunications Operations Chief
1
1
0
I was denied reenlistment in the Marines, I did get a 30K exit bonus. But I still had a good enlistment code, so i joined the Army.
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SGT Bryan Remines
1
1
0
Once a Marine always A marine! We sometimes we take a cation join other branches of service. We do not need to go through their boot camp! If they want to be a Marine they have to go to our boot Camp
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
Phil Young
1
1
0
To see what its like to do less with new equipment.
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
PO3 David Greeley
1
1
0
I can't speak for others, but I knew a couple of military personnel who had been in different branches of service. The first one was drafted in the Army during Vietnam and served as a medic. got out and a few years later reenlisted in the Marine Corps and did one enlistment. He got out, reenlisted in the Navy and became a Hospital Corpsman because loved the medical field and stayed as a HM until he retired. The other one served in all 4 services because he wanted to experience each branch of service.
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
MGySgt Freddie McDonald Jr
1
1
0
It's all abou opportunity. One can go as only far as they could go in one branch so they go to another. It's like going from one like job to another. Only difference is going from one culture to another while still wanting to serve your country. No shame.
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SSgt Ben Cavell
1
1
0
After getting out, a friend talked me into attending a ANG drill. Kinda like hang around, for a bit. Next thing I know Im surrounded buy former Marines who eyeballed my tatoo. Well one thing led to another, next thing I know, I was a New Mexico ANG member. I broke away from Guard to Reserves to attend Total Army Instructor Course, along with another instructor course. Then back into the Guard with a promotion, Training soldiers coming into the guard from other services, in the Warrior Transition Course at Ft. Knox, White Sands, and Santa Fe. With the Marines I spent most time in Nam. Then Recon in Reserves. Loved it, but had more fun time with ANG.
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
Sgt David Hesser
1
1
0
The Marines have a 8 year plan that for most means you are not going to retire a Marine most Marines do not know this especially if you are infantry because your body will be so beat up, now the Army and Air Force are a little smarter here, why spend money on training when you can grab someone already trained.
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SFC Company Motor Sergeant
1
1
0
Cause even the Army and Air Force need a few good men.
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SGT S1 Personnel Nco
1
1
0
I personally went from the Marine Corps to the Army. I tried to re-enlist but it was during Obama’s drawdown and because I was in 29 palms when my reenlistment package had to be in, as well as the boat spaces went down cuz the government shut down in 2013, I got denied reenlistment for my MOS. I could have LAT moved but decided to get out and try college. Realized college wasn’t for me and tried to get back in the Marine Corps but due to their new tattoo policy I got told I could enlist but got told I could enlist in the Army so here I am now. The Army is way less disciplined and militaristic as I expected but it isn’t that bad. I just came to the realization I’m a Marine that happens to be working in the Army
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SSG Jim Lentz
1
1
0
My reason for switching to the Army was the lack of availability of a USMC Aviation reserve unit in my area. I had a USAR Drill Sergeant Unit in my neighborhood (walking distance) and was able to go from PFC to SGT in 9 months.
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
Cpl Daniel Bowles
1
1
0
I went ANG out of the Corp and it sucked so I went active to get out of the gard then I went to ft benning where they made me go back through boot camp but one of my drill Sgt was a former marine so he took to me and I went and told him this sucked it was nothing like the Corp and he told me go ranger that's where most marines go and it is more like the surrounding like the Corp so I went that route and there was a lot of marines there but it still wasn't the marines
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
1SG Walker Cole
1
1
0
Even Marines have heroes.
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
Cpl James Smith
1
1
0
Interesting....I went the other way, Army to Marines, the only reason I would go Army now, and I have thought about it, is because of my age, the only thing I can do is National Guard. But I would be amongst family, because of the high number of Navy and Marine proir service in the same boat...pun, gotta get the uniform fix at 40+, so go Guard!
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
CW5 Jack Cardwell
1
1
0
I had a mix of Active duty and National Guard. My buddy at AIT, Marine. First duty assignment Ft Bliss, TX , best friend served as a radio operator in Nam as a marine. Joined the NG, best friend in the Guard, served in Marine Corps. Worked full time for NG, 3 our of 4 employees i hired, former marines. Yesterday a friend came to see me. Retired from the Guard. We shot on pistol team together. Yep, another MARINE ! Going to call another friend today. He was in the Guard, retired State Trooper..... also a Marine! Must be a plague!
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
Capt Hansel Bumgarner
1
1
0
Perhaps they hope they can help add a little class to them. My father was a WW2 Marine. A Combat Engineer with the 1st MarDiv, he was with them when they reestablished the East China Marines at the end of the war. He was discharged as a Sgt. . Later, he went through the Marine PLC while attending college, intending on becoming a pilot. One of his frat brothers came up to him at the end of his semester just before graduation and told him “Hey, the Air Force will take your PLC training and give you a commission and you can fly for them and not have to do all, that Marine bullshit. He first flew the F-86 and later several other types. He left as a Major.
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SPC Jonathan Jenkins
1
1
0
Too bad that's all bullshit. You get the same pay. Everything is the same, except the sex. In the Army we don't fuck dudes.
(1)
Comment
(0)
LCpl Hervey Colon
LCpl Hervey Colon
>1 y
No, the dudes just fuck you.
(0)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
SSG Terminal Operations Nco
1
1
0
Marines also have no equivalent to the (Air) National Guard. That might have something to do with it, too, I suppose.
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
Cpl Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Specialist
1
1
0
The Army and Air Force have lower standards for enlistment, retention, and promotion, especially in regards to physical fitness. As people age (and military life will age you faster), they find that their bodies at 30 cannot perform the way it did at 22, but when all you've known your whole adult life is the military, its difficult for people to re-enter civilian society, especially when it means going back to school or working entry level positions next to 20 year olds. They've come to far in their careers to go backwards, so they find a rpute more suited to their abilities.
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
Cpl Branden Lightsy
1
1
0
The reason why I joined the Army after the Marines is because the Army gives bonuses and promotions. When you have a newborn, it's hard to say no to a signing bonus and promotion. Still to this day I have the most confidence in the fighting ability of the 3rd Marine Regiment than any other unit I've been in.
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SFC Greg Samuels
1
1
0
Promotions are quicker.
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
Cpl Matthew Kessler
1
1
0
As a Marine and a soldier, I feel like the reason behind it is the much smaller reserve Force the Marines offer. I wanted to get my degree, the closest marine reserve unit that help my mos was nearly 3 hours away, the national guard unit was 20 min and the army reserve was like 30 min away. It's comes down to making a decision of convenience. You can also make the switch without needing boot camp. Transition is nearly flawless. I had great experiences with both but ultimately, I am forever a marine.
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SFC Platoon Sergeant
1
1
0
Once you get out of the Marines it's too hard to get back in..So you go to the Army..plus I was a Ranger qualified Marine.. Infantry in both, not alot of difference...Marines are more discipline...
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
Sgt Wayne Garmon
1
1
0
They can't cut it. You don't join the core for schools and perks. You join the corps to go to war and shoot people.
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SFC Familia Gonzalez
1
1
0
I spent three years out of twenty as an Army Recruiter and you wouldn’t believe how many prior service Marines I put in the Army. When I left Recruiting Duty, I got my first Platoon (Infantry) in Germany and was surprised to know I had three prior service Marines in my Platoon. None of them were Marine Infantry, but Infantry was the only thing the Army was offering any prior service...
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SSG John Mitchell
1
1
0
The prior service Marines that I served with all told me basically the same reason for the switch. The Mythos of being a Marine as a young, dumb & full of you know what appeals to their youth. As they get older, they start thinking farther down the line for a career after service. Alot has to do with Rank. It takes a special breed to serve period, but it takes even more to do the full 20. If you do, if you went in at 18, you're retired at 38. What are you gonna do for the next 30? That's where a switch becomes a viable alternative. School options are not always available, at least when I Reenlisted, in your current Organization.
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
LCpl Jeff Moore
1
1
0
Ok i served in a marine infantry unit and at that time our deployment schedule was 1 year state side 6 month deployed. It was very family friend, and was not easy to get promation to e4, as in the Marine e4 is a NCO postion. We dont have spc postion.

Most of my fellow marines switch service to get a new mos which was more deploymemt friendly for family life, or cause they where unable to change MOS. Some where forced out durning military down sizing. Remember the marines are only at 184k right now. Back in 92 when i join it was 184, by the time i got out it was 172 in 96, and my only option to reenlisted was become a cook or stay a grunt with no hope of picking up e4 for another year as their was a promation freeze.

So alot of my fellow marines where forced out. And while the navy and army where also downsizing they where able to pick up trained marines vs raw civilians. Some of my marine buddies switch as they still had a desire to serve, and the army or navy or air force had a opening they wanted.

In 2009 2010 the marines where cut again in size from 202k to its current 184k. So again Marines where denied re enlistment, and the other service while also facing cuts could take marines vs civies. Also remember the army has had a very hard time meeting it recruitment goals in some years heard in 2016 is was 3 in 10 that applied could make it pass the entry requirements. So service members forced out of other branch are a easy fill.
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SSG Ben Gilstrap
1
1
0
After my Active Duty time, I joined the Reserves, went to Drill Sergeant School and eventually became the Company Senior Drill Sregent.
Unfortunately, the reserve Drill Sergeant component always has vacancies and is in constant need for E-4 (P) through E-6 to refill it's ranks. Yes, I also served as a recruiter.
Being on a Navy base, half a mile from an Air Force Base and maybe fifty miles from Parris Island and Beaufort Marine Corps Air Station but over 100 miles from the closest Army installation, it made the most sense to recruit from the ranks of those getting out of other branches.
During my time in that unit, I was able to recruit only one prior service Army but two from the Navy, two from the Air Force and about 15 from the Marine Corps.
If you want to see something cool, take a trip to a basic training unit during the summer when the reserve component is doing their rotations and watch two (Marine) Army Drill Sergeants compete with eachother on the parade field.
The Army does not perform rifle movement in cadence during marching D&C. The Marine Corps does. It for sure is a sight to see two Maines try to out do eachother with a bunch of Army privates.
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SGT Vernon Cole
1
1
0
Some join the Army to get a higher rank they couldn't get in the Marines and switch back to the Marines after their Army enlistment and get to keep the rank they achieved in the Army.
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
A1C Ron OKeefe
1
1
0
While in the AF, had a 1Sgt (e-7) 16 yrs Marine, went to AF for more stable family time as did other former Marines I served with. An e-4 and an e-5.
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SPC Dennis Gurevitz
1
1
0
My personal opinion and only that, is that Marines enjoy being Marines and enjoy service to their nation. But the Marines Vorps being a smaller branch of the Armed Forces do not have as many opportunities for advancement that larger services offer, plus the Army most likely have more job specialties available, same with the Air Force. So if one wants to make a career out of the military promotion and special job availabities are important.
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
PO1 Rick Serviss
1
1
0
They couldn't get in the Navy.
(1)
Comment
(0)
Cpl Rc Layne
Cpl Rc Layne
>1 y
Dream on
(0)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small

Join nearly 2 million former and current members of the US military, just like you.