If being a Marine is so awesome, why is it that there are so many Marines that join the Army and Air Force?

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. =)

Better pay, benefits and treatment. Easier life. And you still get to call yourself a Marine.

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.

There is the "OOORAH" answer and then there is the more logical answer based on my interactions with former Marines who are now serving or have served in our sister branches.

1. The Marine Corps is not a large force and as such there is limited space. Pick your reason, but many Marines who go into other services are not able to re-enlist or augment due to "Boat Space" issues. I.E. too many hard chargers for too few spots. They still wish to serve so they choose another service. We still consider them fellow Marines.

2. The Marine Corps is not for everyone. There is a lot of marketing that goes into the recruiting. They don't like the OP tempo, they don't like the MOS they got assigned, they don't like the conditions, whatever. They still want to serve so they transition to another service. The Corps is REAL BIG on the concept of "Bloom where you're planted." and lots of folks can't, won't, or don't want to. I can't blame them. But if they earned their EGA though, we still consider them fellow Marines.

The Corps can best be summed up when compared to the other services recruiting efforts. Think of the slogans. All the other services point to what they can do for the individual. Navy: Not just a job but an adventure, Army: Be all you can be, Army of One, Army Strong, Air Force: Aim High. The Marine Corps went from "We never promised you a rose garden" to "Looking for a few good men" to "The Few, the Proud."

We are just different. Not better, not worse, just different.

If you line up an Elephant, an Eagle, a Lion, and a Shark then tell them that the test is to climb a tree, how valid a result do you think you would get if the task is to protect the Island they are on?

This is what the inter-service rivalries boil down to.

Personally kids join the marines and think that they are 10' tall and bullet proof, then reality sets in and they realize that all army soldiers are their heros and they want to be a hero

While being a Marine is a point of pride, it's also extraordinarily taxing on the body and soul. After a while, for me, I just didn't want to do it anymore. I know this is blasphemy, but the truth is the Army has a better quality of life, more opportunities for education, more military education, is better for the family, better on the marriage, better and diverse assignments, more NCOPD, you don't have to be an Alpha Male douchebag all the time, the bases are nicer, the quality of life is better, I could go on and on.... Frankly, you do the Marines to say you did it, but you join the Army to actually have a career where you aren't always taking a backseat to the "Needs of the Corps, if the Corps wanted you to have a wife, they'd have issued you one, divorces are expected lifestyle".... The Army's big green weenie is more gentle =o)

Cutting Scores cause lots of good Marines to be forced out of active duty. Hence terms like "Terminal Lance Corporal"

So we can teach those poor fellas in the Army what real warfighting looks like.

because maybe they can no longer be a Marine and the Army and Air Force will accept them.

A lot of times, really good Marines, who want to stay on active duty can't get a boat space for reenlistment and are forced out. that leaves only one option for those that really want to remain on active duty...