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

Alot of the marines I met it was due to medical reason or promotions.

I left the USMCR pre-9/11 after 8 years in. When I wanted to get back in, the Marine recruiters wouldn’t even answer the phone or let me through the door. 3 MOS’s, PME caught up, college degree, and could knock out a 250 PFT on demand. I wanted to stay reserve side because of family and Work issues but I wanted to serve someway somehow.

I did a little thinking and went to the ARNG recruiter with my paperwork. In 20 minutes I had a unit and billet picked out.

There was some culture shock initially and more than a few hiccups on the s1 side, but overall it was a good call.

What is the real number for this “soooooo many”?

After removing the jar,they realized they can fight along their Hero's,so off to the Army they went....can't say what the ones that went air force were thinking... (Father and older brother are Jarheads)

When you get “timed out” of the Corps the ANG will take you, promotions are faster, more benefits, longer rotations at one location, more opportunity to work in specific fields. I have known 2 marines who went to seal teams, my best friend went to SF and then onward and upward, and a good friend transferred from LAV to tanks (due to the size differences that wasn’t possible in the Corps). The guys who went to tiered units had no complaints, the guy who went green to gold for the helo program loved it (93) and the only other complaints were about the difference in military discipline, and the idea of “it’s not my job” as opposed to “stay in your lane “

I was Army then Navy. Army is easier, Chair Force is easiest (just observations)

I served in the Marine Corp for 6 years, life sucked as a civilian, went into the Army for 19 years. I was a mustanger and retired as Captain. Army so much easier for rank advancements then the Marines. Might be the reason. You have already proved yourself as a man/women now go for the money. Semper Fi

I have run into a lot of former Marines who did stints or completed their military service in the Army or Air Force while driving as a trucker for over twenty years. The reason there are Marines in the Army is because of the fierce competition for rank. Many former Marines I have talked to were excellent Marines passover for advancement into the senior NCO ranks because of available positions. Every former Marine who I met strived for excellence in the Army, and they were all Paratroopers or Rangers. However, they were always Marines first, and most were disenchanted with the Army because of the quality of most soldiers.

There's a saying that might tell the story: "I love the effing Marine Corps and the Marine Corps loves effing me."

I did the same thing, USMC 1970 73, 1ST MAW, to the Army 37 years in the Army, retired SFC, three trips the sand box.