Posted on Feb 6, 2016
If you had to join a different branch of the military which one would you choose?
37.4K
281
202
15
15
0
We all choose the branch we served in for a special reason, but if you where not allowed into that branch which one would you choose to join? I was in the process of going into the Marines when I was involved in a car accident and ended that dream.
Posted in these groups: 
Inter-Service
Inter-Service
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 89
12
12
0
If I thought I had the cajones, no doubt I would choose to be Jarhead. If I wanted to retire on the job, the AF.
(12)
(0)
MCPO (Join to see)
Colleen, your Airmen are obviously of different stock than the Senior NCOs that are sent to the Senior NCO Academy at Maxwell. Yeah, we got some PT studs - and we got soup sandwiches that couldn't do half of a push-up if you pulled their arms out from underneath them...
I personally had SMSgts in my classes that had never been in a leadership position.
There were HUGE numbers of SNCOs in 2007-2009 that had never held an M-16 (let alone an M-4), and quite a few that had never actually SEEN one. I saw E-8's try to get awards and good grades by playing the "Air Mattress" card - and folks that had received multiple DUIs from multiple commands that were just swept under the rugs... all while receiving Firewall 5's on their EPRs.
They aren't all saints. No branch has all saints (though the Marines do try). Your experience COULD have been a herd of dirtbags on one particular ship, while the ship moored next to it was doing amazing things that you never saw.
I personally had SMSgts in my classes that had never been in a leadership position.
There were HUGE numbers of SNCOs in 2007-2009 that had never held an M-16 (let alone an M-4), and quite a few that had never actually SEEN one. I saw E-8's try to get awards and good grades by playing the "Air Mattress" card - and folks that had received multiple DUIs from multiple commands that were just swept under the rugs... all while receiving Firewall 5's on their EPRs.
They aren't all saints. No branch has all saints (though the Marines do try). Your experience COULD have been a herd of dirtbags on one particular ship, while the ship moored next to it was doing amazing things that you never saw.
(0)
(0)
PO2 (Join to see)
I am a Marine. i just happened to move over to the USCG. different life but it is pretty awesome time
(0)
(0)
PO1 William Mims
CMSgt (Join to see) - The Shore Patrol would directly get told to piss up a rope...if they had the stones to confront a Master Chief.
(0)
(0)
10
10
0
A1C (Join to see) My perspective is relatively unique for my time: I was in the Navy, stationed on an Air Force base (Yokota, Japan), long before the integrated levels of joint forces we see today. Also, it was my FIRST duty station after initial training. So, I got to compare AF life with Navy life (which I eventually experienced at sea on board). Given all that...man. I gotta go with AF. Those bastards live large and in CHARGE....comparatively.
(10)
(0)
A1C (Join to see)
MCPO Roger Collins - I did date a few while I was in. Meet my wife on a blind date over 30 years ago. My roommates civilian friend. My brother and sister both married other service members.
(0)
(0)
MCPO Roger Collins
A1C (Join to see) - If you saw me on a golf course, you would know why that isn't on my priority list.
(2)
(0)
A1C (Join to see)
If you saw me dead on a jogging trail you would know I was killed some where else and dropped there...LOL
(1)
(0)
(1)
(0)
My father was a Captain in the Air Force. He served in WWII and Korea. He was killed in 1956 when his Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star plane crashed during a training mission. If I had to choose another branch, it would be the Air Force, in honor of my father.
(10)
(0)
MSgt Rupert Ellis
All jokes aside, a moment of silence for our fallen. We thank them for paving the way for the misguided youth in all of us. God Bless my brother in Arms..
(2)
(0)
8
8
0
A1C (Join to see) I see a developing pattern, here. Marines choose Navy, Navy chooses Marines, Army chooses Marines, and Air Force chooses Civilian!
Capt Mark Strobl SSG Warren Swan MCPO Roger Collins PO1 Brian Austin PO1 Andrew Gardiner PO1 John Miller
Capt Mark Strobl SSG Warren Swan MCPO Roger Collins PO1 Brian Austin PO1 Andrew Gardiner PO1 John Miller
(8)
(0)
Capt Mark Strobl
SN Greg Wright - LOL. For years, I thought LaTrine was simply a cheap French wine. (Looking it up in my old Marine Officer Guidebook right now.)
(1)
(0)
MSgt Rupert Ellis
Marines have to have book to guide them...??? Now I know why I joined the Air Force, self guidance, no guide book required...
(0)
(0)
MCPO (Join to see)
The number of prior service folks that join the Coast Guard is rather surprising. I've run into all four of the other branch's members wearing Coastie Blues in my career.
(1)
(0)
I would have chosen the Coast Guard. Man, there have been too many times where I have been on vacation in some heavenly spot...and then wouldn't you know it, there's a little Coast Guard base right along the water in a beautiful spot. Examples would be Alki Beach in Seattle, WA and multiple spots I saw like this in California. Amazing.
(7)
(0)
MCPO Roger Collins
After due and careful consideration, I choose the USGG. You make a good argument.
(1)
(0)
(0)
(0)
SN Greg Wright
A1C (Join to see) - Your luck would be good. There are few places on the planet where the puddle pirates are needed more.
(2)
(0)
CSM Charles Hayden
A1C (Join to see) - A friend flew C-130 rescue missions from Kodiak. A CG mustang type, he is now flying for Alaska Airlines. He spoke of doing missions from Kodiak and air dropping/straddling stranded fishing boats with, emergency water pumps on one side of the stranded boat and causing the motor for that pump to land on the other side of the boat. He left the CG, as that sort of flying was for young pilots!
(1)
(0)
5
5
0
It was a toss up when I enlisted between the AF and Marines. I chose AF because I was looking for education first but my AFSC would have transferred to the Marines as I worked on C130s ;)
(5)
(0)
5
5
0
Being that Soldiers are the Hero's that so many aspire to be, I couldn't imagine being anything less. But if I had to choose, I'd be in the Corps.
(5)
(0)
SSG Warren Swan
As much as I enjoy busting the balls of Marines, they seriously are the only branch I'd consider. It's something about the ground pounding branches that satisfying. The downside of being a Marine, is that I'd end up getting the required EGA tattoo, and be required to tell everyone I meet I'm a Marine. But I have respect for all of you....including the ones who haven't told me they're Marines yer.
(0)
(0)
5
5
0
4
4
0
I have been Army and now AF. If I had to go back and do it over, back then, I would have done Marines. If I had to re-do it now, at this age, Salvation Army--learning how to ring that Christmas bell. Lol.
(4)
(0)
A1C (Join to see)
I was apart of the Salvation Army as a youth growing up outside of Chicago. Great Church.
(1)
(0)
4
4
0
Navy. After working alongside sailors, I discovered a complete respect for their life-style. Now, I my time with them was limited to the gators. But, had some time aboard a couple carriers. Those guys work their tails off --and hit every libo-port with the Marines. Plus, I married a sailor. So, our chances of getting co-located would have skyrocketed.
(4)
(0)
Capt Mark Strobl
PO1 Brian Austin, SN Greg Wright - I was shell-backed as a Middie. I had that card laminated and carried it with me as soon as I was commissioned. Because, I learned quickly that young officers were targeted for that little ceremony. On my 2nd, 3rd, and 4th time across the equator, the stateroom door was thrown open to a cadre of fellow shell-backs looking for wogs. I held up my card, accepted their apologies, and returned to rack-ops. Although my ego has recovered from that day in 1989, my butt is STILL sore!
(3)
(0)
SN Greg Wright
Capt Mark Strobl - Hahah. I still have mine in my passport. Why? Merchant Marines do a similar thing (not nearly as bad, but still), and if you can't prove it...you're doin' it. And to sign onto a ship you gotta have your MM document AND passport. So that thing's sat there in each passport over the last 25 years since. lol. Unfortunately, I've never yet gotten to return the favor, and help nurture me some Trusty Shellbacks into maturity. Le sigh. Maybe some day.
I'd fix 'young officers' to 'any officer', though lol. We had a Commander on his knees, in ours.
I'd fix 'young officers' to 'any officer', though lol. We had a Commander on his knees, in ours.
(0)
(0)
PO1 Brian Austin
SN Greg Wright - I figured you were. Meant to add you in my reply to the Capt. Darn fat fingers! :)
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
-
Ask questionGet expert advice and
tips for your questions. -
Post updatePost pictures, personal updates, plans, or anything you like!
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google