Posted on Feb 6, 2016
A1C Small Business Owner
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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: 0b761d13 Inter-Service
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SrA Matthew Knight
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If given no choice but to switch to a different branch I would probably pick the Army. I actually considered blue to green once thinking maybe I could get in as a helo pilot before realizing I just want to be done at the end of this enlistment. If I had to stay in though that's the route I would try to take.
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Sgt Joe LaBranche
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As a Marine, I would have to go with Air Force Para-Rescue or Navy Seal. I would rather take my chances being shot at than do what the Coast Guard does on water (them guys got balls the size of watermelons). I have a lot of respect for the Army Rangers! All things said, I am proud to have served my country with my Marine Corps brothers! No matter which branch of service you are in or would choose, you are all brave men and women who made a sacrifice and served your country. You are all members of the 7% club. Thank you all for your dedication and service; God bless you all!
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A1C Small Business Owner
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Thank you for your service as well Sir.
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MSgt Electrical Power Production
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Actually would have preferred to stay a Marine, but an injury changed that. So thank God for the Air Force!
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SGT Team Leader
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Marines
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MSgt Electrical Power Production
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Marines, we sure are something! LOL!
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Sgt Tom Cunnally
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In 1953 I dropped out of college. So I went to Boston & was unsure about enlisting in the Army or Marines. While sitting in the waiting room I was approached by a Marine Sergeant who asked me if I was going to become a Marine. I told him that I was unsure. So he invited me and a few other guys to lunch. He did a good job selling us on the Marines because later that day we all took the enlistment oath as US Marines after passing the written exam and physical exams. The Marine Recruiters reminded me that my birthday was on 10 November and they all told me to apply for Sea School or Embassy Duty after completing boot camp at Parris Island because I was 6' 2'' and a pretty good high school athlete. However I became a Field Radio Operator in the FMF Force Troops at Camp Geiger NC.
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Maj Assistant Director Of Operations
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I'd probably go Navy. I like their aviation program. Most of their flyers seem to enjoy work and uniform wise they pretty much do what they want! Sign me up for that!
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MCPO Roger Collins
MCPO Roger Collins
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Good choice, Naval Aviator's and submariners are similar types, the major difference is submarine officers are a bunch of arrogant tight asses, where Aviators are more free wheeling.
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Maj Assistant Director Of Operations
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Yeah, submarine life doesn't look appealing to me. I like the gym to much. I was at PT Mugu a few months back and toured a E2C with a couple of NFOs. Much respect for what those guys do.
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Maj Dwayne Helton
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I would ave been a Marine.
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SSgt Dan Montague
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It is irrelevant now, but I wanted to be a gunners mate on a battle ship. I am the rare one that like artillery.
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MCPO Roger Collins
MCPO Roger Collins
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Have you researched how dangerous working in a gun mount on BB during a fire exercise? I pass.
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SSgt Dan Montague
SSgt Dan Montague
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no doubt it is dangerous. But it would be worth it.
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MSgt Michael Lane
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Edited >1 y ago
22 years AF, and about another 4 as a contractor when a job working for the Army fell into my lap at Fort Rucker, and I have so say I enjoy it very much it’s nice to look forward to going to work every day. Every time I see a Blackhawk takeoff I am amazed by the science of it just does not look possible. So In short ARMY Definitely!
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SrA Jonathan Carbonaro
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My Career field shares more with the Army than the Air Force. I like the Army's promotion system, and getting promotion points for shooting, and knowing fundamentals. As well as the Fat bonus's. So I'd say Army, the only reason I'm not saying Marines is I don't think I'd survive ya'lls basic training.
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SPC Treatment Medic
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Definitely gotta go (ch)air force if I can't choose army again. Marines have nothing medical and Well the navy... I love the water.... Would lose my mind though on a sea deployment.
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Honest
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Capt Seid Waddell
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Edited >1 y ago
Loved the Air Force and would do it again in a heartbeat. If not possible though I would go for Army EOD or Artillery; always loved things that go bump in the night. I get seasick, so the Navy would be out of the question.
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Capt Seid Waddell
Capt Seid Waddell
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MCPO Roger Collins, yes, and they head into the wind, I have heard.

I saw two ocean-going cargo ships on top of a restaurant in the Biloxi/Gulfport area after Hurricane Camille that failed to follow that rule.

I have also heard of large ships sunk by hurricanes at sea.

There are many reasons I would not care to join the Navy; it is generally a long way to shore when a ship goes down.
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MCPO Roger Collins
MCPO Roger Collins
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Capt Seid Waddell - Subs are notoriously unstable on the surface, and guess what we are particularly at a critical stage when surfacing and submerging, that is why we have to ride it out on surface, rather than taking it down. Not as bad today with Nucs, that can stay down for days, if you can get down safely. A 300' tube is like a roller coaster in the surface.
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Capt Seid Waddell
Capt Seid Waddell
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MCPO Roger Collins, "A 300' tube is like a roller coaster in the surface."

So why do you ride it out on the surface? It would seem (to an AF type) the wise thing would be to ride it out submerged. As you said, everything is smooth down there; the turbulence is at the surface.
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MCPO Roger Collins
MCPO Roger Collins
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Capt Seid Waddell - Explained above Capt. Stability submerging and surfacing. You have to get in deep water to submerge and then it is too late to "take her down".
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CPO Frank Coluccio
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Was all set to join the Marines, was just waiting for the recruiter to call with the date for the ASVAB. Never got the call, so I went to the Navy recruiter and enlisted.
Finally heard from the Marine recruiter. He had a death in the family and went on emergency leave for 30 days.
So, if I had to pick, it would be USMC!
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A1C Small Business Owner
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You just never know.
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LtCol Mac McCarty
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USN. I loved being at sea. I was actually appointed to USNA (would have been class of 68) but my eyesight kept me out. I went PLC in college, and even after I was offered a regular commission out of OCS (I accepted), it looked like I might be NPQ. Then my sainted Mother wrote a letter to the President... At the height of the Tet Offensive ...("I feel like the most unnatural of Mothers, but when so many are fleeing to Canada and you have one who has wanted to serve since he was in second grade.....).
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MSgt John Taylor
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Coast Guard; I did my honeymoon in the Bahamas, where i saw USCG station Bahamas.
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I'm sure these is a long list for that station.
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COL Charles Williams
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None. Kidding... Actually I tested (ASVAB, MEPS) for the Navy in 1980... But, ended up in the Army. If not the Army, it would have been the Navy. Never considered the AF or the Marines.
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CPO Allen Campbell
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Definitely the Coast Guard. Oh, wait, I forgot I did....
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LTC Immigration Judge
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I chose the army way back 31-years-ago because they alone would let me choose which language I studied at DLI.

If I could jump to another service today, it would have to be the Air Force, if for no other reason than that they have basses in Japan, and I love being in Japan.
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SN Greg Wright
SN Greg Wright
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MCPO Roger Collins - Heh. I once told a GS-22 (isn't that like a Vice-Admiral-equivalent? I forget, these days) he couldn't come into my SCIF because he wasn't wearing his badge. Turns out he was the civilian commander of the facility...but I still didn't let him in until he got his badge. I think I was SA, then.
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SN Greg Wright
SN Greg Wright
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LTC (Join to see) - That's what I hear, too, Major. I suspect he wasn't as shafted as he probably thought he was. Never made it myself, though.
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MCPO Roger Collins
MCPO Roger Collins
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SN Greg Wright - Off topic, but I , as a First Class took on one of Rickover's direct reports. Things in the lower parts of my anatomy was cinched up until finally resolved.
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LTC Immigration Judge
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SN Greg Wright - My brother just vacationed there. Amazing pictures.
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MAJ Staff Officer
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I would pick the Navy for its travel opportunities. Army bases are usually in the armpits of whatever country it is in. All Soldiers are envious of the awesome locales of naval bases like Spain and Japan.
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Good Point...My cousin joined the Navy to see the world and he spent 4 years at Navy Pier in Chicago and we lived in Elgin, Ill.
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1stSgt Eugene Harless
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Army.
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PO1 Brian Austin
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Marines. Navy recruiter called me first. Marines called me after MEPS.
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What could have been. Air Force said they could get me in within a week.
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PO1 Brian Austin
PO1 Brian Austin
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Yep, Navy wasted no time with me. Needed the quota i guess..haha.
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