If you have a Family Member going into Service, does it matter which Branch they join?

SPC James Seigars — Fri, 24 Feb 2017 05:50:40 -0500

Response by SSgt Jim Gilmore made Feb 24 at 2017 5:57 AM

SSgt Jim Gilmore — Fri, 24 Feb 2017 05:57:47 -0500

If the parent(s) were in the military, one would hope that the child(ren) would follow in the parental foot steps and choose the same branch. At the end of the day though the parents should be proud that their children have decided to serve.

Response by SPC James Seigars made Feb 24 at 2017 6:01 AM

SPC James Seigars — Fri, 24 Feb 2017 06:01:04 -0500

I don't think it does as long as they are serving our Country. I was Army Reserve until I graduated HS and then went National Guard and then Active Army. I have Family & Friends who are or were Marines (Friend), Navy (Pastor), Air Force (two Friends) and Coast Guard (Friend) as well as Army (Nephew & two Step-sons). They all got guidance and help from me in either PT or Customs/Courtesies or advice on which Branch I thought would best suit them before entering and I told them that I would be proud of them no matter which Branch they entered as long as they did their best and served Honorably, which they all did except one.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Feb 24 at 2017 6:07 AM

Cpl Jeff N. — Fri, 24 Feb 2017 06:07:34 -0500

I have not pushed my kids toward the service. My only position with them was if you decide to go in, there is only one branch I will endorse you joining. That is the Marine Corps. I know they will be trained properly, properly motivated, equipped and lead.

I have family members that have served in all branches but mostly Marines and Air Force.

My oldest son did decide to enlist in the Marines. He has been serving for almost 7 years now.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2017 7:16 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Feb 2017 07:16:38 -0500

Nope! Cause we're all fighting for the same cause!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2017 7:41 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Feb 2017 07:41:20 -0500

What matters is whether the person makes the most of their resources to make the best decision for them. Someone once told me he was planning to join the Army and he knew I'd served. I told him he could ask whatever questions and suggested he check out Rallypoint. He did neither. One should WANT to be informed before signing a blank check.

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Feb 24 at 2017 7:50 AM

Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen — Fri, 24 Feb 2017 07:50:25 -0500

No, but then again I was the family rebel. My family had always been Navy, going way back to the Danish Navy and Merchant Marine, and some historical indication of Vikings. I actually looked at becoming a Naval aviator but what the Air Force offered made more sense for my particular situation. So I became first member of my extended family to be in the Air Force. My son also went into the Air Force, I actually swore him in, but again like me what the Air Force offered was a better fit for what he wanted. So guess my answer is doesn't matter what branch as long as they are going where they, and their goals, fit.

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2017 8:53 AM

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Feb 2017 08:53:31 -0500

My younger brother just graduated Army BCT this past year and will be going through AIT this summer for infantry (he split to finish his senior year at high school). I love that he's going Army like myself but I would be just as proud of him no matter what branch he decided to join. PVT Private RallyPoint Member

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Feb 24 at 2017 9:15 AM

SGT Dave Tracy — Fri, 24 Feb 2017 09:15:58 -0500

It matters to them, and that's what matters.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2017 10:00 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Feb 2017 10:00:30 -0500

It makes no matter to me what branch they go into.............as long as they join the Army. Just kidding. If they want to serve, and choose a branch other than Army, I'm still going to walk into their basic training graduation in full uniform and head held high with pride that my daughter(s) joined.

Response by PO1 Don Gulizia made Feb 24 at 2017 12:09 PM

PO1 Don Gulizia — Fri, 24 Feb 2017 12:09:49 -0500

It depends. If it were a niece/nephew/cousin that was struggling in life, I would say, no. Any/all branches could help shape a young person into a stable and contributing adult. However, if it were my child I’d say, yes…it matters. I enlisted in the Navy at 17. It got me out of a bad situation and gave me a stable financial situation, as well as a college education. I wanted better for my children. Being an enlisted service member is honorable and was good for me, but like all parents, I wanted better for my children. With that in mind, I would say Officer over Enlisted. Due to standard of living, I would say Merchant Marine, Coast Guard, or Air Force over Army and Navy.

Response by SFC Michael Arabian made Feb 24 at 2017 12:35 PM

SFC Michael Arabian — Fri, 24 Feb 2017 12:35:27 -0500

In my family we have people who have served in all the different branches. Yes, we played the my branch is better than your branch game. Even talked trash during football season when our branch team played each other, but when the time came for one of us needing support I.e. A deployment or transfer all that was put aside and we came together as family. So what branch shouldn't matter as long as they have the support from the family is all that matters

Response by PO1 Brian Austin made Feb 24 at 2017 2:12 PM

PO1 Brian Austin — Fri, 24 Feb 2017 14:12:12 -0500

The branch doesn't matter at all. My youngest joined the Marines, that's what he wanted to do. He wasn't really interested in the Navy. I supported his choice and went to the recruiting station with him. Of course his mom freaked out, he's her "baby" after all....lol
He just finished his tour at MCAS Futenma Okinawa. Now he's home on leave (his mom has her baby back...lol) before heading off to the Marine Security Guard course.
I'm damn proud of him!

Response by LTC Joseph Gross made Feb 24 at 2017 2:43 PM

LTC Joseph Gross — Fri, 24 Feb 2017 14:43:44 -0500

It only matters to them. I ensured my own son talked to recruiters from other branches simply because you never know.

Response by CPT Jeff Harrod made Feb 24 at 2017 6:52 PM

CPT Jeff Harrod — Fri, 24 Feb 2017 18:52:22 -0500

The different branches just rag on each other for fun and pride, but once you go to combat, you realize that every single branch is absolutely critical to success. And after you have served it doesn't matter what branch...we all bond together to get through each day the best that we can. Doesn't mean we don't talk shit about anyone not in the Army though!!!

Response by CPT Jacob Swartout made Feb 25 at 2017 1:21 AM

CPT Jacob Swartout — Sat, 25 Feb 2017 01:21:14 -0500

Not really, but my son will talk to all the branches to make his choice and compare the options before just deciding on one particular branch. I will be with him during each meeting. In the end, I would just be proud that he served his country.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2017 1:40 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 Feb 2017 01:40:15 -0500

I'll give them a few jabs for not going Army but it's their service not mine. Whatever makes them happy.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2017 8:28 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 Feb 2017 20:28:47 -0500

My mother she's a Jarhead, and my father, he's a Marine;
My brother joined the Navy just to sail a submarine,
My sister's in the Air Force, but my family they're all queers,
'Cause they didn't join the best, the combat engineers!

Just kidding, of course! Just a line of a cadence from my engineer days!

I'd prefer the Army, but certainly wouldn't be upset over any other choice. Especially now that I've moved branches!

Response by SFC Jim Ruether made Mar 1 at 2017 5:50 PM

SFC Jim Ruether — Wed, 01 Mar 2017 17:50:37 -0500

Whatever branch they want to be in is ok by me. They are serving our country and that is what counts. God Bless my son Shane and his two cousins Tom and Andrew who decided on the AF.

Response by SFC Jim Ruether made Mar 1 at 2017 5:52 PM

SFC Jim Ruether — Wed, 01 Mar 2017 17:52:11 -0500

I do think that most of the jobs in the AF cross over nicely into the civilian job market once they finish their initial enlistment.

Response by SFC Jim Ruether made Mar 1 at 2017 5:56 PM

SFC Jim Ruether — Wed, 01 Mar 2017 17:56:14 -0500

I remember one day while I was sitting in my fighting position. It was 10 or 12 days since I last showered, the mosquitoes and other assorted biting insects had come back for seconds and my last MRE tasted funny.......it actually tasted good so I figure it went bad? A jet flew over head and I thought that guy is going back to his base for a hot shower, good food and a real bed. If I ever have kids and they want to serve in the military it will be the Air Force!

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Mar 1 at 2017 6:33 PM

SGT Jerrold Pesz — Wed, 01 Mar 2017 18:33:57 -0500

I have family members who have served or are still serving in every branch there is and I am proud of them all.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Mar 2 at 2017 12:33 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Thu, 02 Mar 2017 12:33:38 -0500

Not really. The Branch selection needs to be right for the person joining the military. People join the military for many reasons. Some join out of selfless patriotism, but my guess is more join for the job, training, and veterans benefits. Many young folks (17-22) don't have too much foresight and lack the capability to completely grasp the long-term benefits of military service or a military career. I didn't.

If there's a strong family background of service in a particular Branch then the person might want to keep the family tradition going. It's more important that the family support the Service Member regardless of their choice of branch. My family has served in Army, Navy, Air Force, active duty, reserve, and National Guard. We all respect each other's service and choices; although, there is some good natured banter now and then.

Response by PO1 Tom Follis made Dec 22 at 2017 7:41 PM

PO1 Tom Follis — Fri, 22 Dec 2017 19:41:31 -0500

I think not. I spent 3 years as a Navy recruiter and I always suggested/recommended an applicant check into all branches to see what they can offer. Joining the military is a major change in ones life. The applicant MUST decide what is best for themselves. As a recruiter, I never fabricated any stories to convince one to go Navy. Yes, I lost a few contracts but, I always slept well at night.

Response by Sgt Dan Catlin made Apr 11 at 2019 6:56 AM

Sgt Dan Catlin — Thu, 11 Apr 2019 06:56:10 -0400

Not as far as my loyalty to any one branch. When my kids started looking at joining, I made sure they talked to different recruiters to see what they could offer. It really depends on the person, what they want from their time in the military and what kind of experience they want from it.

Response by MSgt Mike P. made Aug 24 at 2021 7:29 PM

MSgt Mike P. — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 19:29:01 -0400

Each branch has special functional responsibilitys, review their functions and how it fits you. PS, you will need to make changes, they won't! Each one is special for a reason!!!

Response by PO2 Nathaniel Miller made Aug 24 at 2021 7:41 PM

PO2 Nathaniel Miller — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 19:41:09 -0400

I think it matters a lot. They should serve where they feel they can best operate. The branches, ratings/MOSs, and enlisted/warrant/commission differences should all be considered.