Posted on Feb 7, 2020
Should I reenlist in the navy or transition to the army?
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The only reason I am thinking about it is because it seems like it's less politics when it comes to advancing in the army. Though, I only have two years left. I am an active duty E4 corpsman/PMT (8 years of service at the end of this contract). The recruiter said the army would take me. But I dont know if ~16 months is long enough to advance from e4-e5. Anyone have advice?
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 21
I would have liked to have enlisted in each branch of the military one after the other, but it was a dream! Hope you follow your dreams!
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After being out nearly fifty years, there is hardly a week that goes by that I don't wish I had stayed in. After Vietnam, and having one daughter about a year old, it did not seem that important or necessary that I stay. Of course, with my training (at the time), it was not hard to get related jobs, once I was stateside. I was offered E-5 to re-up but the pay wasn't that great, and I was simply tired of crossing the Pacific (duty station in Japan, prior to Vietnam). It is truly a conundrum and deserves a lot of soul searching and thought. Stay with the Navy would be my advise, you will be safer and like the recruiters say, "see the world!".
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Definitely transition to the Army. You are land-based, have places to go in your off-time and even better: When fired upon, you can shoot back! In the Navy, if someone torpedoes your frigate, you are now in the water, unarmed, with sharks, drifting through sharp, hot objects and oil so you can't even smoke as you are bobbing in the water in your skivvies. And you never got past your seasickness either as you are floating in your life jacket. In the Army even the cooks and supply and maintenance guys have M-4s and pistols that are sighted to their eyes and ready to fire.
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Have you tried the Coast Guard Reserve? I spent almost 40 years in the reserve. Went fr ok m E1 to E9, then W2 To W4, and retired as a O3. If you want a service that gives you the best shot and advancement look into the Coast Guard Reserve.
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Andrew this falls into the category of for what’s its worth. Many have posted about the Grass Being Greener, or not in some cases. I got out as an HM3 because I was told I would be obligated to 4 years sea duty and once I was advised I would not be re-enlisting my E5 promotion was withheld for separation considerations. After I got out out, I was confused as I have heard many are and couldn’t initially adjust and even considered re-enlisting into the Marine Corps. Thanks to a heart to heart from a retired Master Chief, my course was set on a different path. 32 years in the automobile business and currently working at the Automotive Corporate level and I couldn’t be happier. Set your own course, prepare for course correction but have a definitive destination as your goal. Lots of great advice in this post but just follow your heart.
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I think you can advance fine in the Navy. How long have you served already?
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Only if you cannot advance to HM2 and be within reach of advancing to E-6. Fortunately, I was an HM1 after 5 years and a few months of active duty at the age of 22. Personally I believe it was because of Vietnam that made ranking easier as many Corpsmen were dying. But, that is only my opinion. I was honorably discharged in’72 on a medical, but I do miss the experience because nothing since then Has compared to my two TODs in Vietnam.
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Have you given thought to going FMF? Corpsmen who have that in their records typically advanced fairly quickly. Then again, I've been retired for over 20 years so I may be wrong.
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PO3 (Join to see)
I have my FMF pin. Its mandatory when your with a marine unit now, I dont think it really helps anymore, they dont give you any points on the test, not to mention everyone else has it so it doesn't make you stand out really.
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CPO William Slifko
Didn't realize you were already with FMF. Having been retired for a couple of decades I don't think I can offer you any good advice except to look for the places and jobs that most don't want. Wintering over in McMurdo or other arduous duty assignments are potential options that your detailer can tell you more about. If you haven't called your detailer, you should. I hope your situation improves.
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