Those who went from the Marines (Oorah) to Army (Hooah), how did you deal with the change?

2LT Nathaniel Koch — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 14:40:37 -0400

I got out in 2013 to go to school and get my degree, I am re entering the service this time with the ARMY as an officer and I want perspectives on how one deals with the Branch change.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2016 4:18 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 16:18:27 -0400

2LT Nathaniel Koch I am familiar with Ooh Rah. I don't understand the question?

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 30 at 2016 4:56 PM

PO1 John Miller — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 16:56:24 -0400

I had a few Sailors over the years who were former Marines. They were all about "I'm a Marine! There's no such thing as a former Marine! Once a Marine always a Marine!"

Until I explained to them that their uniform and ID card now said US Navy and not US Marine Corps. I think you should start to think along those lines, that you're no longer a Marine. You are now a Soldier (or will soon be a Soldier).

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2016 5:26 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 17:26:03 -0400

I never changed branches but I've been contemplating it myself. I have no real insight it out for you but I've never in my life heard Hoorah from a Marine. As a Marine myself, I've always heard, seen, and said it "Oorah!". That being said, I think when changing services it's important to remember that you're in a new branch now. You're gonna be a soldier soon so talking about how great the Marine Corps experience has been may hinder you. Soldiers under your charge may see that as you still wanting to be in the Corps versus being with them in the Army. Another important thing is don't compare your former Marines to your soon to be new soldiers. That will cause some resentment for sure.

Response by Sgt Tom Cunnally made Jun 30 at 2016 5:27 PM

Sgt Tom Cunnally — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 17:27:40 -0400

I went to the Army at Fort Devens MA for six months & was the a class leader but came back . The Army ASA Radio School was outstanding.

Response by SFC Everett Oliver made Jun 30 at 2016 7:43 PM

SFC Everett Oliver — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 19:43:46 -0400

Well Sergeant, I can't give a lot of good advise there, though I did know a few former Marines who joined the Army. I can tell you that your Marine Hoorah And your Army Hooah are wrong. At least in the old Army I was in H U A actually had a meaning. Heard, Understood, Acknowledged.

Response by 1st Lt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2016 10:48 PM

1st Lt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 22:48:28 -0400

I am a former Marine and went into the Navy. I was told before I enlisted that a lot of people will frustrate me, until I learn to deal with the change. It's an entirely different way of living/thinking. You have to learn a lot of new regulations. Yes some of it will translate over, and a lot of what you will learned in the Corps will help you "stand out," but if tasked with leading soldiers you will need to know the regulations to that branch, rather than what you are used too with Marines. I was also surprised by helpful my senior enlisted and officer corps is. In the Marines, if I got called into. 1STSGTs office or Gunnys office, I knew I was going to get my ass chewed. Now, not the case. Granted this is a command by command basis.
However, the biggest advice I could give about switching branches is taking a step back, getting your head out of the Marine mindset, and looking at it from a different perspective.
Congrats on your commissioning!

Response by LTC Trent Klug made Jul 1 at 2016 12:01 AM

LTC Trent Klug — Fri, 01 Jul 2016 00:01:17 -0400

My advice may be a bit dated as it was 28 years ago ago when I enlisted in the Army after a hitch in the Marine Corps and I was a NCO.

Don't change a thing. I didn't, at least I don't feel like I did and I was very successful.

Response by SPC Kirk Gilles made Jul 1 at 2016 1:55 AM

SPC Kirk Gilles — Fri, 01 Jul 2016 01:55:49 -0400

I see many USMC who come to the Guard. They have much to offer if presented appropriately. The phrase "This is how us Marines did it" should be avoided. Also, stubbornly refusing to comply with Army methods, regs etc (Marksmanship) is a big deal. See why the Army does it the Army way. Chances are it makes sense for the Army. But exemplifying the courage and toughness of Marines is always motivational. A secret: Army respects what USMC goes through, no need to pile on.

Response by SFC Carlos Gamino made Jul 1 at 2016 6:09 PM

SFC Carlos Gamino — Fri, 01 Jul 2016 18:09:00 -0400

At the end of your career, it was just a job and you will be compensated for your time. Better retirement as an officer. We can always say I was a Marine with pride, no one can take that away, or any acomplishment. I am proud to say I was a Soldier and Marine.

Response by CW2 Carl Swanson made Jul 1 at 2016 6:21 PM

CW2 Carl Swanson — Fri, 01 Jul 2016 18:21:50 -0400

When I changed from the Corps to the Army, I thought it was going to be really different. For me, it wasn't that big of a deal. I went into Armor and we had a similar attitude about mission accomplishment. Many units have the Esprit that you expect from the USMC. It will take a little to adjust, but I never had any problems. Remember, you are in the Army now and no one wants to hear your "when I was in the marine corps" stories about how the USMC does it different or better. Assimilate and embrace where you are and you will have a good time. I knew several guys who had switched over and every one of us was successful. I have a friend who is still on active duty who just pinned on his Eagle (full bird Colonel) and he started off in the Corps too.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Jul 1 at 2016 10:25 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Fri, 01 Jul 2016 22:25:03 -0400

Best wishes, you are a different type. Many troops have been advised to get out and to get a degree as you will need one! To hear you like our military enough to come back is rewarding. Take your time, settle down m, do not get excited, the Army is no and will never be the USMC! Accept that statement as gospel and do your best. 2LT Nathaniel Koch

Response by SFC Shane Funkhouser made Jul 2 at 2016 7:50 AM

SFC Shane Funkhouser — Sat, 02 Jul 2016 07:50:03 -0400

I changed over in 2000 and retired earlier this year, a few things were different but it is mostly just the attitude. I didn't change anything about myself except the way I put my uniform together. Although I still used boot bands to blouse my boots that tucking in crap still looks like shit. But seriously the work ethic and standard in the army in alot of units just isn't what I experienced in the corps. Which is good and bad for you depending on your rank. Lol I know all the soldiers who have never been Marines also are reading this saying f**k you were as hard corps as any marine, but sorry I spent 6 years in the Corps and 16 in the army I've lived both and I can tell you that is just not the case in most units. So here's the good for you if your an E-4 or below. If you come in and act like a marine, in other words maintain a marines standard and work ethic you will stand out and generally make your peers wither step up with you or get left behind. The bad is you will be aggrevated with your peers constantly until you learn to relax into the army mindset because it's a slower pace and it's not going to change for you especially in the lower ranks. Now reading this people may think I'm knocking the army but I really am not.
I lover my time in the army obviously or I would not have stayed in to retire it is just different and I don't deny or mind admitting the difference. You will come across some units in the army that have the esprit de corps and pride and cockiness of the Corps and when you find them do everything you can to stay with them but the army is just to big to move fast or maintain that attitude across the board. Some other good things in general the Army has better family support, pushes you more towards personal growth as far as education and will do its best to facilitate that. As I said it's more laid back. Lol obviously easier unit p.t. and p.t. test. The trick is to make it your own and don't always try to compare it to your time in the Corps. It is two different branches with two different missions so appreciate it for what it is.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 2 at 2016 11:25 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 02 Jul 2016 11:25:35 -0400

Relax the competition between branches and you will be fine. The Army and Marines have the same goal.....mission first! You will be accepted on you merit as a soldiers officer. Never forget your roots as an enlisted man and you will be respected and followed. We my not have the sharp edges the Marines do but again same fight same mission.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 2 at 2016 11:48 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 02 Jul 2016 11:48:14 -0400

I went from active duty Air Force (o-3) to Army Reserve (E-6) after a three year break.

My advice is lay low until you learn how your new unit works. Then support that unit just as you have supported your Marine units.

However, playing the Marine card would probably not be a good idea.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 2 at 2016 8:33 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 02 Jul 2016 20:33:20 -0400

Army doesn't care if your a former marine. Hardest part for them is learning new acronyms.

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 5 at 2016 9:31 AM

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 09:31:38 -0400

I went from Army to enlisted Marine Corps (then transitioned to "zero"). Big culture change. Leading was harder in the Army. A much smaller percentage were motivated to be there. made leading Marines much easier.

Response by Sgt James Siko made Jul 5 at 2016 10:44 AM

Sgt James Siko — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 10:44:03 -0400

I did the same thing in 1995 I was active duty in the Marines corps for 13years
I joined the army national guard
But in 1995 there was very little active duty among the national guard
For me in 1995 I pretty much took my learship skills from the marine corps and applied them to the guard I had to make some adjustments and because of my active duty time I was well respected
It may be different for you know
The army uniform is a pain in the ass because of all there awards and patches
Were the marine corps uniform was cut and dry
There is a lot divide in the army
I used a common sense approach treat your soilders as adults and allow your ncos to do their job
Use the skills and knowledge the marine corps taught you also remember the book and the field way
I know times are different now as I previous states when I joined the reserve very little had active duty so I shared my knowledge I retired in 2004 one of my Sgt
Is now a brigade command Sgt major
Good luck marine

Response by SSgt Edward Trevino Jr. made Jul 6 at 2016 12:17 AM

SSgt Edward Trevino Jr. — Wed, 06 Jul 2016 00:17:05 -0400

You will always be a Marine! You've earned that! Just remember where you came from. Learn the Army traditions and always take care of the troops and you will be fine.

Response by SgtMaj Anthony Goss made Jul 8 at 2016 12:12 PM

SgtMaj Anthony Goss — Fri, 08 Jul 2016 12:12:34 -0400

Lock, I read through some of the responses and most of them had some great advice to help with your transition. You've probably heard me say this in a formation or two, but there's two kinds of advice...the one you listen to and keep and the one you let go in one ear and out the other. The one thing that I read in a few of the post that I read was you will always be a Marine, but one in the Army you are a Soldier and you must embrace the Army ways and do what you have to in order to be successful not only for yourself but for your unit and your soldiers. I will end with this and although it's something we said in the Corps, but remember to "grow where you're planted". If you can do that, not only will you be successful, the soldiers around you and the units you serve in will benefit also.

Semper Fi!

Response by Madison Colyer made Oct 27 at 2016 2:41 AM

Madison Colyer — Thu, 27 Oct 2016 02:41:07 -0400

I may not know much about the military or the marines. But when you know your home nothing can stop you. I think that you should take it slow, don't rush into things, always try to slowly get back into the swing of things on your own. Also if you need a friend to talk to I'll be glad to lend you an ear to listen to you. Here, [login to see] or [login to see] . Alright?