What advice do you have for a prior-service Marine entering the Army?

Cpl Carlton Corbin — Mon, 26 Mar 2018 18:19:10 -0400

Im new to RP, I decided to join because my research usually takes me here and I usually find good answers, advice, and info.

I am currently getting ready to go into Army, Active Duty. Either as a 42A or 68G (undecided). I have been out of the Marine Corps for about 2 1/2 years, and I am looking for any advice or tips that any Soldiers or prior service Marines can give. I am currently in school for Business Administration in Irving, Texas, hence the MOS choices, and plan on starting a couple of businesses in the next few years. As far as I know, at the moment, I will be keeping my rank (e-4) and will be eligible for promotion pretty soon after enlisting (based off of information given to my recruiter and other Soldiers). In the Marine Corps, I was a 3381 -- Cook, I've been stationed in Okinawa and 29 Palms and have done field exercises in Okinawa, Korea, Philippines, and 29 Palms (No actual deployments, unfortunately). Outside of the Marine Corps, I lived in Oceanside and played football for my school in San Diego, and recently moved to Dallas, TX.

I am just looking for any advice/tips on AIT, duty stations, life as a soldier, etc. Any information that you all can offer will be greatly appreciated.

Response by Sgt Travis Smith made Mar 26 at 2018 6:26 PM

Sgt Travis Smith — Mon, 26 Mar 2018 18:26:41 -0400

Did you complete Corporals course? Resident and online?

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Mar 26 at 2018 6:29 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Mon, 26 Mar 2018 18:29:04 -0400

Take the same approach to your duties innthe Army as you did in the Marines. Maintain your discipline and standards. Study hard to learn your duties and set yourself apart from your peers. Seek the tough duties and never be afraid to ask for guidance. That is not to question why, but how. When you arrive be mindful of who you associate with. Those who try to carry their neighborhood to the duty assignment are those to avoid. Align yourself with like minded people with goals and aspirations of success. Thank you for your service.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Mar 26 at 2018 6:30 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Mon, 26 Mar 2018 18:30:40 -0400

Prior Marines generally either do exceptionally well, or exceptionally poor. The best thing you can do is immediately remove any chips that remain on your shoulders, forget all of the Marines "we're better than everyone" brainwashing nonsense, and get ready to adapt to your new environment. Listen a lot. Learn a lot. Talk very little. At least at first.
Start reading Army Regulations. Start with uniforms, awards, customs and courtesies, NCO guides, etc...
It's gonna take you time to get your records straight, so be prepared to be patient. Most S1's aren't used to prior Marines, so you getting your awards, military education, NCOES, etc... straight will be an adventure. Stay patient.
Don't rush towards promotion because you think all of your Marine experience makes you ready to be an Army NCO. It doesn't. Before you rush to the board, make sure you truly understand Army basics, counseling, awards, evaluations, promotions, your MOS, service and programs, uniforms, leaves and passes, all those thousands of things NCO's are expected to know. Remember, it's better to be a high speed E4 than a POS E5. Make sure you're ready to be an Army NCO.
This might seem negative in tone. It's not. I made the same transition and it was the best thing I ever did. In the Army, you'll have a better quality of life, better programs, more education, more training, more varied responsibilities and assignments, more diverse bases and units, and a real opportunity to shine. But remember, you joined the Army. You must adapt. If you don't succeed, the Army will replace you faster than you can walk out the door. Make sure you set yourself up for success. Find another prior Marine, preferably a Senior NCO or Officer for mentorship, guidance and advice. They'll understand the transition. Don't latch on to a junior prior Marine. It remains to be seen whether they'll sink or float.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2018 6:31 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 26 Mar 2018 18:31:34 -0400

I'd say 42, but i am biased

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2018 7:08 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 26 Mar 2018 19:08:24 -0400

Cpl Carlton Corbin Are you taking college business classes and do you plan on completing your degree? Why are you joining the Army and not going back into the Marine Corps? Are you going to start your businesses after serving in the Army, or while you are serving? If you are going to start your businesses while serving, can they be managed by someone else if you are deployed?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2018 7:18 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 26 Mar 2018 19:18:30 -0400

I liked working with former Marines. They were always more even keeled and reserved with their emotional reactions. They got their tasks done without griping, and almost all of them kept Soldiers motivated without blowing up.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2018 9:39 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 26 Mar 2018 21:39:22 -0400

You are joining the Army and plan on starting a couple of businesses in the next few years. If your planning on joining the Guard or Reserves that sounds like a great plan. If your joining active duty; I’m not sure how your Marine life was but stating a couple of business is one of the last things you can do if your serious about the Army. My recommendation is don’t bother. Go work at Starbucks and work out your business plan.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2018 9:46 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 26 Mar 2018 21:46:55 -0400

I made the switch to the Army Reserves and have no complaints. Don't really over think it to much the Army is still the military and most of what you know holds true. The Army has some great NCO's find some in your unit and learn all you can.

Read over AR 670-1 and go check out some youtube videos of army PRT. Practice the sit ups they are harder then you think. You can check out some Army DNC videos as well. The Army does things a little different then you will be used to.

Good luck on your studies, completing your degree will give you a jump on higher Enlisted promotions, and will open doors for you as well for Warrant Officer and Officer positions as well.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2018 7:24 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 07:24:52 -0400

SFC Hasbun hit it right on point!! Your Army Regulations will definitely help with your transition. As far as careers, I’m a 42A and I LOVE my job!! It is very rewarding and offers a lot of opportunities to receive additional training throughout your career as well as awesome assignments. It’s very easy to network in the 42A arena because with work with all MOSs. As far as promotions, there is still a required time in service to meet when you come in. Although you’re prior service, there is still a time in grade requirement you have to meet. I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors and keep it touch if you ever have questions.

Response by Sgt Adrian Jones made Mar 27 at 2018 8:01 AM

Sgt Adrian Jones — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 08:01:14 -0400

I am also making the switch from the Marine Corps to the NG, I was going to go the WO route but have sinnce decided to go to OCS.

Response by Sgt Adrian Jones made Mar 27 at 2018 8:13 AM

Sgt Adrian Jones — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 08:13:53 -0400

Additionally the NG is offering a bonus of 50k paying into college for OCS which is a huge bonus for me...

Response by SFC Robert Walton made Mar 27 at 2018 8:50 AM

SFC Robert Walton — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 08:50:09 -0400

Prepare to slow down (so to speak). I have worked with the Marines during my time in and most of the time they seem to be to perfect, that being said never loose what you learned in the Marines use it to your best advantage. You have already learned basic Soldiering skills so now you have to learn how to use them to your advantage. PT is going to be one of the big Little things Exercise are different but produce the same results, Put on your learning head gear everyone you meet is someone to learn from. Now watch those Junior Soldiers that want to help to much most have different idea's of what works the best. Stick with your Staff NCO's and never be afraid to ask a question. Marines Find the Army a little lax, I guess is what I am trying to say so use your High speed low Drag energy and learning traits to enhance your Career. Give yourself plenty of time to learn before worrying about Promotion. Never discard what you learned in the Marines just put it in a different folder so you can pull it out for use later. Good Luck and welcome to the Army.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2018 12:45 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 12:45:51 -0400

The following are some cultural faux pas I've observed committed by former Marines who joined the Army:
1. The statement "Well, in the Corps we did it like this ..."
~ You are more than welcome to continue doing it that way in the Corps or submit through channels a request to change SOP, policy, regulation, etc. This is like telling your current spouse/girlfriend how much better your ex-spouse/girlfriend in the sack. Yes, I agree the USMC's shooting regimen and PT and definitely, uniforms are so much better than the Army's but, don't tell your current spouse/girlfriend how great your ex kept herself in such great shape.

2. The statement "The Corps is so much better than the Army because ..."
~ Along similar vein as above but this is an overarching sentiment stating how your ex-spouse/girlfriend is better overall than your current spouse/girlfriend.

3. Understand the Army has four titles for NCOs:
~~ Corporal - Self-explanatory.
~~ Sergeants - Refer to all sergeants, staff sergeants, sergeants first class and master sergeants as "Sergeant". Also, when you get promoted to SSG, SFC or MSG, don't get tweaked out because someone called you Sergeant.
~~ First Sergeant - Self-explanatory.
~~ Sergeant Major - Refer to Sergeants Major and Command Sergeants Major as "Sergeant Major"

4. We capitalize all our abbreviations for our ranks and keep it to three characters:
PV1 ... SPC/CPL ... SFC
PV2 ... SGT ... MSG/1SG
PFC ... SSG ... SGM/CSM/SMA

5. D&C -
~~ We have "Rear MARCH" not "To The Rear, MARCH"
~~ Left as in Left Face, has one syllable so try to limit the LEY-YEFTs .

6. Calling cadence. By far the most humorous to me is listening to a former Marine calling cadence in a gravelly muffled voice that many in formation did not understand. That said, God bless him for trying.

You will always be a Marine but as the saying goes, "When in Rome do as the Romans"

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2018 1:21 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 13:21:34 -0400

I was an enlisted Marine (3381) prior to commissioning in the army. There are pros and cons to each branch. I'll list a few but feel free to message me if you have specific questions.

Army Pros: Better equipment and better facilities leads to better training. The Army has more opportunities to go to schools and tryout for things like SF if you were so inclined. More Army bases means you can be stationed anywhere in the country or the world. Whereas with the Marines you're basically limited to east coast, west coast, and Okinawa (with a few other exceptions).

Army cons: Once you get outside of the Infantry (and probably Combat Arms in general) in the Army, esprit de corps and discipline take a plunge downward as compared to the Marines. As you know, in the Marines everyone is held to the same high standard. The Army is not that way. People can argue that but I've been on both sides and that's just the way it is. That's not to say that the soldiers in those areas aren't great at what they do, you will just notice a lack of intensity that's found in the Corps. Soldiers in the Army, while proud, will not have the same level of pride as Marines. I just came from an Army school and at the graduation, not everyone knew all the words to the Army song. This would NEVER happen in the Marines. And if it did, that guy better watch out.

Overall though, I've enjoyed my time in the Army more than the Marines. Maybe it's personality or something else. I've just found that it fit me better.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Mar 27 at 2018 1:25 PM

CSM Richard StCyr — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 13:25:56 -0400

Avoid using the phrase " In the Marines we did it this way" Other than that thanks for serving.

Response by SGT Jake Miller made Mar 27 at 2018 3:16 PM

SGT Jake Miller — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 15:16:04 -0400

In my experience with this is they think there going to be leadership right away. Army regulations are different so start reading

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2018 6:45 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 Nov 2018 06:45:21 -0500

Oorah Brother! I'm prior service Marine as well. I have 2 years in the Army so far. I got out Honorably and joined the Army 7 years later. Being prior service I was told I wouldn't have choices like when I first joined the Marines. I was only given one option and it was a take it or leave it, because I was prior service. I kept my Cpl rank when I joined. I ended up joining the Army Reserves, because at that time only prior service Special Ops or prior service with a GT score of 110 or more could go active duty. They told me there was no waiver for my GT score of 107... like I said, it was take it or leave it... I signed and took my oath on a Saturday and then on Monday I reported to my new unit. Yes, on the Momday of that same weekend... It took my unit about 4 to 5 months to get my service uniforms. I've been in for 2 years and I still have yet to get my dress uniform... I was sent to my mos school, but instead of it being 13 weeks like a new Soldier, it was a 4 weeks crash course with an exam every week. It took me a year and a half to get promoted to Sgt. You're going to have to complete SSD1 (online modules) and complete Basic Leadership Course (BLC) before you can get promoted to SGT. A lot of the Marine Corps things wont transfer over, except for your medals. I can't wear a deployment patch on my uniform, because I want deployed while in the Army. Even though a did a tour to Iraq in the Marines. (And yes, I looked up the regulations). I am now awaiting Active Guard Reserve orders. (It's like active duty, but better). My original intention was to go Active, but my recruiter failed to mention the requirements for prior service trying to go active (ie. prior service special ops or GT score of 110 or higher)... The Army, from what I have experienced in the past 2 years, is way more laxed, than the Corps. There are times, when I get sick to my stomach because of the level of laxed discipline I've seen.. And unlike the Corps., Soldiers will get their feelings hurt when you yell at them, lmao. There are very few that have thick skin. The only one that understands the way I think, is a brother who was prior Army Infantry, before he changed MOS and joined my Army Reserves unit. Besides that, I wasn't sent to refresher course to learn about the Army Ways, like my recruiter said I would. I've had to learn by reading regulations and asking questions and going to BLC. There are still many things I dont kmow. As a Marine hold on to that pride that was instilled into us. But keep an open mind and keep yourself calm. Listen and learn. Marines always adapt and overcome. So you will do fine. PLEASE, dont start stuffing your cover into your trouser pockets! (You'll see...lmao..) It's going to difinetley be different, but you're already one step ahead, compared to those Soldiers that have been in 4 years or less. There are many things Soldiers dont learn that all Marines are expected to know. Just don't get carried away. Continue to learn and be more patient than you are as a Marine. Learn the Army ways and don't get too lax. You'll do just fine. Good luck!!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2018 6:47 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 Nov 2018 06:47:46 -0500

I forgot to mention, work on the Army PFT. My weakness was the sit-ups. But I overcame that. Unless you're a PT stud, then you'll be good, lol

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2019 11:37 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Feb 2019 11:37:53 -0500

Try to go easy on the yuut-rah-kill talk from your time in the Corps. One thing I've noticed about prior Marines coming into the Army, is a lot of them won't STHU about their USMC days, therefore alienating themselves from their fellow soldiers. By all means, brother. Be proud of your service. But just remember. You're playing for a different team. And finally...WELCOME.

Response by LTC Ray B. (Ret) made Oct 22 at 2019 5:14 PM

LTC Ray B. (Ret) — Tue, 22 Oct 2019 17:14:41 -0400

Minimize the “In the Marines we did it this way.”

Response by CPL Joseph Elinger made Mar 1 at 2020 9:17 PM

CPL Joseph Elinger — Sun, 01 Mar 2020 21:17:58 -0500

Hey!
Hard to believe (these days) but NOT everyone gets deployed.
The (1) Overseas Duties, & (2) USMC will be enough of a plus.
Sounds like you'll PROBABLY breeze through The PT. USMC Boot Camp also does much more Drill n Ceremonies than Army BCT. Whatever you "forgot" if anything, you'll catch on very quickly.
My Betie was Marine Artillery then Army Infantry. He says it was a breeze.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2020 2:53 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 02:53:28 -0500

Easy transition between the two branches, same rank structure and it's like transferring to a new unit or job.