What are some considerations I should keep in mind when deciding between joining the Marine Corps or the Air Force?

With regard to STEM and Intelligence, each branch of service has variations along this theme...some more so than others. I can tell you that within the USAF you will work in your AFSC, training is excellent and post military job opportunities are bountiful. Based on what sounds like your ultimate job occupation goal, its a no-brainer...go Air Force.

I've served in 3 different branches of service from the war fighting side to medicine, and camaraderie and culture is very different from branch to branch; and even within the same branch of service. I have life long buddies from all 3 branches of service; reunions and simple visits when we drop by each others home. I say all this to say, don't let your career decisions be based on hanging out after work considerations as those opportunities and life long friends is what you make of it. I might be a bit like yourself, intrigued by what each branch of service has to offer. I explored many a career and made some changes along the way but making sure I wasn't making a career killer decision; thus serving in 3 different branches of service and going from 17-years enlisted to 20-years commissioned service. I had a blast all 37-years!

One last bit of advice for what its worth. I've been a recruiter twice in my career, bot enlisted and commissioned. Be very careful what recruiters tell you and at the end of the day, they are not necessarily your friend or looking out for your best interest. I had a great enlisted mentor who simply said...be honest. He said, take your applicants to each branch of service and let that recruiter sell them on their programs....I never had an applicant join another branch by doing this. I was the number 1 recruiter in Texas and top 4% in the nation...all by being honest and letting the applicant make the best decision for themselves. It really comes down to what your heart and gut tells you

I wish you well in your decision.

The Marine Corps is all about a brotherhood that lasts forever. Even though I do not know my fellow Marine Christopher Murphy, he is and will always be my brother as will all other Marines. As a recruiter I would tell people like yourself, we are looking for warriors. Men and women who wish to fight and earn the title of Marine, for life.

Join the Army. We have bigger, better, broader assignments for Intelligence than all the other branches combined. Plus, our MI support the most Special Operations assignments and locations where as an MI analyst you are providing real world intelligence that is being used immediately by operators on the ground.

If you choose any branch for MI do not choose the USMC. They are great at a lot of things, but the Navy provides most of their support and as a result of that, they don't do well at talent management and broadening assignments for support MOS's.