Posted on Sep 25, 2016
PFC(P) 911 Disptacher
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Posted in these groups: 3916126932 armedforces xlarge BranchImages Military CareerMain benefits 1335181026 Benefits
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SP5 Joel O'Brien
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With no way to justify what I'm about to say, I'm glad the Army allowed me to do something I actually wanted to do rather than drive a desk or something else of that ilk. From what I heard, and this is going back more than a few years, some jobs in the Air Force were only available after you excelled at something else and then cross-trained. What I did in the Army was not, I believe, available to members of the Coast Guard. I had little interaction with the Marines and Navy so I cannot comment on them. So, it's tough to say what the bennies of each branch are because it appears you make those benefits attainable by your actions.
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Lt Col Jim Coe
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I served at joint and unified commands for 6 years and then worked as a contractor at a unified command for over 10 years. Here's my observation on the 5 branches of the Armed Forces:
Army teaches NCOs and officers how to be leaders first and managers second. Discipline and reverence for Army history are important. The officers I worked with were hard working, honest, and smart. Good bosses and great customers.
Navy officers I worked with were very straightforward and unafraid to express their opinions. They missed working in their specialty and often regarded higher headquarters duty as an inconvenient necessity. They understood the dignity and necessity of standing the watch. Submariners are a bit geeky.
Marine officers I worked with were clearly dedicated and loyal to the Corps. More disciplined and tradition bound than the Army. Solid leaders, but sometimes a little weak on management skills. They always got the mission accomplished. Expert at overcoming obstacles. (In civilian life, I hired a Marine every time I got a chance because I knew they would get the job done.)
Air Force NCOs and officers were trained to be managers and leaders (in that order). They were comfortable with technology. Excellent briefers. Worked hard and smart. Normally honest and dedicated. Generally personable and friendly.
Coast Guard officers I worked with were a blend of Navy and Air Force characteristics. They had a bit of a civilian edge to their behaviors because at the time they were part of the Department of Transportation (later moved to Homeland Security). They took their work seriously, listened well; comfortable with technology.

At the lower enlisted grades, my limited observation says the Air Force and Coast Guard members have the least harsh life styles. Junior enlisted in all services work hard and experience a certain amount of "suck." The Air Force is technology intensive, so many of their enlisted are trained as technicians and work in a relatively clean environment compared to an Army or Marine grunt (said with great respect for the grunts). Of course, most Air Force combat forces are officers, which is very different form the other Services. (Same for the Army's air force and the Navy's air force.) The Coast Guard missions include search and rescue and law enforcement. Lots of danger there, but the work atmosphere is greatly influenced by the Coast Guard being part of a non-military Department. In some respects the Coasties are pretty civilianized.
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find the one with the job you really want to do. otherwise, the pay is the same except for specialty pay...
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What are the benefits of each military branch?
Sgt Field Radio Operator
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PFC(P) (Join to see) Great question! The web page below provides comparison information on the different branches. I have worked with men and women from all branches during my time in the military or civilian career. These men and women were a cut above everyone else because of the following traits: loyalty, discipline, integrity, team work, and the ability to adapt to what ever the situation calls for. These traits and others will help you the rest of your life.

Review this web page, and then go to the web site for each of the 5 branches to obtain more information on the jobs, duties, training, etc.

If you find that you want more information about the Marine Corps, I will be glad to provide that to you.

http://www.military.com/join-armed-forces/military-service-branches-compared.html
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Sgt Assistant Data Chief
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There are no benefits. Only anger and despair. There may be light at the end of the tunnel for Air Force people but that's mostly it. Of course I'm only referring to the 4 branches. Zero clue what the Coast Guard is like. Maybe the reserves are ok too but idk.
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SSgt David Tedrow
SSgt David Tedrow
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Sounds like someone is not having a good experience.
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Sgt Assistant Data Chief
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SSgt Tedrow, you would mostly be right. As I have yet to do what I originally joined to do, deploy to a combat zone, I've found everything garrison to be ridiculous and worthless in my opinion. I love when our 1stSgt or SgtMaj talks to us about being "war fighters" and yet none of us are even afforded the chance to go fight in a war. The only thing I've found to be worthwhile in the Marine Corps is the people. Marines are awesome and they may just be enough to persuade me to reenlist. Of course I don't care for most higher ups because they like to be dickheads. I wonder if that's something they put on their fitrep. "Was a dickhead to 4 Marines today for the most arbitrary reasons. I look forward to being a 1stSgt one day".

But yea not enjoying it so much but my fellow Marines, SSgt and below that I speak to and work with on the daily, could be enough to convince me. I'll just have to wait and see
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Sgt Field Radio Operator
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Sgt (Join to see) - I understand what you are saying. Thank your lucky stars if you are not deployed to a combat zone. The aftereffects of combat will stay with you the rest of your life. You are changed forever, and not all these changes are good.
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Sgt Assistant Data Chief
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Gunny Anderson, I never made the mistake of assuming data to be a combat MOS but I did make the mistake of thinking I would see combat. My SSgt on up are all data and they have seen combat simply due to the need for greater numbers on the ground. I was expecting that trend to continue but it didn't. I can't lat move to a combat MOS because they are usually full and my MOS is considered critical so I could only lat move to another critical MOS. Also I would have no MOS credibility if I lat move and being a Sgt in a combat MOS, I should have a lot of experience and credibility.
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SGT Aaron Atwood
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Air Force: you look your age upon retirement (compares to Marines anyway).
Army: getting the latest and greatest in tech and gear.
Navy: like swimming? We'll pay you to do so.
Marine Corps: camaraderie, arguably awesome-looking dress blues, esprit de corps.
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PFC(P) 911 Disptacher
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We are all united as brothers and sisters
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PFC Lead Officer (Sergeant)
PFC (Join to see)
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Cpl Aaron Atwood, what are these latest and greatest in tech and gear you speak of? When I was in (mid 1990's) we were still issued some pretty outdated equipment.
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SN Greg Wright
SN Greg Wright
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Pretty sure both AF and Navy get tech stuff faster than Army. Also, the only people in the Navy that swim on a regular basis are rescue swimmers and SEALs/Divers/EOD. Probably less than 1% of the Navy.
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1SG James Lampe
1SG James Lampe
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PFC (Join to see) - Roger that. I don't know how things are today, of course, but when I reported to my first duty station in Germany in '92, and we were issued Mickey Mouse boots (which we were never authorized to wear) and the closest we came to cold weather boots was wearing wet weather over boots over our regular black leather boots. That's just one example.
I think the best group to answer your question are those serving today and recent Veterans of each branch.
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ENS Naval Officer   Ip Student
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Well, have you ever wondered what it's like to live in a giant grey dumpster for 9 months at a time? If so, the Navy is for you! ;)
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SFC J Fullerton
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Edited >1 y ago
By the looks of your picture, I would assume you recently swore in at MEPS and are currently in the DEP waiting to ship. A little late to be asking this question as you already made a decision and committment. The basic benefits are the same for each branch. What is different are enlistment programs, options, and incentives. If you are unsure of these for the branch you enlisted for, ask your recruiter. As far as for the other branches, it is irrelevant now.
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PFC(P) 911 Disptacher
PFC(P) (Join to see)
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No, I asked this question for my friend who is currently thinking about joining the military. Now if you have known it would be wise as a newbie as my self to ask this question. 1. Because I am new I don't really know anything much about the military personally. 2. Everyone on here is experienced and knows pretty much everything about the military. So seeing that I asked this question to seek advice from experienced people is a smart question. But thank you for response anyways.
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SFC J Fullerton
SFC J Fullerton
>1 y
PFC(P) (Join to see) - It is great that you are helping out a friend. As someone who has been through the enlistment process and worked with recruiters, I am sure you can help your friend in a lot of ways. Another way to do that is leverage technology and research the various resources available for information on each branch. Military.com is a start, but to get up to date information, see the services websites. You can help your friend explore his or her interests as they compare with branches, and basic qualifications. This will help your friend to get a good general overview, but he or she will need to visit a recruiter to get the full picture of what they can do. They should talk to recruiters from all the branches they are interested in, then decide which is the best fit. Best advice I can give. Good Luck.
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SFC Pete Kain
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Benefits are all the same. Now if you mean job satisfaction....That depends on you and want you want.
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