What are the Pros and cons of switching from the Marine Corps to the Army?

Let me first say that my service was back in the 50's to mid 70's so my experience might not be typical now. I was discharged from the Marines as SGT E5. Almost a year later I decided to go back active duty (I had joined a USMCR unit) but the Corps wanted me to go back to E3. I enlisted in the Army as E4 and immediately was stationed in the Canal Zone. My Marine Corps background was the primary reason I was able to advance to E7 before accepting appointment as Warrant Officer only 39 months after joining the Army. This was during the Vietnam war so things were different back then but the Army offered me more opportunity.

Pro's - you keep your insurance, rank system is similar to an extent, PT test is less demanding that the Marines, if you're an 03 series, you can keep it simple in the 11B/11C/11A/18X series or even 19D. You have one combat uniform and one dress uniform and a simple PT uniform (there is no summer or winter regulation, only the commander can deem that), you can pick a MOS and have a high chance of getting it.

Con - your Marine Corp dress blues are actually damn good looking vs the army dress blues. I still love the dress greens though! As a Marine, you'll see the army isn't like the Marines as far as how we do things and carry ourselves. We do it with pride and honor but you Marines set the bar. Combat training isn't close to Marines. That's about all i can think of knowing plenty of Marines who went Army then decided to go back to the Marines.

You'll make the best decision for yourself, Devil Dog.

As an 11B myself, I'd be honored serving with a Marine.

For me it was USAF, USA, then USN and I was an FMF Marine Corps regs Corpsman. I learned that we have two military teams in the US: the AF/Army team and the Navy/Marine Corps team. The difference? In the Army Air Force team, if you can't find a regulation saying you can then it's against regulations. In The Corps Navy team, if you can't find a regulation saying you can't then by regulation you can.

It is an individual issue that only you can answer. Where do you feel you can best serve and where do you feel enabled to do your best and feel satisfied and fulfilled. You might visit with a chaplain or a counselor or one who has done what you are considering to do. If married, definitely discuss with your spouse. CPT Wayne Price

I've heard and read of a few Marines In the past 50 years, such as Oliver North, that seem to think their war in Vietnam was, in some way or another, more difficult or dangerous, implying their sacrifice was greater. As if being killed by a NVA troop was in someway more painful than being killed by a VC. Marines are like Jesuits....they’re not happy unless they’re miserable. Their bitch that their equipment is inferior, their uniforms superb, as is their espirit des corps. I was raised by a Captain, USMC, Okinawa. When it became obvious I was to serve, I was the only one of about 6 who showed up at the USMC recruiting office in 1967. My father said, “ They’ll make you cannon fodder!” My favorite scene in Bridge on the River Kwai Is when William Holden is pressured into returning to the POW camp from which he’s just escaped . Always the reluctant hero, he lambasts Major Jack Hawkins for his love of war and killing more so than his love of living! Duty, honor, country, where less than 2% serve, the mission is unclear and endless, and the appreciation is token is hardly inspirational.

LAV/LAR is somewhat similar to Armor/Scouts in Army. MSG Tom Earley on here could give you the skinny. Considered a lateral move in Corps? You worked hard to be a Sgt, just sayin. Small Crafts even, UAVs, no end to challenges in the Corps. Keep your rank. Depends on needs of the Corps and your GT.

Well my input is very limited.. but it also depends on rank.. If you're a cpl or below.. that's were things get different.. in my old active duty army unit, we had a few transfers as cpl and that rank isn't considered as anything to the army.. Sgt or above you're gonna do awesome anything lower.. you're gonna spend a lot of time in the platoon acts office getting chewed on for being a dick lol

Chase the dream brother - I have a close personal friend who went from Navy Seal to Army SF. With the right attitude and experience - you can do anything you set your mind to.

uh... let me think over that. Oh yeah, it would be embarrassment and shame...... :) Good luck to you soldier.

I understand how you feel.
I have many friends he went from the USMC to Army Reserves because USMCR is so much harder to get to. America is a big place, and there are 50 smaller "big places" within it. Many Marine Reservists drive hundreds of miles to get to drill once a month.
It is a costly burden.
When reserve units are activated, many are offered to go regular Army.
In the same, I have seen prior service Army go to Marines and USMCR because they lived near a USMC reserve station.

The Marine Corps is the smallest of our Armed Forces, and because of that there are less entry level and career development opportunities.
Almost anyone who served as a Marine knows this first hand.
Prior Army join the Marines out of romantic notions and family traditions as many Marine recruits do.

Prior Army may witness the USMC "esprit de corps" and like the uniforms, just as our young recruits do. The Marines show amazing proficiency, and that proficiency impresses the Veteran Army Enlisted and Officers alike. The downside is the lack of opportunity and choices.
The Marine training and work conditions can be brutal. A lack of good working equipment and supplies makes it that much worse.

The Army has better equipment and more opportunities for all members, not just the "Creme Dela Creme".