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

In my humble opinion there is one question you must ask yourself; When you retire what rank do you hope to be? In other words do you want to retire as a senior NCO or a mid-grade officer (MAJ or LTC) or do you want to stay in the USMC where perhaps you have a comfort zone. Also the Army has more units and thus more "slots" for both regular and "special" schools. Many years ago the Navy Reserve up on Portland, ME was giving me half-hearted answers about the potential for a career if I transferred in. At the time I was a 2LT with 3 years enlisted time and just under 2 as an officer. I promptly found a USAR unit and never looked back. That enlisted time included 12 months in Vietnam. Fast forward to 2006. I retired from the Army as an LTC and a veteran of 2 other conflicts, Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. I had a unique career that also included 6 years in a USAR MOBDES slot at PACOM in Honolulu. I also was willing (and able...but that's another story) to take off from my civilian career and aggressively advance my USAR career. I went to as many active duty "schools" as possible and stayed tuned in with the career advisory system that existed at the time no matter if I was MODES or a drilling reservist.

from my perspective there was much more camaraderie and tradition in the Marine Corps but can also be limiting career wise. I found the Army let’s you have a little more control over your career for better or worse. Things revolve much more around the unit than the “fleet”. There is a difference in standards but it also allows you to stand out more. And if this makes any sense, I’ve found the army less of a “brotherhood” but I have a lot more brothers, and sisters too.

As a Army, Coast Guard, Marine Reserve, Coast Guard retiree do whatever it takes to find your place.

i love the Marines , i hope they never do that.. Semper Fi

You will find it easier to get promoted in the Army. It has much more turnover than the Marine Corps and is far larger. If you are married there are more assignments where you can take your family or at least there used to be. I had a friend in Germany who got out of the Corps because he was stuck at E-5. He stayed out for a long time but joined the Army when he found out he could take his family to Germany. He quickly made E-6. This was in a field artillery target acquisition battery which was competent but where the morale wasn't very good and the discipline was spotty. Esprit de corps was almost non-existent. All this frustrated him quite a bit because he was used to the high discipline, morale and esprit de corps of the Marines. It might be better for you to go to airborne school right away. That way you would get a follow up assignment to a more elite unit where the standards are more like the Marine Corps.

There are pros and cons to both and many opinions based on personal experience.
The Marines are a great service and have much to be proud of. They play a major role
in combat operations.
However, for personal growth, promotions and development the Army has more to offer.
They have more schools, more and better equipment, push education at all levels, very good
specialized training and generally faster promotion rates. Also easier to transfer or change
your MOS. Because the Army is a much larger force there are more career opportunities.

Hello, Soldier, I watched the Marines march at Redstone Arsenal and I watched the Army march I have to admit The Marines were impressive more precision.

go army for an extra hour of sleep

My dad was a Master Sargent, then became Warrant Officer (WO5) in the Corps and wanted into the Limited Duty Officer Program. He had to go before and pass a board of NCO's and officers to get into the program. Another "Gunny" on the board asked him why in the world, as a Warrant Officer, he would want to get into the LDO program. My dad answered, "I can't make Commandant from here." He passed. After 33 years in the Corps and having served in WWII, Korea and in Vietnam he retired a Captain. I still have his swagger stick.

Putting aside esprit de corps, each service drums into you, you have to do what is best for you. My experience as a draftee was far different from someone who actually volunteers. Honestly, I could not wait to get out of the Army. At some point you will retire. We all have a shelf life in or out of service. You will need skills for a civilian life if you plan to keep on working.

What do you want in 15 or 25 years??? It does not always work out as planned or wished for. My advice is, grab opportunity as it presents it self. The "opportunity" may not be what you want at that time. However, it could be the best chance in the long run, i.e., at the finish line.