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

If you love the Marine Corps stay in the Corps. WaynePrice

I was enlisted in the Marine Corps (0311/0341) and would have pursued my Officer career with them, but I was told I was too old. The Army gave me the opportunity both as enlisted and officer (11B,11C, 11M, 25A, and 38A) I am now a MAJ(P). Opportunities wise, the Army offers so much more you can't really compare. All Special Ops SF, CA, PSYOP, IO, and Ranger) are open to anyone who qualifies and is willing to go through selection. Depending on your uint, you will have to go to Airborne School, learn another language, and have the opportunity to be stationed overseas. And like CPT Everett stated the Sprit de Corps, Dress Blues, and Standards are highest in the Marines unless you come to the 82nd Airborne, 75th Rangers, and 101st Airborne. Outside those units and Combat Arms, it is unfortunate to say, but the standard becomes subjective.
CONS: Deployments are longer, a lot longer and we deploy often. Customs and courtesies are not as strictly enforced as in the Corps.
In all, this is your decision and you have to evaluate it in terms of what is best for you, your career and your family. I am happy with my decision and love every opportunity the Army has given me. The Marine Corps will always hold a special place in my heart, but the Army has given me the life and opportunities to better my self and my family. Good luck to you, Semper Fi! MAJ (P) Nunez

I went from AF to Army. I had good and bad experiences with both. AF generally more family friendly, but that was forty years ago.

I was a CH-53E Airframe Mechanic for the Screw Crew on the West Coast.

I got out and regretted it a little, wanted to go MARSOC/RECON route but I had friends that were Air Crew and significantly more qualified ground pounders than me get dropped so that dampened the idea. Couldn’t see myself as a careerist in my MOS. I would say I “peered” myself out long before anyone else did.

Got out and lived in a van for almost 2 years, met my wife got married and wanted to re-enlist. Marines said 9 months Army said 9 days, I got a few Letters of Recommendation to keep Sergeant and joined the Army with the pitiful MOS of 19D.

Ended up in a pretty cool atmosphere however, RECON Platoon in an Infantry Battalion in Fairbanks, Alaska. Squad Leader was a 1BAT Marine with 8 years (now) in the Army.

I’m now a SSG with a few schools under my belt and heading to Ft. Lewis. I have definitely been (given) more valuable schools in the Army.

Whatever your desire is , loving military life is not for all people . And no matter what branch you chose there has to be a commitment giving yourself to being the very best .

my son was a sgt in the marines from 2002 to 2010 he got out and in 2018 he went into the army but instead of him going back to 0621 they wanted to make him MTO. But the last week of boot camp he hurt his right shoulder. during an MRI he found out it was cause of carrying the radio etc. he a given an honorable. I asked where is you army stuff. he goes what I did not give to good will the rest is trash. he goes dad I am marine like you are a sailor.

I can only suggest that if you get out of the military and become an IT technician you can apply to work with Special Operations who hire IT guys to join them on missions just-food for thought.

I always thought that the size of the duffle bag Marines lug around has to be 5 or 6 times as big as the duffle bag Army Soldiers lug around simply because Marines have to haul around 20 or 30 more different uniforms and uniform variations than Army Soldiers do. It blew my mind when I served with Marines. Every day they came to work in a different uniform! Blue ones, green ones, blue and green ones, kakai and blue ones, all kakai ones. And on and on it went. So join the Army, Marine! Ditch the “What do I wear to work today” blues you Marines have every day you spend in the Corps. In the Army we know what we wear to work every day when we get out of bed. We proudly don the same uniform we wore to work yesterday, and the day before that, and the day before that, and the day............

Just my opinion here: if you aren't happy and fulfilled in the job you currently occupy in the Marine Corps, it may very well be time for you to go. If leaving means doing something better in another branch of service, GO FOR IT! You've done something a number of people would never dare; you became a Marine! And NO ONE can ever take that away from you! If you cross over, though, be prepared to be flexible and have thick skin. Best of luck, amigo.

I have not switched, but the Army was great for me