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

I left the Corps because I wanted to join Special Forces. I loved the Corps but rank in the Army was certainly a lot faster.

Well it was 58 years ago but I did it and it worked out. E-4 Corporal stuck in an MOS I didn't want (Hawk radar tech), had completed a Vietnam tour and waiting at Quantico to get out and a reenlistment NCO gave me the talk and offered me the world to reenlist but was honest enough to tell me that within a year I'd be back being a radar tech as the USMC had invested too much in my schooling. I Got out and soon after went to Warrant Officer flight school in the Army, eventually taking a commission, finished a degree and retired as an LTC............of course it did require a couple more years in Vietnam flying Dustoff helicopters but i also got that degree in Occupational Therapy which I did once I retired from the Army....................You just never know what decisions or indecisions will bring.......................still miss all that have been mentioned about the Corps.........Semper fi........Pete L.

I've talked to a lot of people who switched from other branches to the Air Force, so it's not exactly the same, but the reasons were almost always the same. Most made the switch after they married and they said they did it because the USAF took better care of families. The time away from their families weren't as often or as long, and the jobs were better and more easily carried over into civilian life after seperation or retirement.
We had a former Marine who was an instructor for combat arms. I would go out to qualify every year and barely make it. He showed me every thing I was doing wrong and that time I was one shot short of expert. And as he said: "Once a Marine, always a Marine." But we all need each other when it comes time to do the job.

Rifle and PT qualification is ALOT easier

This is an old post, but I'll add my experience. I spent 6 years in the Marines as a CH-53D crew chief. This was mid- to late-80's and when reenlistment time came, the cutting score was so high that if I reenlisted, there was a good chance that I wouldn't see promotion. So, I made the difficult decision to get out. When I got out, I had some success in the civilian world but I really missed the camaraderie that only exists in the Armed Forces. So, I joined the Army and never regretted one minute of it. I started in Signals Intelligence and learned some very interesting skills. When I reenlisted, I became a Cav Scout where I excelled and found the job of a lifetime. I was lucky to join a tight knit group and fit right in and found a home. I truly enjoyed my time in the Army and was able to do things a lot of people would never have the opportunity to do.

Don't get me wrong, I love the Marine Corps and always will. There, I learned discipline, self-confidence and leadership. I was able to transfer these skills to the Army and made me the Soldier I was. As I said, I don't regret one second of the time I spent in the Army. I made some very close friends, I learned new skills and I was able to mentor some kickass Soldiers who went on to accomplish some badass shit.

I don't know if I would call it a disadvantage, but there was a learning curve joining the Army, but it wasn't anything too difficult. I did put up with some ball busting, but that comes with the territory. The lingo is a little different but infantry skills are the same. After wearing Marine dress blues, I had a very difficult time wearing Army dress blues, but after a mentor I had who was an LTC explained that it's not an insult but a testament to what I've become, I was able to change how I thought about wearing Army blues. I'm proud to also be able to claim the title Soldier and it's something that I will hold close to my heart until the day I die.

For those reading this who are considering the transition from blue to green, I would suggest seeking out a career Soldier and talk to them about your concerns and ask as many questions as you can. For me, making the transition from the Marines to the Army was not only rewarding, but it was a privilege as well. I hope my ramblings have helped and I wish you all the best in whatever you do decide with your military career.

Going from Green to Green was pretty easy and I didn't give my respect to the Army...they earned it. When I was in the Corps and you screwed up, you didn't screw up...the TEAM did. It's quite a bit different in the Army, you are a professional and expected to learn from your individual mistakes and learn by them. Opportunities for schools are far above what the Corps would give (unless you were a 300 p.f.t'er). It is also easy to find someone else who came from the Corps and share similar experiences...they both have their advantages but the Army is just a lot larger and has a lot more opportunities.

More opportunity to get promoted quicker

Bigger outfit, more training and advancement opportunities, less reindeer games.

I knew an outstanding Corporal who could not get the promotion. The Marine kept canceling his training, so he left, went to the next training station, got the promotion. Ended up CSM of the Army. His Marine Corps battles took ten years to get SSG

Quickest way to make the next tank