Posted on Oct 26, 2016
What is it like to switch branches from Marines to other branches, specifically USAF?
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I have recruiters calling and asking me for my interest in their branch. I don't have experience in any branch besides the Marines. A little bit of information regarding the culture and customs of each branch would be extremely helpful. I'm interested in the USAF because they are well funded, have better mess facilities, have ample job opportunities and other perks.
Edited 7 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 60
I didn't know you could switch from the marines to the air force. I went from thje marines to the army and it was a culture shock for me; however being a former marine set me up for success. The army lacks the discipline that the corps has. Now people don't get upset i didn't say the army didn't have it, its just that in the marine corps a higher level of discipline is expected. Over all i had a great time in both branches.
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The Marines are the toughest branch overall, however, Navy Seals, SF, Rangers, USAF PJ, etc. are also known for the legendary tough training and deployments. However every job is needed to keep our defenses strong, ie cyber-warfare, intelligence, medical, logistics adimin, finance, culinary, etc. We need them all to keep our nation strong. As an Army Medical Service Corps officer, who never got the chance to deploy and as a person who never served in the infantry, SF, USMC, I salute all my brothers and sisters who wear any uniform any rank or branch, but I give an extra salute who did do those tough jobs and hardship tours, These are the finest people in the world.
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Six years in the Marines 66-72, two tours 0321. Got out in 72 as an E6, into National Guard SF in 79, missed the military, was fun for a while. Changed units everytime I got promoted. All in all a good experience for 28 total years.
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do what ever you wanna do Devil. You earned that. NOW MAKE UP YOUR MIND
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TSgt Earl Needham you’re generalizing. There are a lot of expeditionary Airmen, I was with the 3D Combat Communications Goup for 17 years of my career. We built bare bases and established comm all over the globe and duty hours were always until the job was done. I believe you did see Airmen ready to walk out at end of shift, but in my experience most stay until the mission is accomplished. I’ve deployed with all branches and can assure you nobody misses chow or stays late because of the uniform they have on. All Airmen aren’t watching the clock and all Marines aren’t standing duty around the clock. I appreciate your service Aim High and Semper Fi!
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I ran into an AF Security Policeman at a checkpoint during Desert Shield. The SPs were wearing brassards like Army MPs and this one was wearing a Ranger Tab. I asked if had gone to Ranger School in the AF and he told me that he had been a Soldier in the Ranger Regiment. I asked why he left the Army. Answer was “life is better in the Air Force!”
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Cpl Glynis Sakowicz
That's what most of us thought in the Corps, sir. We'd just make it thru the line for late chow, choke down a burger, only to hear from the air crew that I'd just picked up to take to their base while their aircraft was at Cherry Point, how they were looking forward to having steaks for Mid-Rat... As a native Texan, sir, the idea of steaks at any time made my mind do a back step, and for a moment... just a tiny moment, I'd wonder about jumping services.
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I’ve never switched branches, however I have almost 8 years in USAF as an enlisted aviator on a recon platform that is heavily integrated with intel. I can say that our plane and the corresponding ground intel parties are state of the art. The plane itself being fully updated every 2-3 years with the capability to update on the spot with certain systems, and our ground brothers matching. Bring in the recon/intel community in the Air Force is quite rewarding and exhilarating. As for customs and cultures. I would say it’s equally relaxed as it is professional. I’m enlisted and have many friends who are officers. At least speaking for the flying community. You are able to “hang out” with officers. Have casual conversations with them, and in the heat of the mission at hand, they have total trust in you as you with them. Reason being is that when you are in the Air with them, rank is out the window and all parties must have complete trust with each other based on their job and knowledge of such. They need to be able to trust your word as final along with you trusting their word. There’s a lot more I could say about the Air Force so just ask if you have any other questions
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PO3 Drew Ravani
quite similar to US Navy submarine service - except many of the officers are more reliant on the enlisted as they are quite befuddled by everything - except when you get to the senior officers - they usually have a heavy knowledge base of the boat.
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There is a reason people join the Air Force over USMC, and why people join the Air Guard over the AF etc...
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my esperience with changing from marines into army sucked. marines besides being more fun in the field they care alot more about theyre soldiers. i ended up in a signal unit where the chance to get any thing beyond demotion was about impossible. i earned two drivers merits never got them as well a good conduct never seen that either. the army for me was working my ass off and getting totally fucked over. the people who got promoted didnt deserve it and the ones getting screwed and demoted was good soldiers by a black pos female man hater who couldnt pass a tape test. did i mention she was racist against her own kind if you was a male your got screwed. and the command who cared less let it happen over and over again. f the army
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My dad was a Marine in Korea. He then switched to AF in 1958 or 59 and retired after 22 years AF and 4 USMC. He enjoyed his AF career, and growing up as an AF brat, I enjoyed being stationed in Turkey and Spain when I was a kid. But I also loved being a Marine and being stationed in Okinawa, Puerto Rico and Denmark. It may all depend upon your MOS and what you want or expect from a swap in service.
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I was Army and want to go back in but they won't take prior service to be Active unless your job is needed. And they won't give you a new job. I was considering Marines or AF but I have way too many tattoos so all that was left was either Navy or army reserves or guard. I was considering navy reserves but I'm having issues because of all the crap we talked about them. It just makes me uncomfortable and I would be embarrassed to admit to being in the navy.
I guess after all that rambling on, I would just do whatever is best for your career. It will be different, especially going from marines to the chair force
I guess after all that rambling on, I would just do whatever is best for your career. It will be different, especially going from marines to the chair force
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Cpl Glynis Sakowicz
Little sister, don't let the small crap hold you back... Go do what you want, and hang on for the ride!
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I would not get to hung up on the culture / customs of other branches. I made the switch from USMC to the Army Reserves and found it's not that much of a change. We are all in the military so most of the same holds true across all branches. The biggest change was coming from the Infantry to the Support Companies, as I re-classed into supply. If you get in with a good group NCOs and use what you learned as a Marine, in leading from the front, and getting the mission accomplished you will excel in any branch. I would keep your options open, but jump at best opportunities offered throughout your career and in life.
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Sgt (Join to see)
My time as an NCO will definitely help with my transition. What was your biggest challenge when changing branches, sir? I'm currently in avaiation so I'm guessing my move would be smoother.
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CW2 (Join to see)
The most challenging aspect was just learning the ins and outs of the Army way of Drill and Ceremony, the training tempo of my first unit and limited knowledge of my new MOS. But, within a few months with more knowledge gained, I was able to lead training both formal and informal. I also found ways to support the mission and make myself an important team member.
It looks like you are looking at staying active duty, so it should be a faster integration then just one weekend a month until school dates and training as it was for me. Also if you are staying in a similar MOS you will be bringing relevant skills and knowledge to the table from day one as well.
In my experience almost anyone is will to help out someone motivated to learn and excel. I reached out and still do to all sorts of people for help and guidance which made my transition fairly easy.
It looks like you are looking at staying active duty, so it should be a faster integration then just one weekend a month until school dates and training as it was for me. Also if you are staying in a similar MOS you will be bringing relevant skills and knowledge to the table from day one as well.
In my experience almost anyone is will to help out someone motivated to learn and excel. I reached out and still do to all sorts of people for help and guidance which made my transition fairly easy.
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Don't do it. You forgot how much it sucked. Hang out at your legion for a bit and you'll change your mind.
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Sgt (Join to see)
I enjoy what I do. I also feel that wearing a different uniform would be very different. I just have options at the moment and want to take advantage of them.
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Cpl Glynis Sakowicz
Sgt (Join to see) - Consider everything, make lists if you need to, but trust me, once you get to my age (Which is a lot more than I care to admit) you always second guess your decisions... Take advantage of things as they come... Learn it all, soak it all in, and thirty years from now, you'll be sitting back, thinking that it was one hell of a ride, and you're glad you took it on.... You'll make the right decision for you, and that's what counts!
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I don't have that experience but I would say USAF would likely be the best option, especially since they have more jobs. It also depends on what your career goals are and what service you want to retire from.
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I Think the question here should be, why do you want to switch services? If you feel you have a valid reason, then go for it. I don't have any personal experience in this matter but, my oldest brother transferred from the Air Force to the Army because they had a better flight training program. I find it rather ironic and surprising that the Army would have a better flight training program than the "Air" Force.
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Is your ASVAB score high enough to switch? Lol, I was Air Force 20 years, I can tell you that deployment wise, we have it better than any other service.
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We had a guy in boot camp that was 6 years prior navy. I don’t know for sure what he had been told by his recruiter but it seemed he was under the impression that he only had to do a “condensed” course, since he was a seasoned veteran. I believe he was the most unhappy recruit in our platoon, but he made it and earned his EG&A.
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The range in behavior and interaction with subordinates per service seems to relate directly to the impending request for mortal action from the superior to the subordinate. If I am a Marine infantry Captain, likely to order you to some activity that might cause your death, I can only imagine that my service will indoctrinate me to shield myself and you from the psychological impact of such a thing.
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Never served in the AF, Just the USMC, I crossed paths with many branches while in and heard stories from family and friends when I got out. The Air Force is laid back but runs some very lethal weapons systems that require brain power not necessarily psychological or physiological like the Corps emphasizes. I've heard it explained like this: The AF is a Corporation, the Marines are a Cult, and the Army and the Navy are the REAL Military. With few exceptions, that seems to be about right...Semper Fi.
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