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
A Marine should not go into the USAF and the USAF should not accept them. While it can work and sometimes does, the Marine's air of superiority can grow old in a hurry. Their training and mentality is foreign to Air Force culture. A Marine is trained to take an objective under fire and instantly listen to his platoon Sgt or squad leader without hesitation. An airman will never be asked to take an enemy objective and our senior NCO's are there to make sure that the technical work done by the airmen in their charge is done correctly because lives are at stake and our mission is all about putting aircraft into the sky, not charging an enemy position. So yes, AF discipline is different because the mission is different. Flightline work or shop work doesn't need Marine Corp discipline. It needs people to work in a relatively stable and comfortable environment so they can accomplish difficult and technical tasks. And it works for the AF, as our air power is without question, the finest in the world.
I fully respect the Marine Corp and what they do, but I get tired of people flaming the USAF because we are not like them.
I fully respect the Marine Corp and what they do, but I get tired of people flaming the USAF because we are not like them.
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If you you a squared away Marine, then you shouldn’t have an issue becoming an airman. I’ve been on a few Air Force bases and agree about the chow halls. Some of the best in the DOD.
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I went from USAF to USN. As an officer in USAF, if you aren't a pilot, you're a second or even third class citizen, unless you're CCT or CRO, and even then others don't know what to do with you. USN is completely different- much more demanding, but more proud, and the genuine article. I was doing things as a USN LT that USAF would send an O-5/O-6 to do. And as a Line type, I had to know, or learn EVERYTHING, from standing bridge/engineering watches to conducting XOI/Masts/Summary Courts Martial to sword drills for parades/change of command. I swallowed a lot of crap along the way, but I never regretted the decision.
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I am an OSVET, Other service Veteran. Served 5 years in a combat outfit and was doomed to stay in combat outfits for my career. So after the first 5 in the 5thCMBTCG I went 17 in the US Navy. What was better? Schools are better in the Navy. Working in your field is better in the Navy. Opportunities were better in the Navy as I earned 11 NEC codes compared to the one in the USAF. Opportunities for advancement were better in the Navy.
What was worse in the Navy. Being away from home and family with sea deployments and remote assignments, food, food was worse in the Navy, Housing was worse in the Navy, the bases were worse in the Navy, family care while you were gone, worse in the Navy.
I also had to repeat boo tcamp. I went from the Viet Nam War era USAF boot camp and then into Navy boot camp where little girly boys whined and complained about the PT and how their little blue shorts chafed them. We wore field packs and combat boots in the USAF running the PT, in the Navy it was Nikes and whining. I had 10 more medals that my Navy Company Commander.
The Navy said my USAF training would be useless, I challenged most every course, graduated honor student every time and graduated months earlier than expected.
What is also worse in the Navy? MEDICAL CARE! But then the Navy wants you to die first or labels you as a malingerer. Some how I served 9 years with an undiagnosed broken neck in the Navy it was only found by the VA 27 years after I broke it. I broke my back in the Navy as well in 1994 and the VA finally diagnosed it in 2015, but only after mis diagnosing me with ALS in 2002 and giving me End Of Life Counseling in 2005. In 2014 they figured I was the longest living Vet with ALS or THEY WERE WRONG. I now have 7 fused vertebrae and got out of a wheel chair after 17 years more of waiting for promised proper medical care.
But there is much more wrong with the VA Medical system and I am they guy they talk about when it comes to misdiagnoses and VA failures.
What was worse in the Navy. Being away from home and family with sea deployments and remote assignments, food, food was worse in the Navy, Housing was worse in the Navy, the bases were worse in the Navy, family care while you were gone, worse in the Navy.
I also had to repeat boo tcamp. I went from the Viet Nam War era USAF boot camp and then into Navy boot camp where little girly boys whined and complained about the PT and how their little blue shorts chafed them. We wore field packs and combat boots in the USAF running the PT, in the Navy it was Nikes and whining. I had 10 more medals that my Navy Company Commander.
The Navy said my USAF training would be useless, I challenged most every course, graduated honor student every time and graduated months earlier than expected.
What is also worse in the Navy? MEDICAL CARE! But then the Navy wants you to die first or labels you as a malingerer. Some how I served 9 years with an undiagnosed broken neck in the Navy it was only found by the VA 27 years after I broke it. I broke my back in the Navy as well in 1994 and the VA finally diagnosed it in 2015, but only after mis diagnosing me with ALS in 2002 and giving me End Of Life Counseling in 2005. In 2014 they figured I was the longest living Vet with ALS or THEY WERE WRONG. I now have 7 fused vertebrae and got out of a wheel chair after 17 years more of waiting for promised proper medical care.
But there is much more wrong with the VA Medical system and I am they guy they talk about when it comes to misdiagnoses and VA failures.
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I don't know about switching branches, but as somebody who ended up disabled from too much pounding sand, pending surgery late this year. I say go for it, the USAF will preserve your body! My brother-in-law went from Army Infantry to the USAF. When I joined the Army, he said, "bro, you're an idiot, you could have had a good easy life". I should have listened. My father was a Marine Combat Veteran, he said the same go to the USAF. If you feel good, and you want to keep serving, I say go for it. You always have the title of a Marine for life, plus you can square away some of those Airmen!
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1LT Kurt Mccarthy
SSG James Funaro True, somebody has to eat steak and lobster while maintaining the aircrafts.
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SSG James Funaro
1LT Kurt MccarthyWell, its pretty obvious what it had to do with your comment. You said we need to be squared away. Sorry Lt, but we don't need Marines to square us away, we've been doing fine without you for a few decades now.
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I am Navy. There is something special about being in one of the Sea Services. The Ocean makes everything more difficult. The Marine Corps is an important part of the most capable expeditionary Force in the world. If you want to learn more life lessons you should go Marine Corps
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During 22 years USN I spent a little time with our Soldiers, Marines, and Airmen in various exercises and operations. One thing that impressed me about the USMC is that a PVT does not become a PFC until he knows how to give an order. And the rest of the services, including my beloved Navy, eventually teach a PO or NCO the right way to give a "suggestion."
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I never switched Branches so I can't speak to that but I was Army (Intelligence) and the son of a Navy Officer. I'll say this though, the guy I respect the most who ever served was a Marine. 30 years after getting out, he's still Marine. Me, I'm a civilian veteran. Big difference in my eyes. I respect everyone who served but the Corps is just different and I have the utmost respect for those guys.
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Switched Enlisted Navy Reserves to Active Marine Officer. Words cannot describe the discipline, bearing, and attitude difference I’ve experienced since making the switch.
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