Which branch of the military should I join to help in civilian life, for the best quality of life, and has the most resources available?

Chase Eddins — Fri, 27 Nov 2020 22:50:49 -0500

I'm currently graduating college in less than a month with my major in agricultural business. Looking at just doing 4 years unless I love the military. just want the extra time to get my life together possibly. what are good MOS for civilian life. what branches ship fastest to training. which have best quality of life and resources available. anything you can tell me about the branches would be helpful? I'm looking at army right now cause it seems air force is very selective and takes a while to get into and I haven't found much on coast guard my top three in order currently are army coast guard navy thank you for the help

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 27 at 2020 11:04 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 27 Nov 2020 23:04:11 -0500

I’ve been in the navy and currently serving in the army. Honestly, it depends on your GT score from the ASVAB. The higher your GT score the more rates (navy) and MOS (army) will be available to you. Coast guard is similar to the navy.

Every branch is different regarding basic training. If you elect to go to the army, they’ll send you out based on availability if it’s one station unit training (OSUT) or for advanced individual training (AIT). Especially with COVID happening, I don’t know how they’re shipping trainees out. On the other hand, navy is a bit different. Once you’ve selected your rate you can decide when you’d like to ship out to Chicago.

Everyone has their own preference to their MOS and rates. I’d definitely looking into them once they gave you your choices and see what you like.

Resources are always available to all service members regardless of location. Depends what type of resource you’re trying to explore.

Quality of life varies per unit and varies between each branch. Life in the field is A LOT different than life in a ship.

What have your recruiters told you?

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 28 at 2020 12:52 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 28 Nov 2020 00:52:01 -0500

I’d say it’s more important which job you choose rather than the specific service. Members of the intelligence community are generally very marketable after the military. Health care professionals are also in demand, especially X-ray and surgical techs. Your decision should be made on what skills will be acquired rather than how fast you can get to training, too. They might need cooks and truck drivers tomorrow, but it would be better to wait six months for a computer programming job.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 28 at 2020 1:10 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 28 Nov 2020 01:10:45 -0500

Have you looked to see what the Marine Corps has to offer? Do not join the military to get your life together. Get your life together and then join. I would not want you covering my back unless you were squared away.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Nov 28 at 2020 1:20 AM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sat, 28 Nov 2020 01:20:38 -0500

Officer, enlisted, or warrant?

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Nov 28 at 2020 3:05 AM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Sat, 28 Nov 2020 03:05:44 -0500

I have lived with the Army and with the AF. I have trained with the Marines, AF and Army.
I have had Marines and Navy attached to my unit when deployed.

In each of these opportunities, I have taken the opportunity to find out what life is like in my sister services...

Quality of life, generally speaking, is hands down Air Force. There are, of course, better and lesser units in each service, but on average, AF and then Navy (in port) Army, Marines, Navy (at sea).

Marines have the highest esprit de corps, then Army, Navy, AF.

Marines have the most rigorous training, which is both good and bad, followed by tie between Navy (at sea) and Army, then Navy (in port) and AF.

Every service has jobs which are HIGHLY transferable, and ones which are negligibly transferable. That being said, almost every thing the AF does has a rough civilian equivalent. The others have a higher proportion of jobs that don't fit a civilian niche, with Marines, then Army being the worst offenders.

I don't see much use for agricultural business in any branch, but I could be wrong. Maybe on a civil affairs team??? Which means that you would likely be operating in a field outside your degreed area of expertise (which is absolutely fine - all branches are pretty good at providing professional military education to teach you what you need to know. At least the basics...)

You will notice I did not mention USCG. I am not ignoring them, but I have never served with them in any capacity, even my joint service time. So I don't know shit about what they do, how they do it, or how much they enjoy it.

Final caveat is that this is one man's opinion, based pyrely on what I have seen or heard in my career. Other views may be different.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Nov 28 at 2020 10:27 AM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Sat, 28 Nov 2020 10:27:12 -0500

I apologize but I think the basis of the question is a little absurd. The idea that there is one or a select list of MOS's that foster the likelihood of a better life is a silly idea. You having a good life is on you. If you are going enlisted go the route that interests you. Clearly a technical MOS will open more doors for long term employment and the ability to segway into a civilian job doing the same but you can always lateral move if your first MOS doesn't scratch the itch you have. For the Officer side there is less choice as you will be selected and you will have a smaller influence on where you go. But again a lateral move can occur later on down the road. Or you can get out when your contract is up and go do something else. Don't put so much pressure on what job you end up with. So much of it is right place right time. It isn't as drastic as the result of a good life vs a bad life.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Nov 28 at 2020 10:41 AM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Sat, 28 Nov 2020 10:41:10 -0500

Slow down a little! You’re about to make a commitment effecting the next 4 to 6 years of your life. Strongly recommend you do not enlist immediately. You have a degree so at least look into OCS. Contact recruiters from all six Armed Services to see which can offer you the deal that matches your goals and priorities. Each service shows requirements for being an officer on their web page. US Citizen and physical required for all. Don’t be put off by the application paperwork or wait time. Waiting 6 to 18 months to start OCS is much better than a 4 year enlistment.

I’m prejudiced toward the USAF. Yes they are picky about whom they acquire but the opportunities are worth the wait. If you’re interested in aviation take the time to look at the requirements to attend flight training with the Air Force or Navy. Also Army aviation Warrant officer program.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Nov 28 at 2020 11:45 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Sat, 28 Nov 2020 11:45:29 -0500

The service is not here to make your civilian life better/easier. It is here let you serve something bigger than yourself, the Constitution and the Nation. We do not have time to let you get your act together nor grow up, etc. 6 moths after you join, you could be fighting for somebodies life in a foreign country. As Kennedy said " Ask not what your country can do for you, but what You can do for your country."

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 28 at 2020 12:27 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 28 Nov 2020 12:27:43 -0500

Definitely become a cook.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 28 at 2020 1:55 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 28 Nov 2020 13:55:31 -0500

Peace Corps?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 28 at 2020 2:22 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 28 Nov 2020 14:22:59 -0500

Don't think about a job or branch that will make you a more marketable civilian. That's a common mistake. You don't join to be a good civilian. You're already a marketable civilian with your degree, free education is one of the best things you can walk out the military with. Join the branch you want because of the culture and the MOS you want because you'd enjoy doing that job for 20 years. If you like the job, you're going to stay on doing it and retire. If you like the organization you're going to stick with it. If you don't like the job you're not going to finish your contract and stay in that field. Don't worry about what transfers because if you like it you won't be a civilian for a long time.

What about after retirement, you may be wondering? If you stay in your field one of two things will happen. Either, you will need some more education and certifications to be competitive with your civilian counterparts (like IT, Cyber, HR, or medical) or you'll transfer into something very niche working for the government. You'll see the second one a lot with retirees who went to work at Range control, or barracks manager programs, or any of the thousands of MOS Immaterial jobs that need to be filled by someone with leadership and managerial experience. A very large amount of people choose not to work in their old field at all. Once you start collecting your pension, you have enough supplemental income to choose a field you enjoy rather than one that pays well enough. You can be retired in your early 40s collecting 40% of your base pay, plus any disability for years of wear and tear, and return to college for a degree in a field of your choosing. There's a lot of financial freedom in retiring at 40 with all your bills paid, house paid off, thousands of dollars of passive income a month, and a whole GI Bill waiting to be used.

So, don't think about what will set you up for success as a civilian, because you're either going to love it and stay, or hate it and leave. Think about how you'd like to spend the first term of service and what you'd like to be doing

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 28 at 2020 3:57 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 28 Nov 2020 15:57:41 -0500

Go talk to the recruiters then make your decision.

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Nov 28 at 2020 4:14 PM

Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen — Sat, 28 Nov 2020 16:14:48 -0500

None of them! You don't seem to have the attitude or commitment to do well in the military.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Nov 28 at 2020 11:13 PM

SGT Philip Roncari — Sat, 28 Nov 2020 23:13:21 -0500

I probably have no business commenting on this post since I was discharged from the Army over 50 years ago and have very limited knowledge of the current MOSs ,quality of life ,resources etc ,you seem to be using the Military as a post grad experience,bad move ,this decision is life changing,and challenging ,if you are put off just by thinking the Air Force is too selective and difficult,well maybe you should rethink this whole Service thought,as I’ve said ,probably have no business commenting but us old guys like to carry on,good luck Chase

Response by SN Greg Wright made Nov 29 at 2020 4:04 AM

SN Greg Wright — Sun, 29 Nov 2020 04:04:32 -0500

Honestly you're asking all the wrong questions. Here's the questions you should be asking: what do I want to do with my life, with or without the military, and how can the military help me achieve that goal while I serve? <-- Once you know that answer, THEN you sift through the various services to see which is the best fit.

Joining up merely to be the best civilian you can be is not going to go well for you.

Response by PO1 Steve Ditto made Nov 29 at 2020 4:49 AM

PO1 Steve Ditto — Sun, 29 Nov 2020 04:49:10 -0500

I grew up with an Army Officer for a Dad and always heard how just about everyone had to MARCH/WALK every where they needed/wanted to go. I decided that I learned how to drive and was either going to drive or have someone drive me, so I went navy and spent almost 18 yrs on Submarines. The pay, food, and crew's are the best in the world, advancement either Officer or enlisted seems to be faster that most other branch's. although again it does depend on your NEC/MOS.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 29 at 2020 11:13 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 Nov 2020 11:13:01 -0500

It’s not the branch. It’s the MOS. I would go intelligence if I had it to do over.

Response by Maj John Bell made Nov 29 at 2020 9:20 PM

Maj John Bell — Sun, 29 Nov 2020 21:20:30 -0500

Your question is equivalent to what color is best. We know next to nothing about you. We cannot offer advice that has value.

Response by GySgt Marc Dickerson made Dec 31 at 2020 9:27 PM

GySgt Marc Dickerson — Thu, 31 Dec 2020 21:27:50 -0500

Stay out of the Corps. It doesn't need you. A commission used to be 6 years. Has that changed?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2021 7:26 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 Jan 2021 19:26:54 -0500

It depends what you are looking for. Money? Experience? Adventure? A complement to what you do in the civilian world?

By far the Army has the most jobs and thus the most opportunity. Alternatively the Air Force has remarkable jobs you can't find anywhere else and they have a better quality of life. Coast Guard will give you real world experience in nearly all their jobs and seems like a practical way-to-go. The Marines are a niche and might be perfect for you if you just want adventure. Just depends on what you're looking for.

Since your major is in agricultural business consider branching finance or engineer. That's just my thoughts as they will likely be a complement to your degree. Otherwise do what I did and get an MOS that is completely different than my civilian career so that I'm learning new things, becoming more well rounded and have experience for a potential back up career.

I will submit, however, that your desire to enter should be to serve your country. If your desire is to serve, then entering into an MOS that benefits you personally is a smart decision. Don't listen to those who would persuade you otherwise. The requirement is to serve - there is no mandate to intentionally avoid benefiting from your service. The military needs all types of people to fill all types of jobs and it's an honor whether you're job infantry or latrine duty.

Good luck!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2021 3:32 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Feb 2021 15:32:38 -0500

I love this answer!!!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2021 5:51 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Feb 2021 17:51:13 -0500

Civilian life and military life are completely different. If you want something relaxed, try the Air Force. I'm not sure about the "getting your life together" aspect for any branch. I'm not even sure what you mean by that.

If you join the Army enlisted with a Bachelor's degree, you will start out as a SPC (E4 pay grade). You could also look to coming in as an officer since you will already have a degree. It just depends on what's out there for MOSs in the Army after they look at your ASVAB score.