Army or Marine Corps

W

WPCandidate21

Member
Joined
Oct 20, 2016
Messages
31
I'm applying for both the AROTC and Marine option NROTC scholarships ( as well as USMA and USNA). If I get the scholarships or get into the academies, I'm going to have a hard time choosing between the USMC and the Army. Any advice? What are the benefits and drawbacks of each?
 
I dont have any bias towards either branch since I'm in Air Force ROTC. However, I think it would be easier to make the Army a career since its not as physically strenuous as the Marine Corp. Also, you need to keep in mind the physical requirements for each branch. At my university (a SMC), more than half of the kids in Marine ROTC had to switch branches since they failed the first PT test. Just something to keep in mind. I also hear that it is easier to get an Army scholarship since they get more funding than the Marine Corp does. Finally, you may want to move this to the ROTC section in order to get better responses. Hope this helped a little.
 
WPCandidate21 said:
I'm applying for both the AROTC and Marine option NROTC scholarships ( as well as USMA and USNA). If I get the scholarships or get into the academies, I'm going to have a hard time choosing between the USMC and the Army. Any advice? What are the benefits and drawbacks of each?
Click to expand...

I suggest setting yourself an exercise of laying out and researching officer communities/branches/MOS for Marine and Army.

Where do you see the most alignment with things you might see yourself doing? Are there things you would simply not like to do, or would loathe doing, and you want to ensure there is no chance in heck you are anywhere near a chance of doing that? For example, many Marine deployments, both ground and air, are on Navy ships, for several months. If you know that's not for you, ever, that could be a deal-breaker.

If you go to USNA, Marine service selection is not guaranteed; it's different than NROTC Marine option. If you didn't get Marine, would you be okay - or horrified - with going Navy surface warfare, aviation, subs, etc.?

Sometimes it's easier to do a comparative analysis by backing into it, for a fresh perspective. If you're a visualizer, draw a decision tree and weight the outcomes. Both Army and Marines are fine ways to go. It's all the same family, just different branches, each with its own culture, personality and quirks.
 
I'm currently trying to talk to officers and enlisted of each branch to get a better perspective of what it's like in each branch. As for my interests, I would like to go into armor (preferably LAV's, AAV's, or Strykers). I like the variety of roles and scale in the Army, but I also admire the culture and comradery of the USMC.
 
OK. I have waited for some time and had to weigh in. The differenece? USMC = varsity; Army = junior varsity. ;)

Actually, the differences are profound. Army does not equal Marine. Mission, roles, duty stations, career path, etc are very different. As CaptMJ said, look at MOS (military occupational specialties) of each.
 
You might also look at places where you might be stationed. If you're in the Corps you're likely to be on one of the coasts or perhaps an island in the Pacific.... or maybe the sandbox. Army probably will not have as much easy access to the beach.
 
Culture and camradrie, USMC is a winner.....but that might not work out for you. DS wanted Marine infantry, but was turned down by USNA, and by NROTC/MO. So keep your options open.

Even though Army was not on his radar, DS walked on at his college as a non-contract Army ROTC cadet. Within three months he found his place in the program and won a 3 year (later extended to 3.5 year) scholarship. He is thriving in the program and even turned down an offer to do PLC by a Marine OSO, during his freshman year.

He wanted to serve as an infantry officer, and there is more than one way to accomplish this.
 
kinnem said:
You might also look at places where you might be stationed. If you're in the Corps you're likely to be on one of the coasts or perhaps an island in the Pacific.... or maybe the sandbox. Army probably will not have as much easy access to the beach.
Click to expand...
USMC/USN has the best real estate...
 
I'm not there yet but the Army's post-command educational and broadening opportunities look A+. Not really sure what the Marines offer for mid-career captains but you might want to look into it, especially if you think you may serving past your commitment. As an officer, I would say about 70% of what you do is the same across all the branches - only some of the technical aspects are different based on your MOS. I would presume that to be the same between Marine MOSs so don't be too deadset on a particular career path unless it is a significant motivation for you. I will say that promotion rates are generally higher in the Army because it is larger, especially in the combat arms! In the end, you can take all the advice you want but it will ultimately come down to what you want to do and what your priorities are (see above posts regarding specialties and assignments).
 
Chockstock said:
I'm not there yet but the Army's post-command educational and broadening opportunities look A+. Not really sure what the Marines offer for mid-career captains but you might want to look into it, especially if you think you may serving past your commitment
Click to expand...

All the services offer post-grad ed and a range of other opportunities. They know it is the carrot that can improve retention past initial obligation, and it's an investment in enrichment of the officers corps. Marines can attend Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA, as one of several options. Similar to other services, Marines also have the Foreign Area Officers and Region Affairs Officers, part of the International Affairs Program. Marines can request and compete to go into those MOS from other MOS. From my experience as a Navy officer, everywhere I looked, there were always Marines doing interesting things too, and I have observed our USNA Marine alumni sponsor family participating in a range of programs along the way.

Good point made by @Chockstock to look even further down the path.
 
If you really were considering the Marine Corps, this wouldn't be a question. It's like the priesthood - a calling, you might say.

Not knocking the US Army at all, mind you. They're great too. And I have no doubt that Rangers, Special Forces & Delta Force are some of the finest troops on duty in the world today.

But the Corps is different.

When old veterans refer to their service they might say "I was in the Army", "I was in the Navy" or "I was in the Air Force". But Jarheads say "I was a Marine."

Similar, but different.
 
I'm biased as well.

If you want to be a Marine, you know it. I can't explain it; it may sound cheesy, but it's inherent if you really delve into the distinctions between the two services.

I started my military career as an enlisted Sailor. I was a Bluejacket like my father and damn proud of it

I ended my military career as a Captain of Marines. I will ALWAYS be a Marine!

S/F,
Grilled Cheese
 
Thanks for your help! I'm currently leaning more towards Marine-option NROTC. It's going to be a difficult decision, especially since I'll be the first in my family to go into the Marines if I get the scholarship.
 
Buncha the same ol' BS in here from the same ol' jokers.

Kid, if you let someone on the internet tell you which service to join with one-liners about the priesthood or regurgitation of all the bull**** they had to tell themselves to feel good about their choices, you're begging to be dissatisfied. Find the answer yourself. You know where to look.
 
scoutpilot said:
Buncha the same ol' BS in here from the same ol' jokers.

Kid, if you let someone on the internet tell you which service to join with one-liners about the priesthood or regurgitation of all the bull**** they had to tell themselves to feel good about their choices, you're begging to be dissatisfied. Find the answer yourself. You know where to look.
Click to expand...

Scout! Completely unrelated, and admittedly off-thread, and NOMDB (related to MYOB), but assume ScoutBaby arrived and all is well? If I missed a post, I apologize.
 
scoutpilot said:
Indeed, and thanks for asking. We'll have to work on her TOT skills as she arrived a month early. She is, however, perfect.
Click to expand...

Thank you for sharing. Best wishes for health and happiness for ScoutWarriorPrincess.
 
Last edited:
Just looking for further insight. I'm not basing my decision off of what people say on an Internet forum.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top