Navy vs. Marine Corps Officer

[themainmane]

I've been having a long internal struggle over this issue. One part of me wants to be a Marine Corps Officer, preferably in the Combat Arms, and the other part of me wants to be an officer in the Navy, preferably on a sub or within the EOD community. I've done a lot of research, and I want to go the service with a certain mentality. My worries are not in how nice the houses are, or how frequent the promotions are. Which service will allow me to be in a command role, as opposed to a staff role, for more of my career, and which service is more enlisted oriented as opposed to officer oriented? Which one puts more emphasis on readiness and professionalism as opposed to "typical" military duties such as shining shoes and other time wasters? I guess I'm asking, which one is the most practical service?

 

[NavyHoops]

Honestly I think this is the beauty of USNA in some regards... you don't have to pick one until Senior year. The down side is ROTC, you need to pick. Can you move between the two in ROTC, especially on scholarship... rarely, don't count on it.

The USMC is a more professional and strict military environment. Of all the services in my opinion it is the most professional, values customs and courtesies at an almost obsessive level and really adheres to a very solid rank structure. It doesn't mean the Navy isn't professional or good at what they do, but just different. EOD is amazing at what they do, but its also a different type of environment. Its hard to explain. In my opinion the officer vs. enlisted is much more blurred with EOD than subs or SWO. Regardless of branch, you will do some staff duty. Its sort of a requirement as an officer to get certain checks in the box such as career schools, Masters degree, joint tour, etc. Each service and community has its own personality, quirks, traditions, etc. You will learn them. Each service has its "time wasters." Get used to it, they are called training requirements and staffing requirements, every service has them. No one cares about shiny shoes, until they aren't. Work uniforms are work uniforms and dress uniforms are dress uniforms. Expectation is Sailors and Marines do their job and wear them right, most do. Don't worry, a Lt or Ensign will be the last person running around looking at shoes. By the time a LCpl shows up jacked up, he will have been sent to fix himself by 12 people before you. Every service is practical, they are all needed and do important things.

 

[Capt MJ]

Hear, hear!

 

[themainmane]

Thank you.