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by mindfarm on October 22nd, 2006

mindfarm

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How do I choose which branch of the US military would be best for me to join?

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  • by gone on October 22nd, 2006

    gone

    It would depend on what appeals to you...

    Army: The Army is the largest branch of the services. Its basic training course is 9 weeks long and fairly strenuous. After basic training most units keep a pretty strict PT regime so if you go Army expect to stay fit and active. Since the Army is huge there are both a lot of combat arms(infantry, armor, etc) as well as noncombat arms (xray technicians, public affairs, etc) jobs . The Army also has many bases around the country and the world. Some are in exciting places such as the East Coast and Europe while others are located in places a bit less enthralling such as the middle of Missouri. Basically with the Army your job could be educational, boring, dangerous, fun, it all depends on what job designation you choose within.

    Air Force: If you want the most technologically inclined as well as laid back of the services, then Air Force might be a good choice. Their basic training program is 6 weeks long, the PT test is fairly easy, and most likely you will not be serving in combat arms. Actual flying is done by a very small percentage of airmen, most everything else in the Air Force is comprised of missions to support this as well as their other misc projects. Many Air Force positions place strong emphasis on science and technology and the potential for carryover into the civilian job market is obvious.

    Navy: Also technologically inclined with great potential for valuable training for the civilian world is the Navy. Basic training is a bit longer than the Air Force at 9 weeks. You might also find it difficult if you end up on a ship, some can be at sea for extended periods of time. Then again if you love the sea it could be a great experience. If you join the Navy, chances are you will get to spend time on one of the coasts or on an overseas base. There's very little Navy activity in the middle of the country (it is just prairies and mountains afterall hahah).

    Marine Corps: The Marine Corps is the smallest branch, associated the most with gung-ho military attitude, and is also considered to have the toughest recruit training with a 13 week bootcamp. Because of this, they are highly respected by military and nonmilitary alike. The Marine Corps is known for its combat arms branches and while they certainly have their fair share of people fighting there are also some jobs more towards the rear.
    Since the Marine Corps is so small, there are not many bases or big ones for that matter. Many Marines find themselves attached to an Army or Navy base (or in a combat zone).

    With all that said, its important to note that salaries are the same across the board in all branches. An E-3 in the Army gets paid the same as an E-3 in the Air Force. Each branch may have various incentives after that. Overall, I'd say if you want to join the military for education and future job prospects, join the Air Force. If you want to join for comraderie and the archetypal military experience, join the Marines.

    Comments

    • Everyone says youll stay out of combat if you join the Air Force. Security Forces is the largest carrear feild in the Air Force, and over 75% of us are in a combat enviroment. We are doing convoys and pairing up with the ARMY and Marine infantry units. So all in all if you join the military no matter what branch you will be deployed and possibly shot at.

      motorman

      by motorman on May 9th, 2007

    • Agreed with motorman. I was in Security Forces, and they are constantly deployed on the front lines. Not to mention Explosive ORdinance Disposal, and logistics troops who are often a target of ambushes on convoys. The Air Force is definitely on the front lines.

      Carrot and Stick

      by Carrot and Stick on March 21st, 2008

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