Military Hotrod Club - Marine Corps or Air Force

Guys, need some help, really drawn between both. If either branch, active duty, reservist, or whatever the case may be post up! Pleas don't turn this into a dick measuring contest between branches. Flat out honest truth. Just list your 3 or so favorite things, and the 3 or so things you despised. My main concern is how I've heard you getting treated in the Marine Corps, which is basically that you just get looked at as another number, and as far as the Air Force I've heard something 110% different, but that could all be hearsay.
Thank all of you for the service and sacrifice you made, and currently make.

What are you looking to do?

MOS - Military Occupational Specialty

I did 6 years in the Air Force and loved it. Your gonna have to deal with bs in either branch, i am from Jacksoville nc where Camp Lejune is , huge Marine Corp base, and i have alot of buddies that are in and love it. I say AF , if your looking for more of a technical job, and if you wanna blow shit up , go MC

Looking to be either a mechanic on Aircraft or Vehicles. I know in the Marines Motor-T can cover both driving and mechanic duties, but I'd prefer to work on vehicles.

If you want to be a mechanic go AF.

and if you wanna blow shit up , go MC

Most Marines don't "blow shit up".

I could go on for hours about the pros and cons of each branch but to sum it up, if you care about comfort, quality of life, rank promotions, and being treated like a human, go AF.

As far as being a Marine...well, its hard to explain but it isnt easy by any stretch of the imagination. But is it worth the sacrifice? F&ck yeah!

(my daughter and I ~4yrs ago)
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa423/vmohed/111209-vets-day-30-mcd_w300.jpg

Most Marines don't "blow shit up".

yeah..haha..everyone thinks Marines blow shit up and kick in doors. Never mind all the networks we have to set up, helicopters/jets we keep in the fight, food to be cooked etc.


OP...people that become Marines are usually looking for something different. If you are just doing it for a tech skill or money for college by all means join any branch but the Marines...the challenge will be too much for you. When I decided to enlist I didnt care what job they had for me..I just wanted to be a Marine. 9 years later, I have a college degree and have seen the world. Are there shitty days? You bet your ass!! Are there days when I think "Im getting paid to do this?" Of course. However, I wake up every morning a US Marine, which is a pride that never fades...kinda hard to explain. I dont bash the other branches as my grandfather fought in the Pacific in WWII in the Army and we are all on team serving our country. I chose to become a Marine and dont regret a minute of my 9 years.


oh BTW Im a recruiter and hate it. Just my .02. Good luck with whatever you decide.

I did 6 years in the Air Force and loved it. Your gonna have to deal with bs in either branch, i am from Jacksoville nc where Camp Lejune is ,

DAMN!! your from J-ville?haha I was there for my first enlistment, then went to socal. Im going back to Lejeune when Im done recruiting in December.

Any reason you're only interested in those 2? From my experience, the U.S. Army is a median between the 2.

yeah..haha..everyone thinks Marines blow shit up and kick in doors. Never mind all the networks we have to set up, helicopters/jets we keep in the fight, food to be cooked etc.


OP...people that become Marines are usually looking for something different. If you are just doing it for a tech skill or money for college by all means join any branch but the Marines...the challenge will be too much for you. When I decided to enlist I didnt care what job they had for me..I just wanted to be a Marine. 9 years later, I have a college degree and have seen the world. Are there shitty days? You bet your ass!! Are there days when I think "Im getting paid to do this?" Of course. However, I wake up every morning a US Marine, which is a pride that never fades...kinda hard to explain. I dont bash the other branches as my grandfather fought in the Pacific in WWII in the Army and we are all on team serving our country. I chose to become a Marine and dont regret a minute of my 9 years.


oh BTW Im a recruiter and hate it. Just my .02. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Pretty much sums it up. I did 6 years active and am currently employed as a civilian in which I still do my job I did as a Marine. I loved being in and being able to call yourself a Marine is something that is different for everyone but all a very special feeling.

With all that said I am currently trying to join the AF reserves to finish my 20 with a little more comfort.

Well the main thing for becoming a Marine is I do want something different. Just something about it that makes me want it. One of my dad's last things he told me before he died was that I'd never cut it as one, which has been a huge motivator (he was a Marine 71'-75'). I know it's a different Corps today than in yesteryear, but after talking to a few Marines I've decided on trying to earn the title. The only reason for Air Force being an option was mainly due to the fact I have some friends in and love it, and Dayton has Wright-Patterson AFB where my father worked, so being on base and seeing all the Airman made me want to be one aswell.

And as far as money for school goes those are reasons, but not the main ones, it sounds like I'm joining for the wrong reason when I say this but a big kicker is my job now sucks, and I'm headed down a "no outlet" street for lack of better terms. I figured this is my way of finding out that everything happens for a purpose and it's time to actually go for a goal I set other than something that involves the T/A haha. Also another big kicker is I've never done anything really awesome in my life and never seen the world, shit even the country. Basically to sum it up ready for some new and exciting changes..
/rant

I was in the same situation a few months ago...but I chose Air Force because I'm a huge plane nut and I am still eligible to get into the Air Force academy. I'm aiming to be a pilot in the future so it seemed to make sense.

I wouldn't go to the marines if I was you. We are very overrated and has been the worst decision I made in my life. If I could go back I would of went to the air force. I have a lot of friends that actually like being in the military and what they do but they are in the air force, they pick up faster and easier meaning they usually get out with more cash. 4-6 month easy deployments getting paid "combat" even though it's just a troop transition base is alsome! Being in the usmc you'll be constantly judge for anything that you do, Get treated like a little kid, and will have to deal with double standard hypocrites that work above you. I know of more bad units in the usmc then good ones. The main thing about being a marine that I got was bragging rights.. Been there done that. You will build a lot of character and patience through out the good ol usmc. You will also learn to appreciate the littlest things in life more.. that's my experience but it all depends on what job you want to do in the military. Another thing... when you pick a job in the usmc.. that job isn't guaranteed. It's were the marine corp needs you. I picked combat engineer and ended up a bulk fueler and didn't know I had that job till I was about 6 months in. What is my job? pretty much a moble gas station

You pick a career field in the Marines...not an MOS. If you wanted a job you should have joined the AF Marine. We dont offer jobs or MOSs we offer the opportunity to be US Marines. If you dont like your job do a lateral move on your first reenlistment. Or beter yet GET OUT we are down sizing . I went to boot camp on an open contract because I wanted to be a Marine. How long have you been in. You do realize you joined the most elite branch of the military right???? You knew people were going to "judge" you right ??? wow its a good thing DADT is over for your sake.

I tell it how it is. I personally don't care... I"ll be getting out mid March. Yea Jarheadtex you defiantly sound like a recruiter.. Yes we are down sizing.. But understand this. Since I been in I have seen some of the greatest marines I have ever meet get out of the marines and go air force because they are tired of double standard hypocrites. They are sick of being treated like a little kid... doing pointless things for no reason. We have single Sargents that been in 6+ years in the marines that been forced to move back in the barracks with 3 to a room a little bigger then jail cells and forced to be micro managed by our higher ups... Who want's to be a 24+yold man forced to clean your room so another grown man can come through with a white glove and feel around the cracks in the wall looking for dust every week? That doesn't sound bad does it? You fail then come in on Saturday! That's just a tiny example. Now I'm not going to get in a pissing match with you... I just stated my point of the military and not a recruiters. I'm the just another average marine.

haha!! wow the Marine Corps is changing ...Who are you with? Yeah I sound like a recruiter... ...I am a terrible recruiter..for the simple fact that that I dont "sell" the Marine Corps. If you come into my office and you dont want to be a US Marine..I send you next door to the AF or Army...because I dont want to serve with someone that is in it for the tangible benefits.

Look at what typically happens after a draw down...alot of "good" Marines get out because they dont like hanging out in garrison being "micro managed".


esprit de corps...guess you didnt get it ..Had dinner with a Vietnam Marine this evening. He says the same things about the BS you put up with. This guy has made millions since getting out, but still wishes he would have stayed for 20.

Semper Fi

wow..where did you earn your degree? What branch did you serve? BTW there are no soldiers in the Marines....just Marines.

Pleas don't turn this into a dick measuring contest between branches.

You do realize you joined the most elite branch of the military right????

lol, jarheads never cease to amuse me. There is no such thing as most elite branch. But for the sake of the thread, what makes you think that the marine corps is more superior than the others? What do they have that others do not? The typical response to that is, "we have boot camp, the hardest basic training there is". Ok, that maybe so, you have the toughest, "basic training", what about the rest of your life in the branch?

I always here people say, "Ive always wanted to be a marine". I guess I just don't get it, what is so glamorous about that title? Why do people join this branch for the sole purpose of being a marine?

I didnt want to have to post this but you asked...

We have an Army...we have an Air Force...and we have a Navy. Why the f*ck do we need the Marine Corps? Long answer short, we do it all better with fewer bodies and a much smaller budget. Our government, in an effort to cut spending, has had numerous opportunities over the past 200+yrs to axe the Corps and time and time again they refused.

But, again, unless you have earned the title and spent time in boots stamped with our EGA, you'll never understand

Air Force in my opinion. I've been in for 9 years now. I intially wanted to go into the Marines because my dad served 4 years in the Corps. I started looking at the Air Force its way of life and the jobs afforded ect.. and I made the decision to go blue. :D

Any time you do in any service is good to go in my book. It think everyone who is phisically/mentally able should do at least 2 years of military service.

We have an Army...we have an Air Force...and we have a Navy. Why the f*ck do we need the Marine Corps? Long answer short, we do it all better with fewer bodies and a much smaller budget.

But, again, unless you have earned the title and spent time in boots stamped with our EGA, you'll never understand

So, you are telling me that the smallest branch of the military (except for the coast guard), with the least amount of funding, does a BETTER job of everything from land, sea and air than the other branches who specialize in those fields? With that logic, there would be no need for any other branch, since the marines can do everything by themselves. I am not trying to start a fight, just trying to figure out the marines side of the coin when they claim to be superior to everyone.

You are right, I probably will never understand the whole, "earning the title of a marine". IMO, I would rather be called a different title.

I just think that other branches of the military have a lot more to offer you long term than the marine corps.

You are right, I probably will never understand the whole, "earning the title of a marine". IMO, I would rather be called a different title.

what title would that be?

I just think that other branches of the military have a lot more to offer you long term than the marine corps.

care to elaborate?

You have to go with what youll be happy with. Deep down you know what you want to do. 8 Years in the Marine Corps and I havent looked back once. Jay

If you are worried about being treated well then just go for the Air force.

No one in the Marine Corps wants to hear your whining and bitching about being treated well.

If you are worried about being treated well then just go for the Air force.

No one in the Marine Corps wants to hear your whining and bitching about being treated well.

I approve this message

The air wing in the Marine Corps is pretty good and the training and opportunities to become a good mechanic IMO is in fact better than the equivalent in the Air Force.

I recommend Marine Corp Helos if you want to train for a career if you are not staying in.

If long term is your goal..Air Force all the way....no question. Quality of life in the Air Force is MUCH MUCH MUCH better over the long haul.

That is one of the reasons I got out of the Marines after 6 years. Quality of life just isnt there. Its great when you are young...but as you get a bit older it gets more annoying.

But only you know the reasons you are going in. Those reasons could be many. So keep asking questions and then decide. And do not let peer pressure affect that decision. Also...do not sign for longer than 4. You will have plenty of time to re-up later if you want to.

The air wing in the Marine Corps is pretty good and the training and opportunities to become a good mechanic IMO is in fact better than the equivalent in the Air Force.

I recommend Marine Corp Helos if you want to train for a career if you are not staying in.

If long term is your goal..Air Force all the way....no question. Quality of life in the Air Force is MUCH MUCH MUCH better over the long haul.

That is one of the reasons I got out of the Marines after 6 years. Quality of life just isnt there. Its great when you are young...but as you get a bit older it gets more annoying.

But only you know the reasons you are going in. Those reasons could be many. So keep asking questions and then decide. And do not let peer pressure affect that decision. Also...do not sign for longer than 4. You will have plenty of time to re-up later if you want to.


This 100%. I still work on my helicopters now and I love it.

I hate we people try to hype up the marine corp... It's really annoying and it seems to come from guys been in less then 2 years, re-enlisters,desk jockeys, or wing side guys. Generally people that haven't done much or done anything and those who know nothing but what the marine corp have taught them. Wing side is about as close as the air force as it comes in the marines. We kind of consider them as civilians. My job I had the opportunity to work with "wingers" but mainly been ground side. Funny thing about that is when the wingers re up the marine corps might send them to ground side and then they hate life and want to get out but that depends on your job if your even given an opportunity. People there are more and better things then the "marines" I see it how it is and call it. I agree with 383LQSS. Quality of life in the air force is far better then the marines. These are funny and in most case's are very true... I highly recommend anyone thinking of join the marines go through this guys comic scrips http://terminallance.com/

Who are you with again?? What is your MOS? Are you a terminal Lcpl...?

...and guys that talk like him usually have f*cked up and instead of blaming the guy in the mirror, its the Corps' fault

I hate we people try to hype up the marine corp... It's really annoying and it seems to come from guys been in less then 2 years, re-enlisters,desk jockeys, or wing side guys. Generally people that haven't done much or done anything and those who know nothing but what the marine corp have taught them. Wing side is about as close as the air force as it comes in the marines. We kind of consider them as civilians. My job I had the opportunity to work with "wingers" but mainly been ground side. Funny thing about that is when the wingers re up the marine corps might send them to ground side and then they hate life and want to get out but that depends on your job if your even given an opportunity. People there are more and better things then the "marines" I see it how it is and call it. I agree with 383LQSS. Quality of life in the air force is far better then the marines. These are funny and in most case's are very true... I highly recommend anyone thinking of join the marines go through this guys comic scrips http://terminallance.com/

^^^This post doesn't make any sense at all. It is like a streaming thought with no actual point or unified message to convey. It leads you down a dead end path of immeasurable stupidity. What a jackass.

^^^This post doesn't make any sense at all. It is like a streaming thought with no actual point or unified message to convey. It leads you down a dead end path of immeasurable stupidity. What a jackass.

Eh it does make sense if you've been around the Marine Corps. Between MARDIV, MLG and the MAW, life differs completely. Wingers are about as pog as you get, they dont even get issues rifles, work long hours and often weekends. Group Marines tend to have a shitty job of supporting literally eveyone, being whored out and treated like shit. MARDIV, being the combat arms of Marine Corps get the brunt of the bullshit and have pretty much no standards to quality of life. Compare the Marine Corps to the other services, ask them about the barracks, work days, treatment, food, time off, freedoms, and certs. Although I used only 3 sides of the Marine Corps, there are more than just those. . . Ask around among first term Marines past their 3 year mark.

Can't go wrong with any service as long as your there to serve and put your life on the line if asked. I also agree that if you have to think about being a Marine, your might not get it and probably should look elsewhere. Most Marines I know always wanted to be a Marine, regardless of the job. It was all about being a Marine. I tell Air Force folks the same thing when they asked about our Battlefield Airmen, "if you gotta think about it, dont do it" You have to want it to succeed.

That kid has a horrible taste in his mouth of the Marine Corps...

The military is what you make of it but here is what I say after 10 years in the corps and I have done interservice work for a solid 3 of those years. Each branch has pros/cons

USMC my favorites
1) No other service truely cares and takes care of its people. As a Marine leader I want all my guys/gals to get promoted and be successful. A lot of other services it is very cutthroat. If you think the Corps is bad you havn't seen the Navy play super favorites on evals.
[I think Imstock2 has had some bad leadership at one point or antother and therefore left a horrible taste in his mouth]
2) You cannot explain to anyone about the corps they need to go to bootcamp and feel it for themselves
3) Discipline you learn is going to pay dividends in whatever job(s) you do in the future.
4) Promotions to Sgt(e5) can be super fast or slow depending on your own efforts. If you are physically fit and shoot well you will progress very fast (Some people hate this especially in the more technical jobs, but that is where leadership comes in and should reward Marines for becoming effiecient in there MOSs faster than there peers)

USMC not so favorites
1) Barracks life sucks, but it is slowly getting better. The ones who complain now would have ended themselves 10-15 years ago
2) Mass punishment 1 Marines fuckup is all Marines get fucked policy <--- all branches have it and it does not fix anything. I know the higher I get on the enlisted side I do my part to end this practice.
3) Promotions are not always going to be the best Marine for the job policy sometimes turds make it into the pool.

Eh it does make sense if you've been around the Marine Corps. Between MARDIV, MLG and the MAW, life differs completely. Wingers are about as pog as you get, they dont even get issues rifles, work long hours and often weekends. Group Marines tend to have a shitty job of supporting literally eveyone, being whored out and treated like shit. MARDIV, being the combat arms of Marine Corps get the brunt of the bullshit and have pretty much no standards to quality of life. Compare the Marine Corps to the other services, ask them about the barracks, work days, treatment, food, time off, freedoms, and certs. Although I used only 3 sides of the Marine Corps, there are more than just those. . . Ask around among first term Marines past their 3 year mark.

Are you serious? I have never seen Marines not get issued rifles... Granted I don't shoot mine as much as when I served on the ground but the work still has its pros and cons... As far as working long hours and weekends? I challenge you to find a Marine Corps squadron that hasn't put in its time working ungodly hours, weekends, holidays etc.... Last I checked and its been about 6 years but when field work was over and the squads quals were up there was a good amount of down time if our unit wasn't tasked with anything we got our 72s and 96s etc...If you wanted quality of life and good working hours you should not enlist in any branch just go to college or keep sucking your parents dry...

Are you serious? I have never seen Marines not get issued rifles... Granted I don't shoot mine as much as when I served on the ground but the work still has its pros and cons... As far as working long hours and weekends? I challenge you to find a Marine Corps squadron that hasn't put in its time working ungodly hours, weekends, holidays etc.... Last I checked and its been about 6 years but when field work was over and the squads quals were up there was a good amount of down time if our unit wasn't tasked with anything we got our 72s and 96s etc...If you wanted quality of life and good working hours you should not enlist in any branch just go to college or keep sucking your parents dry...


Then obviously your a boot. Since I've been a CMC I have dealt with every unit qualifying on Lejeune. Mag 26/29 have both said the same thing. Their armory has weapons, but they are not issued to their Marines. They are only handed out for the range, and deployments(winger combat load is about 1 to 3 mags). As for down time, there is none on the wing side - they are tasked constantly, and every so many flight hours calls for a certain level of maintenance. Ground side works differently, though I have noticed with the exception of(off the top of my head) about 3 SNCOs, they dont give a fuck about anyone but themselves. I have been around, a part of 3 different BTNs, along with working with several more over deployments. They are pretty much all the same, 1/6, 3/2, 3/9, 2nd CEB, 2nd LAR are as of right now the only non-special warfare units that I have any respect for based on general care for their Marines.

And here goes a pissing match between military branches.

I am in the Air Force. I like it but as others have said, all branches have their pro's and con's. Do what you really want to do!

I was thinking of joining the Marines, but my dad was in the Army, and told me to go AF. I scored pretty high on the asvab, and got a job that required my higher scores. I don't have to deal with retards all day, so that is pretty nice.

At times I wish I had gone Marines to be honest. But majority of the time, I look at where I am stationed and my living area, and am glad I didn't. I will have a TON of job opportunities and choices if I decide to get out. Can't complain about that at all.

The Air Force is really big on Education, so they are always encouraging us to take classes or clep tests. All depends what you want. I will have my Associates by the time I get out easily.

Let's keep this on track.

We aren't talking about government funding to certain branches. The dude want's opinions on which branch to enter, PERIOD DOT.


Basically, if you are wound up like a spring I say go Marines. If you are chill go USAF.

I recommend to people that they try and figure out what they would like to do and find the branch that offers the best version of that. Every branch has SOF jobs, every branch has combat arms jobs, every branch has pog jobs. It's such a joint fight today I find the inter service stuff to be retarded. There are people who go out and kick haj in the teeth, and there are people who don't.

Unless you were one of those guys who's wanted to be a Marine since you were 4, or you want to do a job only the Marines offers (which I can't think of any but I haven't looked into it either) you can probably do anything you want somewhere else with a much higher quality of life.

Don't get wrapped around the axle about what you can do with your "skills" after the military either. My job has no outside application, but I'll be getting out with a degree and combat experience, that shit gets jobs. Who's to say you will even want to do what you did in the military anyway. I can't imagine doing the same fucking thing for 50 years myself.

i chose the Marines for a few different reasons, to be different from my families history of military (brothers and dad were either navy or air force) another reason was tradition (males in my family, military is encouraged. give back something to your country) i like the history of the Marines, very rich history vs the other branches. there's so much pride! waking up everyday hating my job ( i aint going to lie about that, i'll get to that in a little) i just wake up proud knowing that i myself had the balls to push myself, get out of my comfort zone, give up everything i had that was going great to start at the bottom again. proud that out of all my friends.... i'm the only one that did what he said he would do.

now why didn't i just go the AF way, hell i work helo's! it's too easy! i have to do everything the hard way. when everyone takes the easy path, i'll take the hard path. was like that before i enlisted and still am, only a few months out before i EAS.

now to my job.... I work with ordnance on aircraft. my work days are "12 on 12 off" i say it like that because in reality, the days are almost 15-16 hours long. i work outside all the time, don't matter the weather conditions. constantly moving ordnance around manually up and down from aircraft. we are undermanned and have only 4 tool boxes, literally 4 boxes. we are four-sited right now stretching our man power even thinner. i wake up pissed off every morning doing the same job over and over again day in and day out.

last year, we were training just outside of las vegas at a AF base. their living conditions were 5 star hotels compared to our rooms back in pendelton. their chow halls had FRESH food! the strangest thing was people were happy to be at work, like they actually smiled! one thing i noticed was that everyone had a specialty job. where it would be me and two other marines to do a job, they had about 4 teams of 3-5 airmen a piece! even loading the ordnance they had lifts and all sorts of fancy tools to make the job easy! lol i just laughed and thought to myself, im doing this all wrong...i should be using my head not my back!

anyways everything is easier in the AF vs the Marines. if your happy with having it easy that's fine, nothing wrong with that. I myself chose the Marines because i like challenges!

Never-ending

Eh it does make sense if you've been around the Marine Corps. Between MARDIV, MLG and the MAW, life differs completely. Wingers are about as pog as you get, they dont even get issues rifles, work long hours and often weekends. Group Marines tend to have a shitty job of supporting literally eveyone, being whored out and treated like shit. MARDIV, being the combat arms of Marine Corps get the brunt of the bullshit and have pretty much no standards to quality of life. Compare the Marine Corps to the other services, ask them about the barracks, work days, treatment, food, time off, freedoms, and certs. Although I used only 3 sides of the Marine Corps, there are more than just those. . . Ask around among first term Marines past their 3 year mark.

Wingers dont get issued Rifles?? Whats our TO weapon? A slingshot?? We dont work long hours? I guess slapping hands with day crew @ 6am when your on night crew working on air craft from 1600 the night prior isnt long hours... I love reading things like this, this really shows your maturity and lack of knowledge. Who are you with now?? Military isnt for everyone. Jay

Then obviously your a boot. Since I've been a CMC I have dealt with every unit qualifying on Lejeune. Mag 26/29 have both said the same thing. Their armory has weapons, but they are not issued to their Marines. They are only handed out for the range, and deployments(winger combat load is about 1 to 3 mags). As for down time, there is none on the wing side - they are tasked constantly, and every so many flight hours calls for a certain level of maintenance. Ground side works differently, though I have noticed with the exception of(off the top of my head) about 3 SNCOs, they dont give a fuck about anyone but themselves. I have been around, a part of 3 different BTNs, along with working with several more over deployments. They are pretty much all the same, 1/6, 3/2, 3/9, 2nd CEB, 2nd LAR are as of right now the only non-special warfare units that I have any respect for based on general care for their Marines.

You're kidding right?

I was with both MALS-36 and MALS-39 and I recall one of the first things I had to do when getting to both locations was going to the armory to get a rifle issued to me. And what do you know, every time I went to clean it or go to the range, it was the same rifle. Sure sounds like it was issued to me. I really enjoyed going to the range and shooting better than 95% of the grunts out there.

I've been Air force for over 6 years now and it has honestly been the best decision of my life. I almost joined the Army in early 2005, I had a 'guaranteed job' as a Counter-Intel Agent, however my recruiter told me that he'd been in 22 years and didn't care if I joined the Army or not as he was getting out soon and wished he had joined the Air Force all those years ago, not necessarily for himself but for the way the AF takes care of your family as well (something to think about even if you don't currently have one) He literally had my enlistment paperwork in his hand to be signed by me and said 'I don't see any reason why you CANT join the AF, go talk to the recruiter next door and if you don't like what he has to say or what jobs are available, come back and I'll sign you up'

I think that job would have been VERY interesting in the Army, however I still feel the AF was the better choice of the two. I wont get into specifics of what I do in the AF, however I do get to ride around in planes and do neat things.

The choice is yours, as others have said though if you are questioning yourself between two VERY VERY different ways of life I'd suggest you go AF.

The Air Force was a cake walk.

I just got out a few months ago. I'm now a full-time student and making more money with the G.I. Bill and unemployment than I was as an E-4 with BAH/BAS.

I was a 3c0x1 and had a very easy 4 years. You will understand why it's called the chair force for the most part.

Then obviously your a boot. Since I've been a CMC I have dealt with every unit qualifying on Lejeune. Mag 26/29 have both said the same thing. Their armory has weapons, but they are not issued to their Marines. They are only handed out for the range, and deployments(winger combat load is about 1 to 3 mags). As for down time, there is none on the wing side - they are tasked constantly, and every so many flight hours calls for a certain level of maintenance. Ground side works differently, though I have noticed with the exception of(off the top of my head) about 3 SNCOs, they dont give a fuck about anyone but themselves. I have been around, a part of 3 different BTNs, along with working with several more over deployments. They are pretty much all the same, 1/6, 3/2, 3/9, 2nd CEB, 2nd LAR are as of right now the only non-special warfare units that I have any respect for based on general care for their Marines.

Obviously, you have no idea what you're talking about. No one has been able to corroborate any of your nonsense about the Marine Corps. You must be one of those people that needs to feel special. The world doesn't revolve around and nobody gives a shit about your petty little issues ya crybaby.

Do what you feel is best, figure out what job you would like to do. which ever branch offers it go for it. I'm currently in the army and i work in a Recon platoon couldn't be happier but its hard work.

I have met alot of guys from both Marine's & Air Force you really can't go wrong just do what you feel is best. As far as the shit talking goes though every branches swears they are the best. but we all pull our own weight..... for example we all train each other, E.O.D i believe is ran on an Air force base, being in recon i know there are a few schools the marines offer for us army guys. and the army offers schools ranging from AirBorne, Air assault & Ranger etc... just do what you feel is right for you.

But if i were you id say Marine all the way.... i started out my army career working with marines and i love'd my devil dogs.... when i went to Airborne i was pretty good friends with some marines

i actually just took the time to look at your original post, if you are worried about getting treated poorly don't be a dipshit when you show up to your unit. everyone is going to have a shitty day.

do you have any idea what you'd like to do???

i chose the Marines for a few different reasons, to be different from my families history of military (brothers and dad were either navy or air force) another reason was tradition (males in my family, military is encouraged. give back something to your country) i like the history of the Marines, very rich history vs the other branches. there's so much pride! waking up everyday hating my job ( i aint going to lie about that, i'll get to that in a little) i just wake up proud knowing that i myself had the balls to push myself, get out of my comfort zone, give up everything i had that was going great to start at the bottom again. proud that out of all my friends.... i'm the only one that did what he said he would do.

now why didn't i just go the AF way, hell i work helo's! it's too easy! i have to do everything the hard way. when everyone takes the easy path, i'll take the hard path. was like that before i enlisted and still am, only a few months out before i EAS.

now to my job.... I work with ordnance on aircraft. my work days are "12 on 12 off" i say it like that because in reality, the days are almost 15-16 hours long. i work outside all the time, don't matter the weather conditions. constantly moving ordnance around manually up and down from aircraft. we are undermanned and have only 4 tool boxes, literally 4 boxes. we are four-sited right now stretching our man power even thinner. i wake up pissed off every morning doing the same job over and over again day in and day out.

last year, we were training just outside of las vegas at a AF base. their living conditions were 5 star hotels compared to our rooms back in pendelton. their chow halls had FRESH food! the strangest thing was people were happy to be at work, like they actually smiled! one thing i noticed was that everyone had a specialty job. where it would be me and two other marines to do a job, they had about 4 teams of 3-5 airmen a piece! even loading the ordnance they had lifts and all sorts of fancy tools to make the job easy! lol i just laughed and thought to myself, im doing this all wrong...i should be using my head not my back!

anyways everything is easier in the AF vs the Marines. if your happy with having it easy that's fine, nothing wrong with that. I myself chose the Marines because i like challenges!

they looked happy because they couldn't wait to get off work to go downtown and party lol. i know, im AF and have been TDY to Nellis 4 times and their on base lodging is pretty nice i must say. shoot, even their crack houses aren't bad. crew chiefs most of the time work 12's as well at home station, they did when i was stationed at shaw AFB. They have career fields (in Aircraft maintenance) for hydro, ammo, munitions, egress, sheet metal, metals tech, propultions and Fuel Systems which is what i do (im sure im forgetting a few) i work on F-16's and there's a reason why we don't do more than fuels systems, because they are a burden to work on and troubleshoot. itll take you all of 5 years or more experience on that jet to KNOW well what you are doing right just in my career field. plus its the air force, its what we do so we are going to have more manning and jobs in maintenance compared to any other branch

I joined the Marine Corps in a court room. True story. I did a bunch of stupid shit that should have had me behind bars for years RIGHT after I turned 18. The judge asked me to turn around, and say hello to the gentleman sitting in the back (Marine Recruiter). Judge told me if I went to boot camp, made it, and returned in uniform he'd make it, in a nutshell, all go away.

That man died before I had the chance to come back. I never had the chance to stand in front of him as a Marine and not a dipshit that didn't deserve his leniancy. I never had the chance to say thank you.

I now make a 850 mile round trip once a year to lay flowers on his grave, say a prayer, and drive back home.

Moral of the story is the Marines gave me something. They gave me a reason to be the best I could be. They gave me responsibility, and they held me accountable when I deserved it. They made me grow up, learn a lot more about life than I ever would have as a civillian, and to appreciate. Just appreciate.

Hell, I can still tell you the 7th Commandant of the Marine Corps, BrigGen Jacob Zeilin created and approved the Eagle, Globe and Anchor. They instill discipline and culture you won't find anywhere else; A brotherhood till the end of time.

OP, bottom line is I think you already made up your mind and want reassurance. When I joined I didn't have a computer or internet.... I had no idea what a "forum" was. In the end you have to make your own decision for what YOU want and what YOU expect out of life. Make it meaningful.

Based on the info the OP has given, I believe the Air Force would better suit what you are looking for. There are lots of aircraft maintenance jobs in the Air Force that are usually readily available, and I can promise you that your condition of life will be better than in the Marines. There are flying crew chiefs also, that depending on what airframe you are assigned, you may get to travel often and all over the world.

Let me be very clear on this next part though; this is to say nothing negative about the Marines. Every branch has its use, and we could not do it as a whole without each one, especially the Marines. They have it much worse because the environment in which they perform day to day duties is much more harsh. But to them, "the suck" is home. Thats why they are the best at what they do.

To the OP, when you are a little closer in your decision, I urge you to find actual individuals be it on here, or better yet in the real world who are in that exact position to give you a very accurate description of life in that career. There is nothing more important than picking something you will be happy in, vs something a recruiter lied to you about and now you are miserably awaiting the end of your enlistment.

Wow...Some laughable info in here. Mostly from one individual. There's your 10%.

You will know if you want to be a Marine. If you are trying to "decide" between AF or the Corps, go AF. They are a very giving organization. And there is nothing wrong with that.

In the Corps, you will get yelled at, live in dirt holes, see the worst parts of the worst, and think at times, think nothing could be worse. But, it's been the best decision I've ever made.

My wife did her first 4 yrs in the AF, then onto the Marines. She'll be retiring in a few years with about 24 years of service. Her view, the AF is like being a civilian, but you wear a uniform to work. She loved it, but wanted something different.

I say, go AF.

Wow...Some laughable info in here. Mostly from one individual. There's your 10%.

You will know if you want to be a Marine. If you are trying to "decide" between AF or the Corps, go AF. They are a very giving organization. And there is nothing wrong with that.

In the Corps, you will get yelled at, live in dirt holes, see the worst parts of the worst, and think at times, think nothing could be worse. But, it's been the best decision I've ever made.

My wife did her first 4 yrs in the AF, then onto the Marines. She'll be retiring in a few years with about 24 years of service. Her view, the AF is like being a civilian, but you wear a uniform to work. She loved it, but wanted something different.

I say, go AF.

couldn't have said it better myself

Ive been in the Air force for 12 years. It has changed alot. Mostly for the worse. They are losing sight of main goals and missions, and are more concerned about being fit-to-fight and updating your computer based training. The Air Force is a JOKE!!! Im an aircraft mechanic that makes less than an auto mechanic as a civilian. They award people who have the easiest jobs and who screw up the most. The promotion system is based on lies and kissing ass. I personally have gotten an achievemnet award for something I didnt do. I had no idea til I was up on stage in front of my fellow airmen, hearing all the "bullet statements" " Airman Joe" did that I was getting credit for, just cause they didnt like him. Do not go Air Force trust me. Unless you like training and doing someone elses job after working 9-12 hours of your job. Getting blamed for everyone elses mistakes, or getting wrote up because your not wearing your earplugs or something rediculous. There is way to much BS for any one to deal with. This is 12 years of experience talking and 3 different bases.

You should have never moved out of your mom's house, clearly real life is too difficult for you.

the only true marine is a submarine............:moon:


now that thats out of the way. Personally I think Navy or AF is the best set for you. I joined the Navy cause of the technical training I can get from it. Best decision yet. Granted my living conditions suck more than most everyone except the SEALS but it was my choice and I wouldn't look back on it for a minute. Being a submariner has its bragging rights just the same as a marine, but I have the utmost respect for what those guys do. choose what you feel is right and will help you the most for a life after the military. That is what I did, but this just may end up being a career for me.

I was 9 years Navy. If I didn't go Navy I would have gone Air Force. Nothing against Marines, but my family and friends were a mix of Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines and all agreed that Air Force was the way to go for standard of living. It was mainly out of tradition that I chose Navy. Dad, uncle, great uncle, cousin, you get the picture.

Like others said, figure out what you want to do then talk to recruiters and see if they offer it after you get your ASVAB score. I had friends who were Aviation Marines that worked on Cobra helos and others that worked on F-18. They went to Navy schools for basic electronics. Had a fair standard of living but had to deploy to ships or the desert. Also got some shit from Marine grunts for being "Personnel Other than Grunt". Can you stand the thought of being out to sea for months at a time? Would you mind living in the equivalent of a shipping container in the desert?

My friend Chris went Air Force. He worked in a photo recon lab. Top notch per-diem and accomodations on travel. He walked into a plum Government job when he got out and is working in an air conditioned lab. From start to finish his stint in the military offered a better standard of living and enabled him to work in the medium that he enjoyed which is photography.

Best of luck, there are plenty of jobs and schools in the military. Find the right one that fits you and you'll be happy.

Go Air Force just stay away from being a mechanic on fighter jets. That is the one job where you get treated like a slave in the Air Force

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