Best branch of military for young adult

[Anonymous]

My nephew would like to join the military and see the world. His family is discussing which is the best branch for him to join. Currently he is interested in the Marines or Navy. My BIL thinks he should join the Air Force, that they are treated better.
Does anyone have experience in this area and care to weigh in?

And of course I realize as a doting aunt that I have 0 influence over what is decided, but I am curious what others think.

[Anonymous]

Air Force or how every other service refers to them, Chair Force.

[Anonymous]

Air Force and Navy are probably the least likely to spend time touring the desert.

And if he's going enlisted, please encourage him to get a job that has applications outside of the military world. Something medical, vehicle/airplane mechanic, etc...not just infantry or driving a truck. He'll have an easier time on the outside.

[Anonymous]

I've heard good things about the Coast Guard fwiw.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've heard good things about the Coast Guard fwiw.

Former Coast Guard wife and I would highly recommend it! It is the smallest branch of the military, and you can feel that on the bases. There are lots of opportunities for traveling to different places in the country, near water obviously, and there is some international travel in the Caribbean area. If you are writing this post from this area there are a lot of duty stations up and down the East Coast that make it easy for visits. And although it is small a lot of the stations are near basis for the Marines, or the Navy, so you still do have access to this huge bases. We spent several years in Portsmouth VA and the base is 20 minutes from the ginormous naval base and you have access to all the resources there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Air Force and Navy are probably the least likely to spend time touring the desert.

And if he's going enlisted, please encourage him to get a job that has applications outside of the military world. Something medical, vehicle/airplane mechanic, etc...not just infantry or driving a truck. He'll have an easier time on the outside.

This. My husband was Air Force and he'd say these are the better. What this person is saying is really important. Many jobs do not translate into civilian jobs as many need certifications. Military trains you to be certified for them, but not outside. I'd encourage him to go to college and become an officer. My husband is retired enlisted and its not an easy life, especially when you are in the lower ranks. And, if he doesn't encourage him to get his degree early and transfer to officer, if they will allow it. If anything, get your degree that leads to a career when you get out. My husband got his IT degree as he was retiring. Many of his friends who did not get degrees or got any degree to satisfy the military had a much harder time getting a job outside. If you retire, you only serve 20-30 years so for an 18-20 year old, you retire at 38, and still have another full career.

My husband would agree with Coast Guard too. No army or marines.

[Anonymous]

I did the Army and I agree the Air Force treats their people much better. Perhaps its because they're smaller and it's easier to accommodate smaller numbers of people. The best example I can think of is that when you eat at an Air Force cafeteria they bus your tray for you. Talk about gold plated service, you don't get that in the Army. Food is also better.

The only drawback is that it's easier to advance in the Army because the Army is bigger and, by definition, there are more available slots.

[Anonymous]

For pride, Army or Marines and combat arms for sure.

But honestly for real career training, I would do Air Force or Navy as others mentioned. The Air Force in particular were a bit more selective with their recruits twenty years ago or so.

One of the main things that kind of stuck with me was trying to get a civilian job afterwards and talking to some other Army vets at the employment office for a grocery store. Then in school would take classes with Navy or Air Force vets who mentioned that they were making six figures.

Then similar seeing some West Point grads do kind of entry level work after getting out.

The other branches might have similar jobs that the Air Force and Navy has. Such as computer security and all of that. But the quality of life for the Air Force is kind of nicer too. Where all of their facilities are clean and brand new, although I'm sure they're probably responsible for it. But even out in the field they have a portable kitchen out there where they can have their breakfast made to order, while others were stuck eating MREs for that entire period.

The officers I respected the most were either West Point grads or NCOs who went to OCS.

If I could do it over again, I would recommend something like doing reserves or a two year stint in combat arms for the experience. Finish at least two years of college, where they used to give you a higher rank for each level of credits you completed. ie if you completed 24 credits, they'd place you as a E2, 48 credits, E3, etc. up to E4. Then either do ROTC to get their commission or something longer term for their career. Then when they're ready finish that last two years of college to get their bachelors degree.

As others mentioned, whatever he chooses to do, if he's doing it for the long term make sure to pick a specialty that would be useful and carries over in the real world.

[Anonymous]

The Coast Guard is like the 5th Battle. If he wants to go into the military, chances are he isn't wanting to join to have it easy.

To see the world, Navy or Army.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For pride, Army or Marines and combat arms for sure.

But honestly for real career training, I would do Air Force or Navy as others mentioned. The Air Force in particular were a bit more selective with their recruits twenty years ago or so.

One of the main things that kind of stuck with me was trying to get a civilian job afterwards and talking to some other Army vets at the employment office for a grocery store. Then in school would take classes with Navy or Air Force vets who mentioned that they were making six figures.

Then similar seeing some West Point grads do kind of entry level work after getting out.

The other branches might have similar jobs that the Air Force and Navy has. Such as computer security and all of that. But the quality of life for the Air Force is kind of nicer too. Where all of their facilities are clean and brand new, although I'm sure they're probably responsible for it. But even out in the field they have a portable kitchen out there where they can have their breakfast made to order, while others were stuck eating MREs for that entire period.

The officers I respected the most were either West Point grads or NCOs who went to OCS.

If I could do it over again, I would recommend something like doing reserves or a two year stint in combat arms for the experience. Finish at least two years of college, where they used to give you a higher rank for each level of credits you completed. ie if you completed 24 credits, they'd place you as a E2, 48 credits, E3, etc. up to E4. Then either do ROTC to get their commission or something longer term for their career. Then when they're ready finish that last two years of college to get their bachelors degree.

As others mentioned, whatever he chooses to do, if he's doing it for the long term make sure to pick a specialty that would be useful and carries over in the real world.

Some of the Army bases have been upgraded in the past few years and are much nicer than when you were active duty or my husband. The quality of life has always been better but what I hear from our docs and others are that its much better now. I'd still say Air Force or Navy if it were my child (prefer Air Force because of Dad).

[Anonymous]

Does he want combat arms- i.e. fight? It's not as glamorous as it seems in COD. Most of the time it is boring with a lot of training and preparing. So marine or army(combat arm branch/mos) are more likely to see combat. Coast Guard is a great way to go...maybe become a warrant officer and fly something.
Just remember if you enlist and fail your school(i.e. you sign up to be a language specialist), you are assigned to the needs of the service you signed up for...so instead of being a language specialist you become a cook, truck driver or infantry.
Also if you goes, tell him to train before basic and be able to hit 80-90% on the PT test of the service he choose.

[Anonymous]

Coast Guard isn't military. It's Department of Transportation.

[Anonymous]

Air Force or Navy

Please convince him not to join the Army.

[Anonymous]

I was in the Air Force for 10 years. I remember the reactions of the Army and USMC guys when they transferred over, total 180 difference

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Coast Guard isn't military. It's Department of Transportation.

It's been in DHS for 14 years. Get with the program.