Husband has 20 years in the Marine Corps and loved it. But does say the Air Force is much much better at encouraging further education for enlisted.

Navy is probably the safest in the current threat atmosphere. Unless he goes for the SEALs.

In a larger scale conflict, i.e., China or Russia or even Iran, that would change. But ISIL is not a threat to ships.

Absolutely worst site to ask this question LOL

Many of my coworkers are former military, and they all talk about the Air Force treating their people much better than the other branches. My experience has been that new recruits that came from the armed forces are significantly more capable than those who only attended college. College was a joke! I can't complain because I can't think of an easier transition into adulthood.

Focus on the MOS, not the brand of service.

My husband is in the Coast Guard and that's my vote. What I like: smaller service and great sense of community, we will always be stationed near water (looking at you Air Force), deployments are shorter, still plenty of options to see the world.

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

I've also heard "Air Farce"

Anonymous wrote:Air Force Academy grad here, it's the best way to go.

Well, sure, if you can get in.
For the rest of us: enlist, then go to college on the GI Bill, then seek a commission. I know several who've traveled this route with excellent results. Your enlisted service will be counted towards promotion, retirement benefits, etc.
Anyone really seeking a lifetime military career would do well to consider the Navy or USMC (which is part of the Navy). USMC is the smallest and toughest of the services (Coast Guard excepted) It's the path to top brass for those without family connections inside DOD.

Air Force Academy grad here, it's the best way to go.

Has he thought about NOAA Corp? Commissioned officers working on scientific research cutters or flying planes into hurricanes?

French Foreign Legion