I need to make a very important decision by tomorrow. Should I join the Marines or the Navy?

Question

The recruiter I've been talking to told me he'd let me think it over and I have to have a decision ready by tomorrow when I take the ASVAB. Which, when taking into account all of the benefits each offers, would be the better choice for me? Just want your opinions. I know I have to make the choice myself. By the way, I originally was set on just joining the Army, but my friend who is in the Navy told me I was too smart for the Army and should join the Navy. We both went to Brooklyn Tech, which is a very good HS. So after reading up all of the four branches, I'm interested in joining either the Navy or Marines. Any input to which one offers better jobs, more college money, better living conditions, more action, etc.?

Answer 1

Some good information and some "biased info" below... first - I'm retired Navy with no regrets - my training helped me get an awesome job.

You don't have to make a decision tomorrow/today the recruiter will try to get you to do so to make his/her quota so they can move on to another prospective candidate. You have as much time as you need - recruiters tend to be like car salesman - take your time - it is your career / life.

Get your ASVAB scores see what jobs you qualify for - each job is called a rate or rating (not to be confused with rank) the rank comes after the rating  for example....

a cook is a Mess Specialist or MS  a cook who is a third class petty officer would be an  MS3  (an E-3 would be an MSSN).

Think about what you like to do, computers, radios, tinkering with stuff to fix it, then try to match it to something in the Navy or USMC. You should also try to match it to something that will help you get a good job later on. It's great if you can find something you like to do and something that will help you find a good job after the military.

Biggest thing to remember is to get it in writing in your enlistment contract, what this does is guarentee that you will get the training. Whether or not you pass the training is up to you - the military will provide the opportunity. Should you fail the training (which is usually hard to do since they have night study too) you will be re-classified to whatever job / rate that they are hurting for or often referred to as critical ratings.  Most of your good long schools you will make E-4 upon graduation.

Bottom line it is YOUR choice NOT the recruiters - take your time and don't be pressured...  email me if you have further questions - glad to help.

Also all sailors don't chip paint or paint the ships...don't let others con you into believing it. Sure we go to sea but heck you got to drive the ship to some of those nice exotic ports, while you are underway you can take college classes (time permitting) or you can be learning your new job.  It's not as bad as some make it out to be...

The military is what you make it...

Answer 2

Navy. Faster advancement, better options in the civilian world after you get out.

Answer 3

The recruiter wants an answer simply because he wants to put your ASVAB score and line scores into work to find a rating for you and offer you a job. So he wants to know to start the enlisting process.

I would go Navy, oh wait, I did go Navy. Haha, and I'm not trying to be bias here okay.

If you are a smart guy, then go Navy. Don't waste your brains. The Navy, especially the ATF (Advanced Technical Field) has a lot of good ratings, such as AECF, SECF, NUKE, and all the CT fields. If your scores are good enough you can get any job you want, especially with a good bonus.

I recommend the Navy, better education, and while you're in the Navy, free college education, civilian life if you leave the Navy? You'll plenty of civilian job openings.

The Marines? They don't offer a lot for the afterlife so you're left empty handed, a lot of Marines don't get to work as what they did in the Marines in the civilian world because it's nothing worth it. (Not all but most).So since they have nothing to do in the civilian world, they stay Marines and re-enlist.

If you want more information on Navy jobs, descriptions, and what to do  go over to http://www.mynavyonline.com Im KJC88 there, a lot of retired and active and DEPers there who can help you.

Good luck Future Sailor!

Answer 4

The Navy gets the gravy and the Marines get the beans.

Answer 5

Depends what are you interested in and see what both have to offer  

Answer 6

Navy

Answer 7

Yeah, the Navy has faster advancement & more bases so there is more travel opportunities in the Navy than the Marines. Sounds like Navy is for you.

Answer 8

You can take the ASVAB without worrying which branch to go for. It is the same test for every branch. Each branch has something different.

1) Air Force- best for lower enlisted. You have the best food and living conditions, as well as excellent training. The drawbacks are longer initial tours, usually four years instead of three. The biggest weakness is that Air Force careers bottleneck at E5. It is difficult to gain rank to higher NCO levels, compared to other services.

2) Army- better for promotions. You pay for this by having more "gruntwork". The Army also deploys to combat situations more often. On the other hand, you can get shorter enlistments, usually three years.

3) Navy- You will be at sea. Usually, you will be doing things like painting the ship, or scraping off old paint your first few years.

4) Marines- I went through AIT with Marines. Maybe it was the MOS, but they had it soft. When the Army did PT in the morning, we were told to keep the noise down so the Marines could sleep in. The Marines did their PT in the afternoon, because winter was too cold for them to run in the morning.

Best job for Marine would be cartographer/topographic engineer.  

Answer 9

The recruiter is just pushing you. He doesn't want to waste his time if you aren't going to fill a slot in his quota.

Here's a link to steps in joining the military. Info to help you decide and questions to ask. IMHO the Navy has a wider choice of jobs and more education options.

http://www.military.com/Recruiting/Conte...

Go to the ASVAB part and try the practice tests. When you take the ASVAB at MEPS on the computer if you get a wrong answer the next question is easier and if you get a right answer the next question is harder.

Good Luck.

Answer 10

First, you don't "have" to make up your mind on their timeline...you make up your mind when you are ready. Second, the recruiter should have already talked to you about jobs, enlistment incentives that available, etc. It sounds like he may be pushing you a little bit too fast without giving you all the info. IMO, you need to go to him with a list of these questions written out and make sure he answers them.

Basically, you first need to get this info from the guy...if he isn't willing to talk to you about it, go find someone else. This is basic info that he should have already gone over. Then, based upon his info, decide what sounds like it is more 'you'.  

Answer 11

It sounds like you want the Navy.  However, you do NOT have to make up your mind tomorrow.

I don't understand, how do you have a recruiter who does different branches of the service?  

Answer 12

If you are not completely sure you want the Marines, then the answer is "you want the Navy". The Navy is a good service with lots of technical jobs.  

Answer 13

How can you be undecided between the two branches? Its not like the two offer the same jobs..

Its simple..Do you want to be in the Navy and do what they do everyday or do you want to be a Marine for the rest of your life and do what the Marine Corps does day in day out?

In my opinion you would be best in the Navy..

Those who become Marines are guided to them and not stuck deciding between the Navy and Marines.

Answer 14

Marine Corps is part of the Navy. Only thing is  Marines Corps is the mens Department. Join the Marines

                                                                                     Semper Fi