Which branch should I join to see combat? Army or USMC? *Infantry*?

Question

What branch should I join and have the best chance of seeing combat?

Would I need to join SF of some sort? I want to be just a basic infantryman. The 0311 MOS from the Marines has LAV crewman as a possibility- something I do NOT want to be stuck as. I have talked with recruiters from both branches and just really do not know which way to go.

I would be joining AFTER college (at age 22).

Thanks for the help.

Answer 1

depends what unit marine corps and light army( like the 82nd and 10th mountain) units will see combat first... heavy army units come in after to secure.

Answer 2

USMC, definitely.  Most likely you will end up in Iraq by joining the marines, and most Army is going to Afghanistan as well.  Thank you for serving this country.

Answer 3

Join the Marines.  You seem highly motivated and they want Marines who want to see combat.  The Army might be a little "kinder and gentler" for you taste.

Answer 4

Well you make life so simple dude..If you dont want to have a chance at getting the LAV MOS then you choose Army and enjoy your time there..

Real simple...If you choose USMC infantry you have a one in five chance of getitng LAV and you say you dont want that, so what is there to debate?

And the 0300 MOS has LAV and not the 0311, that is a basic rifleman.

And where exactly is all this combat you wish to see?

Answer 5

If you want to see combat, the Marines are the way to go. The army will get you there but you have to remember that the army is vast compared to the Marine Corps.  Also the Grunts will get you to a place where you can shoot but in the Marines, every Marine is a rifleman and I know a lot of box kickers and admin bubbas that have combat action ribbons. Oh and don't hate on LAVs those things are awesome.

Answer 6

I think that USMC is the most skilled.  It doesn't matter which one you choose because they all deploy.  Sorry, but the girl above has it wrong...MOST MARINES are deploying to Afganistan now.  I know this because I am of a military family!

Down below is a link to a site that will help you choose which brach will be best for you.  

Answer 7

if Infantry ya want you should go with the US army rangers, usually when war or confict erupts they are one of the first units to be sent to a hotzone

Answer 8

If you are smart enough to finish school and plan out your future, then we need guys like you in SF. Check out Navy Seals while you are at it. If you want to be a grunt, you will be surrounded by grunts. Be the creme of the crop, good luck buddy

Answer 9

from what I've seen the casualty -PERCENTAGE- is about the same for army and marines, there's about 850-900 for the 200,000 marines, and about 2,500 for the 500,000 soldiers (all active duty-and is same for reserves) from what I've gathered (and I've talked to plenty marines and soldiers) the odds of you getting trigger time are about the same for light and airborne army infantry and marine infantry, now you're odds are greater as an army ranger but you cant just jump into that. I was in the same pickle as you, the marines made my decision for me though (tatted up) and I'm glad they did, I get the impression that allot of this -first ones in- talk comes from  past wars, there really is no front line now and there are no beaches to storm and jungle to cross our biggest enemy is IED's mines and things that go BOOM, there is no army to fight on the front, we are pretty much fighting a very glorified street gang (and I got homies here packin serious sh*t) but good luck, remember there really is no WRONG decision here.

Answer 10

Well my suggestion to you is if your not going to join until your out of college you should get in the ROTC program. Now of course you want to see combat i would recomment the Marines but the marines do not have an ROTC program but the Army does. Now the ROTC program is for people who are going to college or are in college, you will major in something that intrests you and once you graduate you will be an officer.  

Answer 11

If your planning on going to college, why waste time as an 0311. Going into the Marines with nothing but a death wish is a dream that comes true all to often for many of our young men. Please, do me a favor, decide on a career path and at the very least try and enter the military, reguardless of what branch you chose, with a clear and realistic plan into an MOS that is most simalar to the civilian career that you plan to continue after college.

You have no idea what war will do to your body or mind, and brother mark my words, we will be in another war again by Christmas.

Good luck kid!

And yes I served 8 years ....

Answer 12

the marines they go in first. and army stablelize. so if you want action go marines infantry. they deploy for 7months at the time. the army deploy for a year to a year and a half