Please tell me it's different

[lilreeves]

I'm currently awaitng parole from the Army in looking to do time in the Marines but before I make such a choice,I would like to know if there are any soldiers serving in the Marines and what are the differences and what is the same?.

[dgeezy]

It's getting more an more like the army... as in soft.

[Variable Wind]

It's getting more an more like the army... as in soft.

Very true, but as an Army aviation member, I had a much better time when our unit deployed with the Marines.

[Gunny08]

It's getting more an more like the army... as in soft.

That has been the cry of all generations. It was always rougher in "our day". I meet a lot of soldiers (Regular, Reserve & National Guard) at the nearby base (Ft. Dix) who previously served in the Corps, some very recently. They all tell me the same, 'no comparison'. Even some Army officers who served with Marine units in Iraq quietly agreed.

LILREEVES- I've known many soldiers and sailors who became Marines. Their prior service always helped them. They absorbed the 'mystique' and became Marines, not 'Former soldiers or sailors'. If you believe you can make the transition, go for it. Yes, the Corps is different, it is a very different culture, but Boot Camp will 'ease' your makeover.

[Combat correspondent]

Amen! Nothing compares! Comparing your Army life and fellow soldiers to your potential Marine Corp life and fellow Marines is much like comparing home-baked chocolate chip cookies to the crumbs of a stale, old bag of store bought ones. To bake the best ones and to make a Marine takes your self-sacrificing courage and an unwavering commitment. Good luck!

By the way, you'll have to go to boot camp and will be reduced to an E-2 or possibly an E-3. But, you'll be on a fast track.

Ever heard of Chesty Puller, as in Lt Gen? He was enlisted in the Army and got accepted into an Army commissioning program. He was in his junior year and soon to be made an Army officer but quit it all to enlist as an E-1 in the Marines. When asked why, he stated, "I want to go where the guns are!" That statement alone should shed some light into the differences between soldiers and Marines.

[OIFCOMBATVETNYC]

Well I been both to Army and Marine Corps basic/boot so its all about what you put into it. You had to do boot camp all over again but you will appreciate it. Just dont let the DI know you former Army because they will smoke you for the whole day. I was on the quarterdeck for hours doing mountain climbers and hanging from the pull-up bar because I slipped with a drill sergeant. oooohhhhhhhhh a no-go!! lol

Whats the same? hmm similiar rank structure, PT in the morning, ground combat.

Different?? You will talk like the Navy, better uniforms, harder PT standards, not the best of anything that the Army has. Dont know if you will go from an M4 back to an M16 lol. and more women will love you ;)

[mel44]

Well I been both to Army and Marine Corps basic/boot so its all about what you put into it. You had to do boot camp all over again but you will appreciate it. Just dont let the DI know you former Army because they will smoke you for the whole day. I was on the quarterdeck for hours doing mountain climbers and hanging from the pull-up bar because I slipped with a drill sergeant. oooohhhhhhhhh a no-go!! lol

Whats the same? hmm similiar rank structure, PT in the morning, ground combat.

Different?? You will talk like the Navy, better uniforms, harder PT standards, not the best of anything that the Army has. Dont know if you will go from an M4 back to an M16 lol. and more women will love you ;)

:eek: can you say yuk 3 times!!!!! (sticks finger down throat) Definately a reason to serve lol

[Combat correspondent]

yuk, yuk, yuk. Why do you ask?

[Blue Badge]

A simple tale to relate on this idea....

NSTIW... many moons ago (though the policies I speak of still are in place), I received a phone call from my cousin....

"Hey Blue! How's it going Man? Things are freaking awesome here! I LOVE the Marines!"

"Really Cuz? What's going on?"

"I got promoted again! I Love how fast I've worked my way up!"

"Congratz Cuz! I'm glad to hear that for you! How is that going to effect things for you?"

"Well, I'm a Sgt now.. e-5, so I get more responsibility and more troops to lead!"

"Very cool. How is your housing going to be effected now?", I thought, knowing he was living in a bay dorm with 30 other guys.

"That's the best part Blue! Now I get TWO wall lockers! Can you believe that? It's freaking awesome!"

NSTIW... Sitting on the back deck of the 2 bedroom, garage, fenced backyard with a deck house I was renting with my BAH as a single USAF SSgt (E-5), sipping at a drink waiting on the grill to finsh up the steaks for my girlfriend and I... when I got this call from my cousin in the Marines.

He loves it in the Corp... I just question his sanity... :)

[Snoop_Frogg]

Oooooo Yeah. I rate a whole room to myself. It's really great when there's an overflow and they put another marine in my room for about a month and he trashes the hell outta it. Than I get stuck with cleaning his mess...well...the main perk is that since you aren't allowed a female in your room 'sometimes' you can masturbate freely. Sweet deal for the marine corps. And there's some other stories I can tell you about oki...or any other marine out there could tell you about that if they've been. Good times on camp guard for some...better times on camp police. Have fun!