Reply Appreciated: US Army and Marines

18x isn't a bad idea if you are absolutely, positively, 100% certain you want to earn a green beret and a long tab, and spend 2 years in training to get it. If you have any questions about your career in the military, 18x is not the way to go. It's a 5-year obligation, minimum. This does not include potential add-ons to your active duty service obligation that come from attending certain schools. Any school over 60 days = the length of the school x 3, if I remember correctly.

As an Infantry Officer, you're pretty much guaranteed Airborne AND Ranger School, though. And if there's time between OCS and IBOLC, you can take some pretty cool courses while you're snowbirding at Benning. You won't be able to apply for a spot in the 75th until you're a 1st Lt, promotable to Cpt. That's okay, though 'cause there are some good assignment opportunities available to 2lts if you're willing to work with your branch counselor.

Also, depending on your deployment schedule, you'll be able to apply/attend SFAS when you're a 1LT promotable to Cpt. By that time, you'll have a better idea of how the Army works, and whether this is something you want to make a career of.

Finally, the biggest thing I can say is work on your PT. Those run times are just fine, but you better be able to do a lot more pushups and situps. Unless you can score over 270 on the APFT, you'll struggle to earn the respect I was talking about in my earlier post. Build towards being able to do 70+ pushups in 2 minutes, and 80+ situps. Those are good starting points.

The US Army would reflect your orientation and focus. Which is as you have testified, is you, your future, your D-I athletic prowess, your self development, you. Marines are rotten to the Corps". Marines are about the history and tradition of the Marine Corps. Marines are a cult. That's not your personality.

Infantry Officer wrote:

I want a job that is physically demanding, requires quick thinking, and is honorable.

Try firefighting. Try being an OR doctor. Unlike fighting for the Evil Empire, it's all three.

Infantry Officer,

Grunt is very knowledgeable--listen to what he says carefully. To piggyback on him, being a Green Beret is a total lifestyle commitment; you will be married to your career. Like Grunt said, do not go 18x unless you are totally committed. It is probably better if you go to OCS for branch Infantry and then you can decide how deep you want to go. This sounds campy-cliched, but you can be a 9-5 soldier, or a full-time warrior. Do yourself a favor and be a 9-5 soldier before you decide you want to live the warrior lifestyle. A SF Team Leader will come to work at 0600 and go home at 1800 or later. Then count on being away for schools, training, and deployments for at least 8 months a year. Grunt, YMMV.

You need to stop with the Army vs. Marines babble. How about you provide me with some meaningful insight (or constructive criticism)?

An Army of One wrote:

The US Army would reflect your orientation and focus. Which is as you have testified, is you, your future, your D-I athletic prowess, your self development, you. Marines are rotten to the Corps". Marines are about the history and tradition of the Marine Corps. Marines are a cult. That's not your personality.

Trying to keep it balanced at this point if possible. Ironically, the "Army of One" ad campaign was created by Madison Ave's finest at a low point in Army recruiting in attempt to de-emphasize "teamwork" aspects of the Army and appeal to more individualized and seriously selfish attitudes of a younger generation who had zero interest in "serving." I personally don't think that the Army's leadership training has changed to such a selfish degree or a "me" oriented version as you describe, it's not all about "you."

Regarding your USMC comments, there are many nasty aspects to life in the Marine Corps, but I don't know any reasonable person who would cite History and Tradition amongst them. Speaking of cults, ever been to West Point?

Read the posts in his lines.

He's a self absorbed track guy.

A Navy, Air Force, Army type.

, ever been to West Point?

We should hump each other sometime. Being a Marine, we know we can take a fisting like a real man! Let's set up a time to meet.

Man, I'd come up behind you and put you in a hold you'd never forget! They don't know how to do that in the Army. I'd ride you until you were raw. Let's do it! I'll show you my devil dog if you'll show me your jarhead!

Marines are squids with a combat MOS. They are part of the Navy. Enough said.

Yeah, these Navy boys I been banging are a little too tight for me, and it gets exhausting being a top. I can roll with it? What's your email address? My devil dog is primed!

First off, my intention was not to offend any Marines. I need to draw the line as to prevent a pissing contest between the Marine Corps and Army. I have seen many forums polluted by military rivalries. I am trying my hardest to be professional and exercise decorum.

Thanks to Grunt, Blizzardo, Payton and others for the information. I think I will focus on OCS.

From additional research it appears MARSOC emulates SF, not the Rangers. I was getting confused because some websites said MARSOC training was similar to SF but utilized in war the same as the Rangers.

My problem is the more I look into the Army and Marines I become evermore-so conflicted. I see the good in each one. The Marines' biggest incentive is motivated soldiers permeate the Corps. While the Army offers more career goals.

Another question involves career. Is the Army going to be bias toward those who attended West Point while the Marines will be purely focused on performance? I dislike bureaucratic favoritism regardless whether it is a fact of life.

To track guy:

I am not a self absorbed track guy. I have made numerous sacrifices for the betterment of my team, often putting others before myself. I am not perfect, but far from selfish.

PS. Thanks for the professional soldiers website. I will check it out when I have free time.

Yeah, I put them before myself so I can stare at their pretty little asses when I run. Boy, I am liking you more already. You are a thinker!

Why do you talk all faggy and stuff?

give us all a break. join the AF/NV/AR. it's american. have fun.

Mine is really short, but it's fat. My jarhead friends think it's cute.

Infantry Officer wrote:

I don't tolerate BS. The military isn't devoid of BS but not as bad as the civilian world.

I'm not in the military, but that sentence caught my eye.

When people say "BS," nine times out of ten, they mean "doesn't make sense to me," or "not the way I want to do it." If you join the military, you'll be ordered to do a LOT of things that you don't like or that don't make sense to you.

Having read the thread, I don't doubt your intelligence, athletic ability or toughness. But that one sentence tells me you have a bit of a chip on your shoulder, and might end up very frustrated in a big, top down bureaucracy where you absolutely have to do what you're told.

(And of course, to imply that the ENTIRE civilian world offers no options that aren't BS ... is complete BS.)

Good luck.