What are the benefits of each military branch?

PFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 25 Sep 2016 01:12:55 -0400

Response by SGT Aaron Atwood made Sep 25 at 2016 1:52 AM

SGT Aaron Atwood — Sun, 25 Sep 2016 01:52:28 -0400

Air Force: you look your age upon retirement (compares to Marines anyway).
Army: getting the latest and greatest in tech and gear.
Navy: like swimming? We'll pay you to do so.
Marine Corps: camaraderie, arguably awesome-looking dress blues, esprit de corps.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 25 at 2016 2:19 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 25 Sep 2016 02:19:26 -0400

There are no benefits. Only anger and despair. There may be light at the end of the tunnel for Air Force people but that's mostly it. Of course I'm only referring to the 4 branches. Zero clue what the Coast Guard is like. Maybe the reserves are ok too but idk.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 25 at 2016 3:39 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 25 Sep 2016 03:39:46 -0400

PFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member Great question! The web page below provides comparison information on the different branches. I have worked with men and women from all branches during my time in the military or civilian career. These men and women were a cut above everyone else because of the following traits: loyalty, discipline, integrity, team work, and the ability to adapt to what ever the situation calls for. These traits and others will help you the rest of your life.

Review this web page, and then go to the web site for each of the 5 branches to obtain more information on the jobs, duties, training, etc.

If you find that you want more information about the Marine Corps, I will be glad to provide that to you.

http://www.military.com/join-armed-forces/military-service-branches-compared.html

Head To Head Comparison of the Military Branches

Get an overview of all the services and continue exploring details throughout the site.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 25 at 2016 3:18 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 25 Sep 2016 15:18:04 -0400

find the one with the job you really want to do. otherwise, the pay is the same except for specialty pay...

Response by SFC Pete Kain made Sep 25 at 2016 4:46 PM

SFC Pete Kain — Sun, 25 Sep 2016 16:46:12 -0400

Benefits are all the same. Now if you mean job satisfaction....That depends on you and want you want.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Sep 25 at 2016 5:49 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Sun, 25 Sep 2016 17:49:45 -0400

I served at joint and unified commands for 6 years and then worked as a contractor at a unified command for over 10 years. Here's my observation on the 5 branches of the Armed Forces:
Army teaches NCOs and officers how to be leaders first and managers second. Discipline and reverence for Army history are important. The officers I worked with were hard working, honest, and smart. Good bosses and great customers.
Navy officers I worked with were very straightforward and unafraid to express their opinions. They missed working in their specialty and often regarded higher headquarters duty as an inconvenient necessity. They understood the dignity and necessity of standing the watch. Submariners are a bit geeky.
Marine officers I worked with were clearly dedicated and loyal to the Corps. More disciplined and tradition bound than the Army. Solid leaders, but sometimes a little weak on management skills. They always got the mission accomplished. Expert at overcoming obstacles. (In civilian life, I hired a Marine every time I got a chance because I knew they would get the job done.)
Air Force NCOs and officers were trained to be managers and leaders (in that order). They were comfortable with technology. Excellent briefers. Worked hard and smart. Normally honest and dedicated. Generally personable and friendly.
Coast Guard officers I worked with were a blend of Navy and Air Force characteristics. They had a bit of a civilian edge to their behaviors because at the time they were part of the Department of Transportation (later moved to Homeland Security). They took their work seriously, listened well; comfortable with technology.

At the lower enlisted grades, my limited observation says the Air Force and Coast Guard members have the least harsh life styles. Junior enlisted in all services work hard and experience a certain amount of "suck." The Air Force is technology intensive, so many of their enlisted are trained as technicians and work in a relatively clean environment compared to an Army or Marine grunt (said with great respect for the grunts). Of course, most Air Force combat forces are officers, which is very different form the other Services. (Same for the Army's air force and the Navy's air force.) The Coast Guard missions include search and rescue and law enforcement. Lots of danger there, but the work atmosphere is greatly influenced by the Coast Guard being part of a non-military Department. In some respects the Coasties are pretty civilianized.

Response by SP5 Joel O'Brien made Sep 25 at 2016 7:44 PM

SP5 Joel O'Brien — Sun, 25 Sep 2016 19:44:52 -0400

With no way to justify what I'm about to say, I'm glad the Army allowed me to do something I actually wanted to do rather than drive a desk or something else of that ilk. From what I heard, and this is going back more than a few years, some jobs in the Air Force were only available after you excelled at something else and then cross-trained. What I did in the Army was not, I believe, available to members of the Coast Guard. I had little interaction with the Marines and Navy so I cannot comment on them. So, it's tough to say what the bennies of each branch are because it appears you make those benefits attainable by your actions.

Response by SFC J Fullerton made Sep 26 at 2016 4:47 PM

SFC J Fullerton — Mon, 26 Sep 2016 16:47:47 -0400

By the looks of your picture, I would assume you recently swore in at MEPS and are currently in the DEP waiting to ship. A little late to be asking this question as you already made a decision and committment. The basic benefits are the same for each branch. What is different are enlistment programs, options, and incentives. If you are unsure of these for the branch you enlisted for, ask your recruiter. As far as for the other branches, it is irrelevant now.

Response by ENS Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 28 at 2016 6:31 PM

ENS Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 18:31:00 -0400

Well, have you ever wondered what it's like to live in a giant grey dumpster for 9 months at a time? If so, the Navy is for you! ;)