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AF vs. Marines

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Baalzebub

Registered User
I'm putting this question out to all you fly boys out there. If any of you had the chance to go back, would you attempt the AF instead? I am a college grad putting together a packet for the USMC Air. I have considered the AF, but honestly I just got fed up with the recruiters. My experience with the USMC recruiters has been nothing short of fantastic, and it has really impressed me. I am asking you guys to see what you think and if you would go a different route if you were looking to start your military career now a days.

Thanks
 
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Denabloo

Registered User
well, i'm not a pilot yet, not even a Marine... heck i'm not even outta highschool yet, but after having had spoken with both Marine, and AF recruiters, its obvious to go Marine for me. The recruiter kept giving me strait up bs, while the Marine recruiter has told me how it is, not what i wanted to hear....

just thought i'd post.
 
Steve Wilkins

Steve Wilkins

Teaching pigs to dance, one pig at a time.
None
Super Moderator
Contributor
In the Air Force, the cultural mindset is such that you are a pilot first, officer second. You may even identify yourself as to what platform you fly and possibly down to the model number. Navy and Marine Corps are a bit different, not better or worse, just different. In the Navy officers identify themselves as Naval officers first, warfare community (or other) second. In the Marine Corps, you are a Marine first, Marine Officer second, and lastly, aviator third. Just something to chew on for you. Guess it depends on what you're looking to do.
 
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gringo

Registered User
I had a similar experience. When i graduated from college in Dec 04 I started looking for the AF recruiter. After about 3 weeks of calling the different offices and the enlisted recruiters telling me to enlist first, most of their pilots did it that way, I finally found the pilot recruiter. I called and talked to someone else in the office. He said he would leave a message and have the pilot recruiter call me back later that day. 2 weeks go by and no call, i call again. Same story for about 2 months. FINALLY! i get ahold of him. It's the end of March now. What does he tell me? Sorry dude i got your messages I've been really busy but I have bad news. They cancelled the next 3 pilot boards. The next one won't be until Jan 06.

So I applied to a few ANG units and kept waiting and waiting. The ANG gave me a similar story so i went to the MC at the end of June and signed my pilot contract 2 weeks later.

My advice is to go to an air show and talk to pilots from the different services, learn as much as you can about the different services and find one you would be most happy in.
 
Wedge

Wedge

Registered User
I was happy when the Marines gave me a flight contract, that way I knew I would at least get the chance at flight school. They are different services, so you should try and decide what you want and what is better for you. But congrats on deciding to join, I hope you get here one day.
 
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phrogpilot73

Well-Known Member
I'm just tired of being on a joint base in Iraq, living in the "lap of luxury" (at least for Marines), and watching the Air Force fly in and fly out on the same day...
 
skidkid

skidkid

CAS Czar
pilot
Super Moderator
Contributor
I wouldnt even think about changing. I have had some things not go my way and have my share of complaints but all in all the Marine Corps has given me everything they promised-a chance to fly, a challenge and to work and drink with some of the greatest guys I have ever met. Not sure the AF could offer that maybe they could but the FAC tour was a great experience and I know the AF doesnt have that.
 
East

East

东部
Contributor
That's right, in the Air Force there's more time/$$ for the core business of flying.
As Aircrew that's what's it's all about at the end of the month. How many hrs 'up there'. Flying in the Marines or Navy is not the core-business and with the FY budgets ahead, the fear of the decomissioning of sqn's (or airfields) is closer by than many will imagine.
In the Netherlands for instance, the whole Maritime Patrol Community (as in 13 P-3c's) was sacrified to fund future Naval Surface Warfare programms.

Wonder what the RNLAF would sacrifice if they had submarines or ships in their command.... :confused:

On the other hand....
I don't know, but it's been said: Air Force Wings are made of Lead
I don't know, but I've been told: Navy wings are made of Gold
 
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Baalzebub

Registered User
Would any of you fly boys jump ship to the AF.... if you could? Or if you could start over, would go for AF instead.
 
O

Our Corps

Registered User
Hey dude, we (USMC) are more akin to a cult then we are anything else. I mean that in the best of ways. We take great pride in doing without, to us "quality of life" isn't the nice o'club, pool or golf course on the base; it is having enough fuel, parts, bullets, rockets and bombs to train with so that we bleed as little as possible (and conversly the bad guy bleeds much) when the time comes (as it always does) to saddle up, move out and look into the belly of the beast. The bonds formed in combat are the strongest you will experience (much to the chagrin of my wife). The tougher the hardship, the stronger the bonds. It ain't about flying, hours or crew day... it is about suffering through the depravity, fear and loneliness of being half way around the world in some 3d world crap whole and killing the SOB's that are trying their best to kill you and your brothers in the Hummer down below you. I want to say "if you have to ask...go in the USAF", but I can remember (long ago) having some of the same thoughts. By the grace of God I made the right choice (for me) and became a United States Marine........
 
Chubby

Chubby

Active Member
Baalzebub said:
Would any of you fly boys jump ship to the AF.... if you could? Or if you could start over, would go for AF instead.
Click to expand...

I'd rather stab myself in the eye with a sodering iron. But seriously, that's just me and my opinion. It's a cultural thing. Each service has its own culture if you will, look at how each one is different, look at the type of people in each, and choose the one YOU would best fit in with. Who cares what other people think or would do?
 
J

jamnww

Hangar Four
pilot
Baalzebub said:
Would any of you fly boys jump ship to the AF.... if you could? Or if you could start over, would go for AF instead.
Click to expand...

NEVER...

without a second thought...
 
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Baalzebub

Registered User
Thats good to here from you guys. I have had limited exposure to the Marine Corps, but the little I have had had been extrodinary. I especially like the attitude carried by marines. With the AF, it seemed that the recruiters try to get you to kiss their "butt". Its not just their recruiters its most of the enlisted personel and many officers. My father is a current AF officer with prior enlistment in the Army. He says the same thing, but he attributes it to the lack of "stick my foot up your *ss training. The Marines do seem like much more of a brotherhood rather than a bunch of big headed dummies. I'm glad to here that you guys are happy with your decisions and it makes me feel alot better about my decision.

Thanks again,
 
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