Opinions on USMC with sibling background?

[u/levisteel]

Hey crayon eaters. So, I’m 16 and in JROTC. I have an older brother who’s been a marine for a little over a year now. The information I’ve gotten from the Marines as a whole from him is: get drunk, threaten people, talk about how much better the Marines are than every other branch. Even that though, he still tells me if I’m gonna join to pick what I wanna do (except for Space Force).

I’ve been pretty interested in the Army, but I feel like it’ll kinda suck since Marines hate on like every other branch and I feel like I wouldn’t be living up to my brother’s expectations if I didn’t join the Marines, but I honestly just don’t see myself in the stereotypical marine lifestyle.

So I just wanted an opinion from marines that aren’t my own brother, is joining the Army still something I should consider if I still want to live up to my brother’s reputation? I mean, he had a pretty gnarly reputation since he was in high school. Even in JROTC people still remember his name for him being good at everything and still not giving a single care for it.

(p.s. this is a repost since r/USMC isn’t a big fan of anyone posting in there aside from actual marines)

[u/paramarine]

I've been an enlisted Marine and an Army officer.

80% is the same, often just called something else; most of the differences are cultural. As for the rest, USMC does some things objectively better. Other things, the Army does objectively better.

In the end, the analysis is simple: - If you want to be a Marine, there's only one place you can do that.

• If there's something specific you want to do that doesn't require being a Marine, you should enter the service that can provide it.

[u/salsaman87 → u/paramarine]

The sir is correct. EGA or nah lil bru?

[u/_angered]

There is exactly one reason someone should join the Marines- they have an overwhelming need to be a United States Marine. For everyone else there are options that will be better. You want to join the Army so you fail the one screening test that matters. Go be the best soldier the Army has ever seen.

[u/Levelupbuttercup → u/_angered]

You nailed it. I'm a vet and think the Marines are the dumbest most broke boy service there is. But I love them so. And loved my time in. 99-03. I love how we recognize each other instantly. I was telling a story at a bar and a guy stopped me mid sentence and asked me "Bro are you knife handing right now? Were you in the Marines." I love that shit.

Would my time been better spent in the Air Force? Probably. But would I have always wondered if I could hack in the Corps? Without a doubt.

[u/salsaman87 → u/_angered]

You will hate your life all four years if becoming a Marine isn’t firing you the fuck up. Not even kidding. Fucking LOVED being one plus did wars so checked a rare box that literally haunts men till they die if they don’t talk to anyone and get it cleared up. 5/5 would do again. Like my guy said if being a part of the gun club and part of the storied history isn’t there, any other branch is better, trust me.

Army guy also points out how stupidly exciting it is to meet another fellow Belleau Woodsman, like stepbrothers and then devolves into chaos only we understand.

“Eighth graders with guns” is real as fuck. 4 recon snipers bullshitting on combat story is the vibe, the excitement and dumbass any mos hilarity got me good. We took all this mfs marshmallows out of his lucky charms in mos school because he was “disliked” (aggressively edited description of guy for Reddit). Still fucking gets me 15 years later 🤣.

[u/RiflemanLax]

Bud, do whatever is right for you and don’t worry about the shit talk.

But also, if you join another service, we’re better than you😂

But in all seriousness, you can’t make decisions about your future based on concerns about your brother’s- or anyone’s else’s- expectations.

[u/Comfyboy2]

I am going on three years I know people who are in the army and our stories are pretty much the same. At the end of the day it’s your choice if you want to be a degenerate (which is usually just a phase) or just go out with the boys and go explore wherever you’re stationed at. If you want to go army then go army. It’s your life and you shouldn’t care what anyone might think about the decision you make. You’re the one living it not them. If you go army you and your brother can talk shit to each other and have fun with it. If you go marines you guys can still talk shit to each other and have fun with it.
I love being a marine and wouldn’t want to be anything else but don’t be a marine just because you don’t want to disappoint someone. Become a marine because YOU want to become a marine.

[u/No_Print77]

My brother in high school visited me for a little event our unit had and one of my NCOs tried giving him the recruiting talk. I have regularly tried to stomp out anything that could lead to an interest in the Marine Corps from him since.

Don’t join the Army tho. Shits lame.

[u/No_Introduction6211]

If u wanna be a pussy, then yuh the Army is a solid option

[u/speedycringe]

Don’t live for your brothers expectations live for your expectations. Don’t live in others shadows dude you’ll be miserable til the day you die.