The Marine Corps has the longest basic training -- 12 weeks, not including four days of in-processing time. Counting the half-week you spend in forming (in-processing), you'll spend a total of seven-and-a-half weeks in Coast Guard basic training at Cape May, (N.J.,) the shortest basic training of all the services.
The military branch with the toughest basic training is the Marine Corps.
The Marine Corps has the longest basic training -- 12 weeks, not including 4 days of in-processing time. Counting the half week you spend in forming (in-processing), you'll spend a total of 7½ weeks in Coast Guard basic training at Cape May, the shortest basic training of all the services.
The Army is the largest, oldest, and most senior branch of the U.S. military, and can be traced back to the Continental Army, and was founded in order to fight in the Revolutionary War.
The Marines are often the first on the ground in combat situations, leading the charge when conflict arises. They also serve on Navy ships, protect Naval bases and guard U.S. embassies. Marines patrol during a simulated embassy reinforcement.
Soldiers on active duty in the Army deploy more than any other branch, with the possible exception of the Navy (although most Navy deployments are on ships at sea).
The Army offers the highest base pay, while the Air Force offers more opportunities for special pay. So, it really depends on what you're looking for in a military career. If you want to make the most money possible, then the Army is probably the best branch for you.
No more than 12-14 years in service prior to training, and minimum of 36 months remaining in service after graduation. No more than nine months in E-7 grade when applying.
Largely considered the toughest basic training program of the United States Armed Forces, Marine training is 12 weeks of physical, mental, and moral transformation. Special attention is given to close combat skills and master marksmanship training (every Marine is a rifleman, after all).
So the safest military branch in terms of man-to-man combat and machine-to-machine accidents is the Space Force.
While the Coast Guard might be considered the easiest military branch in terms of physical fitness, it is by far the hardest to join.
Although the Marines are highly respected and considered one of the most elite fighting forces, the Navy SEALs training is far more rigorous and demanding than that of the Marines.
Branches that promote the fastest
The U.S. Army is generally the branch of the military that promotes the fastest.
The Air Force has the reputation of having the best quality of life programs (dormitories, family housing, on-base shopping and services, and recreation) of all the military service branches.
This, of course, fluctuates given international issues at any given time. The Army is known as the largest military branch. Therefore, they are more likely to be present in a lot of combat operations. Because of this, Army infantry will see a lot of combat.
The Short Answer: Two Years With a Catch
Two years is the shortest amount of time a new enlistee can sign up for active duty, however, there is a catch. You actually have an eight-year commitment but you can perform this commitment as an active duty member, a Reservist, or Individual Ready Reservist (IRR).
The United States Army is only responsible for land-based operations, meaning they only occupy military duties that take place on solid ground, whereas the Marines are considered to handle amphibious operations. This means that they can take control of military operations, whether those be land, air, or water.
The Marines Corps often serves as a quick reaction force and has special units that are trained to respond to crises wherever and wherever necessary. In fact, the branch is sometimes referred to as the “tip of the spear,” because these combat-ready units typically spearhead conflict operations.
When one examines the numbers by branch and component, those with the lowest average numbers of deployments were the Coast Guard and Marine Corps reserves (1.22 and 1.29, respectively) and those in the regular Coast Guard (1.28).
Marine Corps Recruit Training is more physically demanding than the Army. While US Army basic training takes about 10 weeks, Marine Corps basic training is 13 weeks and centers a lot around formal drill, discipline, and embracing the term “every Marine a rifleman.”
However, in terms of educational requirements and overall Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery (AFVAB) scores, the Air Force (tied with the Coast Guard) is the hardest service to get into.
§1252.
—Unless retired or separated earlier, each regular commissioned officer of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps covered by subsection (b) shall be retired on the first day of the month following the month in which the officer becomes 64 years of age.