I want combat arms, so that excluded the Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Reserve (all branches), Air Guard, and probably a few others.

I have the choice of Army, Army National Guard, and Marines. My first choice right now is the Army National Guard for one very simple reason: I can join now. The Army might be my choice if I wait until graduation before joining, simply because I could readily move to the National Guard after a few years, whereas there does not seem to be an equivalent body for the Marines.

Marines have an attitude that they are best in the world and look down their noses at the other branches. Many civilians do the same thing. Frankly, I perceive this as arrogance more than anything, though I do not have the personal experience to be able to effectively judge. My own self-worth is also more dependant upon, well, myself, than the label of which branch I choose to join. If I make a damned good Army officer or a damned good Marine officer, I'm still, presumably, just as good an officer. The Marines seem more narrowly focused on Combat Arms, which may be why they have the better reputation. Is there really a compelling reason to choose Combat Arms in Marines over Army?

-Biscuits