What is the main difference between the Army and the Marines?

The Army is the largest land warfare branch focused on sustained large-scale operations, while the Marines are a smaller, rapid-response expeditionary force that often operates from naval ships.

Which is harder, Army basic training or Marine boot camp?

Marine boot camp is generally harder because it is longer at 13 weeks, emphasizes combat-focused discipline, and has a higher physical and mental attrition rate than the Army's 10-week basic training.

Which branch is better for getting a college education?

The Army is better for college education because it offers the broadest selection of enlisted jobs with tuition assistance and the Army College Fund, though both services provide full GI Bill benefits after service.

Do Marines and Army soldiers face the same level of combat risk?

No, Marines face a higher baseline combat risk because their expeditionary mission places them on the front lines of amphibious and crisis-response operations, though Army units also see heavy combat in prolonged land campaigns.

Can Army soldiers transfer to the Marines without losing rank?

No, you cannot directly transfer because the Marine Corps requires all prior-service personnel to complete its full 13-week boot camp and generally re-enters at a lower rank than their Army grade.

What is the biggest beginner mistake when choosing between these branches?

The biggest beginner mistake is choosing the Marines for prestige without checking whether the Army's wider range of technical jobs and duty stations better matches your long-term career goals.

Are Army soldiers and Marines interchangeable in combat roles?

No, they are not interchangeable because Marines are trained for expeditionary amphibious assault and seizure of beachheads, while Army soldiers are organized for sustained ground combat and occupation over long periods.

What is a real-world use case where the Marines are clearly the better choice?

The Marines are the better choice for a real-world use case like a fast-emerging crisis on a coastline, where their ship-based rapid response can land forces within days without needing a nearby Army base.

How much does it cost to join the Army or the Marines?

Joining either the Army or the Marines costs nothing in dollars, but the real cost is your service commitment, which is typically a minimum of 4 years active duty plus 4 years in the Individual Ready Reserve.

Can I switch from the Army to the Marines after my first contract?

Yes, you can switch from the Army to the Marines after your first contract, but you must receive a conditional release from the Army and then complete the full Marine boot camp and entry-level training.

Difference Between

Difference Between Army and Marines

Written byNex Virox Team

Editorial Team

Reviewed byVarshal Nirbhavane

Senior SEO & Organic Growth Professional · 5+ years

Published: August 25, 202618 min read

Quick answer

The main difference between Army and Marines is that the Army is the largest, primary land warfare branch, while the Marines are a rapid-response expeditionary force. Army is a broad, multi-mission land force for sustained combat, while Marines is a specialized, amphibious assault force that operates under the Navy.

Key takeaways

Core distinction: Army is largest land force; Marines are rapid amphibious response specialists.
Operational scope: Army executes sustained, large-scale ground campaigns; Marines deploy swiftly from ships.
Training and culture: Marines endure harsher boot camp; Army offers broader, more diverse career specialties.
Best-fit use: Choose Army for long-term occupations; choose Marines for expeditionary combat roles.
Common mistake: Believing Marines are Army branch; actually Marines are separate Department of Navy component.

Table of Contents18 sections

Difference Between Army and Marines: Comparison Table

Aspect	Army	Marines
Definition	Largest US military branch, responsible for sustained land combat operations worldwide.	Rapid-response expeditionary force, designed to seize and secure beachheads from the sea.
Purpose	Conducts large-scale, long-duration land warfare to defeat enemy ground forces.	Provides the nation's quick-strike force, often first on the ground in a crisis.
Core Mechanism	Heavy combined-arms maneuver using tanks, artillery, helicopters, and massed infantry formations.	Amphibious assault doctrine, launching attacks from ships to shore via landing craft.
Parent Department	Falls under the Department of the Army, a separate military department.	Operates under the Department of the Navy, sharing its Secretary.
Force Size	Approximately 450,000 active-duty soldiers, making it the largest US branch.	Roughly 180,000 active-duty Marines, the smallest of the four main branches.
Chain of Command	Reports directly to the Secretary of the Army and the Joint Chiefs.	Reports through the Secretary of the Navy, then to the Joint Chiefs.
Deployment Speed	Typically deploys in weeks or months, requiring extensive logistics buildup.	Can launch combat operations within days from forward-deployed naval ships.
Entry Training	Basic Combat Training lasts 10 weeks at Fort Jackson or Fort Moore.	Recruit Training lasts 13 weeks, with the Crucible as the final 54-hour test.
Infantry Role	Infantry forms one part of a broader combined-arms structure.	Every Marine is trained as a rifleman first, regardless of primary job.
Heavy Armor	Operates M1 Abrams tanks with 120mm main guns in armored divisions.	Fields no heavy tanks; relies on light armored vehicles and air support.
Aviation Assets	Operates helicopters, drones, and fixed-wing aircraft for ground support.	Flies its own aircraft, including F-35Bs that operate from amphibious ships.
Amphibious Capability	Limited; requires Navy transport and extensive planning for beach landings.	Core specialty; conducts ship-to-shore movement using landing craft and hovercraft.
Primary Vehicles	Relies on Bradley fighting vehicles, Strykers, and heavy trucks.	Uses light tactical vehicles like the JLTV and amphibious assault vehicles.
Force Structure	Organized into divisions, brigades, battalions, and companies.	Organized into Marine Expeditionary Units, Forces, and Divisions.
Rapid Response	Maintains some rapid-response units but focuses on sustained campaigns.	Keeps Marine Expeditionary Units at sea, ready to strike within 24 hours.
Budget Share	Receives the largest ground-force budget, roughly a third of defense spending.	Gets a smaller allocation, about 4% of the total defense budget.
Logistics Footprint	Requires massive supply chains for fuel, food, and ammunition over long distances.	Designed to operate lean, with lighter equipment and shorter supply tails.
Combat Persistence	Built to sustain years of continuous operations across vast territories.	Optimized for shorter, intense campaigns before rotating to ships.
Amphibious Vehicles	Lacks dedicated amphibious landing vehicles in its standard inventory.	Operates AAV-7s and ACVs that swim from ship to shore with troops inside.
Air Support	Relies on Air Force for close air support, though it has its own helicopters.	Embeds its own aviation squadrons directly with ground units.
Recruiting Standard	Accepts a wider range of scores and physical fitness levels.	Enforces stricter physical standards and higher ASVAB score requirements.
Base Locations	Maintains large bases across the US and Germany, Korea, and Kuwait.	Stations forces at major bases like Camp Pendleton and Okinawa.
Typical Missions	Conducts large-scale land invasions, occupation, and counterinsurgency.	Executes embassy evacuations, humanitarian aid, and amphibious raids.
Equipment Weight	Fields heavier gear, including 70-ton tanks and massive supply vehicles.	Carries lighter loads, typically 40-60 pounds per Marine on patrol.
Training Duration	Offers specialized training lasting 14-20 weeks after basic.	Provides MOS school plus continuous infantry training throughout service.
Deployment Cycle	Deploys for 9-12 months, then returns home for a similar rest period.	Deploys for 6-7 months, often more frequently, with shorter dwell times.
Combat Environment	Excels in open terrain, deserts, and large-scale land campaigns.	Specializes in coastal zones, urban areas, and austere environments.
Historical Origin	Founded in 1775 as the Continental Army for the Revolutionary War.	Established in 1775 as naval infantry, later becoming a separate branch.
Typical Soldier	Often serves in a specialized role like mechanics, medics, or artillery.	Every Marine is trained as a rifleman first, with a secondary specialty.
Best-Fit Scenario	Best for long, large-scale land wars that require heavy armor and logistics.	Best for rapid, short-duration crises that demand quick amphibious response.

What Is Army?

Army is the land warfare branch of a nation's military. It secures territory, fights ground battles, and provides stability through occupation and defense. The Army exists to protect national interests on land and support joint operations across all domains.

Definition of Army

An army is a large, organized military force trained primarily for combat on land. It operates under a government's authority, using ground-based weapons, vehicles, and infantry to seize, hold, or defend physical territory. Its structure enables sustained, large-scale operations across diverse terrain.

Key Characteristics of Army

Characteristic	What It Means in Practice
Large force size	Deploys hundreds of thousands of soldiers, enabling sustained campaigns across multiple regions simultaneously.
Heavy armor	Operates main battle tanks and armored vehicles to break through fortified enemy positions with firepower.
Artillery support	Uses howitzers and rocket systems to deliver indirect fire, destroying targets beyond line of sight.
Long-term occupation	Holds and administers captured territory for months or years, not just hours or days.
Joint operations	Coordinates with Air Force and Navy for air cover, logistics, and amphibious assaults.
Global deployment	Maintains bases across continents, enabling rapid response to conflicts in Europe, Asia, and Middle East.
Logistics network	Runs a massive supply chain of fuel, food, ammunition, and medical support for extended campaigns.
Reserve component	Relies on National Guard and Army Reserve to augment active forces during major conflicts or emergencies.
Engineer corps	Builds roads, bridges, and airfields to enable mobility and deny the enemy use of terrain.
Special operations	Includes elite units like Rangers and Green Berets for raids, counterinsurgency, and unconventional warfare.

Common Examples of Army

United States Army – the largest land force in the US military, with global reach and heavy armor.
British Army – a professional force with a long history of expeditionary warfare and colonial campaigns.
Russian Ground Forces – a massive, tank-heavy force focused on large-scale armored warfare in Europe.
People's Liberation Army Ground Force – the world's largest standing army, with over a million active personnel.
Indian Army – a high-altitude and desert-capable force, guarding borders against two nuclear rivals.
French Army – a rapid-deployment force with strong presence in Africa and European defense.
German Army (Heer) – a modern, NATO-integrated force rebuilt after reunification for collective defense.
Israeli Defense Forces Ground Corps – a conscript-based force with high readiness and urban warfare expertise.
Australian Army – a mid-sized, expeditionary force specializing in jungle and island operations.
Brazilian Army – a large, regional power with focus on border security and Amazon rainforest operations.

Advantages and Limitations of Army

Advantages	Limitations
Controls territory permanently, and holds ground that air or naval forces cannot occupy.	Slow to deploy overseas without pre-positioned bases or airlift support.
Provides heavy firepower with tanks and artillery, to destroy fortified defenses.	Extremely expensive to equip and maintain, consuming a large share of defense budgets.
Operates in all weather and terrain, from deserts to jungles to mountains.	Vulnerable to ambushes and IEDs in asymmetric warfare, as seen in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Builds local infrastructure and provides humanitarian aid after disasters.	Occupation duties create resentment and can fuel insurgencies over time.
Offers a large reserve force for national emergencies and natural disasters.	Heavy logistical tail makes it dependent on uninterrupted supply lines.
Integrates with air and naval power for combined arms operations.	Limited reach without naval or air transport, restricting rapid global response.
Provides long-term deterrence via visible force presence on borders.	Conscript forces in some nations suffer from low morale and training quality.
Trains soldiers in technical skills, from engineering to cyber defense.	Bureaucratic structure slows decision-making in fast-paced battles.
Can conduct sustained campaigns lasting years, not just weeks.	Vulnerable to air attack and drone strikes when moving in open formations.
Supports civil authorities in riots, floods, and pandemic responses.	Occupying force often faces political backlash and international criticism.

What Is Marines?

Marines are a specialized naval infantry force focused on rapid amphibious assault, expeditionary operations, and crisis response. They exist to project military power from sea to land quickly, often serving as the first responders in combat zones and humanitarian emergencies.

Definition of Marines

Marines are a branch of armed forces trained and equipped to conduct amphibious landings, seize coastal objectives, and operate as a rapid-deployment expeditionary force. They function as a hybrid between naval and ground combat units, prioritizing speed, versatility, and self-sufficiency in austere environments.

Key Characteristics of Marines

Characteristic	What It Means in Practice
Amphibious assault	They specialize in launching attacks from ships to hostile shores, using landing craft, helicopters, and hovercraft.
Expeditionary mindset	Units deploy quickly with minimal logistics, carrying their own supplies for up to 15 days of combat.
Naval integration	They operate alongside naval fleets, often serving as the ground combat element of a carrier strike group.
Rapid response	Marine Expeditionary Units stay forward-deployed, ready to respond to crises within 24 hours of notification.
Rifleman first	Every Marine, regardless of job specialty, is trained as a basic rifleman before advanced schooling.
Self-sufficiency	Units carry their own food, water, ammo, and medical gear, reducing reliance on external supply lines.
Task organization	Forces are built as flexible packages, mixing infantry, armor, artillery, and aviation for each mission.
Elite identity	Recruits must pass a rigorous boot camp that emphasizes discipline, resilience, and mental toughness.
Combined arms	They combine infantry, tanks, artillery, and air support into a single coordinated attack unit.
Expeditionary basing	They operate from ships and forward bases, avoiding the need for permanent foreign installations.

Common Examples of Marines

Battle of Iwo Jima - A 1945 amphibious assault where Marines captured a critical Pacific island airfield under heavy fire.
Operation Desert Storm - Marines led the ground invasion to liberate Kuwait from Iraqi forces in 1991.
Fallujah - Marines fought a major urban battle in Iraq in 2004 to retake a city from insurgents.
Marine Expeditionary Unit - a forward-deployed rapid reaction force ready to respond to global crises within 24 hours.
Khe Sana - a 1968 battle in Vietnam where Marines held a base against a massive North Vietnamese offensive.
Belleau Wood - a 1918 World War I battle where Marines earned the nickname "Devil Dogs" from German foes.
Invasion of Grenada - a 1983 operation where Marines rescued US medical students from a communist regime.
Marine Corps Recruit Depot - the boot camp facility where civilians transform into Marines over 13 weeks of training.
Operation Enduring Freedom - Marines led initial ground operations in Afghanistan after the 9/11 attacks.
Marine Corps Base - a permanent installation like Camp Pendleton that hosts training and deployment operations.

Advantages and Limitations of Marines

Advantages	Limitations
Rapid deployment from ships allows them to reach crises in days, not weeks, without needing local bases.	Light equipment means they lack the heavy armor and artillery that Army units field in prolonged conflicts.
Amphibious capability lets them seize coastal territory before enemy defenses can fully mobilize.	Limited manpower means they cannot sustain long-term occupations or large-scale nation-building missions.
Self-contained logistics reduce dependence on fragile supply lines in hostile environments.	Expeditionary nature means they lack the heavy engineering and medical facilities of larger forces.
Rigorous training creates highly disciplined soldiers who perform well under extreme stress.	Smaller budget and resources mean they rely on the Navy for transport and air support.
Versatile force structure allows them to switch between infantry, aviation, and amphibious roles quickly.	Expeditionary focus means they are not designed for the long, sustained occupation of large territories.
Strategic mobility via naval ships lets them operate in regions where land forces cannot access.	Limited airlift capacity means they cannot rapidly move heavy equipment across continents without external help.
High esprit de corps fosters exceptional unit cohesion and morale in combat.	Smaller force size means they cannot cover as many simultaneous fronts as a larger army.
Specialized urban and coastal warfare training gives them an edge in complex terrain.	Reiance on naval assets makes them vulnerable if the fleet is damaged or delayed.
Forward-deployed presence deters potential adversaries from aggressive action.	Limited heavy firepower means they struggle against heavily fortified defensive positions.
Adaptable mission set includes humanitarian aid, disaster relief, and evacuation operations.	Expeditionary lifestyle creates high turnover and burn out from frequent, unpredictable deployments.

Similarities Between Army and Marines

Shared Aspect	How Army and Marines Are Alike
Military branch status	Both the Army and Marines are official branches of the United States Armed Forces.
Department oversight	The Army and Marines both fall under the Department of the Navy for the Marines, but both report to the Department of Defense.
Core mission focus	The Army and Marines both conduct ground combat operations to defeat enemy forces.
Enlistment process	Recruits join the Army or Marines through the same Military Entrance Processing Station system.
Basic training duration	Both Army and Marines require initial boot camp training that lasts several months.
Physical fitness standards	The Army and Marines enforce strict physical fitness tests for all service members.
Weapons training	Army and Marines soldiers qualify with standard-issue rifles during basic training.
Uniform wear	Both Army and Marines personnel wear combat utility uniforms in field environments.
Rank structure	The Army and Marines use enlisted, warrant officer, and commissioned officer ranks.
Chain of command	Army and Marines follow a strict hierarchical command from squad to division level.
Deployment readiness	Both Army and Marines units maintain constant readiness for overseas deployment.
Combat roles	Army and Marines personnel serve in infantry, armor, artillery, and support roles.
Special operations	Both Army and Marines have elite special operations forces for high-risk missions.
Training schools	Army and Marines attend advanced individual training for their specific jobs.
Leadership development	Both Army and Marines promote leadership through NCO and officer schools.
Core values training	The Army and Marines teach honor, courage, and commitment to all members.
Physical demands	Both Army and Marines require high physical fitness for combat effectiveness.
Field exercises	Army and Marines conduct live-fire exercises and simulated combat drills regularly.
Equipment usage	Both Army and Marines operate small arms, vehicles, and communication gear.
Medical support	Army and Marines receive combat medic training and field medical care.
Pay scale	Both Army and Marines receive identical base pay based on rank and time.
Benefits package	Army and Marines get healthcare, housing, and education benefits.
Retirement system	Both Army and Marines qualify for pension after twenty years of service.
Deployment risks	Army and Marines face similar combat and environmental risks on missions.
Physical injuries	Both Army and Marines experience musculoskeletal injuries from heavy loads.
Performance metrics	Army and Marines measure readiness through inspections and training evaluations.
Equipment maintenance	Both Army and Marines conduct regular maintenance on weapons and vehicles.
Logistics support	Army and Marines rely on supply chains for ammunition, food, and fuel.
Career advancement	Both Army and Marines offer promotion paths based on merit and time.
Long-term service	Army and Marines members can serve full careers with retirement benefits.

Army or Marines: Which Should You Choose?

Your choice hinges on what you want to do daily. The Army offers hundreds of technical jobs and massive promotion potential. The Marines deliver a harder, combat-first culture with fewer job options. For most people, the deciding variable is whether you prefer career variety or elite infantry identity.

When to Use Army

Choose Army when you want over 150 job specialties, including medicine, engineering, and cyber. Pick the Army for larger signing bonuses, more duty stations, and faster promotion timelines. It also fits if you plan to serve part-time in the Army Reserve or National Guard while keeping a civilian career.

When to Use Marines

Choose Marines when you want the toughest basic training and a warrior-first identity. Pick it for smaller, tight-knit units where you get hands-on leadership early. It fits if you want expeditionary deployments on ships or if you value physical fitness standards as a daily, non-negotiable requirement.

Common Misconceptions About Army and Marines

Common Myth	The Reality
The Marines are a branch of the Army.	The Marines are a separate military branch under the Department of the Navy, not part of the Army.
The Army only fights on land, never near water.	The Army conducts amphibious operations too, but the Marines specialize in seaborne assault as their primary mission.
Every Marine is a front-line infantry rifleman.	Most Marines serve in support roles like logistics or aviation, yet every Marine trains as a basic rifleman first.
The Army is just a larger version of the Marines.	The Army is far larger with global land warfare focus, while the Marines are a smaller, rapid-response expeditionary force.
Marines are the President's personal soldiers.	The President uses Marines for ceremonial duties, but the Army and Marines both answer to civilian leadership through the Defense Department.
Army soldiers never deploy on ships.	Army units regularly deploy on Navy ships for transport and joint operations, though they lack the Marines' amphibious assault specialty.
Marines have their own tanks, so they are an army.	The Marines operate tanks, but they are a naval infantry force, not a second army, with unique expeditionary doctrine.
Joining the Army is easier than joining the Marines.	Both the Army and the Marines require similar basic qualifications, though Marine boot camp is physically longer and more demanding.
Marines only fight on beaches and islands.	Marines fight in deserts, mountains, and cities, but they specialize in rapid amphibious landings from ships.
The Army is the oldest military branch in the US.	The Army was founded in 1775, but the Marines also trace to 1775, making both branches equally old in origin.
Army soldiers never see combat unless they volunteer.	Many Army soldiers in combat roles see direct fire regularly, though support personnel may serve far from front lines.
Marines are always deployed overseas for years.	Marines typically deploy on shorter 6-7 month rotations, while Army units often have longer deployments of 9-12 months.
The Army has no special forces like the Marines.	The Army has elite units like Rangers and Green Berets, while the Marines have MARSOC for special operations missions.
Marines are just Army soldiers who can swim.	Swimming is a basic skill for Marines, but their amphibious mission, culture, and structure differ fundamentally from the Army.
Army bases are only in the US, not overseas.	The Army maintains hundreds of bases worldwide, including Germany, Japan, and South Korea, matching the Marines' global footprint.
Every Marine is a man, and women only join the Army.	Women serve in both the Army and the Marines in combat and support roles, though the Marines have fewer female members.
The Marines are part of the Navy, so they are sailors.	Marines are a distinct ground-fighting force under the Navy's department, but they are not sailors and have separate training.
Army soldiers get better pay than Marines do.	Pay is identical for the Army and the Marines based on rank and years, with no branch-specific salary differences.
Marines only use small arms, never heavy artillery.	Marines operate heavy artillery like howitzers and rocket systems, though the Army has more artillery units overall.
You can transfer from the Army to the Marines easily.	Transferring between the Army and the Marines requires a full discharge and re-enlistment, with no direct inter-branch transfer.
The Army has no amphibious capability at all.	The Army does conduct amphibious landings in joint operations, but the Marines are the primary trained assault force.
Marines are just Army soldiers with different uniforms.	Marines and Army soldiers have distinct missions, training pipelines, traditions, and command structures beyond uniform differences.
Becoming a Marine takes longer than becoming a soldier.	Marine boot camp lasts 13 weeks, while Army basic training is 10 weeks, making the Marine path slightly longer.
Army soldiers never fight on ships or boats.	Army soldiers train for riverine and coastal operations, but the Marines own the primary ship-to-shore assault mission.
Marines do not have their own pilots or aircraft.	The Marines have their own aviation wing with fighter jets and helicopters, separate from the Army and the Navy.
The Army is only for ground wars, not quick strikes.	The Army conducts rapid global strikes with airborne units, though the Marines are structured for faster crisis response.
All Marines are stationed on ships all the time.	Most Marines are based on land, with only certain units assigned to shipboard deployments at any given time.
Army soldiers have no pride or esprit de corps.	Army soldiers have strong unit pride, but Marine culture emphasizes a distinct, lifelong identity from day one.
Marines are just Army infantry with a different name.	Marines are a separate expeditionary force with naval integration, while Army infantry is a part of the larger land army.
You must be bigger and stronger to join the Marines.	Physical standards are similar for the Army and the Marines, but the Marines have stricter running and pull-up requirements.

Conclusion

Difference Between Army and Marines comes down to mission scope versus expeditionary focus. The Army handles broad land operations across all terrains, while the Marines deploy rapidly from ships as a crisis-response force. Choose the Army for diverse career paths and large-scale campaigns. Choose the Marines for elite, fast-moving amphibious warfare.

FAQs on Difference Between Army and Marines

What is the main difference between the Army and the Marines?: The Army is the largest land warfare branch focused on sustained large-scale operations, while the Marines are a smaller, rapid-response expeditionary force that often operates from naval ships.
Which is harder, Army basic training or Marine boot camp?: Marine boot camp is generally harder because it is longer at 13 weeks, emphasizes combat-focused discipline, and has a higher physical and mental attrition rate than the Army's 10-week basic training.
Which branch is better for getting a college education?: The Army is better for college education because it offers the broadest selection of enlisted jobs with tuition assistance and the Army College Fund, though both services provide full GI Bill benefits after service.
Do Marines and Army soldiers face the same level of combat risk?: No, Marines face a higher baseline combat risk because their expeditionary mission places them on the front lines of amphibious and crisis-response operations, though Army units also see heavy combat in prolonged land campaigns.
Can Army soldiers transfer to the Marines without losing rank?: No, you cannot directly transfer because the Marine Corps requires all prior-service personnel to complete its full 13-week boot camp and generally re-enters at a lower rank than their Army grade.
What is the biggest beginner mistake when choosing between these branches?: The biggest beginner mistake is choosing the Marines for prestige without checking whether the Army's wider range of technical jobs and duty stations better matches your long-term career goals.
Are Army soldiers and Marines interchangeable in combat roles?: No, they are not interchangeable because Marines are trained for expeditionary amphibious assault and seizure of beachheads, while Army soldiers are organized for sustained ground combat and occupation over long periods.
What is a real-world use case where the Marines are clearly the better choice?: The Marines are the better choice for a real-world use case like a fast-emerging crisis on a coastline, where their ship-based rapid response can land forces within days without needing a nearby Army base.
How much does it cost to join the Army or the Marines?: Joining either the Army or the Marines costs nothing in dollars, but the real cost is your service commitment, which is typically a minimum of 4 years active duty plus 4 years in the Individual Ready Reserve.
Can I switch from the Army to the Marines after my first contract?: Yes, you can switch from the Army to the Marines after your first contract, but you must receive a conditional release from the Army and then complete the full Marine boot camp and entry-level training.