Survival Skills and Military Service - Best Branch to Choose?

I'm really interested in developing my survival skills, so I'm thinking about enlisting after graduation. Has anyone found a certain branch of the military to be particularly good for this? I'm pretty open to options, but just want to make sure I pick the best fit for me.

When considering which branch of the military would be the best fit for enhancing your survival skills, they all have some form of survival training to prepare their servicemen and servicewomen to handle a variety of challenging environments and situations. However, the intensity, scope, and focus of this training can vary significantly between branches.

Consider the United States Marine Corps, for example. The Marines engage in Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) training, which is about learning to survive in the wilderness, but also covers aspects like evading potential enemies and surviving captivity. Therefore, a Marine wouldn't just learn about finding food and building shelters, but also about managing psychological stress and resistance strategies.

Another branch to consider would be the Air Force, particularly if you become a pilot or part of aircrew. They also complete SERE training, but with an emphasis on survival in specific environments like deserts or the Arctic, related to potential crash sites for aircraft.

If you're interested in water-based survival, the Navy could be a great choice. They have their own unique Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) program that focuses heavily on maritime survival skills.

The Army also provides Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) training – with a focus on land-based survival skills – but also offers Ranger School which is a premier leadership and small unit tactics course that is physically and mentally challenging. Rangers learn to operate in various climates and terrains.

Meanwhile, the Coast Guard has a heavy focus on search and rescue operations, which can involve survival skills as well. While not as intensive or broad as the others, the Coast Guard's training can be quite specialized and might be suitable if you have specific interests in maritime survival and rescues.

Lastly, the newest branch, the Space Force, deals more with the realm of space and currently does not have survival skills training related to wilderness or combat zones.

Remember, no one branch is inherently better than another; each has unique aspects that may align more with your personal interest and long-term goals. It's also worth considering factors such as the branch's culture, commitment time, opportunities for advancement, and the potential to work in your area of interest after completing your service.

It would make sense for you to have conversations with representatives or recruiters from each branch to gain a more in-depth understanding of what each branch can offer. This, coupled with some additional research on your own, could guide you towards a decision that is best suited to your needs and goals.