Does he want to be a Paratrooper?
He should be able to enlist directly in the 82nd ABN and possibly a Ranger BN. Don’t think direct enlistment for Special Forces is an option.
if he wants to operate independently or in small teams, that’s the way to go. If he isn’t as strong an athlete, then Army or Marine Infantry is a better fit.
I’ll throw in another option that may also have an enlistment bonus: Cavalry Scout. Believe the USMC has a similar role, Light Armored Reconnaissance. ASVAB requirements are probably higher for Scouts than Infantry.
18x is the SF enlistment option. All it Guarantees you is a shot at SFAS. something like 90% of overall applicants don’t make it their first time around, I have to imagine that number is even higher for kids off the street. Likewise, while they do offer “ranger” contracts, again all it guarantees is a shot at RIP. Again, super high attrition rate.
I think the airborne contracts are more or less a guaranteed path to airborne as they have a pretty high pass rate for jump school and no “selection” process to join the unit. Not saying he shouldn’t try for one of these units, but if he’s not an athlete and Eagle Scout, used to working on a team and and natural at land navigation, he stands very little chance at making SF off the street. Of course every 18 year old who takes the contract just knows they will pass and they won’t quit. Reality is different.
Marine Infantry is solid, and there are opportunities to screen for recon, STA, etc. A big overall difference in my observation is the USMC is better at developing small unit leaders and NCOs, but I deal mainly with non-combat arms soldiers in the army. It is probably realistically the infantry, in both branches, that developes leadership the best. Both branches push a model of low level decision making now. The USMC still has the best marksmanship game going, I haven’t met anyone even in the army that disagrees.
The Marines is like a small social club compared to the army being a big social club.
Marines are more likely to see and work with men they went to boot camp with.
ALL Marines either go to SOI or ITB.
The fleet is much smaller. Significantly smaller.
Less room for promotion. However,
More chance to lead with a lower rank.
Also Marines still employ Vietnam era equipment.
So many more differences.
If he wants an adventure he will get it but,
if he is thinking about opportunities post military, do not join either branch.
Go AF reserve and go to college.
The first part of that is true. It is a small Marine Corps, and promotions are slower. The Marine Corps, however, is getting showered with new equipment. The only time we had old stuff was Boot Camp. New weapons, optics, vehicles, comm gear, etc. The USMC also has the most cutting edge aircraft now with the V-22, F-35B, and CH-53Ks coming online. New amphibious assault vehicles are also being rolled out.
You are also dead wrong about opportunities post military. Military service universally is a resume booster. Your job on the military matters much less than that you served honorably. No matter how you serve, you leave with a paid education. You actually get enough money to live off of from the BAH you draw while in school. While I was in grad school, that was over $3000 a month. Considering my wife is also a vet and was/is also in grad school, that money tax free was not too shabby.