<p>Metsmaniak,</p>
<p>I admire your desire to serve your country; an admirable trait in a person so young. And as other posters have said, there are plenty of other specialties outside of direct combat positions. And in war past, with a linear battlefield type of scenario (i.e. the combat troops at the front, the support troops some miles to the rear), you will find positions where you won't face a combat scenario. But look at today's conflict, something that may be still going on by the time you finish college and join the active force, this is not the case. The current situation is a non-linear battle field, with no clearly defined front lines or rear. You may find yourself, like many do today, right in the middle of the action, even in a "support" role. But things change, and we can't count on the next war being like the last, so a support position like Intel or legal or logistics may be found in "the rear'' in the war of tomorrow.</p>
<p>As to your choices: well, if you join the Marines, they pride themselves that ALL OF THEM are grunts first, no matter what you do. I am almost positive you WILL go through ground combat training as a marine officer, no matter the specialty. So, you will be a "combat officer" first in the Marines.</p>
<p>In the Army, you'll deploy as a Unit, usually Brigade level. That means everyone in the Brigade, including it's support units, will go wherever the Brigade is sent. In my time supporting the 82d, the guy next to me on the jump may have been the air defense officer, maybe the artillery officer, maybe the Intel guy, and maybe even the lawyer. </p>
<p>The Navy may be a little different; you may be off shore as a fighting unit on your ship. But your still in a fighting unit, and the Exocet missile coming your way won't care if your the Captian or the cook -- you're all fighting together.</p>
<p>And I can talk to you more about the AF; our non-flyers do a little more than work behind a desk :) . The AF lawyer is doing the same job as the Marine JAG (but probably with a better golf game :) ), and our logistics officers are also leading convoys in Iraq as we speak, just like their Army counterparts. But you can also be a missileer (little chance of being at the front line there!), or a space specialist, or heck, you can even "fly" an UAV over enemy territory while sitting in a trailer in Nevada!</p>
<p>I guess what I'm trying to say is: yes, there are plenty of support positions, but you'll be an officer in the service of your country first, and the succesful officers, no matter the position, are prepared to lead our servicemen and women in the defense of our country. Are the support positions just as important as the combat positions? Absolutely -- every bomb, bullet, or missile we employ can't get to it's target without that support. But don't fool yourself: you'll most likely be right in the heart of the combat zone in today's military, especially if you want to have a successful 20-year career. All I ask is that you truthfully and honestly assess what you want out of becoming an officer. There are plenty of oportunities to serve outside of direct combat positions, but this doesn't mean you'll be "safe in the rear'.</p>
<p>Best of luck to you, and I hope for all the best in your future.</p>