Do You Think More Like the Marines or the Coast Guard?

By: Teresa McGlothlin
Estimated Completion Time
6 min
Do You Think More Like the Marines or the Coast Guard?
Image: MTMCOINS / E+ / Getty Images

About This Quiz

Both the Coast Guard and the Marines know how to get things done! With all of their training and their experience, there's not a situation they cannot survive. From deep-sea rescues to keeping the peace in hostile territories, these fighting forces are always on their toes. After you show us how you think, we'll let you know which one you operate most like. 

Though the Marines keep us safe at home and abroad, our shores are kept out of harm's way by the Coast Guard. Throughout this quiz, we will ask you to respond to a few situations either a Marine or a Guardsman might find themselves in. We'll also ask you about your everyday decisions and the way you approach a tough problem. Using the answers you give us, we'll compare your thinking style to both branches. 

With 1.3 million troops actively serving and another 865,000 making up the reserves, there's a place in uniform for everyone. It's important to know which uniform would suit you best, though. Answer the questions like you're taking an oath to your nation, and we'll tell you if your brain works more like the Marines or the Guard. Which one do you think it will be? 

1 - improvise, adapt and overcome
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During training, the Marines teach you to improvise, adapt and overcome. Which one is your best skill?
You can't do one without the others.
I'm better at adapting.
Life is a series of improvisations.
I can, will and have overcome more than most.

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2 - front door
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Your front door is sticking, and it's tough to open. How are you going to fix it?
Brute force
A little soap
A repair person
A spray lubricant

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3 - fishing boat
Witthaya Prasongsin / Moment / Getty Images
Are you more likely to be found on a fishing boat or in a tree stand?
You can find me in both places.
I like fishing more than I like hunting.
You're more likely to find me on my couch coaching my favorite football team.
Hunting is my favorite way to spend a weekend.

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4 - White House job
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If you could have any job at the White House, which one would you want?
Secret Service
Commander in Chief
Press Secretary
Member of Congress

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5 - fire department
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Your local fire department needs volunteers. Are you up for the job?
I would rather be a police officer.
Don't tell anyone, but I'm terrified by fires.
I have always wanted to ride in a fire truck.
I'm not strong enough to carry all that heavy equipment.

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6 - military vehicle
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If you could drive a military vehicle to work tomorrow, which one would you choose?
A tank
A fighter jet
A jeep
A helicopter

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7 - training exercises
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Which one of these training exercises would give you the biggest problem?
Running
Pull-ups
Pushups
Climbing cargo nets

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8 - military material
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Out of all your personality traits, which one makes you military material?
It would have to be my confidence level.
The military needs more of my sharp intelligence.
I am persistent, and I never give up.
I've been told that I'm a natural born leader.

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9 - fighting forces
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Which one of these fighting forces do you consider the most prestigious?
Special Ops
Navy SEALs
Army Rangers
Top Gun pilots

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10 - truck won't start
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Your truck won't start. What are you going to do to diagnose the problem?
Let me get my tools out of the garage.
I'm supposed to call OnStar for that, right?
I have a mechanic's number on my phone.
I know the problem. I'll just fix it again.

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11 - military boots
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You don't want your feet to get wet during a training exercise. How do you protect them?
I don't. I go barefoot. Feet are easier to dry than shoes.
Waterproof boots do the trick.
It's a good idea to wrap your feet in plastic bags before heading into the field.
Drying them out is the problem, not getting them wet.

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12 - one word for Navy
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When you think about the Navy, which word comes to mind?
Boat
Tough
Sailor
Blue

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13 - Coast Guard boat
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Where would you want to be stationed in the Coast Guard?
Cape Cod, MA
Mobile, AL
Elizabeth City, NC
Clearwater, FL

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14 - afraid of
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Are you more afraid of snakes, heights, failure or the clown from "It"?
Stephen King's "It" is the most frightening thing on Earth.
I'm not afraid of clowns, but heights freak me out.
Failure is not an option.
I need to be stationed somewhere that does not have snakes.

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15 - basic training
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Both Marines and Coast Guard members have to go through basic training. How do you think you would fare?
I've already done it.
Honestly, I don't know if I could hack it.
I would struggle, but I would make it. I haven't heard of anyone flunking out.
I would graduate boot camp with honors.

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16 - zombie outbreak
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A zombie outbreak is coming your way. What are you going to do to keep yourself safe?
It's time to take shelter in the bunker I've built.
Zombies can't swim, right?
I'll have to make sure my weapons are ready.
Zombies do not like the weather in Canada. I'm going there.

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17 - MRE
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You have to eat one kind of MRE for a solid week. Which one are you going to choose?
Beef brisket with mashed potatoes
I would rather go hunting and gathering.
Macaroni with tomato sauce
Chicken chunks with noodles

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18 - problem-solving abilities
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If we asked your boss about your problem-solving abilities, what rating would you get?
Excellent
Acceptable
Good
Outstanding

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19 - patriotism
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What is the biggest way that you show your patriotism?
I serve my country.
I have a flag on my porch.
I pay taxes, and I vote in elections.
I observe all of the patriotic holidays by throwing a party.

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20 - Astronaut training
NASA/Robert Markowitz via WikiCommons
Astronaut training is not for the weak. Do you have the right stuff to try it?
I'll try anything once.
It looks too tough for me.
I don't have a background in science, but I think I could handle training.
I know I could make the cut.

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21 - raging river
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You need to cross a raging river, but you're on foot. How are you going to do it?
I will construct a bridge from fallen logs.
It makes more sense to hike upstream until I find a calmer spot.
It looks like I'm going for a swim.
I would make some rope from local plants. Then I would anchor the rope and go for it.

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22 - hospital corners
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Military service personnel must know how to make a bed with hospital corners. Do you?
What's that?
In theory, I know. It never turns out right, though.
If someone taught me, I could.
I make such tight corners, my feet get trapped sometimes.

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23 - sleep anywhere
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Are you the type who can sleep anywhere, or do you need to be at home?
If I can get horizontal, I can sleep anywhere.
I can't sleep in a moving car.
I don't sleep well when I'm away from home.
If I'm tired, I'll sleep on a rock.

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24 - Bering Sea
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You have to go on a rescue mission in the Bering Sea. What part looks the scariest?
It's too cold there!
The waves on the Bering Sea are massive.
Bering Sea storms are not a joke.
The crab fishermen look scariest to me.

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25 - nightly news
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When you watch the nightly news, which issue concerns you the most?
National security
Border security
Voter suppression
Health care

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26 - FBI or CIA
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Would you be a better fit for the FBI or the CIA?
I could work for either agency.
I think I'm a better candidate for the IRS.
I think I'm better suited for the CIA.
I'm aiming to become an FBI agent someday.

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27 - airport
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If you worked at an airport, what sort of job would you have?
Security
Pilot
Flight attendant
Ticket agent

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28 - former U.S. presidents
The White House via WikiCommons
In your humble opinion, which one of these former U.S. presidents was most successful?
Jimmy Carter
George Washington
Barack Obama
George H.W. Bush

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29 - base jumping
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Would you rather go deep-sea diving, rock climbing or base jumping?
Sign me up for all three.
Base jumping looks like fun.
I'll pass on these options, but thanks for asking.
Deep-sea diving would be a dream come true.

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30 - bad habits
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If you could change any of your bad habits, which one would you choose to improve?
I could stop swearing so much.
I need to go to the gym more often.
One day, I'll learn how to fold and put away my laundry.
If I could stop procrastinating, I would accomplish a lot more.

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