You need to understand why the Marine Corps has aircraft. First and foremost, the USMC is built to be an expeditionary, rapidly deployable, and combined arms (infantry, some light armor, artillery, and aviation) unit. The USMC exists to be a "first responder" and figuratively knock down the enemy's front door, establish a US military presence, and enable follow-on sustained operations to be conducted by the Army.

Because of the Marine's unique mission, they have a different culture. They're light and lean... and since tanks and artillery are heavy and hard to transport, the USMC doesn't have a lot. Instead, the USMC relies upon its own aviators to provide close air support.

Every Marine general officer understands how to blend infantry, logistics, command and control, and aviation. As a Marine pilot, you might fly an F-18 or JSF, but your reason for existing is to support the Marine's expeditionary fighting package - typically the MEU.

Are Marines good pilots? You bet they are. But they don't have the same "mission" as the USAF or USN guys. So if you want to become a pilot, then become a pilot. But if you want to be a Marine who happens to fly airplanes, then pursue a USMC aviation career.

The problem is the past 9 years in Iraq & Afghanistan. We don't have enough Army folks to hold the terrain, so the Marines have somewhat morphed into America's second land army. That's the subject of another post, so I won't open up that can of worms beyond what I already said.