What is the Difference Between the US Army and the US Marines?

@docnoir - Wow, I didn’t know there were that many Marines. That fact prompted me to look up the total numbers. We have 1,473,000 active-duty military personnel across all the US armed forces - surprisingly to me, that number was the second highest in the world. Only China has more - a whopping 2,255,000 are in active-duty military service.

And to answer your question, Navy Seals either serve in the Navy or the Coast Guard, but not the Marines.

Even being the smallest part of the US military, there are more than 200,000 Marines in active duty. The Coast Guard, I think, is actually the smallest - but it might be considered part of Homeland Security now. The Army has more than a half a million active-duty personnel, but there are many more attacks on land than from water, so it makes sense. Both also have really deep histories in the US - they both date back to 1775, within just a few months of each other.

It’s also interesting that the Marines are part of the Navy. I wonder if there is a Navy Seal connection? Can Marines be Navy Seals?

A fight over which is better -- the Marines or the US Army -- is completely silly. Both should be honored for their dedication and service to the US.

The Marines get the job done, no matter what it takes. That's all you need to know.

If I had to choose any Armed Forces it's either going to be Navy Seals or The Marines. Army, to me, is popular and i hate popular crap. The grittiest and the baddest is where i belong.

Ive been reading all these comments and i think all branches have their own weaknesses and strengths. People call marines bullet sponges. I'm joining the army and I want to be a green beret with all my heart. If it takes me being an army ranger for some years, that's O.K., but you've got to have that mentality that I'm going yo serve my country and the job will be done. Being blown up by mortars or IEDs are bad luck.

Soldiers, i think, need to inherit a trait called luck, yes this may sound illogical. For an example, if a village in the jungle needs taking over, the Army will get that job done! A city full of taliban terrorizing nearby villages? The marines would do that job better than the Army. Forces like green berets could try resolving problems without violence. Some situations don't mean people need dying!

Green Berets areAmerica's best! I'm 18 and this is my view. It could be wrong.

Actually the US Marines were first in combat during Operation Iraqi Freedom. They crossed the Kuwait border into Iraq. Also Vietnam, I think.

The Marines have always been the first to fight with the exception of desert storm. Yeah, you beat us the by a few days but let me see, oh yes, that's right. You guys were dropped off unprepared and we had to give you ammunition and supplies because you the army rushed off without it just so you could say you were first.

The Army has always been and remains America's main attack force. Green Berets are the tip of the spear since they go into the battle before it even starts. When All troops reach the battle they receive briefings from what Army Special Forces have gathered. How can the marines be first to fight when they have never been the first at any war?

A soldier is a soldier no matter what uniform they put on or what branch they serve. I was an active soldier as young woman and I still consider myself a soldier. To be part of an organization that promotes pride, freedom and a sense of security is unbelievable.

FYI: Thanks to all who serve in the Armed Forces. Many have the right and time to type in their opinions on sites like this. So take a minute and thank a soldier.

post 224 made the most sense out of all of them.

This site is well written by a die hard marine fans or marine himself, which is okay for the sake of his beloved Marines.

People, when the going gets tough we all get together and we fight for this country as one. Talking about being tough, we are all the same; it is just a matter of personality issues.

Rapid deployment? Every branch of the service has their rapid deployment unit. The US Army just happens to have more units to make this happen, as well as the US Navy and the US Air Force.

Yes the US Marines are a small unit and we always rely on them to go out there first since the contingencies only needed small units to secure vital interests, but as everyone knows, we also needed the US Army with more personnel to take over bigger issues at hand. It does not mean the rest of the armed services are not needed but they are there behind the scenes, and of course before any of these issues take place, Homeland Security and other departments of our country are already aware of the situation at hand.

This is where our noble and appointed officials make a decision on which units to use in every contingency or vital interest that will affect our country.

So people, don't make your brothers feel they are not worthy because someone who wrote this makes you think we do not deserve each other. We are all in this together as brothers in arms so we need to be proud of each other.

Hey post 197. The Army did just fine until the Marines showed up to the party in WW2. If anything since the marine corps became the second Army, the USA has struggled more in fighting and winning wars.

This was definitely written by a Marine. The Army is every bit as tough as the Marines. Both services are simply different tools which can be employed based upon the mission.

The Army is a much heavier force but certain Army elements can be deployed quickly. If Marines can get there quickly and an objective is accessible by land then use Marines.

If an enemy is in mountainous terrain send in the 10th Mountain. If you are dealing with a threat that has heavy armor send in an armored cav unit.

To answer questions about who goes in first it's usually a drone or Air Force or Navy pilots.

Army does everything. Why?

First of all, the Marines cannot invade a nation. They don't have that many troops.

The Army has a lot of soldiers who can actually invade a nation.

Those who posted negative comments are considered eight balls or that inhaled too much gas. You guys have been inn the foxholes for too long.

It's time to admit you are all trying hard to secure our country, and this country owes each and every person who served. So just be proud of what you did during your time of service and stop the nonsense you all trying to prove to each other, because you are all the best there is to offer and this country is proud of you all.

To comment on post 222: It's amazing how often Marines forget when their Army brethren fight beside them in battle, so naturally all credit for the battle defaults to the Marines.

Fallujah was not officially captured until after the second battle for Fallujah. Since the credit went to Marines (it was a Marine led battle) I will politely remind my Marine brethren about Task Force 2-2 (Army, and look up SSG Bellavia, David), which also kicked butt and had the honor of crossing the burn first and securing Highway 10 for others to roam about.

To comment on post 221: Stress cards are one of those myths that has gone on for far too long. The cards in question were introduced as an experiment in the Navy in the 90s. But they were not the "time out" card that people tend to believe that they were. They were just a card with a list of numbers and agencies to contact if things just seem to be "piled on" above and beyond what you can handle.

How the cards got attributed to the Army or any other branch, nobody knows (although I suspect that it was probably somebody in another branch stirring up trouble). But there is no such thing as a stress card.

To comment post 28: the 82nd was not the first into fallujah. the 82nd left in march of 2004. they may have done a drive through during the ground invasion but after that they did not even attempt to keep the city.

when i got there in feb of 2004 i could not believe that the city was not secure. The insurgents had texas barriers out on the south side of the city with roving guards. So driving through the city does not mean that you took the city.

a few quick questions: Does the Army really have "Stress Cards" in basic training? If so, are those cards issued for use in combat? And if they are, do they work?

I was amused to read this. I am a former Marine. I'll get to the point. The U.S. Army is a much larger military force with a much larger budget. Send in a platoon of soldiers with the same gear and arms to complete the same mission a Marine platoon is assigned and observe the outcome.

The army is only an effective force because of their budget and numbers. The Marine Corps is effective with much less money and numbers. Semper Fidelis Marines!

The Marines are just ordinary sailors who carry rifles and have been brain washed to be infantry grunts. brother, we are still on one team. you all came from the Navy.

I just read all of this and I must say it is amusing to read the fighting going on. That being said, as a former Marine, I have a few comments of my own.

1. Army guys on here trying to bash the Corps for Fallujah need to read up on their own history of underestimating the enemy. Somalia, Grenada, and Chosin, Korea all come to mind. Don't be so quick to judge the Marines for underestimating the enemy when the Army has a more tragic history of doing so. Pot, meet kettle. And the Marines that fought in Fallujah completed their mission to the end, even when some platoons took over 70% casualties.

2. Just because the Marines do 6-7 month tours, it does not in any way make them less of a man. The whole mission of the USMC is to win battles, create a breach in the enemy lines, clear a beach head for landing craft. We are a small branch and it is not our role to stay in a police mode for 12-18 months. We simply do not have the resources for that. Again it is not our mission, Marines are an elite force projection designed to win battles and that's it.

3. Training in the Marine Corps is much more rigorous and demanding. While infantry tactics may be similar to an Army grunt, the difference is the individual Marine himself. He is taught in boot camp to fear nothing. To take initiative and not wait around for things to happen. 13 weeks of using the word "kill" an average of 400 times a day hones him into a machine. The individual Marine believes he will complete any objective set before him, even if it means him dying. If that makes him "brainwashed" in the eyes of others, then feel free to call him that. But Marines call it confidence and aggression. Marines by nature are taught to be hyper-aggressive. They are trained with a lot less funding than the Army and are taught to improvise with what they have around them in the element they are in. Again, initiative is drilled into their heads until it is a natural reaction, just like blinking. Currently the USMC only gets 6 cents out of every dollar spent on National Defense. They make do with broken equipment and older weapons and there is a sense of pride that comes along with that. The DOD spends on an average $20,000 less for each Marine grunt than the Army. That is a fact from the DOD website itself, fell free to check it. Marines are given less and expected to do more.

4. It is also really old when other branches accuse the Marines of being "all image". The Marines have a great recruiting campaign I will admit, but their boot camp is also the toughest of all the military branches. Many people in other branches say Marines are all "Hollywood" but if they actually knew a thing or two about the Marines they would know about our battle history and why we are so proud. Don't confuse pride with cockiness or arrogance. Like another poster said, Marines are drilled with our battle history for 13 weeks. The individual Marine is forged with a selfless devotion to not let down those Marines that came and died before them.

5.The main difference between the branches is just exactly what another poster said. The Marines win battles. That is what we are designed to do. The Army wins wars. They are much, much, larger and that is what they are designed to do.

To comment post 204: You can absolutely base who went in first on one battle in a war. That is kind of the point there. The saying that Marines go in first has been highly inflated.

To comment post 212: when I went through basic in 1995, unit and individual history were glossed over, hence the shorter time in basic for soldiers versus Marines. Unit history and legendary individuals from that unit get drilled into your head upon assignment to that unit. The more prestigious the unit, the more of a drilling you will get. It's a different approach which gets different results.

Also don't get my earlier post (210) wrong. The Army overall tends to slack on some of their traditions to accommodate an ever-changing American society, but Combat Arms units in the Army have held on much more tightly to their old way of life.

People, you all seem to forget: the Army, the Marines, the Navy, the Air Force and the rest of the homeland security are the best and no comparison should be made to anyone, especially when they all work together. The rest are just individuals posting for recognition because they never got it during their time in the service.

Remember duty, honor and country. You people are disgracing each other. Where is your honor, pride and dignity?

In response to post 18: Yeah I was one of those Marines who replaced you in Fallujah in March 0f 2004. The reason that we were "locked in a bloody battle" was because those civilian contractors were drug through the streets and hanged from the bridge. It was not a difference in uniform or anything else.

As i recall, you guys did not even go into the city at that time. And all the areas that you guys said you did not patrol, we patrolled frequently. We were there for seven months at a time. You were there for 18 months at that time. I can understand that you guys were burned out and ready to come home but don't insult us by saying it was because the insurgents thought us a weaker force.

Given, they do test any newcomers to the country but they got all they wanted.

To post 193: Your information is a little wrong. In Vietnam The Marine Corps were the first ones there. Look it up.

In response to post 211: Your beloved Army may have received 2,400 MOHs and the Marine Corps has 200. That is irrelevant. If you were to do the percentages on total force/MOH, I think you might sing another tune.

I am a former Marine and think that each branch has its good and its bad. I have thought about enlisting in the Army but can't bring myself to wear that beret. It is cool for girls or the french but we all know how the French are.

On a more serious note, the only reason that Marines are so cocky is because it is hammered into them. Tradition is what makes a Marine a Marine. "If you think then you are". The Navy also observes tradition with the utmost respect.

I believe that along the way the Army has lost its reverence for the ones who have served before them.

I am going to go out on a limb and say that in basic training the Army does not teach about units that have risen to victory against insurmountable odds or individuals who have distinguished themselves in battle. I could be wrong. If I am, someone set me straight.

On the other hand, Marines are taught to preserve the traditions of the Marine Corps as well as write their own page of history. In boot camp, stories of individuals and units are drilled into us.

Like I said earlier, both branches are completely capable of taking care of business but pride is what sets Marines apart.

My beloved U.S.Army has received 2,400 combat Medals of Honor, presented to brave Grunts! The Marines have received 200 only. So you tell me- with these facts, which branch really kicks butt!

I am an NCO in the United States Army and often view these kind of boards for amusement. It is often quite easy to spot those who have never had the privilege to serve their country in the United States military.

There is sibling rivalry between the branches and there is nothing wrong with that. I will say, however, that I think that you should earn the right (perhaps join and serve one of the branches) to participate in that rivalry. Otherwise your argument would have absolutely no merit.

As to which service is better, naturally I would say Army. I will give the Marines their props though. They do hold on to their time honored traditions better than the Army does. But other than that there is very little difference. The Marines, being a smaller element push branch wide pride ("I am a Marine"). The Army, being much larger, tends to lean on unit pride ("I am in the 82nd, 101st, 2 ID, etc., etc.). Take what most say in here with a grain of salt. Most of it is misinformed and overly Hollywood (check out Heartbreak Ridge movie to see what I mean).

marines: varsity football team state champs 3-peat;

army: jv football team undefeated;

navy: freshman football

air force: eighth graders

'Nuff said.

I want to join the USMC. Notice how i put the initials for the marine corps in capital letters. I put them in capitals because they deserve to be. Notice how there are way more marines standing up for what they believe in, which is simply they are the best at what they do and no one can even come close to comparing with the USMC.

A lot of army soldiers have probably read this and agreed that marines are more elite and better than the average army grunt. Let's put it this way: the army branch is like your little sibling that gets everything it wants. They can't be trusted to get the job done efficiently, they can't be trusted without guidance, they also joined the army because they thought they were cool kids and it made them look tough.

The Marines are like the older sibling. They are spoiled, they get the job done quick and easy, they work with very little and still get the job done, they are the most trusted ones in the family. They are the most trusted in society and most will agree. trust me. I love the men and women who fight for our country in all branches, but i love the and trust the USMC with all my heart and will always.

I might not really have a future after the Marines, but i will always have Marine brothers. "Once a Marine, always a Marine."

P.S.: I'm kind of all over the place with this opinion but that's just how my mind works.

I respect all branches, but i love the marines because they are just so relentless, so brutal to the enemy. They are cold warriors; the enemy took one look at them and didn't want to fight.

I love all the branches. I'm 17 and I'm joining the marines and either go in as an officer or enlisted. I want to do infantry and then force recon or marine embassy guard. Thank you army, rangers, green berets, infantryman, marines, recons, infantryman, marine embassy guards, marine air and ground task forces; air force, pararescue, combat control, tacp, security forces. Navy: seals, swcc, divers, all military pilots, all military snipers and all combat divers.

I thank you military for fighting for me and motivating me to join and do my dream.

You know there is always an individual in every branch of the service who always cried for recognition instead of being surprisingly recognized by others.

Some of those individuals who cried for recognition are the ones who posted that they are better than their own brotherhood in the U.S. military.

These individuals need to wake up and think that maybe they are offending some of our good men and unsung heroes from different branches of our armed force of services who served this country with pride.

A recognition of unsung heroes whom we never heard of is sometimes the glorious one to remember. So for those individuals who want recognition for being better than your brotherhood, stop and think about what you post here.

to comment 193, you can't compare who went in first based on one battle in a war.

I am a Marine, but I can tell you that both forces are 100 percent necessary. If the Marine Corps was an ambulance, the Army would be a hospital; you cannot have one without the other.

I was in the coast guard, my dad is retired air force, i have one son in the navy and one in the army and i am married to a marine vet.

We all believe that all forces are equal and each one has a special area that they are good in but they all work together when needed to get the job done.

I was raised to treat each one with respect and honor. I stand behind the forces 100 percent. I do not put down any branches of the military or homeland down. I am very proud of the military. No matter what anybody thinks or says, i am very proud of all branches of the service and i do not think any branch is better than the other, because each service does its part.

Some people are just plain ignorant. Here we go again, someone comparing which is better than two services.

The question is what is the *difference* between the two, not who is better or who can do a better job. Both services have issues of their own and both services are under the control of our defense department, as well as the joint chiefs of staff. These are the people who decide which services needed to accomplish any mission at hand.

So for you people out there, it does not matter which services do the most for our country. They both do their jobs the best they can and served this country with pride. Now remember there may be individuals for every service who cannot perform their obligations, but that's only very few. The rest do their job with honor and dignity.

So do not compare who is better because they are both good at what they do, as well the rest of our armed forces such the Navy, Air Force and other branches such as the Homeland Security.

Everyone knows the Marines are good. The Army is good also but not as good. Look at the current conflict in Afghanistan and Iraq. First in Iraq. the British military was having a hard time moving forward in some areas, and who was called in to help? the U.S Marines. Why not the Army if they're better? Also in Afghanistan(helmand province) south Afghanistan, what did some generals and politicians say that has actually fought in past wars? Double the Marines there and they'll get it done, while there was no talk about the Army. Why didn't they say put Army guys there instead of Marines if the Army is better? The Army relies on tech too much. I would compare them to the brains of the military and the Marines to the brawn of the military.

If the Army lost signals on all their tech stuff or it broke, they wouldn't know what to do with themselves.

The Army gets all the new stuff and gets more armored things, but Marines, on the other hand, are expected to do way more, with way less. So, in other words, if it was Marines and Army infantry with no tech in a war, the Marines will always come out on top, like they do most of the time. The average Marine gets more accomplished with what they have then any other branch in the military, plus they get paid way less and not pampered like the Army.

Don't get me wrong -- it takes stones of steel to be in a war, so I respect both, but nobody can compare the Army to a Marine and say the Army infantry is better than a Marine infantry without looking stupid.

If you were to replace all the Marines with Army soldiers in the history of wars and battles, this country would probably not be free.

I would like to post to comment 59. I have had my experiences with the Marine Corps. I was not a soldier, but I was a soldier's wife.

My husband got out of the Marines in 2003 and decided recently that he wants to re-enlist, but much to your dismay and the falseness of your comment, he has chosen the Army. Why?

Allow me to narrow this down for you. The Marines are trained to "kill." They are trained to have that oprah mentality. They are indeed the best at what they do, but when it comes to even bigger issues, like your family, the Army definitely comes on top.

They are more stable and steady in what they do. They are way more family oriented and they offer way more support for soldiers' families than the Marines. If you are a single, gung-ho type of fella or gal, yes, the Marines is a great service. But, if you are married and have children, it is my experience that the Marines is not the best in that area.

Either choice you make, just remember that Army, Navy, Marine, Air Force -- whatever -- you are a soldier fighting for this country. You are blessed with courage and we are grateful and proud for all that you do. Service is service. It doesn't matter which you join.

You're all wrong when you say marines are the first to fight. Learn to study history because I'm about to school you.

World War I: Army first in Europe

World War II: Army Rangers led in Normandy

Vietnam: Cav Scouts (Army) First engagement in war.

Gulf War: Army Apaches led lead assault

OIF/OEF: Air Force Steal Bombers

Plus, if we want to compare, the Army got Hussein and 87 percent of the high threat targets. Special Forces is far superior to Force Recon, Rangers is on par with Force Recon I'd say, and Marines cannot even lay a finger on Delta force which is so elite the united states government still denies its existence.

I was in the Navy, my best friend joined the Marines, three brothers joined the Army and one brother joined the Air Force. The differences between the Army and Marines is evident. The Marine feels a lifetime commitment.

The brainwashing if really heavy in the Marine Corps. They are taught to be cocky and fear nothing. In many ways, it's a foolish type of bravado. But it's great having them on your side. My Navy command used to play them in sports. We easily beat them in basketball due to our guys being taller. They always beat us in softball due to the Marines being really organized and team oriented.

My brothers in the Army just never took what they did seriously. There was a lot of AWOL and a lack of discipline amongst them. Most of their guys couldn't even beat Navy guys in a fight. The Army guys who looked and acted like soldiers were the special forces guys like Airborne and Rangers. No doubt your average Marine will outshoot and outfight your average soldier.

Also the Marines have the best dress uniform by far.

I think the biggest mistake people are making here with these silly "who's better" debates is comparing the Marines to the entire U.S. Army. Guys, the Army is a much bigger organization with a lot of non-combat roles that need to be filled. Much more so than the Corps which is smaller and more of a combat role in itself.

When it comes to the actual fighting units, they're both pretty much the same: An infantry grunt is an infantry grunt, an armor crewman is an armor crewman. The only real difference between the two is that Marines conduct amphibious landings while the Army drops soldiers from the sky into enemy territory.

why is everyone comparing Army Rangers to Marines? The Rangers are Spec Ops. At least compare the Rangers to Force Recon Marines.

Also infantry is infantry, Army or Marines, you all group the army in as one. The key is infantry-- Marine or Army, we lead the way.

Stupid argument. I know undisciplined marines and undisciplined army soldiers. You and your leadership has a lot to do with how you are viewed.

Thank you for the support (amypollick). It just hurts me reading all this stuff. The people of our island have great respect for the US military. It is sad reading all this stuff, because we want to remember the legacy of the great general along with the rest of his men who really risked their lives and died, who fought this devastating World War II were being tarnished by some of the people who belong to the same country that served.

We as grandchildren never met our grandfather -- we only knew him from one faded picture where he was proudly wearing his uniform that was issued by the U.S. Army, along with the rest of the unit.

To all of you out there, I am pretty sure we are not the only ones longing for our lost. There are so many of us, so please do not disrespect the only memories we have left of our loved ones.

Anon78748: A salute to your grandfather, who served honorably and made the ultimate sacrifice for his country. As I've said--the color of the uniform doesn't matter at Arlington.

May your grandfather rest in peace. Continue to be proud of him and his sacrifice. I, for one, appreciate and honor your grandfather for giving his life for his country. Thank you for sharing his story here. God bless you.

There's a unit of men during World War Two that was working for the Allies in the Pacific theater that went from one island to another island and all they did was to monitor and report any enemy activities to the Allied.

He never went to any Marine training nor had any Airborne training. The only training he received was from the regular US Army Infantry Unit stationed in the Pacific. This unit of men were ordered to leave their families behind so they can fulfill their tasks and obligations that they swear that they will perform without hesitation.

Each of the men in this unit worked alone, by themselves. They had to survive on their own on every island they landed on, and if any of these men gets caught by the enemy, the enemy will skin them alive and after, they will burn them, for they are as good as a spy working for the Allies.

Now one of this men is a grandfather to us. Was he not good enough to any one of you people because he was not a Marine? Didn't he sacrifice and take a risk just like everyone else who served this country? Just because he was just an ordinary US Army scout working for the Allies, he is not good enough to you people because he did not receive the same training as the Marines did?

This grandfather was all alone for more than three years on every island he deemed necessary to fulfill his task and monitor the enemy activities until he got killed, but some of you people think this unit of men who risked their lives are not good enough because he was just Army personnel. Some of you are a bunch of hypocrites. Wake up and respect others.

I don't know why people have these debates. Most of the posted comments most likely are from people who have never served (and if you are in the service and posted supporting your branch that is different) and quite frankly wouldn't survive in the military.

My grandfather was an Army paratrooper and served in the Army for 34 years. He served on the front lines in World War II and Korea and I don't think he would appreciate these comments like "Marines are the first to fight" bullcrap.

He respected anyone who served their country, whether it was Army, Navy, Marines or Air Force. Whether you are in the Marine Corps or the Army, it doesn't matter. Both are used for front line ground combat and both forces get shot at and no amount of training will ever prepare troops for how professionally they get the job done.

Debates like these are disrespectful and unnecessary because if you are shot dead, it won't matter if you served in the Marines or the Army, you're still dead. Most of the people who posted here have never been in any sort of combat, let alone have served or serve in the military.

It is ridiculous to belittle a branch of the military just because one branch's training is a little longer. Like I said before, training will not and does not prove how well a person will perform on a battlefield.

The Marine Corps has more discipline in their ranks and are generally in better shape than the army personnel. If you put one nco from the army and one nco from marines to do a task, a marine will perform better, because of the training that marines received in boot camp.

A corporal will show more leadership and control in his squad than an army corporal. I will tell you that I loved going to army bases because they had a lot of luxuries we didn't have, like ice cream, real eggs as opposed to powdered omelets, big screen tv's, big px's you all know.

Both times I went to Iraq, wearing ppe, safety and following base and op rules were a big thing for us and for some reason, when we had attachments from army and civilians, we constantly had to remind them to not be late for the important brief, clear weapons and bring full ppe.

I am just saying that I have pride in wearing my uniform and I know I earned my title in boot camp. Once I became an NCO my Marines made me proud with their obedience of orders. Contracting civilians will tell you how different it is to work with army and Marines.

I don't really like writing much so these are some of the differences that I have in my experience.

The Marines are good at short-term amphibious assault and taking a battlefield/airport/etc... The Army is good at long-term presence within a combat zone.

They are both good at what they do.

Marines: Go in, kick bad guy's butt, and let Army take over.

Army: Take over from Marines and keep bad guys from re-conquering friendly territory.

I am trying to determine which branch i should join. Army or Marines? I don't care about post-service glory. I just want the best experience serving for my country.

To anon 75383: it sounds like you have your own issues just like everyone else.

People, it is not the whole team that makes the team looks bad, it is an individual that makes the team looks bad. Not everyone can be Gomer Pyle and Jerry Lewis.

If you think about it, The Army and Marine are like Felix and Oscar: the Odd Couple. Which one is which?

It depends on the individual serving their own branches how they carry themselves to others. You people are funny bashing each other.

Anon72145, all that drivel you just posted came from one guy who has an Army bias. And by the way, did you even do any research of the author's work you posted? Look him up. He is a nutjob. Have you researched the author of this ‘report?’ Well I have (just a little at least) and he is a kook; he writes stuff like 9/11 was a cover-up/inside job/Bush conspiracy, etc, etc, etc. And you would believe any of this crap?

This is simply amazing that you would simply think any of this is true.

And I'm sick of meeting Army guys who think as soon as they find out I'm a Marine they feel the need to start announcing every school they have been to and their PT score, their rifle score, etc, to me like I give a damn. It's like they have to make themselves seem worthy somehow.

I don't have anything against the Army, but any rational thinking soldier will tell you that the Army has gotten really watered down the last 20 years. They have made it easier for someone to make it through their basic training. When you sacrifice quality for quantity, the results can be disastrous.

Thanks #165. I always wondered what the difference was between the Army and Marines. Both do fine work, and thank you for doing it.

I propose you all stop posting comments without giving any notice to the valid points your oppositions keep bringing up. Is it really all that difficult for us to admit that the U.S. Army and Marines are both *equally* important? Without the Marines, the Army would have absolutely no chance of completing their operations; while the Marines need the constant push and pressure provided by the Army in order to continue with their own operations.

It does not matter which team you are playing for, we are all in one Team. To everyone else who might think they are better than the rest of the brotherhood in the Armed Forces Of The United States of America, get over it.

Remember, when the going gets tough, the tough will all help this country. Some of us may not be in a combat unit or some will be just a support unit, either way those that are not in a combat unit also contributed their effort for the rest to do their own specific task. A medic will help with wounded personnel and supply people will make sure the combat unit gets what they need and the cook will make sure someone will eat and the intellegence will make sure the combat unit will have the right information and so on.

So we are all in this together. *Duty, Honor and Country* Please stop comparing, and understand what the question is all about: what is the difference between the two branches and not who is better.

anon72640 - I don't need to bash the Army and have the highest respect for veterans of my nation's military who are willing to stand up and be counted.

in response to post 167

You never said what the Army experienced on the way to Baghdad. Is it not possible that the Army had different combat situations present themselves on the way since it could not possibly be the exact same? What if the two branches were to switch paths, would it be different or the same? I mean the landings in the European Theatre went more smoothly than the ones in the Pacific so are we to say that they are better at taking beaches than the other? We should say that a different set of parameters were in place and the way the events unfolded were different in different situations.

you people are something. having no respect for others who served and died for this country. when it comes to defending this country we are all in the same team.

Dear God I knew someone would finally pull out the BS Army Generals propaganda. Good job - ph30usmc.

All US Army generals give pep talks to US Army and marine units alike. The only difference is that the Marines record it and keep it for record to bash the other branches. What a joke.

Here is more updated stuff.

When George Bush the second launched the US invasion of Iraq, the Marines were once again included, and this time the goal was Baghdad. The invasion, which began on March 20th, 2003, called for a two-pronged assault on Baghdad.

The Army’s 5th Corps would advance from the desert west of the Euphrates river, while the First Marine Division was ordered to cross the Euphrates and make a parallel advance through central Iraq.

The invasion did not go well for the Marines. In several cities, including Umm al Qasr and Nasiriya, their units suffered heavy casualties fighting remnants of the Iraqi Army and fedayeen guerrillas. Since the Marines had fewer

armored vehicles, and they were exposed to a more tenacious enemy, their progress was slower than the Army’s.

Major General Mattis, the commanding general of the Marines in Iraq, was not pleased. He repeatedly pressured his regiments to make greater speed, and this pressure grew more intense as the Marines lagged further behind Army units.

On the morning of April 3, the First Marine Regiment, commanded by Colonel Dowdy, was ordered to drive to the town of al-Kut.

The city was another choke point, where Iraqi fedayeen guerrillas could ambush Marine convoys in city streets. As soon as his Marines reached the city, they began taking fire. Colonel Dowdy could not forget the mauling another

regiment had received in Nasiriya, where 17 Marines were killed and another seventy were wounded.

He had to make a choice. His orders were to proceed to al-Kut, but the decision to push through or bypass the town was up to him. However, Colonel Dowdy was receiving mixed signals from his superiors. According to him “there was a lot of confusion”, some officers were recommending an attack, others urged withdrawal.

Colonel Dowdy decided to bypass al-Kut. His regiment would take an alternative route to Baghdad that was safer, but the detour of 170 miles meant that the Marines fell further behind schedule. Colonel Dowdy‘s superiors were

furious with his decision.

After the withdrawal from al-Kut, General Mattis and other staff officers let the Colonel know that his regiment was to make greater speed.

That night on the road to Baghdad, vehicles of the First Marine Regiment were ordered

to drive the highways of Iraq with their headlights on, regardless of security. But their progress was not good enough; the Army‘s Fifth Corps had already reached Baghdad.

Colonel Joe Dowdy was relieved of his command the following day. The Marine Corps will never admit it, but he was fired because he failed to carry out the Corps' most important mission in Iraq: Colonel Dowdy failed to upstage the US Army by being the first to reach Baghdad.

The Marines would return to Iraq one year later, when the First Marine Expeditionary Force assumed responsibility for Al Anbar province, which includes the city of Fallujah.

During the change of command ceremony Lt. Gen. James T. Conway of the I MEF proclaimed that; “Although Marines don’t normally do nation-building, they will tell you that once given the mission, nobody can do it better.”

The Marines took control of the area from the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division, and they made no secret of their disdain for the Army’s strategy in Iraq.

Before deploying, General Conway had told the New York Times “I don’t envision using that tactic," when asked about Army troops using air strikes against the insurgents. “I don’t want to condemn what [Army] people are doing. I think that they are doing what they think they have to do.”

On March 30, General Conway told a reporter that “There’s no place in our area of operation that we won’t go, and we have taken some casualties in the early going making that point“. The next day four civilian contractors were killed and mutilated in Fallujah, and five Marines also lost their lives.

The Marines sealed off the city and attempted to reassert control over Fallujah, but the insurgents proved to be more determined than expected.

When their patrols came under heavy fire the lightly armed Marines had only two choices: Fight it out with the insurgents on foot, or call in artillery and air strikes. The inevitable result was scores of Marines killed or wounded, and hundreds of civilian casualties.

The world was appalled by the carnage in Fallujah, and the Marines were called off.

While Marines were fighting in Fallujah, the US Army was heavily engaged against militiamen loyal to Muqtata al-Sadr in cities throughout Iraq. But in contrast to the Marine’s failure to recapture Fallujah, the US Army’s heavy armored vehicles could enter hostile cities with impunity. They brought al-Sadr to heel after two months

of fighting, while suffering relatively few casualties.

An uneasy truce was made between the US Army and al-Sadr’s militia, that would last until the Marines again became involved.

On July 31, 2004, the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit replaced Army units in the holy city of Najaf, headquarters of Muqtata al-Sadr. Just five days later, al-Sadr’s militia would again be waging open war against the US, and the Marines would be calling for reinforcements.

The Marines began skirmishing with al-Sadr’s militiamen as soon as they were given responsibility for Najaf.

After the uprising in April, US Army units had avoided driving past al-Sadr’s house as part of the informal truce, but this would not do for the Marines. The second Shia uprising began after Marines in Najaf provoked al-Sadr by driving their patrols right up to his stronghold.

A firefight ensued, and al-Sadr’s militiamen took up arms in cities throughout Iraq in a replay of the uprising in April.

The Marines had not just picked a fight with Muqtada in Najaf, but they had engaged his militia in an ancient cemetery that abutted the Imam Ali Mosque, Shiite Islam’s holiest shrine. And they did this without informing the Army chain of command, or the Iraqi government.

According to Maj. David Holahan, second in command of the Marine unit in Najaf, “We just did it." But in a replay of the Fallujah assault, the Marines faced an enemy that they were not prepared for. Within hours of launching their attack on August 5, the Marines were pinned down, and requesting assistance.

Unfortunately for the Marines, their rash attack on al-Sadr’s headquarters had sparked another revolt by his militiamen. Army units were once again fighting the Mahdi army in cities throughout Iraq.

When the Army’s Fifth Cavalry Regiment received orders to reinforce the beleaguered Marines, they were deployed against al-Sadr’s militia in the outskirts of Bagdhad, 120 miles away.

The Fifth Cavalry arrived in Najaf after a two day drive through insurgent controlled territory. By then any opportunity to capture al-Sadr had been lost, because the press, and the Islamic world, were focused on the Imam Ali Mosque and the adjacent cemetery. Any attack on Shiite Islam’s holiest shrine, where Muqtata

al-Sadr was holed up, would have had disastrous consequences for the US war effort.

In Fallujah and Najaf, inexperienced Marine units picked fights with insurgents, and in both cases ended up handing the enemy a strategic victory. Their failure to recapture Fallujah made the city a rallying cry for Islamic militarism worldwide, (that is until the second US assault rendered Fallujah uninhabitable).

The Marines' botched attempt to capture Muqtata al-Sadr has only strengthened his hand.

Never Faithful; The Rivalry Between our Army and Marines- By A. Scott Piraino

It's a shame. Both the the Army and Marines are outstanding fighting forces. I don't like to bash another branch. I have a lot of buddies that were in the Marines and are stand up guys. But I will defend my branch to the end.

There are only two kinds of people that understand Marines: Marines and the enemy. Everyone else has a second-hand opinion.

Gen. William Thornson, U.S. Army

The safest place in Korea was right behind a platoon of Marines. Lord, how they could fight!

MGen. Frank E. Lowe, USA; Korea, 26 January 1952

Why in hell can't the Army do it if the Marines can. They are the same kind of men; why can't they be like Marines.

Gen. John J. "Black Jack" Pershing, USA; 12 February 1918

I have just returned from visiting the Marines at the front, and there is not a finer fighting organization in the world!

General of the Armies Douglas MacArthur; Korea, 21 September 1950

We have two companies of Marines running rampant all over the northern half of this island, and three Army regiments pinned down in the southwestern corner, doing nothing. What the hell is going on?

Gen. John W. Vessey Jr., USA, Chairman of the the Joint Chiefs of Staff

during the assault on Grenada, 1983

Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem.

Ronald Reagan, President of the United States; 1985

They told (us) to open up the Embassy, or "we'll blow you away." And then they looked up and saw the Marines on the roof with these really big guns, and they said in Somali, "Igaralli ahow," which means "Excuse me, I didn't mean it, my mistake".

Karen Aquilar, in the U.S. Embassy; Mogadishu, Somalia, 1991

Come on, you sons of bitches! Do you want to live forever?

GySgt. Daniel J. "Dan" Daly, USMC

near Lucy-`le-Bocage as he led the 5th Marines' attack into Belleau Wood, 6 June 1918

I have only two men out of my company and 20 out of some other company. We need support, but it is almost suicide to try to get it here as we are swept by machine gun fire and a constant barrage is on us. I have no one on my left and only a few on my right. I will hold.

1stLt. Clifton B. Cates, USMC

in Belleau Wood, 19 July 1918

Lying offshore, ready to act, the presence of ships and Marines sometimes means much more than just having air power or ship's fire, when it comes to deterring a crisis. And the ships and Marines may not have to do anything but lie offshore. It is hard to lie offshore with a C-141 or C-130 full of airborne troops.

Gen. Colin Powell, U. S. Army

Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff

During Operation Desert Storm

You cannot exaggerate about the Marines. They are convinced to the point of arrogance, that they are the most ferocious fighters on earth- and the amusing thing about it is that they are.

Father Kevin Keaney

1st Marine Division Chaplain

Korean War

The Marine Corps has just been called by the New York Times, 'The elite of this country.' I think it is the elite of the world.

Admiral William Halsey, U.S. Navy

I can't say enough about the two Marine divisions. If I use words like 'brilliant,' it would really be an under description of the absolutely superb job that they did in breaching the so-called 'impenetrable barrier.' It was a classic- absolutely classic- military breaching of a very very tough minefield, barbed wire, fire trenches-type barrier.

Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf, U. S. Army

Commander, Operation Desert Storm, February 1991

The deadliest weapon in the world is a Marine and his rifle.

Gen. John "Black Jack" Pershing, U.S. Army

Commander of American Forces in World War I

Do not attack the First Marine Division. Leave the yellowlegs alone. Strike the American Army.

Orders given to Communist troops in the Korean War;

shortly afterward, the Marines were ordered

to not wear their khaki leggings.

The American Marines have it [pride], and benefit from it. They are tough, cocky, sure of themselves and their buddies. They can fight and they know it.

General Mark Clark, U.S. Army

Every Marine is, first and foremost, a rifleman. All other conditions are secondary.

Gen. A. M. Gray, USMC

Commandant of the Marine Corps

If I had one more division like this First Marine Division I could win this war.

General of the Armies Douglas McArthur in Korea,

overheard and reported by Marine Staff Sergeant Bill Houghton, Weapons/2/5

The Marines have landed and the situation is well in hand.

Attributed to Richard Harding Davis (1864-1916)

To anybody who didn't serve: Stay away from the gunfire because service to my nation, carrying a gun, wasn't for you. Do what you do and let the big boys play with big boys with deadly toys. One more thing: Just because you know somebody who served or was killed in service to my nation doesn't make it your service or experience. Butt out, put on a skirt, and go to JoAnn Fabrics so you can pick out a nice shade of fabric that will accentuate your self-righteous indignation.

I do not care if you didn't serve but we are not the same, we serve a different purpose, and this argument isn't for you.

Suggesting that "Marines and Army are the same because you all serve under the same flag" is insulting coming from people who don't know the difference between a blood strip and blood wings.

Marines are an Expeditionary Force in readiness. They serve as America's 911 force and can be anywhere killing anybody faster than the Army because they are lighter, smaller and more aggressive.

The Marine Corps' purpose is to wage war and win battles. The Marines have a strong naval tradition because they began service alongside the Navy. They are amphibious by nature and have evolved to other forms of warfare.

It is noteworthy to mention the following: The Marine Corps were the first to use Helos in combat (Korea) and the first to utilize "vertical envelopment" as doctrine to maximize its amphibious and land based mission.

Due to the flexibility of the Marine Corps as a whole they are more comparable to Army Rangers but every Victor Unit (Infantry Battalion) in the Marine Corps is trained in every aspect of amphibious landing, vertical envelopment, mechanized movement across developed terrain and foot movement across undeveloped terrain.

The Marines had a "ParaMarines" unit but they had a high degree of failure in World War II and thus large scale Division drops have never been undertaken by the Corps.

The army is massive and thus can have dedicated units to specific missions. The 10th Mountain Division is trained in mountaineering, assaulting and defense in mountainous terrain. The 82nd Airborne Division is dedicated to dropping mass units from aircraft behind enemy lines to assault airfields and strategic objectives. They are effectively cut off from reinforcements and so have to be ready to duke it out on all sides. The Armor Division is just that; their bread and butter is tanks, armor personnel carriers and the like.

Regular Infantry divisions, like the 1st Infantry Division, are strictly land based with little training in the above. The 101st Air Assault trains in helo assault and recovery. They are ideal for assaulting built up urban areas.

If I were a general and had to square off against divisions of tanks on the plans of Russia, or if I had to drop massive amounts of troops behind enemy lines my first call would the U.S. Army.

I could go on and on about the army but I don't know that much about it. I do know my Marine Corps is trained by hook or by crook, by Army schools or Marine schools, to serve every mission the Army has with the exception of Airborne.

We do not jump from aircraft en masse. The army has the numbers to do that and be effective. The Marine Corps does not.

The Army is a broad based green machine and has a division for every mission. The Marine Corps is smaller by design and thus has to do it all. Note to my Ranger friends: High speed Zodiac insertions do not count as amphibious landings and you don't have a naval tradition until you know what a bulkhead, bow, stern, crow's nest, starboard, port and aft is and use it intelligibly.

The Army has a huge helo role as well but Marines provide the President with helo support. We guard the president, the embassies, do more with less, enjoy killing, taking ground and the like.

The Marine Corps, as a whole, is the only branch of service in the world that trains to engage, and impact, man sized targets, with iron sights, at 500 meters.

We evacuate embassies, we assault objectives without congressional declaration of war so typically the we are the tip of the spear.

With the exception of Airborne Operations there is nothing the Army does that we do not but there are things that we do that the army does not.

The differences in Army and Marine Corps doesn't stop there but esprit de corps and mentality are all subjectively compared. The best way to settle this is to have a squad on squad competition. Only we should have pogues from the army and pogues from the corps face off. I would drive 1000 miles to see that.

I don't need to bash the Army because they do what they do and we do what we do. Different missions for different situations and once we get through all the crap, everybody knows who is who and what is what.

I am a Marine so my opinion is subjective so I will not state the obvious.

I guess my biggest point is, if you served you are certainly entitled to your opinion and no matter how jacked up it is, I respect that. LOL. If you didn't serve, go argue about something else you do not belong in this.

To those who didn't serve because they didn't want to but want to butt in I have some quotes for you. Please feel free to not address me in your incredulous postings. Also, please understand, not serving because you cannot is very different from not wanting to.

To post 161: First of all, your poor grammar and terrible use of vocabulary shows me what the marine corps is about. Grunts. The Marines are taught that the only way is the Marine way.

The army generals don't use marines to win wars or any of that. The fact is, that the Army stands the ground while the marines move. The Army is left most of the time to clean up the mess that the Marines leave behind.

The Army is the first force of the military. It is the most useful, necessary and the strongest force of the military. Yes the Marines have a higher physical fitness standard in running. Good job marines. The army is the first to invade, the last to leave. The Army is the fastest deploying force of all the branches.

The Marines deploy for six months, Navy six months and Air Force four to six months. The Army deploys for 12-18 month increments.

The United States Army has the strongest fighting force of all the branches in the Army Rangers. No force has higher fitness standards and harder training. The Army has the highest level of Airborne qualified soldiers.

The Army simply can do more than the other branches. The marines tend to be trigger happy. One shot, one kill is the Army's motto. The Army shoots to kill. The marines shoot in a direction simply because they are told to. The Army is trained to make their own decisions.

The marines are taught to only take orders and that the corps is all there is. I will give the marines the benefit of looking better in formation. But the lack of maturity and discipline outside of the force is something to be said about.

So to you 161, you are wrong in what you said. The Army is the strongest, the granddaddy of them all. It is the most respected force and the most trusted throughout the world.

nhc666: I was an Infantryman with the 101st

Airborne 3rd Brigade. I thought your

post was interesting. It brought back

memories about the time our battalion was

moving by truck instead of helicopter to

help 3rd ID take BIAP.

We were hit with a

complex ambush that was initiated by RPGs just

south of the Airport. The Fedayeen thought we

were a supply convoy. To their surprise they found out that we were Army Infantry Battalion. They had a very bad last day.

The US Army has two Armies.

Combat Arms: Who get little press but are somehow lumped in with the support side of the US Army.

Support: Who are getting better, but did trip on their feet during the invasion. Maybe the last seven years of increased training have prepared them a little. Maybe your assessment should be updated?

the marines were the first to make an ambitious landing in the revolution war they were the first to raise the flag of the us flag over seas they are the only one to to have the american colors on their uniform. all marines are rifle men men and women. the marines don't retreat they sand their ground. army generals use the marines to get the job done.who guards all us embassy. marines are air land and sea.marines are the presidents own force. marines can be anywhere in the world within 24 hours. marines have ship in ready to supply them for combat for 90 days for a division. the army don't have any of this. and when have the army made more amphibious landings than the marines.

In response to the girl in post 158: I was in the Marine Corps as an infantryman. I do not recommend enlisting in the Corps if you are a female. I know this sounds sexist but my opinion actually has good rationale behind it.

The Marine Corps as an organization and as an experience is both extremely sexist and extremely chauvinistic. Females are absolutely not taken seriously no matter what the rank. This is for several reasons.

The Marine Corps is based around the infantry, and the infantry's mission is to "locate, close with, and destroy the enemy by fire and maneuver". Very simple and concise, no? In the infantry we do everything in order to fulfill this mission to the best of our ability, which includes hazing weaker individuals until they shape up, or they essentially are forced into a non combat position. Notice that I stated incompetent Marines are forced into the *non combat positions*. This is the only place you find females, and because anybody in a combat arms job hates individuals not in a combat arms position, females will always have this against them.

Females also have different physical standards than males. They are required to do fewer sit ups and pull ups and are allotted more time on runs. Lets also be realistic: 95 percent of females physically cannot compete with a male. When it really comes down to it, a female wouldn't be able to drag up to 350 pounds of dead weight (wounded 290 pound Marine plus gear) across a road to cover or survive a hand to hand encounter with an enemy combatant. Hell, I have trouble doing it and I'm 6 ft 190 pounds. This is another reason males don't like females in the Corps. Females also tend to receive some favoritism in regards to promotions, delegation of their authority, and disciplinary action as a result of higher ranking Marines being concerned about repercussions for being discriminatory.

The Marine Corps is absolutely a "guy" environment. As Marines we are conditioned to be hyper aggressive, violent, and to lack compassion for the enemy and the weak. I never really saw females fit in well within that type of environment.

Beyond this I feel that the emotional support for females is *extremely* poor in the Marine Corps. Females are routinely viewed and referred to in derogatory and sexualized ways by *all* levels of leadership. They are regularly preyed upon by individuals in positions of higher authority as well as their peers.

I don't know of any female in the Marines who hasn't become promiscuous to the point that it's literally sad and embarrassing. Maybe that's some girls' thing, but I assume not for the majority of women.

I know I'm going to be called a bunch of things, and it makes the Marine Corps sound awful, but I don't care because this is how it really is.

The Marine Corps and the Army both have a specific mission and a way to get it done. First to fight refers to the fact that the Marines are the first into a combat zone with all aspects of warfare such as aircraft, seacraft and ground forces. This does not mean they are always the first in to a combat zone.

The Marines are able to act without approval from congress and are a rapid response force; this is why they have all these aspects.

In reality the spec ops of all the varying are usually military branches are the "first to fight". The army is the oldest, largest and most well funded (this is because of its size); also it has the most specialized training and the best shot at getting the job you want.

Marines of all types are trained to be rifleman whereas the soldiers are not. The Marines are the most arrogant but in reality are just as good as a soldier.

The Army trains its people differently and trains them to perform a certain job. Please don't compare them because they all serve our country.

Also all military branches have the same standards minus small differences for A.S.V.A.B. scores. People in the Army are not more stupid; the army simply has a higher selection of jobs and spaces to fill thus has jobs that require less knowledge.

The Army coordinates major wars because of its size and because that's the Army's purpose. If any branch were better than the other there wouldn't be five of them.

One branch is better for one person's personality, while another is better suited for another. All the crap between branches is a mixture of jealousy, arrogance and recruitment ploys.

P.S. there is more to the military than S.F., Spec Ops, and infantry men and it has nothing to do with guts. It has to do with what needs done. All those jobs would be useless without the jobs beside, in front of and behind them. Once again things like this are the result of jealousy, arrogance and recruitment.

God bless future former and current brothers in arms and The U.S.A. and its citizens. Ooh Rah! Hooah!

anon70000: I'm a 17 year old girl this is my junior year and iv started preparing myself for training in joining as soon as i graduate and I've always wanted to be a marine.

i believe i have what it takes, but just recently people have been confusing me. Quite a few people took me aside and told me men in the marines honestly do not respect the woman as much and my heart just sank.

i still want to be a marine but is this true? It can't be, can it?

i have nothing against the army but I've never wanted to be in it but I'm so confused. Recently I've been doubting my decision and i don't want to sign up for anything if i have doubts, so can anyone help?

i know i have a year until i graduate but it's all the same whether i was joining now or later. i want to know this, please. thanks.

People: why are we arguing?

If you look at the top of the page you will see that it says: "What is the Difference Between the US Army and the US Marines?"

This page is for, and only for, people who want to know the difference. Not the people who want to argue about which is better!

Roger that George, and even an Army guy like me has to admit that it is always best to have a Devil Dog unit on your flank in combat because that's one flank you don't have to worry about.

Here's a true story: In 2003 when the Marines and the Army 3rd Infantry Division had taken down Baghdad and had truck convoys scattered all the way into Kuwait.

I was a plans officer at USCENTCOM when our intelligence intercepted an order from the Iraqi insurgency commander. It was a field order to all the insurgent unit commanders and it went something like this:

"Resistance Commanders, ehen attacking supply and truck units you must be aware that there are two different American "armies":

1. The US Army which wears tan desert uniforms like this (photo of a soldier wearing the old desert uniform); and

2. The US Marine Corps which wears a different uniform like this (photo of a Marine wearing the newly issued USMC digital uniform).

When planning your attacks on supply lines and truck convoys ensure that you do not attack a US Marine unit. If you do, these supply-unit Marines will immediately act like Army infantry and they will attack you and hunt every one of your men down and kill them. The US Army truck and supply units will not pursue you. Attack them instead."

As deeply embarrassing as that was to the entire US Army, it was a long time coming.

As an Infantryman, I know that in the past 25 years we trained the hell out of our active duty combat units but we let the rest

of the force waste away.

The Army has a long ways to go, but we have rectified some of these problems in the past four years. It's just sad that we had to let the enemy tell us how screwed up we were. VR, John K., Colonel, USMC (Ret)

I think it's mighty silly and immature to fight about which branch of the military is better than which. I mean we are all Americans. You people act like this is the damn NFL. I always think of it like the Marines is an elite task force while the Army is an unstoppable horde. Either way the result is a serious butt kicking.

Wow, you guys have got to be kidding, right? There is no shot in hell you could compare the army to Marines. If you are debating which branch to join, you clearly are not ready to take on the challenge to become a Marine. You need to know from the start that you want to be a Marine.

And those who talk to recruiters and don't cut it for the Marines eventually find their way to an army recruiter. So basically, join the army if you want to relax a bit, and don't want to be something elite such as a Marine.

I think my sister and her friends were joking one day about all joining the army, they laughed about it for a bit.

But really, I have buddies in the army, they're cool guys but even they know the Marines are the top of the line. Anyone else who doesn't think so is clearly in denial.

It's cool that your son is in the army and deployed like everyone else, but you can't just skip a deployment, it's more complicated than that.

Oh and don't ever mock "The Few, The Proud" again please. Show some respect for the service. I know I'm not being too respectful, but you don't deserve any. You sit in the states and rant hollow nonsense.

Why are rangers being compared to Marines? that isn't the question at hand. #1 they are special forces, #2 compare them to Scout Snipers or some MARSOC unit.

Anyway, you don't just join the Marines, you have to be born for it. SGT USMC

"There were no Marines in the Continental Army that won the Revolutionary War. During the Civil War, Congress authorized less than 3,200 men for the Marine Corps, this while the Union Armies totaled nearly one million men. The fact is, for

most of their history the United States Marine Corps was little more than a security force for the Navy"

Truth's gotta hurt huh, anon12009?

"In order to be a proficient Marine, you have to attend many of the Army's Schools, like HALO, Sniper, etc."

Really? What's the etc? I'm pretty sure that the USMC has their own sniper school, and it's hands down the best in all the armed services. It's longer and more demanding than the Army sniper school because Marines train to become Scout/Snipers. Marines attend some Army schools, but tell me this: does it make budgetary sense to have all these military bases all over the US that have the same schools, or is it easier and cheaper to send everyone (Navy, Air Force included) to one location to get the training?! That's the way the DOD looks at it.

I went to Ft. Sill for FO school, but my instructors were Marines. And as far as I know it's that way everywhere. So what are these schools a Marine needs to attend to be proficient? Marine grunts don't go to Army AIT. They have their own.

Do you people just spout off false facts to boost your ego or do you actually look up facts? It is also very interesting that Army guys compare Marine grunts to their Special Forces all the time. Just like another poster said, that in itself says it all right there.

Marines are not cannon fodder. And don't say only the rejects join the Corps because the Army currently has the lowest ASVAB score for potential recruits. Look it up.

Marines are very prideful, and rightfully so. Like another poster also said, Marines are shock troops. We win battles, that's it. We are not a big force because we choose quality over quantity. Its not our job to be an occupying force.

And for the mom on here that keeps saying "the few, the proud" comment, you need to get a life. You give one example of a bad apple in the Marines and you try to generalize the whole branch as cowards.

And if your son doesn't wear his uniform squared away like he should have been taught in his basic training, then maybe he is one of those bad apples. That is undisciplined and trust me, any unit would notice that he doesn't care about upholding a military appearance. You were never in the military so don't preach to us about how your friend pissed you off and now you have a thorn in your side for Marines.

And saying Marines "lost Fallujah" is a freaking joke. Those are gutless words from someone who was never there.

I am a former Marine. Served from 1997-2001. I was an 0811, Field Artillery cannoneer. For four years I aimed a M198 Howitzer. That was it. Here is what I have always thought of the Corps.

1. The Marines do have tougher training in boot camp.

2. The Marines to me resemble the German Waffen SS of WW2. They are hotheaded and dead set on accomplishing their mission and will destroy anything in their path. They travel light and are very quick. They are more suited as shock troops to break enemy lines.

I always thought that Marines win battles, the Army wins wars. Marines are fighters, not occupiers. Although that has changed since I got out.

I went to college on the GI Bill and am thankful for it. I love the Corps.

I can't say anything about the Army because I never joined. Many of my friends in college were Army guys and when you turn into a civilian it seems that it does not really matter what branch you were in; Marines and Army guys hang together more than any other combination of branches.

I love my Army brothers and have respect for those that have fought in the same mud, chewed the same dirt, and spilled the same blood as my Marine brothers.

Semper Fi. Thanks to all those who served in my footsteps after, Marines or Army.

Confirmed kills don't exist anymore as they're considered inhumane. Traditionally they were when a soldier or marine kills an enemy and the act is witnessed by a SNCO and officer. And the Army massacred like 30 civilians in Fallujah which turned the largely pro-US city against us, which required an invasion spearheaded by Marines to retake the city.

"I was there in Fallujah and heard the cheers of the Marines when we showed up. I put an AT-4 in a window the size of a manhole on that day, killing God knows how many insurgents that were in the same room. Those were confirmed kills."

No. No you weren't. No. No you didn't. No. No those weren't.

I've said it before: I don't think the uniform matters one bit when the burial detail drapes the flag over the coffin. Both branches have served our country with honor and pride. Both branches have paid the ultimate price for their service. What is it with some of you who have to trivialize their sacrifice by turning their service into a peeing contest? Good grief.

"The marines are the best. First ones in, first ones out. If you want challenge and pride of belonging you join the marines. If you want an easy way, then the army is for you.

And I'm on recruiting duty currently. Every branch has their purpose. I will try to keep professional here. Just look at the standards. You can be fat and join the army. I've worked with the army in iraq during operation phantom fury.

The clearing of fallujah, keeping it real here. Infantry is very freaking slow, and lacking discipline within their ranks. Would never happen in the marines. If you are going to join the service and defend our great country, you might want to join the service that is best trained physically and mentally for anything that may come face to face with you! This is the marines not the army. - anon66556"

From a current U.S. Army Infantryman:

Of course this guy is a recruiter. Everyone knows recruiters are the biggest liars out there! Attorneys don't even match up!

Comparing the U.S. Army to the U.S.M.C. is like comparing apples to oranges. The U.S.M.C. as a whole is a rapidly deployed Corps that maintains the primary mission of "guarding".

The Marines occupy after the U.S. Army punches through and secures after the U.S. Air Force blows the hell out of everything. Why do you think the U.S. Air Force is still spending millions and billions of dollars on aircraft with anti-honing and stealth devices?

The Air Force bombs for days/weeks/sometimes months. The U.S. Army, with their large numbers and advanced technology, punches through and secures as much land as all possible, including all of the major cities; and then the U.S. Marines come in and stand guard with their significantly lower numbers and pathetic technology and old, nasty, sweaty gear that is passed down to them from the Army.

The Army has more Infantrymen, even specialized infantrymen including air-assault, airborne, mountain, etc; they have more armored units, only comparable by the Russians; they have more artillery; they have the most money and the best technology; and they are the quietest branch, excluding what i'm saying today.

The U.S. Army doesn't really need to speak about how bad and tough they are; because we already know it, and we are the true "quiet professionals".

The U.S.M.C. brags and boasts about how they are "the best, the tip of the spear, the few and the proud, and the first and the last"; but that's all recruiting and marketing tactics, really.

The U.S. Army will nearly take anyone in a time of war; the Marines happen to be picky, and I can personally understand why.

The U.S. Department of Defense would rather send in convicts (including felons) without a real high school diploma than send in a kid who's done more with his life and actually cherishes his freedoms that have been awarded to him by shed blood. The Marines are not sent in first, with the rare exception of the MEUs. The MEUs are called "Expeditionary Units" for a reason, and that reason being the fact that they conduct "military expeditions". Generally, they are sent in to secure a beachhead and cover up to 50 miles from the coast; while the Army airdrops in, secures air-fields, and waits until armored and mechanized units drop in from C5's and C-130s.

While that's going on, the Army also attacks from neighboring allied countries (if one is available) and puts a definite clinch on the enemy.

In all, whoever our enemy may be; they're definitely in the vise grips of the U.S. Armed Forces, and they will then understand why they shouldn't have messed with us.

The Marines that are not MEUs are basically cannon fodder. They stand guard after everything is done.

By the way: Just for you uneducated wannabes and lying recruiters who keep reversing the stories:

the U.S. Army, Soviets, and British won World War II against Nazi Germany as well as all of the Korean conflict; they also kicked all of the butt in Panama and Grenada; the U.S.M.C. weren't the only ones in Vietnam. The U.S.M.C. were actually the real ones who lost Fallujah just before they called in for reinforcements, where the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne went in and used their size, strength, and supreme technology to kick the crap out of the hadji's who gave them such a hard time. And, the 82nd Airborne were still the first unit into Haiti, providing humanitarian assistance while the U.S.M.C. fell back weeks behind.

I was there in Fallujah and heard the cheers of the Marines when we showed up. I put an AT-4 in a window the size of a manhole on that day, killing God knows how many insurgents that were in the same room. Those were confirmed kills. I still can't believe that there are still rumors going around that the roles were actually reversed.

I'll be waiting for the "I'm a Marine, I trump you" wanna-be crap coming. Opening a can of "mouth" with a "Marine" is like going on the Jerry Springer show. The dudes just don't know when to shut up, sit back and watch.

Again, excluding my post right here: the phonies who mostly talk about how they "got it", really don't; the real baddies never do, an are the ones who do have it.

That is the reality between the U.S. Army and the U.S. Marines. The ratio between how many Marines talk crap to how many soldiers talk crap is easily 10:1 and there are well over 1 million U.S. Army Soldiers - mostly being combat arms, opposed to the 254,000 Marines in the entire Corps (Active and Reserves).

Now put that in your pipe and smoke it, wannabe.

"the marines are not the spearhead, they are simply support for the main invading force, which is the US Army. The US Army deploys in through either jumping directly into enemy territory on parachutes, or goes in through a port of another friendly country and punches their way through. The marines are not even a quarter of the size of the army, they are good at things like taking and holding an airport while the army takes the entire city and surrounding land. It was the US Army that captured Saddam Hussein, and the US Army dictates what the other branches of DOD will do to support the mission of the US Army on any given day."

This is accurate and supportive information.

-Colonel Jeffery S.

Department of the U.S. Army, Lead Security Head

I think we should not even compare the two. They both serve our country and they are the best at what they do.

It's funny to see, that most of the people write all the stuff on here have not even the slightest idea about war. I respect all of the soldiers who go to Iraq or any other country under war and do what they do.

It does not matter if you are a marine or if you are serving in the army. The most important thing is that they both protect our butts sitting here in our comfortable homes while they are out there getting shot at!

you shouldn't try to compare the marines and the army; you're just making each other mad, and does it really matter who is "better"? both serve our country and i'm sure any soldier would be disappointed that anyone is trying to make one branch look better than the other.

I had a friend in marine recon. They went to similar training as the army rangers (i was in the army) very similar, Army SF (green berets) are force multipliers, they are our insurgents.

Marine INf and Army INF are pretty similar, tactics in the branches are slightly different and Marine fire teams are larger then the Army's. Every branch has jacked up units and in the military in general you will find politics, red tape and dirt bags-- Marines and Soldiers.

I was in the Army INF and we were the quick reaction force for the asian pacific. Don't believe it? well believe it, because after our 16 months in iraq we were sent to several different places as QRF. Marines also act as QRF.

Marines and Army are lax in different areas when it comes to recruiting standards and job placement. Don't believe it? go to your local recruiter and sign up, do your time and come out and join the next branch. There's nothing wrong with thinking you're the best if that's what you need to get through combat.

I respect the Marines; I just have happened to serve in the Army. I had Marine Recon thanking us and telling us how squared away we are. Tell a paratrooper they aren't trained. We both spend a ridiculous amount of time in the field training.

Our non Combat MOS soldiers are also trained on all US weapons in Basic just like Marines, we do an FTX; Marines do the Crucible. If you haven't been to Sand Hill i suggest you sign up for the Army Infantry before you bash us because we all have taken losses in war.

Army Strong *and* Semper Fi!

you people are pathetic, arguing who is the best. grow up and get a life. this looks bad for everyone especially for those who gave up their life in any branch of service they served. no respect for others that put their effort and gallantry to fight for this country.

Guard is not the same? Tell that to my sister, whose husband was Army Guard and had been deployed four times and lost his life -- after earning the silver star.

first, to everyone on her saying "stop arguing" or whatever, go away. this is what the armed forces is all about. it's a pride to say the Marines is the best. everyone wants to be the best, the Marines strive for it and the Army's been trying to be the best for years. it's what keeps us on edge.

The USMC is a very wonderful organization, if not for any other reasons but these two: 1. they always have the good mentality. whether its no man left behind, death before dishonor, or Semper Fidelis, the Marines always strive to be the noble force as it were. 2. MCT. Marine Combat Training. it is a school that all and i do mean all, non infantry Marines go to this school which is an abridged version of Infantry Training Battalion, the infantry's school. this means you can put an admin Marine behind a heavy machine gun, and not only can he fire it effectively, he can disassemble and reassemble it, clean it, and clear jams/malfunctions. you put army desk jockey there he'd crap his pants when it jammed.

now i'll admit, the US Army is a better equipped fighting force. but when it comes down to it: the Marine Corps still kicks more butt.

Listen folks, there are a couple of things most of you need to understand!

The mission statement for Army and Marine Corps are vastly different. You also must know that due to size and capabilities the quality of warrior is also different.

Marines are a "Force in Readiness". What this simply means is that they operate on a "hair trigger" at all times because when the crap hits the fan, the president can send them into war in a matter of hours without congressional approval, like what is needed for other armed services.

This is part of the reason the Marines are more strict about their requirements. They also have less than any other service so they have to perform more with less. This puts more pressure on the typical marine to operate at a greater level of proficiency.

The length and intensity of Marine boot camp is not simply for giggles and a waste of money that could go for equipment, etc. Why do you all think that marksmanship demands are higher, run times are faster on a longer course, and physical requirements are greater?

And for any of you who have spent time on both bases, you will instantly notice the difference in attention to uniforms, haircuts, etc. For the same reasons the Marines are chosen for the most high profile and dangerous jobs like embassy duty and presidential guards.

After secret service, who do you see standing at guard?

I would also like to cover the issue of your comparisons. The fact that you have to compare Marine grunts to Army SF tells tells the whole story right there.

A proper comparison would be to compare Green Berets and Delta Force to Marine Force Recon. If the Department of the Navy did the same to the Army then SEALS would be compared to the average army grunt. How fair is that?

Now let's talk about the Army! Bigger force, more money, better support system within the same branch of service. Money is the bread and butter of any military force and this is proven through history and not just theory. We also have to remember that the Army has various different SF and Marines have only one. Oh, and hey, if you want to go to sniper school you have to go to the Marines for the training and if you want to go to jump school, you have to go to the Army for the training.

The point is that no matter what branch you're in, you will cross-train for different things to get it from the best in the biz. So what does it really matter? You all would be better off comparing different countries than different services and even different countries cross-train.

The Army has done more amphibious landings than the Marine Corps throughout their history.

Marines go to the Army for much of their training including Airborne and Armor training(among others).

To compare the average Marine to an Army Ranger is laughable. The Army Rangers are an elite special ops force and the average Marine has nowhere near that training.

The Marine Corps is not some special elite force. They are good at what they do, don't get me wrong. But, they have a lot of talk and market themselves that way.

You people get your act together. The only people I see that really cared about this argument are the ones who posted we are one Armed Forces of the United States.

Everyone else is not part of the team, especially when you bashed and made the other teammate look bad. I salute those who think we are all the same and no matter what, we are a team. We do not disgrace each other.

Bravo to those who said we are one one unit and a team. I believed those old sayings posted by one the guys: Duty, honor and country. Everyone else who bashed the others do not have any honor left to themselves.

i don't know about you guys but i do know the U.S. Army took on the best military in the world at the time and beat them to create this great country so the Marines and their pride are just going to have to suffer that.

Just because they act tough and have catchy slogans don't make them all that. Why do you think they call them jarheads? because there is no brain there.

also remember pride is a crutch of the insecure.

Hooah!

To Post #95: If you never been to boot camp, then you know crap about Marine training.

I am sure the Marines would have led plenty more of those 26 invasions if they 100 divisions like the Army instead of only six.

Losing more men in an operation is not a test of quality nor of courage. Also, the comparison is not fair as a lot more troops were committed to Normandy than to Iwo Jima. If you look at the percentages, Marine casualties at Iwo Jima were twice that of the casualties of all the allied forces at Normandy--23 percent to 11 percent.

The numbers can favor either side, it is just in how you spin them. Ultimately, the Army did a lot of landings because there were a lot more soldiers.

By the way, how many landings is the Army capable of conducting today? If we were to conduct one, who do you think would take the lead--Marines or Army?

What someone can see is often just as fatal as what you can't. Saddam Hussein wasn't nearly as concerned with the 101st Airborne as he was with the 13th MEU (that's a reinforced battalion) sitting off the coast of Kuwait.

By the way, who was chosen to breach the Saddam Line and who got the cushy flanking maneuver?

To everyone: I do find it funny that when the Marine versus Army argument comes up, most Army guys generally end up comparing Marines to Rangers, Airborne, or some other elite Army unit. A fairer comparison would be to compare a basic Marine rifleman to a soldier in one of the Infantry divisions.

Only real infantry know the answer to who's overall better: neither, plain and simple.

The soldier and marine "infantry" units are relatively the same, but the marines do have us in the water, extra mile running, and mental stability(.)

I know us army Infantry don't want to hear that but it's true. however, you put a soldier and marine together in real combat wearing the same uniform, and their talents are nearly the same.

What makes a marine so great is the fact he is a hothead. That's what the marines thrive on. If you think your the best, you'll act like it, which is why marines are good at whatever they're told to do. "Every marine is a rifleman" isn't just a slogan, its true.

another reason the marines as a bunch excel, even as small a branch as they are.

I have a brother that joined the Army and served seven years and a son who will go to boot camp this summer for the Marines and I am extremely proud of all our soldiers who make America the land of the free. So people please stop talking crap and show respect for our soldiers, no matter what force they have joined. Thank God for brave men and women. God bless.

The marines are the best. First ones in, first ones out. If you want challenge and pride of belonging you join the marines. If you want an easy way, then the army is for you.

And I'm on recruiting duty currently. Every branch has their purpose. I will try to keep professional here. Just look at the standards. You can be fat and join the army. I've worked with the army in iraq during operation phantom fury.

The clearing of fallujah, keeping it real here. Infantry is very freaking slow, and lacking discipline within their ranks. Would never happen in the marines. If you are going to join the service and defend our great country, you might want to join the service that is best trained physically and mentally for anything that may come face to face with you! This is the marines not the army.

I love how people who are not in the military bash other branches and don't know crap. Let me tell you this: the Army is America's land troops and primary fighting force. the marines are the navy land force. Yes the marines take the beaches and secure it, while the army takes the land and secures it. both are great and all of this branch hating needs to stop especially from 16 year olds who play cod4 and watch biased movies.

Let me ask all the debaters on all sides this question: Is a flag-draped casket refused entry to Arlington National Cemetery because the soldier in it wore the wrong uniform? Not hardly.

Are the markers at Arlington taller for one branch of service than for another? No. From a distance, the markers, row on row, stand in mute testament to members of the United States Armed Forces who lost their lives. The markers are all white, regardless of whether the service member served in the Army, Marines, Coast Guard, Navy or Air Force.

Until the markers change in size and color for various branches at Arlington, and other national cemeteries, let's have an end to this petty bickering that do not really do much except show the immaturity of the bickerers.

And for the record: my grandfather was a doughboy in World War I in the Battle of the Argonne Forest. My dad was in the Army in the 1950s. I do not choose one over the other.

You haven't actually explained why. Opinions don't matter.

Its a simple question with a simple answer. Of course everyone defends "their" branch of service, but the truth lies in this question: Not "why did you join this branch" but "why didn't you join the other branch?".

If the answer is "because they would not let me in", then you have the answer. I know of no one who was turned down by the Army and had to join the Marines. I know plenty of people who had it the other way around.

i can't believe what i am reading here. Are we not on the same team - in the same armed forces? Why are you all arguing, bashing and comparing who is the best and who is the real fighting force within ourselves? Is there really a big difference that makes one unit different or better than the others?

Do you people really knows all this stuff? So those regular infantry units that landed in Normandy along with a combat engineers, medics and other support units - are they not good enough to be there because you people are saying they were not trained how the Marines trained their infantry units, or they are not as good as the Airborne or Ranger units? Come on people. This regular infantry unit along with the support units fought gallantly and you people are depriving them of their effort and sacrificed they made for our country. Shame on all of you. Tell that to someone's grandfather or uncle or brother who fought during World War II. Tell them that their beloved family member who was just a regular infantry and support unit wasn't not good enough because they were not Marine trained or had not been trained like an Airborne/Ranger unit.

There is so much in our history that shows how ordinary soldiers fought gallantly to defend this country and yet some of you are just playing ignorant, not knowing the comment you people make here is not appropriate to someone else. You people forgot this.

What happened to duty, honor and country? Please remember this we are all in the same Armed Forces of the U.S.A. We are a team

you guys are ridiculous. I'm 19D in the US Army and have participated in numerous operations MARSOF conducted in Afghanistan. I have fought along side US Marines and even they say Marines are over credited. These people who ask these questions are ignorant and have no idea what's even going on in conflict areas.

All they know about the Marines is Full Metal Jacket, Call of Duty 4, Jarhead and all they know about the Army is Black Hawk Down. Who refers to the Special Forces as "Green Berets"? People who don't know jack. That's proof that all they know is from chuck norris and arnold schwarzenegger.

The whole is every Marine is a rifleman is very admirable, but when was the last time you saw a Marine mechanic patrol the mountains with an M240B?

I know common guys who went through basic in Ft. Benning, so that must make them a real soldier. I know former Marines who enlisted in the US Army as 19D.

Half these people would wash out in Airborne School.

About seven percent of these people are probably legitimate. If you haven't been through Ranger School, Army or Marine, shut up. I earned my short tab.

Oh yeah the whole seals thing. most seals are marines. look at the two snipers that killed the pirates. Yup, marines, and the marines were the first to start raiders. look up carsons raiders. people learn the history of your branch before you post. good to have pride in your branch but actually know what made you what you are, for god sakes.

I'm a SSgt in the Marines and have friends and family in both Marines and Army. There's a couple of things that are asked and stated a few times on here that need to be answered.

The Army is usually the ground commander simply because they are the older branch then the Navy, Marines and Air Force. Think about during World War II when MacArthur and Nimitz were in charge of the two campaigns that were going on.

I have worked with both Army and Marines in combat. With that said I would have to say that the Army has good combat units. The 3RD CAV was good to go. I would go to combat with those guys any day. The IDs for the most part stink. Too big and we don't fight in trenches anymore, Gents. Get with CAV, IDs. They will teach you.

Now the Marines are designed to take beach heads and whatever else we are told to do but since vietnam we have been doing the Army job. We are not supposed to occupy, we go in destroy and kill everything and leave the Army to occupy and rebuild, i.e. Corps of Engineers.

For the post about beach landings during Wolrd War II, come on boss, there was not a lot of difference then. It was a World War and everybody did beach landings even the President lol. Marines have never failed or surrendered. The Army cannot say that. (and it's not because you guys are in the hotter spot).

Let's start with Korea or the somali, you know the whole Black Hawk Down thing. I mean they made a movie about it.

As far as Iraq, as mentioned before, they got good combat units for the most part. Jessica Lynch lol another mistake right.

You guys did hold the invasion up five days due to not being able to run with us.

I have been to Ranger School. It was tough. Not the course but the whole working with cry babies kind of got on my nerves. SOI was way harder and that's our basic Infantry school.

The army depends on batteries to make stuff happen. Batteries die.

Oh yeah: if you are in the Guard, you are not the Army. Stop lying. Your recruiter lied to you. You are not the same.

In closing my hats off to anyone who joins the Army and/or Marines combat units. It takes balls to do what we do and that's why we have no females.

oh yeah you guys started the whole jumping out of planes. Good job. The Marines developed the sniper program. A Marine Sgt name Carlos Hathcock and a Marine Officer Capt Land. look it up. Semper Fi

I have the answer to who is better army or marines: navy seals. Love it or hate it, you know I'm right. God bless america and all members of every service.

I find it amazing that our "Marines" and "Soldiers" have the time to talk crap about each other on the Internet.

I have a cousin that is joining the marines this summer and i am taking this into consideration. but for the most part i can't believe anyone could say crap about either. in both branches people are risking their lives and dying.

My son is a Marine and very proud to be one of the few. any one person who wants respect all their lives would join the Marines. Once a Marine, always a Marine, even if you are 100 years old.

I don't think the army can beat that only because they will take anyone. Marines will only take the best and it's hard but if you want respect you earn it. The marines are the first to fight so the army can handle the stress and the Marines move on.

In addition to leaving post #110, I would like to discuss the fact that Rangers fall under Army Special Operations Command.

Ranger Regiments are completely separate from Army SF units. They are organized differently, have a different chain of command and absolutely do not go through the same training and regimented acceptance process as Army SF.

Where the Rangers fall under this command illustrates the fact that they are under the Army SF operations command in order to support Special Operations. Other units under the same chain of command who are in support of these operations are non-combat arms units such as Civil Affairs, Logistics, Maintenance and HQ units.

The point I'm trying to make is that individuals who are SF operators go through absolute hell, are held to a higher standard and perform different missions.

To casually group oneself as an SF operator because they may have gone through one of the same schools is both naive, as well as an insult to legit operators.

I am not saying that Rangers aren't one of the best light infantries in the world. What I'm saying between my two posts is that Rangers and USMC Infantry are fundamentally equal as a fighting force, and while both may assist or even perform Spec Ops missions, neither are actually SF.

So now that portion has been established, we can compare Ranger school to the USMC infantry. Ranger school is three phases. the first phase is basically SOI for Marines. The second phase is the mountain phase consisting of two or so days of actual climbing training such as rappelling and tying knots. Marines do this type of training regularly in the Fleet, it's nothing too crazy. After the two or three days of training you do an exercise in which you pretend you're in combat. Then there's the third phase in which the students have another 10-day exercise, albeit more intense, where the class pretends they're in a war zone in Florida. Again this is normal training that occurs within the Fleet for Marine infantry.

One thing that the Rangers do get in this phase is some limited jungle training which all Marines do not get, unless the individual happens to be stationed in Okinawa. Marines, on the other hand, typically receive quite a bit of training in amphibious operations as the USMC operates MEU's.

Also, the training for a MEU certifies much of the Marine infantry to perform Spec Ops missions, one of the more common is Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel (TRAP) missions, i.e. Scott O'Grady in Bosnia. Both the Rangers and Marines attend similar schools designed around leadership, tactics, weapon systems and specialized skill sets such as breaching or demolition.

The missions performed in real life are also essentially mirror images. Counter-insurgency, air raids for Rangers, amphibious ops for Marines, direct action, etc. etc. etc.

Another point worth mentioning is that while a solider can wash out of Ranger School, Marines virtually cannot wash out of SOI. While this may seem like an issue, Marines who are not up to par with a platoon or company are regularly pushed out of the platoon or company into some sort of Logistics position.

Basically the platoon or company does the in-house cleaning versus a regimented school.

If this isn't the most unbiased and accurate assessment you have come across in the Rangers vs. Marine infantry debate then you are either lying or didn't read the post.

Please keep in mind the most dangerous job in the military has and always will be in the infantry, regardless of the branch or unit.

First of All. USMC is not a branch of the Navy. They are a component, they are a branch all their own. Also comparing Ranger Training to Marine Training is absurd. US Army Ranger Training is about 20 times harder than USMC training. Army Rangers are an elite fighting force, whereas Marines are not.

Rangers are Special Forces, Marines are not. However Marines can take Ranger training but they now belong to the Army.

Marine infantry and Rangers are the same. Same schools, same missions, same, same, same.

Check out the training for an MEU and what it takes for a battalion to become qualified for a MEU. Pretty much the same type of missions/quals as Rangers.

And Rangers are under SOCOM because they directly support Army SF. In addition, not everyone in a Ranger battalion has gone through Ranger school either.

This is probably just another way to justify the Ranger tab. Marines also support SOCOM missions from time to time. I was in the Marine Corps and was an 03. Force Recon/MARSOC is the equivalent of DEVGRU/SEALS and Army SF, although all branches and units in the US military are becoming watered down as a result of being at war.

Honestly, anyone who has been in the infantry knows this stuff.

This is what makes America so great, everyone wants to be the best and that's why America's fighting force is the best in the world. Now with that said I respect all of the branches because without one or the other it would be impossible to do what makes America truly great! My personal choice is that I'm joining the USMC.

To everyone boasting and blabbering on: You're bringing shame to the country, but also to your branch!

First of all, when speaking of the USA, you capitalize USA! (Have you no pride in your country?) When speaking of your branch, you capitalize it! United States Marine Corps, United States Army, United States Navy, United States Air Force, United States Coastal Guard. Show respect!

Secondly, bashing at each other is a despicable act and is highly frowned upon. We are a family. We are supposed to help each other. I don't care who you think you're "better" than - we're here to serve one cause, and the same cause.

We're here to serve the United States of America!

--Niece of (now quadriplegic) 1st Sergeant.

Taking after her uncle with Pride!

Future US Marine.

I proudly served my country in a noble cause, I never faltered. I made personal sacrifices to keep my nation free. Brave Marines of the past are proud of me. I am one of the few and the proud, I am a Marine.

-anon11195 is completely wrong. Yes the airborne is also a spearhead a specially trained spear head. The army as a whole does not go in first. And in case you forgot, the battle of fallujah was fought by marines, twice, and only because we had to retake it after handing it over to iraqi military forces trained mostly by the us army. now that the two branches' roles are cleared up for him, there are a few other posts that are pretty spot on.

The army and marine corps have two decidedly different roles. The army does some things a lot better than the marine corps and vice versa. But when it comes to taking and controlling an area the army will never touch the power of the magtf (Marine air ground task force) plain and simple. Semper fi

We are also struggling to figure out the true differences in benefits and abilities with the armed forces.

1- I am 39 and not sure which branches will still allow me to enlist.

2- I have a varied background: I am currently a commissioned deputy sheriff. I went back to Academy this year and am just graduating - should be OPATA certified shortly. I have five years college in bachelor of arts area with a focus in youth ministry and adolescent psych (however, two courses shy - church history and math); and have 20 years in construction/management/estimating/marketing/cadd/other.

How the heck do you decide which branch? I love construction, but don't necessarily want to be shot at daily - lol.

If you hate the ocean/prefer inland areas, but want to do combat arms, join the Army. If you like the ocean and want to do combat arms, join the Marines.

Both the Army and Marines will give you opportunities to go to units that do high-speed stuff. Both are also capable of washing you out or putting you in an organization where you will not cause too much damage if you end up being a useless jerk.

If you want technical skills you can use outside of the military, but are not particularly interested in having to train in soldier/Marine common tasks, join the Navy or Air Force.

I'm zack and I'm about to graduate and am trying to decide from the two and it's too hard when both recruiters are telling me the other is not as good. i just want to serve my country and have a future, it seems like the marines are more respected but is it too hard to became a marine infantry compared to the army?

Don't join the army because you want to be a Ranger, Green Beret, or Delta. The Army doesn't let you sign up to be a Ranger before you attend boot camp, they let you sign up to attend Ranger School. There is a big difference.

The bottom line is the recruiter wants you to enlist. If saying you can "attend" Ranger School gets you to do so, then so be it. Just because you're an elite infantry soldier, doesn't mean you will even pass Ranger School.

There are plenty of legit documentaries on Ranger School to show you how difficult Ranger School is. You can be failed for so many reasons. You must keep in mind that it is also a numbers game. There may be 100 soldiers perfectly qualified to pass Ranger School, but there must be open slots to put them.

If there are 13 openings, the top 13 of those 100 will pass, the others will be failed for one reason or another.

I see people saying they are joining the military to be a Green Beret or special forces soldier. It's just not that simple. Like it or not, luck is definitely involved. I don't know much about how the Marine Recon units are formed, but I'm assuming it's the same. You've got to be the best of the best, and very lucky.

Make your decision based on the "worst case scenario". If you don't pass Ranger school, will you be satisfied to return to a normal army infantry squad? If not, choose the Marines. Infantry vs Infantry I would personally choose the Marines (just my opinion). That doesn't mean the Marines are better than the Army.

If you look at it from a post military perspective, you could make the argument that being an Army Engineer or Communications soldier is more beneficial than being infantry (Army or Marines).

Is someone more elite because they can run faster, longer, and are stronger? Of course not. If you're wounded and the medical staff taking care of you is not elite, you have problems.

you people needs to grow up especially the one that gives the other services bad rap. it is one armed forces of the USA. we are all in this together. Grow up, children of this country and quit bashing each other.

Look at it this way.

Army: Public School, Serves any and everybody.

Marines: Private School, Serves a select few.

Semper Fi

Man, I'm so bummed. I just went to meet the Marine recruiter and I had no idea that they were so strict with GEDs right now or at all for that matter. I can't believe that crap. I was really pumped up to join.

And all the branches are like that right now. I gotta go to damn community college and get 15 credits before it's even possible. It's going to be a while before I get that together. That sucks. That's all I know. I just want fight for my country. I ain't a damn incapable idiot -- just because I got my GED instead of diploma. Ridiculous. I'm so pissed.

Marine, Army argument huh? Well let's see: I have served in OEF OIF operations. hats off to 1st Mef marines, they held their own attached to the 1st Cav. Army division let me say that again, 1st Cav division.

Don't ever think for one second that Army basic training is any less effective. what it takes one marine recruit to learn in 13 weeks, we learn in 9. Oh and by the way: in your motorized infantry you have 17 weeks of boot camp so check your inventory.

Out of 26 sea invasions in WW2, the Army led 20, marines led six. check your info.

Yeah, talk to an Army soldier about D-day: 120 thousand killed, Iwo jima: 52 thousand. do the math and don't let me start on the numbers.

Now with the facts out there answer me this. If marines are better and not equal to an army soldier then why does the army lead all combat operations? Marines are seen army is not heard. let me clarify: if the grass don't move, it don't mean there ain't a snake around.

Oh yeah, and if I was wrong about anything I said please feel free to correct me. I'm just saying that's my understanding so far.

I have an appointment with a Marine recruiter tomorrow so I was also wondering which would be the best to join, Army, or Marines. From what I'm understanding each has their advantages and disadvantages.

The Army has numbers, diversity, and the latest technology, and equipment, but from what I've read (not just on this site) seem more undisciplined, and all around less "combat ready".

The Marines are lacking in numbers, and technology, but are efficient in whatever task is at hand no matter what their job is. No offense to the Army much respect but, if you ask me, the Army seems like the "easy way out" and less respectable of the two.

Like I said though, much respect to anyone serving in any branch of the armed forces. I say they both need each other and both serve their purposes by working with each other, and one without the other would ruin the whole lot. Like Yin and Yang. Ha. Thanks for the insight anyway guys. I think I'm going with the Marines.

I only want to go to war with people that think they are the best. Even if they are not, at least feel that way. Oohrah!

The military's primary duty is to defend the country, period. Having said that, I would only want to join a branch that states up front that they're not for everyone. I would only want to train with a few good men/women.

In general, everyone that signs up for the marines is looking for a challenge. These are the people the marines draw from daily, and even some of those don't make it.

All branches have their purpose as mentioned earlier, but send me to war with a hard charger anytime. Semper Fi

I can`t believe the crap everyone is saying. If you want a truthful answer, do the research!

[Marines get their orders to deploy based on SF's Green Berets Intelligence, they're in there first to fight, secure and gather Intel. For months behind enemy lines at times in 9 to 12 man cells.]

Elite members of the armed forces are humble. Like any general or officer, or even martial arts master, they're all humble when on an elite level. Marines act like little kids who want to prove themselves. It's so laughable, and those who keep story time going have nothing else better to do.

In the introduction above, the person wrote that the Rangers receive training that's similar to a Marine. No way! A Marine doesn't compare to a Ranger. They're nowhere close to a Green Beret or Navy Seals. they need to get it straight because Not even the Marines' MARSOC are on a Green Beret's level. The only thing a Marine might possibly be better than in the Army, is a regular soldier who doesn't take his job seriously. Since the numbers are so much greater, naturally the Army soldiers would seem lesser. Marine rants are for little kids man, seriously.

- Green Beret/SF or Navy Seals/SWCC depending on mission approach.

- Ranger Units/Squads

- Marsoc Units/Squads

- Marine Platoon or a Joint mission platoon with Marine, soldiers, etc. and so on and so on.

A Marine's primary job is to protect the Navy Sailors, get it right, lol. Sure they do other things, but that's their role. Right now they're trying to get separated from the Navy. In order to be a proficient Marine, you have to attend many of the Army's Schools, like HALO, Sniper, etc.

A Marine needs training from Army to be proficient.

Go talk to a colonel or General if you can. Army generals hold the no. 1 rank of all the services. When it comes to any joint missions, Army are the mission leaders, which means superiority as well as seniority.

i finally found the website to answer my questions because i have been looking everywhere to know which one to join -- the Marines or Army ---and well, i have to say that I'm going with the Army for two years then going to join the Marines and if i can, the Navy, too.

i think the Army well help me to become a Marine :) I don't know why but i think my goal in life is to be in the military for as long as i can defending this country and i know I'm still young to know what i want.

i am barely 17 years old and a girl but i want my mom to be proud of me and so my dad who said I'm useless and wouldn't be anything in life, i'll prove him wrong.

i want to thank all the people in the military who are serving for the U.S.A. I'm going to do my best to pay you guys back. my respect to all the branches. :)

To everyone: remember every branch of our armed forces has contributed to our country's history of war. They all served with pride and gallantry. The Air Force made their own history as well as the Navy. The Marines also made their history in the Pacific as well other parts of the world. The Army too, did their part with our country's history of war - as a matter of fact they are the oldest branch of our armed forces. But it does not make one team better than the other - we are all in the same team.

Yes there are other individuals who do not put forth enough effort, but that goes on every branch of the service. This is when one of the teammates have to motivate the other to get the entire team to become one unit. Remember we are all in this together.

Duty, honor and country - respect each other.

I want to become a united states marine! This country gave me my freedom, and its my turn to do a thing or two for my country! Oh by the way, can you guys prepared me to get ready for the marine corps boot camp? Work out plans, things like that. :). Come on! I want to be just like you guys!

I am an Army mother. A friend of mine is a Marine mom. I have family in the Army National Guard. My ANG relatives spent about 15 months in Iraq when that war first started. They were deployed twice.

My son is currently serving in the Army in his first deployment. He will be in Iraq for a total of 12 months. From Iraq, his combat unit goes back to their US base for 12 months, then deploys to Afghanistan for a minimum of 12 months. My son's Iraqi base is very primitive, no CHUs with Internet.

The Marines only deploy to combat zones for seven months, then they come back home.

It doesn't matter what Marines, Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors do in boot camp or on US bases. It's what they do in combat zones that count. Right now, Marines aren't doing anything more hazardous than what has been asked of the other branches. A similar unit to my son's Army unit lost 18 men in their first nine weeks in Afghanistan. I am sure that there are Marine units who have lost many men too.

Remember, there is an Air Force base in Iraq nicknamed "Mortaritaville" because of the casualties there.

My ex-friend is going around bragging about how much smarter her son is than mine, because my son requested to be attached to a combat unit when he graduated AIT and her son discovered a way to remain in Okinawa for an extra year to avoid deployment. Her son was going to flunk out of boot camp, but the Marines gave him six more weeks to graduate. The Few, the Proud? Yet this Marine bragged to my husband how he got out of deployment during a fishing trip he asked for, and kept going on about how crappy the Army was compared to the Marines. The Few, the Proud?

Her son also brags about the special treatment he gets from civilians when he wears his Marine uniform on commercial flights. My son wears baggy pants to avoid special treatment - "Mom I'm just doing my job, I don't need to stand out. My unit commanders know what I can do - that's all that counts."

I know plenty of mothers of deployed Marines who have never badmouthed the Army. They also know that deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan is rough on all branches of the service. They are proud of their sons' service as they should be. I am proud of their sons' service to protect American values.

Every time anyone, Marine, Soldier, Airman, Sailor, National Guard, goes outside the wire, they face the same risks. They can be wounded or they can be killed. And not a day goes by that someone back home doesn't fear a doorbell ringing.

I am glad that the armed forces have branches that serve different needs. I need my feet, my hands, my brain, my guts all working together to keep me going/ keep me alive. Not one part of a body can do their job effectively without the other. Marines might go in first, but it's the other branches that stay and fight the longest.

For those of you trying to decide which branch to go into, choose the one that going to provide the training you'll want/need after you leave the military. And know that whatever branch you serve, people back home support and honor you for your service.

By the way, my friend isn't speaking to me any more because I was bold enough to ask, "What's the point of being a Marine, if you do all you what to do is wear the pretty uniform and not go into combat?"

First off these of you being biased towards a branch of service who have not served in the military need to keep your opinions to yourselves. You have no room to run your mouth about this subject if you haven't walked the path that all of the men and women who have put service before self and fought (in one way or another) to keep you free.

Those of you who are former or are still serving and are biased towards one branch or another? Remember that we all support each other. The U.S. military is one big family: Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and the Coast Guard all play a part in keeping this great nation free and independent. Don't forget your brothers and sisters who have died before you keeping it that way.

I’m a four year OEF vet (USAF) POL/Fuels/Flightline Refueler and I served in the 379th Logistics Readiness Squad In Al Udeid, Qatar Under Technical Sergeant Jackson. Now, is Air Force basic training hard? No; seven weeks at Lackland AFB, Texas and another six weeks in Wichita Falls Texas – easy -- but does it make me any less than a front line Marine, or any less then an Army avionics mechanic? No. My mission support role was to make sure those aircraft were fueled up and ready to go with triple filtered JP-8, JP-5 Av-gas, gas or diesel, depending on the aircraft or vehicle being refueled. My job was just as important as those on the front lines but it was not more important then theirs. OK so come on -- this topic shouldn't even be debatable. We all will fight for what we believe in no matter what we do, and we are all family in the U.S military all the way!

(By the way, I’m re-enlisting and I’m either going Army or Marine Corps active duty).

The difference is very simple, and you are all missing it. At one time, the Army units were easily comparable to Marine units, that is, combat units. But around the time of Viet Nam, the Army leadership forgot that they were "soldiers" and tried to become politicians.

They rolled over for feminist jerks like Patricia Schroeder and other military-hating leftist congresspeople and allowed the Army to become a touchy-feely, kumbaya-singing, engine for social change. The Marines had real leaders, and did not fall victim to this stupidity. The Army even now is more concerned with its pregnant little girls playing soldier than it is with maintaining a first-class fighting machine. The Marines are not.

The reason SF and Rangers are as good as they are is because they, like the Marines, have not been subjected to all the liberal BS. The Marines care only about individual and unit fighting effectiveness, while the Army, as Gen. Casey has stated, really cares about "diversity." If we didn't have a Marine Corps, we would have long ago been defeated on every battlefield. And, I am a retired Army officer with 23 years service.

this forum is getting out hand. People, grow up and quit comparing the two branches. no matter what happens, we are still one nation and one armed forces.

It's embarrassing to read some of the comments posted by individual people who are supposed to be disciplined by the respective branches they served.

It does not make sense to me. Why are you people still comparing the two branches in a negative way? They are both needed as well as the other branches of our armed forces services. They are all needed for the other to function. Now grow up.

The question is as described: what are the differences between the two, not who is better than the other, and not who won the war for us, because we all won the war for our country, even if our relatives didn't go to war or serve. As long as they supported this country, we are all winners.

The whole debate is a stupid one. I'll lay out the two branches for you:

Army: Larger force. More diverse. Better trained in almost every MOS when compared to the Marines, although BCT is easier than Boot. Army airborne school is very tough, so tough that other branches request to train there. Army ranger school is the second toughest school in the military.

The Marine Corps actually gets trained in a lot of their MOS's on Army bases. The Army gets to field test and use the newest equipment. The Army is in charge of fighting and winning large battles. Self sufficient with their own medics doctors and large scale transportation.

Marines: tougher boot camp. Typically used for amphibious operations. Better uniforms. More pride for their branch. More stringent discipline code. Regarded as "the tip of the spear" although the army sends Airborne, Pathfinders and Rangers and the navy sends SEALs and air force sends TCCS and PJs in first. Guards U.S. embassies all over the world. Expeditionary force. More mobile.

Historically: Army- Won the Revolution, Civil War, World War 1, World War 2 in Europe. Operated alongside of the Marines in the Pacific front in World War 2 and it was the Army Air Corps that dropped the atomic bombs on Japan that brought a close to the war in the Pacific. Guarded Alaska against Soviet aggression in the Cold War as well as maintained a large scale defense force to deter the Soviets from launching an offensive into Western Europe. Sent rangers and spec ops to Afghanistan to aide the Northern Alliance which actually toppled the Taliban regimes control over the country. The ground invasion of Iraq was led by the Army although it was a joint op. The Army was the first into Baghdad. Captured Saddam.

Marines: Won Spanish American War, gallantly fought in the Pacific in WW2. Fought alongside the Army in Vietnam and were the last troops out of Saigon. Took part in several U.S. excursions throughout the world in the 80's and 90's alongside the Army. Currently serving with the Army in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Army takes more casualties than the Marine Corps but the casualty rate (men deployed compared to men killed, wounded, captured or missing from said branch) is signifiacantly higher for the Marine Corps.

Both have their pros and cons, the decision is yours. Presonally I'm all Army but have all the respect for every branch and what they do. None of us could do our job without the other doing theirs. The Marines are tough and so is the Army.

Jokes: ARMY (Aren't Ready for Marines Yet)

MARINE (My @ss Rides In Navy Equipment)

What is Army body armor called? The Marines.

The Army, so easy a caveman can do it.

A soldier is a Marine that still uses his brain.

Some of you people are out of your minds. Comparing the Marines to the Army is retarded. The Marines are the tip of the spear -- always have been. Depending on the task, if the call is for an Airborne insertion to seize, then in goes the Army. If the Marines are in the area and the objective can be seized via heliborne operations, then in go the Marines. If it's a pitched land battle to seize, move and maneuver, the Army and Marines will work together -- seizing Baghdad comes to mind.

Aside from that, comparing standard Marine infantry to Rangers is stupid and pointless! Rangers is an advanced infantry unit designed to work and compliment special operations in many instances, where the Marine infantry is to kick in the door, seize and hand over to larger forces to occupy.

Now, if you want to compare elites, compare a MEU/MAGTF to a Ranger element and the Rangers will come up short! MEU/MAGTF's-self sustaining, has its own air elements, hit hard, fast and can carry out way more missions than the Rangers. It is what it is.

Marine Corps boot camp is harder, more rigorous and has way more attention to detail than Army boot. The Army can afford to win the war of attrition because it is a bigger branch and in having this mindset, goes about the fight differently. That said, the Army has recognized that lighter and smaller is better, which is why a number of their units are becoming more mobile and smaller in their tactics. I did two years Army then got smart and served four years in the Marines. When I was a soldier, I saw how the Marines trained in joint exercises and sorry to say, the Army didn't measure up.

The Army has badges and trinkets to distinguish who is who and who did what, the Marines, one uniform. The only item worn that lets Marines know who is the creme de la creme are jump/Recon wings. The Army, if you ain't Airborne, you ain't crap. If you aren't this or that, you ain't crap. The Marines, we are all the same.

While guys may chuckle and debate behind closed doors, we don't make each other look bad in the eyes of outsiders. Sorry fellas.

Marines are like those 300 spartans in the movie 300 (Few but effective). The Army are like the Persians (Many but not effective as the Spartans).

But at the end of the day all branches have their risks, family and own personal business to handle.

God Bless America and all who serve!

well i think that the Marines have tougher training. They will yell at you until you flip out inside your mind. Sure they have better equipment but it's harder to get into it. The US army isn't that bad. They both get paid the same but If i were you, i would join the US army.

I have been in both the Army and Marine corps and I know first hand the differences. The first is the Marine's main emphasis is on Battle Focused Training. Every male Marine is an infantry man first and foremost then their respective MOS secondly.

The Army is quite the opposite. You are more trained in your respective MOS than field trained in basic warrior tasks. The Army infantry though is severely lacking in matching up with the basic Marine infantry man. The main reason for that is the Marines need to be ready at all times to deploy anywhere in the world at a moments notice. The Army usually deploys in much larger groups, which does allow for a lesser trained infantry because they are always supported by other elements.

The rangers are well trained but even a standard ranger is not an equal to a marine infantry man. sorry but it's true.

God bless America, and God bless the people that serve to protect this great nation! We are one under the same flag, and we have a common purpose. That's all that matters.

I want to serve my country and leave behind a legacy better than myself. I have friends in the USMC and in the Army.

Am I less of a man if the Army takes me and the Marines do not, or the other way around? Should I be counted as less if I become a marine instead of army?

Do you remember wanting to do something great and bigger than yourself? Going back and forth is a good way to piss on someone's desire to serve. What about the draft? Are they less of a man for being drafted to the army or every story of a young marine who had balls enough to jump on a grenade, is he less?

I have entirely too much to say about this subject. When I found this page I was looking for the differences between the two. I found this, and it appears that they are a lot alike: bad mouthing the other and not knowing the other's perspective.

I want to serve my country and leave behind a legacy better than myself.

to all the knuckle heads who posted bad or negative comments - and for those who think they went through the toughest training of their lives, grow up. You all talked trash of your brother or sister who served in our country's armed forces.

We are all in this together. always remember you are not alone. don't think that just because you did a hard training that no else can do it. each branch of the service has their own limit. each service also has their own special forces group that are part of the SOCCOM.

those guys respect each other. they all belong to one force - the U.S. military. So you guys think you are already went through the toughest. Not yet. There's also other countries that trains their military harder than we do, but you don't see that.

We all have to begin respecting our brother and sister in our own military instead of talking trash about them. They served just as you did or would like to. It all depends on you on how you contribute the effort to make up the armed forces of the US.

Grow up guys. give the new recruit the motivation to be part of our military system.

i am considering joining the marines and after reading the comments, i see that as the best way to go. on top of being trained hard you are being formed into a respectful, dependable individual. if i am to fight for my country, i will join where there is no joke and no mercy. in order to be the best you have to endure the worst.

anon52908 - I can't speak for POGs, but infantry basic is no joke. We have a 15 mile road march, full combat load, m16/m4/m249/m240b, full ruck sack. You are not allowed to fall out if you expect to be an infantry man.

I can not comment on Marine training as I have not done it. As for the stress card, that is a joke that we tell each other in the army to insult each other. They don't exist.

i am high school student reading these comments and i must say, a lot of you sound very uneducated. Stop putting each other down. we are one big military force.

Every single recruit does that hike Dave speaks of in week 13. But it's not 9 miles, it's more like 15. And the recruits on the west coast do that on some of the harshest hills in california. That's for every recruit just to pass basic and earn the title of marine.

Marine infantrymen go on to more hikes equal to your grunts' and harder. And also, how many hills do the soldiers climb? Are their packs up to 90 pounds in weight? Are they wearing full combat gear? Are there strict consequences if somehow a marine falls out? And do you think usmc recruits in San Diego and Parris Island even have any idea what a stress card is?

Don't get me wrong people. I have full respect for every branch and have had loved ones in all but the air force. But anyone who knows what they're talking about knows that marines receive tougher training and man for man are much more combat ready and disciplined.

It all starts in basic.

Ooorah! Enough said. Anyone can join the Army. The Army has around 1.8 million soldiers. The Marines: 205,000 in the world. Elite! You never see a Marine making a lateral move to another branch, but you see lateral moves from every branch to the Marines.

To those who posted a negative comments on this site: shame on you all and please grow up. i can't believe this. you people talk trash about one another. is this the way your unit or the branch of service you have served has motivated and trained you people? Is this how your superior educated you about our military history?

Shame, shame on you all. i would not let any one of you disrespect anyone of us, especially our family history that served this country from World War II until this present day. most of my relatives are still serving this country - almost my entire family and many friends are in nearly every branch of the US Armed Forces but every time we get together we don't talk trash about each other's services - instead we recognize how we served this country. you people that talked trash are a disgrace to the uniform you served in for talking about your brotherhood in the US Armed Forces of the United States of America we call home to protect and serve as one. if you cannot respect each other and be proud of one another, you do not need to put on that uniform because everything you have fought for or accomplished during your services just went to the drain and is garbage.

Army rules. Say whatever you want. I know. I know army rules. Marines are good to but no way, man. Army all the way.

i am a high school student thinking of joining the military, and i was thinking either marines or army, but I'm not sure which one yet.

The Army is a joke, period. Unless you're a Ranger don't even talk to me. We used to have a saying - that the Rangers are the best Marines the Army has! The Ranger is about the same as a basically trained USMC 0311. The average Army infantry soldier is cannon fodder. I don't care what you other idiots say. I was both an enlisted Marine and a commissioned officer. I have worked beside all of the branches and I respect the Rangers but the average Army soldier scares me.

@ anon32063, you have no clue what you're talking about. Marine Basic training is not two months longer than Army basic training. And yes, you can sign on to be a ranger in the Army before you join, but you have to make it to become a Ranger and very few actually make it. The army never gets credit for bailing out marines. Who won Best Ranger and Interservice Marksmen competition? That's right, the Army won every single category.

It seems as if US Marines can be deployed by presidential order without approval of congress while the Army cannot (don't have to declare war to ship). Marines seem to be a more tactical fighting force as a whole. They are fewer, but better trained soldiers than the average Army soldier. This is not to say that a Marine is better then a Ranger. On the other hand a Marine is a rifle men first. I have heard how (second hand) Marines trained in highly skilled technical MOS are just not as good as the other branches as a whole, not just Army. It sounds as if a new recruit wants to choose Army or Marines it's like all these groups have different skill levels and different demands physically and mentally. We all know the average soldier may not make it through jump school so it's not for you, but then again going airborne may not be enough for you so you go marines or ranger. then again what about BUDS or Air Force Commando? The Army is a larger more diverse force, true. Marines specialize in different areas. So I guess it's like this. Where one group stops another picks up then another then another. It's about finding what part of the chain you want to be in. I tell you what -- I wouldn't want to be serving next to anyone who just did not want to be there. that is more dangerous then anything else. Make your choice for what fits you the best. If you are not happy with what you are doing then you cannot be effective at your job, period. If you're not doing your job at over 100 percent then you don't belong in your field and you are a risk to yourself, your country and the people you serve with. We all answer to the War Department in the end, as far as I am concerned. The newer oath of enlistment paper has the War Department listed first, not army, not marines, not air force. We all serve the Commander in Chief, as well as the DOD! it does not matter past that. "I" is a one letter word. "Unit" is not but it does include "I." if you take the "I" away from "unit" you end up with nothing. It takes all of us all the time. It's late and I am way tired. sorry if it was hard to read in places. This 30 year old Army recruit has more pull ups to do in the morning as well as push ups!

people we are one nation with one U.S. Armed Forces of the United States of America! we all work together as a team, not as a single individual. we all love and are willing to sacrifice for our motherland. This country is great if we all work together as a team. please understand this to those who served: this country owes you, just as you all owe this country. we all did what we need to do so please do not disrespect your other teammates for their galantry. remember: duty, honor and country.

the marines are the first to fight and have showed courage in many places earning names like the devil dogs. if you sent me to war i would choose a marine to watch my back before an army guy any day. But the army has there purpose and should be respected just like the marines cause both will gladly lay their lives down for this country. so argue all you want about who is better but show a little respect in the process.

I think it's funny how hard headed Marines are. First off, it wasn't the Marines that were "first in" in Iraq. The 2003 invasion of Iraq was led by the Army. It was a "Joint Operation" composed of The US Army, US Marines, British Forces, and a few other nations. The Army had the numbers and had the larger mission. For instance it was the U.S. Army’s 3rd INF Div that took Baghdad, not the Marines. If you want to get technical it was the Air Force that was first in because they bombed the crud out of Iraq before anyone stepped foot in there. I will agree, the Marines have tougher training and you all don’t get all the best equipment, but you aren't "first" in any modern combat scenario. Modern strategy uses “Joint Operations”. We have worked together to get where we are now in Iraq and Afghanistan. Not sure who was first in Afghan, never went there. But I've heard it was one of the Army’s Airborne Divisions (don’t quote me on this).

Pure crap coming from a lot of Army guys in here. The only thing going for the Army is its numbers and to be honest I would rather have fewer hard chargers protecting me. If it's even a question you have of who is more effective, the Army or Marines you're lost. The Marines were dubbed "Teufel Hundens" in the Battle of Bellow Woods in Germany by Germans because of their fierce fighting even with small numbers. We fire from 500 meters in prone, sitting and standing regardless of the weather with no scope while the Army fires from a max of 300 meters which is garbage, pure and simple. Do not come in this forum pretending the Army is more effective while quality and standards are set in stone to be less stringent for the Army. If I'm in Afghanistan fighting insurgents, give me a devil dog any freaking day next to me who will take a man's grape clear off from 5 football fields away easily. I was a 6 time expert while in the Marines and can still do the same as a civilian simply because of the way the Corps has taught me perfected marksmanship skills. The only way the army will extinguish an enemy from afar is with a sniper with a scope. I have done plenty of forced marches as well along with Army personnel at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii and they can't keep up if they tried. They straggle and don't know the meaning of "keep it tight," which is a must for keeping together in combat. I can go on and on about the differences between the two that points at the Army as being the ones failing more often in combat. Of course there were and still will be mistakes made by both the Army and Marines in the heat of battle since no one is perfect and combat is ugly, but the Marines have proven time and time again that they are the elite simply by what they accomplish with much more limited means.First to fight. One shot, one kill. Semper Fi, Do or Die. P.S. Most if not all Army soldiers know this to be true and this is why Marines are few. Not many are up for the stricter challenge so go elsewhere! The Army!

In a nutshell, the marines are the ground forces of the Navy, the Army is simply the ground forces itself.

As this will go on, however, we guard our embassies and the president. When things need to be done we are called on. I could be out on the town tonight and by the next night in a foreign country thousands of miles away ready to take care of business. No offense to the Army but we are the few and the proud and everywhere. Remember the Army is okay but the Marines operate on air, land, and sea. We do it all very well. We may not be the best at one thing but the best at all things. I still love my brothers; Army, Navy and Air Force.

us army rangers are an elite special forces group and go through far more challenging schooling/training the a standard marine. LOL. they don't even compare.

This guy at the very end says Marines are like Army Rangers. LOL what a joke. this article is so biased with so many dumb stereotypes it's funny.

i would like to know where i will find the most pride and satisfaction: The US Army Rangers or the USMC

i can not argue with anon43553 you are very right, it does not matter which TEAM you belong, and people should try to understand, the question is: What is the difference between both services? and not who is more superior than the others or which one that screwed up than the others - this is not acceptable especially when each individual had put their effort and time to be part of the team. understand this there's so much in our Armed Forces history that some individual contributed and died just to uphold their responsibility as a soldier, marine, airman or sailor. Some of them - received medals for their gallantry and they are not even trained as an infantry or airborne but just an ordinary service men that fulfilled their duty for their country. so please do not disgrace their gallantry when they paid their dues.

Bravo anon43553, I salute you.

to everyone who tries to compare or tried to post their own comments - please don't make the other team look bad. at the end of the day we are all a team. each individual who served has their own responsibility, if they do not put their effort for the whole team to succeed, one of the team members has to step in, to either encourage or motivate the individual. you see all i read in this forum are people either being negative or more superior than their own team mate, but we all are one team, which is the Armed Forces of the United States. yes each branch of the service is needed. there may be differences on how they trained or how they have to be mobilized based on chain of command, but at the end of the day, we all have our responsibility to our country. when Uncle Sam calls, we all have to fight to defend our mother land. at the end of the day. we are a *team* period, so stop those negative comments. to those who served, the country owes you just as you owe this country. Duty, honor and country.

In response to Dave187s' comments: I hope you are not implying the Army has a harder training regime than Marines. First, all Marines are trained the exact same way for combat! This consists of 13 weeks at Parris Island and five weeks of Marine Combat Training if they are not 0311-Infantry. That training ends with another 'hump' that is over twenty miles! Let's see, is 13+25 greater than 25? You do the math. Second, the Army troops that are, let's say, in the motor pool as an example straight from the headlines of the opening of the invasion of Iraq, could not defend themselves with their rifles due to a lack of training. Now the Army has gone back and requires soldiers to be properly trained. They should have learned that crap in boot camp! That is the Army's fault and has gotten a lot of innocent army troops wounded or killed in action! Sgt.'AC', USMC Combat Vet

people, why are you all arguing moot points? Everyone has their respected mission, and performs them at the best of their ability. I served as a Marine for 12 years, veteran of three major conflicts and enough sand and rock in my boots to build a city, both MFF and static line JM, as well as scuba. Served with each repsected uniform in garrison, abroad, in zone and out. Each person that serves is an individual, whether or not they are a "hard charger" or a "dirt bag." We will always flip our coins, fly our banners and compare our "war tales" with one another, but please remember, that your brother/sister to your left and right lateral limits, regardless of branch of service are still the ones who have your back.

If you guys want to bash, bash the command of NATO -- some of the laziest SOBs I've ever met.

Grunts at Benning do a 25-mile ruck march to graduate in week 15. Marines do a 9 mile ruck march to graduate boot at week 13. Do the math.

to everyone - there's no difference between two services or even with any other branch of the services - they both have handle weapons and both are willing to serve the country as Armed Forces of the United States of America. There may be some diffrence on training, specialty skills and motivation/disciplinary attitudes - but at the end we are all in this together as one unit - a team - as far as above and below discussions and comparisons - not everyone is fit to do what others are able to accomplish - but it is all about inidvidual effort to give their best shot and help the team - the Armed Forces of the United States of America, so at the end, they are all the same. No difference. Both are needed by our country.

First of all, we are all a team

but second, the mairnes are *not* first to fight. the army has all types of scouts *cav scouts and infantry scouts* that always go in first and even if they did go in first,

who cares? Each branch has an equal part in every mission. Without one branch the mission wouldn't go as well. that's why every branch is important and every branch supports the others.

Marine basic training is 13 weeks versus the Army's 8 week program. Marine boot camp is also much stricter, I think, and has harder criteria. For example, it is not co-ed, females being trained separately, and Marines run 3 miles during the PFT, The Army runs 2 miles at a slower time limit. Marines fire at up to 500 meters on the rifle range. The Army shoots only out to 300 meters with the service rifle. Marines can be "Dogged" by DI's until they collapse. The Army I think only allows a set number of push-ups. At least that was true in jump school. The Army Rangers, etc. have stricter criteria, this is for all hands that I'm referring to. Yes. Every Marine is first and foremost a rifleman.

This forum got off topic. the question was what is the difference between the two branches. not which one is better. i read all your bickering because i want to figure out which branch is a better fit for me, not to see first hand how people on the internet love pointless arguments. and sadly this happens in every single forum on the internet when posed this question. so i have found it impossible to get a straight answer, all i find is more and more people who aren't even in the military bickering about which one is better.

i agree with you master sergeant - just i posted before - we are all in one team - it does not matter what part of the service of the armed forces of the united states you belong - we are one country. people should not compare any of our armed forces to each other - we are one country. we fight as units of one country under one flag - it's the United States of America. if people want to post some comments, they should do it to where like for example "when i was in the marines i was stationed at 'blah blah' and it was great cause i saw other parts of the world or when i was in the army i was in Korea and say something positive so everyone will see the military is totally different. to those who have nothing good to say. please stop. it does not look good especially when the whole world can see this on the internet.

This is out of the subject: Why are there so many people trying to act as if they are in the military saying stuff like "Semper Fi" or "Do or die"? Just argue your point and shut up. It ticks me off that there are people here trying to act smart saying stupid words, trying to have a sophisticated vocabulary and crap even though that what they're saying is just a bunch of stupid opinions, not facts. I don't know why you keep comparing the Marines to the Army. Did you people not understand where it says they're both different? See I'm a Master Sergeant in the 82nd Airbone Division but yet you don't hear me dissing the Marines. We all work together. We our not our own enemy, don't you understand?

The Army and the Marines both are spearheads. Who was first into Baghdad? The 3rd Infantry Division. Who was first into Fallujah? The 82nd Airborne Division. The Marines were first into Basra and Nasiriyah, then later moved into Baghdad after it was already sieged by the 3rd Infantry Division. The 82nd Airborne handed down Fallujah to the Marines, which lost it, and had to regain it during Operation Phantom Fury later renamed "Operation al-Fajir" with the help of the 1st Infantry Division and 1st Cavalry Division.

people we are one armed forces of the united states. we do not need to tell others how our other teammates do their job - we got to give positive feedback with other branches of the armed forces. we are a team. it don't matter if you are in the army, marines, air force or navy. we are one country with a purpose to protect what we believe in, our own democracy and constitution and freedom for all mankind. an army can accomplish what a marine can do, a navy can also accomplish what the other three branches can do especially in times of war or conflict - it is all about the mission or task on hand. we have more than four branches of military that anyone can join - there a reason for this and still we are all debating who is better or the best - but if you think and analyze this - they are all one team or one unit - The Armed Forces of the United States of America- we all serve to make sure that no one will bully us and take away what we believed in - our own self independence and democracy. So please to all commentators - don't make the other team look bad. We all make our own mistakes. It is not a policy for the Army, Marines, Navy or Air Force mistake. It happens on an individual basis - and that's why there's a chain of command that needs to correct this so everyone will work as a team,, not an individual. remember it is not only the army or marines that won the world war I or II - even the navy, coast guard, air force and other security of the nation took part of this conflict - it is a team effort.

Wow,you know what gets me after spending a year and a half in Iraq? Its the attitude. People regurgitate the idea that the Marines are hard charging killers, that every over testosterone-making high school football player wants to becomes a Marine infantryman to go fight. Multiply that instance time 5000 and you've got a fighting force that is trigger happy and too into themselves to become an effective fighting force. Don't believe me? Remember Al Nazaria? 17 Marines wounded by their own guys due to friendly fire. I've seen a Marine patrol that fired a parachute flare into a van that had a family in it for a "warning shot". While I was in Iraq I was more worried about getting shot up by a Marine patrol at night than anything else because they are trigger happy and their equipment is so crappy they can't effectively engage targets. Don't believe me? Google pics Marine infantry. Their equipment looks like Vietnam hand-me-downs. And don't spout that crap about "they do their job even with that equipment". With advancements in aircraft and helicopters, the marines are doing the same stuff the army is, so much for amphibious landings! And force recon?! Every time special ops is mentioned on the news its Army SF anyway. I did see a lot of Navy Seals there though, nice guys, but they, unlike the marines, are quiet professionals.

I like the guy who thinks that because the army has planes and the marines *only* go *anywhere* in boats means that the army is always first to fight. That is hilarious logic.

Anyone who thinks the marines are "first to fight" is just falling for propaganda from way back. The army has airborne and that's *much* faster than a ship. Eductate yourselves people. Just cause it's on a bumper sticker, it doesn't make it true.

after reading everyone's comment only atokato made sense, it does not matter which branch you join everyone is at risk once you are at the war zone, it is just the risk factor that will make a difference or your duty once you get there but the risk is still there in the war zone. no marine or no army or navy wins or loses the war by themselves it is the entire country that will lose. every one has to make the difference no marine or no army is tougher than the other. it is all about what the mission that will dictates the situation. not everyone can fire any weapon and not everyone can also cook or can cure a bleeding or injured soldier/marine/navy/flyboy. it is all about what you can contribute to make these armed forces strong and continue to provide security to all of us.

people got to understand this, we are the armed forces of the United States of America, we fight every theater of war as one country, each and everyone of the individuals who joined the military has a purpose. it is a team effort and not by one person only, so it does not matter if you join the army, marines or air force, it is about how you will deliver to fulfill your duty as a person to those who are with you in time of war or conflicts. remember the famous saying *duty, honor and country*.

it is not the marines that made the landing in Guadalcanal successful or the landing by the army at Normandy - it is the team effort of every individual who put and give their share to make this successful. it does not matter whether you are fat, skinny, tall or stronger than the rest of the team of the armed forces that you belong to, it is about how you accomplish your mission as a team of the Armed Forces of America. so join any of the services you feel that you will be part of the *team* and not by your own self interest.

listen to all of you - some of you makes comments and talk like we are all different - our forefathers build this country not because of who is better or worse - it is about what you can do for your country - not what your country can do for you - you can be a cook or supply person for any of the armed forces that you wanted to sign up for - either way it is what you are obligated to do for your country that counts - there's a lot in our history that even women or kids have changed the course of war not because they were fighting in the front or they were the first ones to be sent in the war - when the going gets tough - the tough get together as a unit of one to fight for what we believe and whether you are in the army, marines, navy or air force - there's also the coast guard -

we all have the obligation to our country - shame on each one of you to make the others look bad - it does not matter who is tough or who is the best - it's what you can do for your country and honor what you have pledged allegiance to. we will all survive if we work together as unit of one.

@ sentinel17 : thank you. that helped a lot! but the main thing that makes me want to join army over marines is the boats. i hate boats and, knowing something about the marine's relationship w/ the navy, would rather avoid long-term stationing on a boat. thoughts?

All right, people. There seems to be a lot of back and forth, so I will do my best to get this discussion evened out, so to speak.

I myself was in the US Army.

82nd Airborne, and Infantry. I left the service after three deployments (twice to Afghanistan and once in Iraq) at the rank of Sergeant.

We were replaced by the Marines in Al Fallujah in late March of 2004, and less than a week later, they became locked in a bloody battle that cost many lives. Does that mean that the US Army was better than the Marines? No. It means that the enemy recognized different uniforms and put two and two together, that they were new personnel and unfamiliar with the streets. They used it to their advantage.

But, that aside, there are different portions you have to examine when looking at who is "better." Basic Training/Boot Camp: Army Basic Training is split into five different bases: Fort Benning, GA for infantry, Fort Knox, KY for armor, Fort Sill, OK for Artillery, Fort Leonardwood for Military Police and Fort Jackson, SC for other. Please, keep in mind there are other jobs trained for at these bases but the ones I named were the ones that came to mind. Army training is "supposed" to make all soldiers combat-ready but it doesn't. From what I have seen, read, researched, and heard, Marine Corps Boot Camp does that for all marines, regardless of their jobs.

In my time in the Army, I have seen some jacked up POGs (person other than grunt)that were active duty, reserves, or national guard. I was appalled that they were wearing the same uniform I was wearing and that they represented the Army. If they came into enemy contact I would bet my last dollar that they would throw down their weapon and run away. That is how a lot of soldiers are in non-combat units are (again, from what I've seen). The Marines aren't like that. If I was in a firefight to the death and knew it was my last chance to kill as many bad guys as I could, I would rather have a USMC mechanic next to me rather than an Army Mechanic, because I have seen firsthand that their motto of "everyone is a rifleman first" is more true than most people give them credit for.

Is this to say there aren't studs in the Combat Support and Combat Service Support segments of the Army? No, I am sure there are. But, the Marines are trained differently as a whole and all support each other completely. The Army doesn't. In the Army if you aren't infantry, you are crap. Then if you aren't airborne infantry, you aren't crap. Then if you aren't in my brigade, battalion, company, platoon, etc.. You get the idea. It was pounded into our heads at Bragg that your individual unit is better than others. While I see this is true to a point when it comes to combat efficiency and the infantry...it drives a wedge between the Army soldiers in so many areas. If the Army soldiers banded together like Marines did and were like, "regardless of what your job is, we are all soldiers and will fight like we are infantry," then we would be able to shed the bad image given to us by people just looking to do the minimum because they can't get a job or they can't get away from crime in their neighborhood or their parents are kicking them out of their house and they don't want to go to college.

Lastly, I was airborne infantry with the US Army and was proud of my unit, its history, and being a soldier in the US Army. But, not many are in the Army, most just don't give a $#!% and that is where the Army, as a whole, falls short of the Marines.

First off, marine training is way different. I think the marine corp boot camp is two months longer than army boot, and in the army, you can sign up to be a ranger before you even sign the papers. Marine Force Recon however, you have to join, go through BT and then you apply to be a Recon Marine, and if you don't pass Recon Boot, too bad.

Some of us in the civilian life have a great deal of respect, admiration, and frankly feel an immense gratitude to all of you, regardless of the branch you are in.

For the most part we think you represent the best in us.

So to all of you who served, are serving and are planning on serving, Thank You.

Both of my parents were in the army (101st Abn) and so, whether passed on from them or not, I've always wanted to join the military, but I am also trying to decide b/n army or marines. However, I'm not a water-loving girl, so...?

But what i'd really like to know is why do you guys think that the marines has such a stronger brotherhood/pride than all the other branches?

Well coming from a person who join the USMC in 2004. I would like to say this I joined because the Air Force recruiter was on leave. The Navy has the stigma of being gay, and well the Army is simply sub-par for the most part minus special forces, and berets. Marines are disciplined, goal minded, respectful and are ready to defend they're brotherhood. The Army, from what I have personally seen in al asad airbase, yes i am an airwinger, are arrogant, unreliable, undisciplined, and also seem to act way more unprofessional. I am easing from the marine corps soon and yes I would do it again.

The Army doesn't doesn't dictate anything. The Joint Chiefs of Staff do.

I am thinking of joining either the army or the marines, but i'm not sure what branch is right for me. I hear different things from everyone. Marine recruiters tell me that if i want to be the best of the best the marines is for me. But people that I talk to that are in the army tell me the marines are a bad choice and that I should join the army. I would love some opinions on this.

what was Pat Tillman??? Army Ranger??? If you're looking for friendly fire join the army! They're all idiots!! How often in history have army Generals relied on Marines to take care of some business that they knew the Army either couldn't handle or were too scared to do? How often in history have Marine Generals been put in charge of you Army idiots??? Plenty! The Army does a great job of screwing things up and killing off their own!

In all seriousness, I can appreciate the pride one has in the service he/she is serving. And I'm sure you all do as well. So what's up with all the insults and who's better than who's? That part of offering up one's life for the sake of a safer county has never made sense.

Oh please the training Army Rangers receive is light years ahead of the marine training. US Army Rangers are special operations troops and marines are not. You could compare marine training to Army combat arms training and that is about it. The US Army does not need the marines to invade a country they have the 82nd ABN Division and 173rd Airborne Brigade as initial entry units to seize airfields and move on to ports. As for Army units not being able to take ground. We (my unit was 101st Abn) were waiting in Baghdad 3 days before the marines got there. The only reason the marines are around is because of PR.

marines are indeed the first to fight. you say all they do is capture an airport while the army take the whole thing? i disagree. the marines are the one who open up the primary lines of defense so the army can thus use their larger forces and help open that gap the marines have created in the line. Semper Fi, Do or Die

I would strongly recommend Kacummin's Comment as he has firsthand experience with this article.

I think that I may be able to help here. I enlisted in and was honorably discharged from both branches of service, 3 years as a cannon crewman (13B) in the US Army 18th Airborne Corps (Ft Bragg N.C. where I was also a paratrooper) then 6 years as a machine gunner (0331) in th USMC (Camp Lejeune N.C.) The original article is absolutely correct and I'm sure that the author did his research before writing it. Here is an example ; I served in "Gulf War I" as a Marine and was deployed to Northern Iraq immediately following the "end of offensive actions." At that time, Saddam Hussein re-deployed his forces to the region just south of the Turkish border in an effort to stop a Kurdish uprising via the "Pesh Merga Freedom Fighters" (AKA Operation Provide Comfort). We were sent in to stop the Kurds from being slaughtered. We arrived and set up a base camp at about midnight just north of the Iraqi border near the Turkish city of Silopi as part of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit from Camp Lejeune North Carolina. We received our operations plans which coincidentally did involve an airfield seizure in northern Iraq, practiced our roles, and deployed about three days later. As we boarded helicopters to fly into Iraq and begin our mission, there was nothing left behind except a "Few Marines" who maintained the camp. We took all of our weapons and equipment with us ... on our backs. We carried out our mission with the support of Marine helicopter and fighter pilots, then moved further inland where we dug in, set up a defensive perimeter, checkpoints along roadways, and established the "No Fly Zone" at the 38th parallel. The U.N. then moved in behind us and set up a refugee camp for the displaced Kurds, who had fled into the mountains to escape the Iraqi Army. About three weeks later, we began taking turns rotating back to "the rear" which was back at the initial camp in Turkey to take showers and eat a warm meal if we were lucky, about six guys at a time in trucks. We could only remain for about an hour or so before returning to our positions. We welcomed the trip... but we were surprised at what we found. The US Army had arrived and set up what looked like the TV show M.A.S.H. ! Not only was there hot food, they had a whole mess hall with cooks, a PX, "port-a-potties", a motor pool, a satellite phone tent to call home(this was pre-cell phone days, so it was a big deal at the time) and even a T.V. tent to watch VCR movies ! We were just happy to take our showers and get a meal... maybe a few sodas for the guys back in our positions. Due to our limited time in "the rear", an Army Lieutenant let the six of us cut in front of him in the chow line. Sure enough, I heard some of the soldiers say, "Oh finally ! Now the Marines are here !" "It's about time !" "What happened to first to fight huh ?!" "We've been here for two weeks already, why do they get special treatment ?" Little did they know that they were in the very location where we set up our initial "jump off point" weeks earlier, but we kept our bearing and and were grateful to that Lieutenant for his hospitality. After a about a week or two, all of us had our turn to go back to "the rear." None of us made a second trip when the time came. We stayed in Iraq for about three additional months moving from one position to another and maintaining security for the U.N. troops, the Kurdish refugees and whether the know it or not, the U.S.Army. I'm proud of my service in both branches, and also of those who served before me and those who still serve today. Especially the Marines. Semper Fi !

The Marines are first to fight not the Army.

the marines are not the spearhead, they are simply support for the main invading force, which is the US Army. The US Army deploys in through either jumping directly into enemy territory on parachutes, or goes in through a port of another friendly country and punches their way through. The marines are not even a quarter of the size of the army, they are good at things like taking and holding an airport while the army takes the entire city and surrounding land. It was the US Army that captured Saddam Hussein, and the US Army dictates what the other branches of DOD will do to support the mission of the US Army on any given day