Why are Marines First to Fight?
362135
traditionaly, the Marines, are the land fighting unit of the Navy.  Thus in most American wars, the battle ships were the first to arrive and the marines made the landings to secure the beach heads, then the transport ships would unload the army.  Today I would say that the Marines and Army tend to arrive more or less togeather via air transport, though the Marines are still part of the Naval Command.
738979
Here's a short list of what I consider to be the most notable differences:\n\nOPERATIONAL PURPOSE:\n\nThe Marine Corps was originally a naval infantry force, but it had evolved into an amphibious, quick-reaction force . They have their own (Navy-commanded) small aircraft carriers that sail around the world for months at a time, just in case something happens. Each Fleet Marine Force has enough Harrier jets, helicopters, tanks, landing craft, and Marines to do what needs to be done in the few months it takes the Army to get mobilized. The Marines are also known for fighting "small wars" (such as Panama, the Philippines, and Grenada).\n\nFor bigger and/or longer-term conflicts, we have the Army. It's a LOT bigger than the Marines (about 500,000 active duty vs. 180,000 in the Marines, about 1,000,000 total active, reserve, and guard vs. 220,000 in the Marines), and it has more capabilities and infrastructure. While the Marines have their own tanks, artillery, civil affairs, and special operations, for example, they pale in comparison to the Army. The Army does a LOT of stuff, including things you don't normally associate with them (nuclear defense, psychological operations, foreign government assistance, and so on). They also have the Special Forces (Green Berets), elite troopers who speak languages you've never heard of, train foreign soldiers in countries you didn't know existed, and fight in battles you'll never hear about.\n\nOf course, this is all a simplification. The Army fights in small wars and the Marines fight in big wars (Iraq and Vietnam), but in general it's true. A good example of the difference in action is World War II: The Army was the main player in Europe and North Africa, where big, open grasslands and deserts were turned into giant battlefields for tank divisions, paratrooper landings, and  infantry units that could occupy whole nations. In contrast, the Marines did most of the fighting in the Pacific, where amphibious landings lead to gruesome, close-quarters battles for control of tiny islands smaller than a typical American city.\n\n\nCULTURE:\n\nAs a rule of thumb, Marines eat, sleep, and breathe the Corps. They don't put a lot of badges and patches on their uniforms because every Marine is, in theory, an elite warrior. In a state like North Carolina, where there are large numbers of both Marines and Army soldiers, the number of Marine bumper stickers outranks the number of Army bumper stickers by a factor of ten-to-one. Even if you're only a Marine for two years, you're a Marine for life; expect to be let off the hook for a speeding ticket by a fellow retired Marine police officer or highway patrolman at some point.\n\nThe Army, by contrast, is far too big to support the espirit de corps found in the Marine Corps; the Army doesn't have the kind of support networks that the Marines do. Soldiers are more likely to take pride in their division, MOS, or skill tabs (such as Airbone or Ranger) than the Army as a whole. As a result, Army uniforms tend to have more decorations, and you can often reconstruct a soldier's career just from a glance at the decorations visible in his official portrait.\n\n\nQUALITY OF LIFE:\n\nThe Marines are generally considered to have the worst quality of life in the U.S. military. Because they have to share funding with the Navy (and always get the rougher end of the bargain), they tend to have inferior facilities and inferior. Also, because the Marines are so infantry-oriented, there are not as many career options available as in the Army. As a result, the Marines have the lowest average time in service of any branch.\n\nThe Army, on the other hand, is a great service to spend twenty years in. There are almost unlimited career opportunities in the Army: I know a lot of Marines that went to college so they could be Army officers, but I don't know anyone who went the opposite direction. Also, the Army offers higher entr
603905
The Marine Corps falls within the Department of the Navy but has its own command structure, up to the commandant.  Still, there is a Secretary of the Navy but no secretary of the Marine Corps.  Marines tend to be fighters.  Their primary role traditionaly was the amphibious invasion and occupation of hostile shores.  Every marine has a primary role of Rifleman.  The Navy has many roles and sailors fill many jobs but the Navy has very few people who tote rifles on the ground (seals and a few others being the exceptions).  Marines provide services to the Navy, such as security, and the Navy provides services to the corps, such as medics and chaplains.  If you have a more specific question, post it and perhaps you will get an answer.
1001741
the reasons are partly historical and partly practial. in short each is responable for the area of its own expertise. the army fights on land and the navy on the water. the airforce became a branch when it was decided that it needed to be a seperate force in oeder to fufil its missions. the marines are really a part of the navy. years ao tey had the mission of defending navy bases and capturing new ones as well as acting as shipboard infantry. the coast guard also becomes part of the navy in times of war but also handles lifesaving, safety, and maritime security. there is overlap since all branches need certain things such as aircraft. where it makes sense to have assets under the control of any branch they are given them. the navy needs aircraft to fufill its mission so it has carriers. the army might need boats for supply soit has them. the marines have become our kick in the door landing force and since they do it better than anyone else they are given watever they need. today all fight as a team under the command of the officer in charge of a region. an army general might command both navy ships and airforce planes in order to complete the mission. its not simple but it works and there is very little waste in the system. every asset and mission is carefully thought out and justified.
85772
Because the military believes in shoot first, ask questions later.
219636
Best for a future? the Air Force, best for pride? The Marine Corps. For me sir, it was the Marines...Semper Fi. As far as I am concerned, there is no other choice, but not everyone is cut out for life in my Corps. We are "the Few, The Proud" for a damn good reason. And I agree, whats up with the guy who asked, if your scores are high enough? What a jerk, quick history lesson for you, the United States Marine Corps is technically older than the United States Government, we were brought in to service November 10, 1775. We (the USA) formally declared independence in 1776. Without the USMC, there would be no Air Force.
365395
The US Marines is a part of the Department of the Navy but not of the United States Navy. However, the two services work in close coordination. The US Marines is the only branch of the United States Armed Corps with a permission to do whatever the president may direct. The inception of the US Marines was in 1775 during the American Revolutionary War as the “Continental Marines”. They were the landing troops for the Continental Navy. After the disbandment in 1783, the final reformation of the Marines was in 1798.\n\nThe US Marines are the naval infantry with specialization in fighting on ships and conduction of amphibious assaults. The US Marines is the second smallest branch amongst the five branches of the United States armed forces. Their main purpose is combat and are adaptable to a broad variety of combat operations. It is a very fierce and effective fighting force and has never had any full and large-scale retreat.\n\nThe US Marines combine the three vital elements of combat (ground, sea and air) perfectly and are very adept at such tactics. All the US Marines, irrespective of the gender and occupational specialization, first receive training as riflemen. This is because it functions more as an infantry. Therefore, it rightly states “Every Marine a rifleman”. Their motto is “Semper Fidelis”, meaning “Always Faithful”.\n\nThe US Marines Flag has the colors of scarlet and gold along with the emblem: the eagle, globe, and anchor. The eagle represents the service of the US Marines to their country, the globe represents their worldwide service and the anchor is the representation of their sea traditions. These task forces are flexible and are generally of three sizes, depending on the amount of force necessary.\n\nThe US Marines do not wear berets and wear boots only with the utility uniform. They do not salute unless when wearing a hat. The US Marines do not have many awards and unit identifications.
869941
The UFC guy. Why? Because the Navy SEALs actually spend very little time on hand to hand. Remember, the military assumes people have guns and knives. Even according to a marine combat instructor I know, the combatives program is actually meant until your buddy can show up to shoot them. Besides, knife fighting is still more emphasized than empty armed combat. That is not to say that a SEAL isn't a very good fighter, it just means the SEAL combatives program isn't very in-depth and detailed.
820317
In the Marine Corps, there is a standard in place which has been deemed the "escalation of force."  It is simply a guideline that a Marine must follow in the line of duty.  Essentially, it starts with a verbal command for the individual to cease whatever activity they are doing and submit to authority.  If this does not work, the baton is used in an area that is non-lethal on the individuals body.  If the individual(s) still does not submit to authority or commands, they could be killed.
875258
i think it has something to do with arms the weapons definition. if you take up arms you would be up in arms -- you are ready for the fight.  can't find any verification of this so its just a hunch.
821584
HI JOSH,  \n              YOU ARE RIGHT, GO FOR THE MARINES AS THEY ARE THE WELL BEST TRAINED IN OUR MILITARY, I WAS IN \nTHE NAVY DURING THE VIETMAN ERA, BUT I ALWAYS FELT\nTHAT THE MARINE CORP GIVES THE BEST PHYSICAL AND\nINFANTRY TRAINING TO IT'S NEW RECRUITS. LETS FACE IT\nTHE MARINES ARE NOT OUT ON A PICNIC, THEY MEAN WAR\nAND WAR IS THEIR BUSINESS!!!  GO FOR IT!!! HOORAH!!!
772413
Merely has to do with tradition, it has nothing to do with size.  Take a look at something like Camp Pendelton in California, its huge.\n\nThe Army, being the first main service, called thier bases Forts, and it stuck.\n\nThe Marine Corps normally doesn't stay in one place.  They began as security aboard naval vessels, but as they progressed into their own service, they took on more tasks.  These tasks normally led them to land, where they would make camps.  They would not stay for long, and so the term camp continues as tradition.
363245
well, I too am a JROTC cadet and when you prioritize things which means you put things in order of coarse. When your Drill team sees that the one put in charge is in control they are willing to work harder to acheive much more. "when they see your in control, they know their in control." leaders lead from example.
833219
Marines still have some pride and they have an airwing. \nThey are tough but its worth it.\nGo Marines!
419749
Hello, who said Marines have a messed up lifestyle?  Your wrong.  We dont.  I take it your talking about the semper-fit lifestyle.  Marines are just like everyday people. We all have our ups and downs. Altho the change is forever, the change is for the best.  To the asker, I suggest you look in my profile, and read my question (my only question btw..)    Being a marine is something, not everyone can do. Becoming a marine is the best way to understand who we are, and what we do.
542354
There will always be a few people crazy enough to join the Marines. The Marines will take anyone. The only thing good about a Marine is they keep the prison guards employed.
129068
First, Marines are NOT soldiers.  No disrespect intended, but we do not like the term.  Soldiers are in the U.S. Army.  Secondly, when I went to boot camp, nearly 20 years ago, we had extensive training on Marine Corps history.  Smedley Butler was celebrated in song when we marched, ran, or worked out.  I would be surprised if the same is no longer true.\nThank you for honoring a true American hero.