What Makes a U.S. Marine Special?
396377
Ask a Marine what's so special about the Marines and the answer would be "Esprit de Corps", an unhelpful French phrase that means exactly what it looks like - the spirit of the Corps, but what is that spirit, and where does it come from? \n\nThe Marine Corps is the only branch of the U.S. Armed Forces that recruits people specifically to fight. \n\nThe Army emphasizes personal development (an Army of One), the Navy promises fun (let the journey begin), the Air Force offers security (its a great way of life). \n\nMissing from all the advertisements is the hard fact that a soldier's lot is to suffer and perhaps to die for his people, and take lives at the risk of his/her own. Even the thematic music of the services reflects this evasion. \nThe Army's Caisson Song describes a pleasant country outing. Over hill and dale, lacking only a picnic basket. \n\nAnchors Aweigh, the Navy's celebration of the joys of sailing, could have been penned by Jimmy Buffet. \n\nThe Air Force song is a lyric poem of blue skies and engine thrust. All is joyful, invigorating, and safe. \n\nThere are no land mines in the dales nor snipers behind the hills, no submarines or cruise missiles threaten the ocean jaunt, no bandits are lurking in the wild blue yonder. \nThe Marines Hymn, by contrast, is all-combat. We fight our Country's battles, First to fight for right and freedom, we have fought in every clime and place where we could take a gun, in many a strife we have fought for life and never lost our nerve.\n\nThe choice is made clear. You may join the Army to go to adventure training, or join the Navy to go to Bangkok, or join the Air Force to go to computer school. You join the Marine Corps to go to War! \n\nBut the mere act of signing the enlistment contract confers no status in the Corps. \nThe Army recruit is told from his first minute in uniform that "you're in the Army now", soldier. The Navy and Air Force\nenlistees are sailors or airmen as soon as they get off the bus at the training center. \n\nThe new arrival at Marine Corps boot camp is called a recruit, or worse, but never a MARINE. Not yet, maybe never. He or she must earn the right to claim the title of UNITED STATES MARINE, and failure returns you to civilian life without hesitation or ceremony.\n\n************************************************************ \nMy Son proudly served with the 31st MEU Marines SOC 1996 /2000
38853
The Marine Corps does not believe in "Special Forces"  their view is that all Marines are special forces.  They've have fought tooth and nail NOT to be made a part of SOCOM for years ~ but due to the recent terrorist threat of recent years ~ have finally relented.\n\nTherefore they're forming a new "regiment" comprised of RECON and Force Recon ~ (not the same animal ~ there's a difference between the two)  \n\nAs I understand it, they're not going to be so much a part of SOCOM, as another tool in the shed that SOCOM can call upon, when and as needed.  \n\nMost of the confussion about the SEALS, Green Beret, DELTA Force, RECON, Force RECON, and Rangers is in-house poltical among the varioius branches of the military.  On the one side ~ each branch of the military has their own ax to grind ~ and dog in the fight.  Marine Recon and Force Recon was NEVER meant to to compete with the Green Berets, SEALS, nor Rangers.  They were formed to provide reconnisence to a Marine battalion and/or division in the field.  \n\nThey're Billy Bad Azzes in that they do perform alot of the same or similar type missions that SEALS, Green Berets, Rangers do, but they do what they do to be the eyes and ears out front to let the Marine Commander know what out there and what he's up against. \n\nSOCOM is an effort to bring all these different forces together and to utilize them in their most efficient manner for the task at hand.
1122935
What do you want to know? I am in the Marine Corps, send me a note and I will try to answer well.
122592
LOOK NAVY BRAT: I WAS A MARINE SO THAT MAKES US KIN. HOW EVER READ MY PROFILE, AND I WILL NOW TELL YOU YOUR ANSWER. YOUR ANSWER IS "NO" UNLESS YOU CAN BACK IT UP WITH FACTS AND DON'T MIND BEING INVOLVED IF "NEED BE" O.K.
119897
The US Marine Corps has this down to a science.  I suggest that if you ask one of their recruiters you will be amazed at the detailed answer.
481966
The Air Force could cover Marine movements but Marine pilots train right along with the ground pounders.  They have a unique perspective on the needs of their ground units.\n\nI am retired from the Air Force and think highly of the organization.  But we do ask a lot of our Marines and in giving it they want their own cover.  I'm willing to give it to them.
965644
Hi,  I do not have an answer for you on how to enter the U.S. as I don't know what country you are from.  \n     I can tell you that in the U.S. a "marine (soldier)" is a government/federal job.  A "police officer" is a city or state job.  They are entirely different jobs.  \n     Research how our state and federal governments differ and co-exist and perhaps it will become more clear the difference.  Good luck to you.
786612
Semper Fidelis.\n\nTo my fallen brothers, you fought valiantly, honorably, and laid down your lives unselfishly for the Corps, Family, God and Country.\n\nWe are forever grateful, and will never forget your sacrifices.\n\nFrom one United States Marine to another... Ooh-Rah, fellow Teufel Hundens!!
426525
The US Marines are a land-attack unit of the US Navy. i.e beach landings. The marines are also known to be highly trained in combat and have some cool equipment. They are also well versed in both marine and land combat.\nMarines are excellent for river patrols too.\n\nThe US Army, well, is the Army. They do ground-based attacks, with of course Army aviation. Their speciality is artillery and everything to do with the ground. They have almost no relation to the sea, but sometimes perform beach landings.\n\nBoth units use similar weapons, but very different aviation equipment\n\nIn terms of actual service differences, I'll try to phrase it a little better. In terms of land warfare equipment, there are some, but few differences between the Army and the Marines. In terms of training, Marine bootcamp is longer, is segregated by genders, and culminates in a 52-hour test known as The Crucible. In terms of doctrinal/tactical differences, the Marines are designed to be shock troops, conducting an intial assault as the first assault forces to enter a war. Thus, the Marines tend to have the highest physical requirements. The Army (not including its special ops units such as Rangers, Green Berets, or Delta Force) are designed to take part in a sustained ground war and thus are trained as your "average" soldier.
348961
Fighting the enemy.  That's their job, and they're damn good at too!\n\nThe Marines are either your BEST friend or your WORST enemy.
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.
244004
Always faithful   ooo-rah!\n\n(sorry it just came out. once a marine always a marine)
386036
Have worked with a few differnt countries spec ops groups over the years. Would have to say that the Thai Spec Ops (these happen to be Thai marines) were tops on my list. The Malay were a close second. For anywhere in the world (desert, jungle, sea, mountain..) I would still have to go with the SEALS.
3017
They're the "Grunts" .  The basic training is tougher than the other services and their job in the military is front line fighting while the other services are more specialized in other things.  The marines are actually a department of the Navy, and are used by the navy for frontline defense and guarding gates, etc.  They're the muscle.
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United States Marine Ranks\n(Listed from lowest to highest)\n\n\n E-1 Private \n E-2 Private First Class \n E-3 Lance Corporal E-4 Corporal\n E-5 Sergeant \n E-6 Staff Sergeant \n E-7 Gunnery Sergeant\n E-8 Master Sergeant \n E-8 First Sergeant \n E-9 Master Gunnery Sergeant \n E-9 Sergeant Major  \n E-9 Special Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps \n W-1 Warrant Officer One \n W-2 Warrant Officer Two\n W-3 Warrant Officer Three \n W-4 Warrant Officer Four \n W-5 Warrant Officer Five \n O-1 Second Lieutenant \n O-2 First Lieutenant \n O-3 Captain \n O-4 Major\n O-5 Lieutenant Colonel \n O-6 Colonel \n O-7 Brigadier General  \n O-8 Major General  \n O-9 Lieutenant General \n O-10 General
241236
I think being able to spell Marine Corps is a prerequisite to joining them.  However, here is a list of job areas they have...\n\nThe following are the 'Primary' MOS Categories \nor Job Classifications in the United States Marine Corps (2002): \n\nUnited States Marine Corps (USMC) Enlisted Job Descriptions Main Category Listings: \n\n01    PERSONNEL AND ADMINISTRATION \n02    INTELLIGENCE \n03    INFANTRY \n04    LOGISTICS \n05    MARINE AIR GROUND TASK FORCE (MAGTF) PLANS \n06    COMMAND AND CONTROL SYSTEMS \n08    FIELD ARTILLERY \n11    UTILITIES \n13    ENGINEER, CONSTRUCTION, FACILITIES, AND EQUIPMENT \n18    TANK AND ASSAULT AMPHIBIOUS VEHICLE \n21    ORDNANCE \n23    AMMUNITION AND EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DISPOSAL \n25    OPERATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS \n26    SIGNALS INTELLIGENCE/GROUND ELECTRONIC WARFARE \n28    DATA/COMMUNICATIONS MAINTENANCE \n30    SUPPLY ADMINISTRATION AND OPERATIONS \n31    TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT \n33    FOOD SERVICE \n34    FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT \n35    MOTOR TRANSPORT \n40    DATA SYSTEMS \n41    MARINE CORPS EXCHANGE \n43    PUBLIC AFFAIRS \n44    LEGAL SERVICES \n46    VISUAL INFORMATION \n55    MUSIC \n57    NUCLEAR, BIOLOGICAL, AND CHEMICAL \n58    MILITARY POLICE AND CORRECTIONS \n59    ELECTRONICS MAINTENANCE \n60/61/62   AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE \n63/64      AVIONICS \n65    AVIATION ORDNANCE \n66    AVIATION LOGISTICS \n68    WEATHER SERVICE \n70    AIRFIELD SERVICES \n72    AIR CONTROL/AIR SUPPORT/ANTIAIR WARFARE/AIR \n      TRAFFIC CONTROL \n73    NAVIGATION OFFICER/ENLISTED FLIGHT CREWS \n80 TO 95     CATEGORY B MOSs \n98 TO 99     SPECIAL IDENTIFIER MOS
515800
THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS regardless of what is thought does have problems with flat foot,unlike navy or air force.the basic marine is a "grunt" or foot soldier, no matter what his "MOS" or military occupation is, so a pencil pusher or truck driver in the marines could at a seconds notice find themselves faced with combat and flat feet don't hold up with foot soldiers.