Why is there a Army, AF, Naval, CG and even Merch. Marine Academy but no Marine Corps academy?
470881
Actually, at one time there was an idea floated to make the Virginia Military Institute into a Marine Corps Academy. This is in part because "Chesty" Puller was an alumnus of VMI (though he was not a graduate, he dropped out to enlist in the Marines for the Spanish American War and rose through the ranks to become a highly decorated general). There was never any follow-up to this, I believe in part because VMI was and remains a very integral part of Virginia history and pride.
1072399
There are also the military academies like West Point, Naval Academy, etc. where not only do you have to be intelligent, but also physically fit. Most candidates chosen for pilot training in the military are required to have a bachelors degree. So I'm not sure where you get that stereotype?
108976
The last I heard, they had approved a utility uniform that uses a pixelated pattern a la USMC MARPAT or ARMY ACU, but it is different in pattern and color.  I believe the chest pockets are still vertical (not slanted) among other differences from the other guys.  They did ditch the corny blue tiger stripe thing, though.\n\nhttp://capblog.typepad.com/capblog/images/041008f5064j020.jpg
995671
I think that every service has a specific purpose.  The Marines are definitely better than any other service when it comes to their role in the DOD.  Marines are a modular forces, they can secure coastlines and a few miles inland, however they are limited when it comes to a long stay.  The Army is huge and has a large logistical tail, the Army can sustain itself for long periods of time. \n\nNavy and Air Force are movers and lifeline support.  Without them the Marines and Army cannot function.
446875
Two good choices are the Naval Academy or West Point.  Steer clear of the Air Force Academy, they just don't have much history.
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.
110763
III Corps army units, most notably the 4th ID and 1st Air Cav divisions, it seems hardly possible that a Marine outfit would be sent there, either for training or stationing? Of course, there's always the outside chance of inter-service coordination.  We now have the first Marine General (Lt. Gen James Cartwright) in charge of the Strategic Command, before it was either an Airforce or Navy Admiral, so i guess the times they are a changin.
84660
As best as I can remember, the Joint Chiefs of Staff outranks all others by position.  As far as the brnaches, the Army, Navy, and Air Force are all their own department and hence the same, some people go by when the branch was established which would be Army Navy Air Force (sorry Marines fall under the Dept of Navy).  The Marines actually fall under the Department of the Navy.  The Coast Guard is not part of Dept of Defense and upon act of Congress can be placed under the direction of the Navy, but like the Marines is it's own branch of the military.
529526
There is no separate Marine ROTC - Navy ROTC has a Marine option.  Start your search with scholls that offer Navy ROTC.
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.
24070
Lego's, I always wanted the model tech stuff but it was too expensive.  Then they never came out with army legos,  imagine army legos that would be the coolest!
988536
You obviously know nothing about the military or military life.  There's a chain of command just as there is in any large corporation, there's structure, rules and regulations to follow.  Post boot camp there's defense training, MOS schools, they learn codes of conduct and warfare and are held to a higher standard than sloppy, low moral civilians.  You don't see ANY service member wandering through Wal Mart in their pajama bottoms like you do civlian slobs.  There's an actual education to be had upon enlisting that goes well beyond the confines of a classroom....an education and lifestyle, pride in your job and pride in defending your country and the Constitution.
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.
715866
a new one? or do you just want one to romp around with in your back yard? ebay has used military vehicles once in a while, mostly just stripped hummers. either way, you mentioned a debate, and I'm assuming it has something to do with miltary spending on vehicles? if it is screw the trucks, look into how much the navy spends on sponges and how much they're a piece. anywho, good luck with the debate.
530201
Not in Army BCT or OSUT (one station unit training, for combat arms soldiers).  Some MOSs, such as divers, do do extensive water training.    \n\nThe Army is a much larger fighting force than the Marines.  The Marine Corps can talk all they want about how hardcore they are, and all that happy bullcrap, but the Army does most of the fighting anyway.  It has been this way since 1775, dude.  We are the main ground force of the United States.  We are fighting and dying in Iraq...with the Marines.  The Army's 3rd Infantry Division BEAT the Marines to Baghdad in the invasion of Iraq...who's hardcore now?  \n\nBasic training is just that, BASIC TRAINING.  Boot camp, basic military training, whatever the name, it is just a program to teach and prepare people for the military.  Soldiers, Marines, and everybody else learn a LOT more in the real force than in basic.
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.
61459
My dear lady, the Army is the largest branch of the military. But bigger is not always better. \nRemeber Army stands for AINT READY for MARINES YET!!!!!\n\nHOORAH!!!!!\nUSMC 4 LIFE