Why would they have the Marine Corps if the Army is just as affective?

Question

Many people claim the marines aren't better than any other branch. If this is so, why would the US government spend billions on the Marine Corps, if the Army and other branches could get the job done just as effectively?In my opinion, if the marines weren't the best, they wouldn't be here so why try and say they aren't as good as they brag?

Answer 1

Well using your logic,

If the Army was't the best, they wouldn't be here either.

The marine corps was almost done away with, by Truman.

Intense political pressure to keep them and their performance in korea, changed Truman's mind.

In peace time, the marine corps trains at a higher level than most Army units do.

Thats mainly a budget consideration.

It cost alot of money, to keep every unit at a high state of readiness.

Of course, now with the war in iraq and Afghanistan.

Your not gonna find many differences between the two,

Since they are either deployed, on pre deployment training or post deployment training.

It is not a competetion between the two, they have different roles and missions.

Could the Army take over the marine corps role and mission ?

Of course.

But they would then have to train the soldiers to do that mission and provide that role.

So what would be the purpose of doing that?

You could combine every service into one branch, if you wanted to.

But you would still have to have different training, for the different roles and missions.

Answer 2

The Marines were initially created to protect Naval vessels. A role they still provide. They are funded by and are part of the Navy. They were a small elite service because their mission was small. Later they were expanded to meet an enhanced mission ( guarding embassies etc) During WW II the Marines saw the chance to expand their role. They became the principal fighting force in the Pacific .....a role they were never created to play, but one they did well.

The Army was never designed to protect the Navy.....giving them that role would be problematic..... funding and command and control would be difficult.

Each branch of service has it's own role ( mission)...... they each are uniquely qualified to do their job..... each is the best at what they do..... comparing them is an exercise in stupidity

and has no useful purpose

Answer 3

this is the only branch specifically set up for war it is this branches purpose they are trained warriors

Answer 4

The Army is the main land force and even have our own department and budget, unlike the Marines who gets their budget from the Navy because there is no "Department of the Marine Corps." That's why everything Army is top notch.

Answer 5

Marines are battle ready/amphi troops. They even have jet fighters and attackers. During peace time, Marines are train so that if war broke out, they can be ready to be deploy.

Like where was the Army at the Battle of Belleau Wood? The Germans were closing in too fast so Pershing send the Marines. Since he Army was to slow, might as well stay behind and defend.

LAVADOG, I bet you want to say the Army mission is to defend. XD

Its even in their motto, "This We'll Defend"

ghost, so what does the marines have the CH-w/e, C-130 and Osprey sitting around for then?

Answer 6

its a historical fact the navy didnt want the army to get all the action so they lobbied for the marines as the infantry unit of the navy. they then hyped it to make it the best fighting unit. of course they did earn their reputation in fighting.

Answer 7

Great, now someone is going to want military lay-offs.

Answer 8

Marines are for different tasks than the Army. Are they better? At those tasks, yes.

Is the Army better at Army specific tasks, yes.

The Marine Infantry is for fast attack. Not fast attack and hold. Yes, they can hold an area, but that is not their tasking.

You have to ask yourself this: If it weren't for the Navy, Army, and the Air Force, how would the Marines get to a battlefield? See, the Navy can get to any battle area that they are needed. The Army can get to any battlefield that they are needed in. The Air Force can get to any battlefield where they are needed. The Marines can't even leave our coast with out help. So, just how tough are they when they can't get to a battlefield?

It's about 13 weeks to train a Marine in the basics. It only takes about 8 weeks for the Army. We're talking basic training, nothing more. Why does it take so long to teach a Marine the basics? Are the instructors bad? Are the recruits that slow?

The Marines are no more important than any other branch.

Answer 9

The answer is simple slick..Both branches perform different missions..So both are needed..

I would like to think every branch is better at their mission..Each branch has a different part to perform..So each branch is the best at its own mission.