The “do we really need the Marine Corps” question comes up every few years. How the decision to keep it intact is made I don’t know, but I’m sure it’s just like anything else in Washington–interested parties lobby, cajole, threaten, and argue their cases to the powers that be. As a former marine I would be shocked and saddened to see it disappear. There is something to be said for history & tradition. A lot of marines have died in the service of the U.S.A. I think we owe to them to keep the marines going. There are other reasons. The U.S.M.C. is the only branch that consistently meets or exceeds its recruiting goals (admitedly smaller than the other, larger branches). When there is a draft, one has to volunteer to be in the marines. One could argue that people who volunteer for something are more highly motivated, and therefore may make better fighters.