# US Marines vs US Army **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 30, 2005, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-marines-vs-us-army/287457 "2005-01-30T18:44:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2005, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-marines-vs-us-army/287457/1 "2005-01-30T18:44:36Z")
What is the difference. Why do Americans need two branches of foot soldiers. Why would a young American choose one above the other. Do the Marines have status over the army? Differences in boot camp? Difference in assignments? Differences in commitment? Please help this Canadian be better informed. Thankyou. ---
**Author:** ![HPL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3da27b/32.png) [@HPL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HPL)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2005, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-marines-vs-us-army/287457/2 "2005-01-30T18:57:03Z")
From what I understand: 1.) The Marines are techinically part of the US Navy and used to perform the fighting on ships, as well as conduct boardings. 2.) The Marines are now more concentrated on land warfare, but they also do amphious landings when appropriate. 3.) The Marines are better trained then the Army, but the Army tends to be much bigger and have access to more heavy equipment. ---
**Author:** ![Lee\_from\_Texas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Lee\_from\_Texas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lee_from_Texas)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2005, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-marines-vs-us-army/287457/3 "2005-01-30T18:57:37Z")
> [@grienspace](#): > > What is the difference. Marines are transported by the Navy and specialize in amphibious landings. > [@grienspace](#): > > Why do Americans need two branches of foot soldiers? > [@grienspace](#): > > Why would a young American choose one above the other.? The Marines motto is “The Few, The Proud, The Marines” They see themselves as more disciplined, more elite, etc. > [@grienspace](#): > > Do Marines have status over the army? They think they do 😉 > [@grienspace](#): > > Differences in boot camp? Difference in assignments? Differences in commitment? Theeeeey think they do. 😃 > [@grienspace](#): > > Please help this Canadian be better informed. Thankyou. But seriously, their mission requirements are a bit different than the Army’s. Their job is to go in first and kick some ass, then the Army goes is and kicks a little more ass and mops up…well, that’s the theory anyway. These days, there are LOTS of deployments in which soldiers do different jobs than the one they were specially trained for. I’m a tank crewman. I’ve been on a peacekeeping mission in Macedonia, a Homeland Security mission in the US, and I’m about to go to Afghanistan without a tank. FWIW, I don’t really get into the inter-service rivalry bit. Everyone has a job to do and all jobs help accomplish the mission. ---
**Author:** ![Lee\_from\_Texas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Lee\_from\_Texas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lee_from_Texas)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2005, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-marines-vs-us-army/287457/4 "2005-01-30T19:11:42Z")
> [@HPL](#): > > From what I understand: > > 3.) The Marines are better trained then the Army, but… oh no. he went there. ---
**Author:** ![Scruloose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e68b1a/32.png) [@Scruloose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scruloose)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2005, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-marines-vs-us-army/287457/5 "2005-01-30T19:14:27Z")
> [@grienspace](#): > > What is the difference. > > Why do Americans need two branches of foot soldiers. The history of these two branches will explain a lot. Back in the day, the Continental Navy had aboard their ships “Continental Marines”. These were the men who did the fighting via ship boardings or landing parties. Henced the term “Marine”. The Army was what you probably suspect - the land guys. Over the years, the missions and capabilities have evolved, but that’s the basic history of why we have the two. > [@](#): > > Why would a young American choose one above the other. Do the Marines have status over the army? The reasons are many, and varied. It just may come down to who had the better recruiting ad. You’d need to ask the members themselves that question. Other than protocol in a parade, I’m not aware of any “status” placing one above the other. > [@HPL](#): > > The Marines are techinically part of the US Navy The Marines work for the **Department** of the Navy, not the US Navy itself. IOW, they are a seperate branch, not under, the branch of service known as the Navy. ---
**Author:** ![Scruloose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e68b1a/32.png) [@Scruloose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scruloose)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2005, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-marines-vs-us-army/287457/6 "2005-01-30T19:19:45Z")
BTW, while were on it - don’t the British have pretty much the same arrangement? A regular standing army and a marine force? ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2005, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-marines-vs-us-army/287457/7 "2005-01-30T19:30:07Z")
> [@Scruloose](#): > > The Marines work for the **Department** of the Navy, not the US Navy itself. IOW, they are a seperate branch, not under, the branch of service known as the Navy. That’s really a semantic distinction. The highest ranking Marine can never become the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and for ranking purposes the Commandant of the Marine Corps does not outrank the Chief of Naval Operations (or the Chief of Staff of the Air Force/Army). The Marines are therefore under all other branches (except the Coast Guard, but they’re governed in peacetime by the Department of Transportation). ---
**Author:** ![Scruloose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e68b1a/32.png) [@Scruloose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scruloose)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2005, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-marines-vs-us-army/287457/8 "2005-01-30T19:45:56Z")
> [@Airman Doors](#): > > That’s really a semantic distinction. It’s a semantic distinction when a zoomie is talking to puddle pirate, but there seems to be a huge notion out there that the the USMC is a branch of the US Navy - and that’s the point I was clarifying. The USMC Commandant reports to the Secretary of the Navy, not the USN CNO.\* Similarly, many, many folks believe the same thing about the Coast Guard. (We work for the Dept of Homeland Security, btw, not DOT) - DOD OrgChart. PDF! [http://www.defenselink.mil/odam/omp/pubs/GuideBook/Pdf/DoD.PDF](http://www.defenselink.mil/odam/omp/pubs/GuideBook/Pdf/DoD.PDF) ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Kobayashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4af34b/32.png) [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2005, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-marines-vs-us-army/287457/9 "2005-01-30T19:45:57Z")
> [@Scruloose](#): > > BTW, while were on it - don’t the British have pretty much the same arrangement? A regular standing army and a marine force? Yup, over here we have the [British Army](http://www.army.mod.uk/) as well as the [Royal Marines](http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/static/pages/141.html), part of the Royal Navy and specialising in amphibious operations. ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2005, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-marines-vs-us-army/287457/10 "2005-01-30T19:52:23Z")
> [@Scruloose](#): > > It’s a semantic distinction when a zoomie is talking to puddle pirate, but there seems to be a huge notion out there that the the USMC is a branch of the US Navy - and that’s the point I was clarifying. The USMC Commandant reports to the Secretary of the Navy, not the USN CNO.\* Similarly, many, many folks believe the same thing about the Coast Guard. (We work for the Dept of Homeland Security, btw, not DOT) Ah, OK. Gotcha. And sorry about the DOT thing, I’m still getting a grip on this whole Homeland Security stuff. Next you’ll be telling me that Postmaster General isn’t a Cabinet position anymore, I suppose. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2005, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-marines-vs-us-army/287457/11 "2005-01-30T20:01:03Z")
“Every man thinks meanly of himself for not having been a soldier” said Samuel Johnson, to which I would add “and every man thnks a little too highly of himself for having been a Marine.” Having sailed in the amphibious navy, I admit my predjudice. One big message that we were given regarding the inter-service rivalries was that every Marine is a rifleman, even if his specialty occupation is to fix aircraft or bake brownies. Although the army also drills “you’re a soldier first, a (MOS xyz-charley) second” into its members, the fact is that the average Marine is more highly trained for combat than your average soldier, because the Marines have the navy to perform its more extended supply and logistics functions and can concentrate on combat itself. Fresh out of bootcamp, the young Marine is also more highly motivated, given that branch’s emphasis on indoctrination as opposed to training (but so what? - we all know how long either of those last. 😉 ) However, what the Marines and Marine-worshipers (gay and straight) fail to admit is that the soldiers trained specifically for combat arms as opposed to air-conditioning repair, etc., are every bit as highly trained and motivated as their counterparts in the USMC. Perhaps even more, since the army has a lot more money at its disposal than the Marines. ---
**Author:** ![Scruloose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e68b1a/32.png) [@Scruloose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scruloose)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2005, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-marines-vs-us-army/287457/12 "2005-01-30T20:06:41Z")
> [@Airman Doors](#): > > And sorry about the DOT thing, I’m still getting a grip on this whole Homeland Security stuff. No problem - if you’re having trouble remembering who works where, [just get the T-shirt!](http://www.cafepress.com/subintsoc.2118670?zoom=yes#zoom) [sub]Maybe ask for one since it’s your birthday![/sub] ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2005, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-marines-vs-us-army/287457/13 "2005-01-30T20:35:29Z")
> [@Airman Doors](#): > > That’s really a semantic distinction. The highest ranking Marine can never become the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and for ranking purposes the Commandant of the Marine Corps does not outrank the Chief of Naval Operations (or the Chief of Staff of the Air Force/Army). That was true before 1947 when the Marines were indeed part of the Navy and commanded by the CNO. But since then then they have been a separate branch, and the Commandant of the Marine Corps reports directly to the the SecNav and has equal ranks with the other service chiefs. (The Vice Chairman and the Chairman are higher.) > [@](#): > > (b) Requirement for Appointment. > > ``` > (1) The President may appoint an officer as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff only if the officer has served as > > (A) the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; > > ``` > > \*\* (B) the Chief of Staff of the Army, the Chief of Naval Operations, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, or the Commandant of the Marine Corps; or > \*\* > © the commander of a unified or specified combatant command. > > ``` > (2) The President may waive paragraph (1) in the case of an officer if the President determines such action is necessary in the national interest. > > ``` – Goldwater-Nichols Act Sec. 152(b). While there has never been a USMC Chairman of the JCS, nothing prevents it. There have been a few USMC Vice Chairmen. The current one, Gen. Peter Pace, is a Marine. > [@](#): > > The Marines are therefore under all other branches (except the Coast Guard, but they’re governed in peacetime by the Department of Transportation). Department of Homeland Security, these days. The Commandant of the Coast Guard also sits on the JCS and has equal rank with the other service chiefs, but _cannot_ be appointed Chairman or Vice Chairman as far as I know. During a declared war the CG is transfered to the Dept of the Navy and under direct authority of the SecNav, same as the Marines. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d26b3c/32.png) [@UncleBill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBill)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2005, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-marines-vs-us-army/287457/14 "2005-01-30T21:11:31Z")
Thank you for correcting that erroneous information, **friedo**. From my experience, the Marine Corps does a MUCH better job brainwashing it’s members. Call it instilling esprit de corps, motivation, or discipline, but it takes individuals and makes them Marines better than the Army does (again, I will repeat the words at the start of this paragraph “from my experience”). I would take 20 randomly selected Marines with under two years service before 20 randomly selected Soldiers with the same service any day of the week. I am biased, being a Marine, but I have spent some time with the Army during my days, as well, so I am not ignorant. ---
**Author:** ![threemae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5f9b8f/32.png) [@threemae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/threemae)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2005, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-marines-vs-us-army/287457/15 "2005-01-30T21:24:44Z")
> [@UncleBill](#): > > I am biased, being a Marine, but I have spent some time with the Army during my days, as well, so I am not ignorant. Yes, but you are a Marine. 🙂 At any rate, most Army guys will tell you that the branches are equal while the Marines will tell you that they are far superior. The truth probably lies somewhere in the middle with a moderate advantage to the marines. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2005, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-marines-vs-us-army/287457/16 "2005-01-30T22:21:43Z")
Another ex-amphibious sailor checking in. Three years of 900 Marines vs 300 Sailors aboard my ship. My experience is Vietnam era, so may be out of date (though I doubt it). I too would prefer to be accompanied by Marines if I had to go into a combat situation with enlisted and especially with officers. USMC officers are Marines in a much different way than Army officers are soldiers. All the way to the top, AFAIK. There’s a bond there that just doesn’t exist in the Army. All Marines are more intensively trained in combat than most soldiers. They have to be, they have a different job. Peace, mangeorge ---
**Author:** ![Scruloose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e68b1a/32.png) [@Scruloose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scruloose)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2005, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-marines-vs-us-army/287457/17 "2005-01-30T22:22:33Z")
> [@friedo](#): > > The Commandant of the Coast Guard also sits on the JCS and has equal rank with the other service chiefs… A small correction to your excellent post - the CG Commandant does not sit on the JCS. [10 USC §151](http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode10/usc_sec_10_00000151----000-.html) ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2005, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-marines-vs-us-army/287457/18 "2005-01-30T23:13:27Z")
> [@Scruloose](#): > > A small correction to your excellent post - the CG Commandant does not sit on the JCS. > > [10 USC §151](http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode10/usc_sec_10_00000151----000-.html) You are right; the CCG only sits on the JCS during a time of war. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2005, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-marines-vs-us-army/287457/19 "2005-01-31T00:05:15Z")
> [@UncleBill](#): > > I would take 20 randomly selected Marines with under two years service before 20 randomly selected Soldiers with the same service any day of the week. That’s really not a true comparison, though. The Marines don’t have the same logistical burden that the Army does, thus the Marines have a smaller percentage of “clerks, jerks, and bottlewashers” as the saying goes. If you subtract the logistics and administrative elements from the Army, then you can compare the organization to the Marines. If you add the entire Navy to the Marines, then you could compare the resulting organization to the Army. If you put Army infantry against Marine infantry, it would be an interesting pairing. But I concide that a squad of Marine supply clerks would probably kick the shit out of a squad of Army supply clerks. ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2005, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-marines-vs-us-army/287457/20 "2005-01-31T01:02:56Z")
> [@Scruloose](#): > > No problem - if you’re having trouble remembering who works where, [just get the T-shirt!](http://www.cafepress.com/subintsoc.2118670?zoom=yes#zoom) Too bad the T-shirt is outdated. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-marines-vs-us-army/287457.md?page=2)