Why does the U.S. Categorize Soldiers and Marines differently?

Question

When the U.S. reports the unfortunate deaths of U.S. Troops, they ALWAYS say "(##) soldiers and marines were killed". Aren't Marines considered soldiers?

I notice that if they are Army, Navy or Airforce - they are considered soldiers; however, marines are NOT considered soldiers, but marines. WHY?

Answer 1

A typical news report might say:

"Today in Anbar province, two U.S. Soldiers were killed along with three Marines. Yesterday, two sailors were wounded in the same area"

In a sense they are all soldiers, but the military still uses the different designations in the press releases. The reporters could call them all soldiers and be technically correct. In a very broad definition the differences are:

Soldier = fights land battles
Sailor = fights sea battles
Marine = fights assault battles (seaborne invasion, etc.)

The Iraq war doesn't allow many opportunities for the Marines and Sailors to fill their traditional roles, therefore they are mixing it up on land with the army.

Yes, these are broad generalizations, but hope it helps somewhat.

Answer 2

Well yes, Marines are still technically soldiers. I'm married to a former Marine and now he's army. Trust me, he prefers to be called a former Marine rather than a soldier. And its also like this, marines are "controlled" by the President directly. He can send them in to any country at any time for up to 90 days i believe. For soldiers to go anywhere, the congress has to agree on it. So thats another difference. And trust me, I've talked to guys in both services, and there is a huge difference in how training is done. Marines are considered by many to be the cream of the crop. And I say to each their own.

Answer 3

The marines are part of the navy. and as such are not your average soldier as these guys specialize in amphibious warfare and are more trained than a soldier. The army has soldiers who specialize in conventional land warfare. The marines are a much smaller branch than the army because they are an Elite.

Answer 4

Marines are a special kind or warrior that has earned the distinction bestowed upon them. They are more than a simple soldiar. Generically, according to Websters, they do fit into the category of "soldiar, like men in the army, but they are actually more closely affiliated with the NAVY part of the military and deserve to be differentiated in statistics from men and women in the Army. ( I do not know if there are any Marine women)

Army personnel are usually called soldiers and Air Force are called airmen, even tho many never fly ( I was one) Navy men (and women) are called sailors, even tho some never sail.
there is more than just definition of word involved. it is tradition.

Like coca-cola and pepsi. both are sodas but each claims a distinction they insist be recognized.

Answer 5

Marines are better than dogfaces and always have been. Reporting Marines and others casualties in the same combined numbers does not properly reflect the diminishment of military capability in an area as one marine is usually worth three of any other branch, good people that they are and try as they might.Therefore to get a true assessment of the miltary situation Marine casualty figures must be considered seperately

Answer 6

Meaningless question and and not using a distinct time body for the Marine or different floor regulations, no longer conceivable to respond to besides. besides, the Waffen-SS wasn't some great-elite rigidity besides - it replaced into truly in basic terms the military arm of the Nazi social gathering, and at the same time as particular formations were given priority in new equipment and manpower, the overall bulk of the Waffen-SS replaced into somewhat a lot less experienced and extra poorly led than the Heer, frequently a lot less caused, and the manpower priority mattered a lot less and a lot less over the technique the conflict.

Answer 7

They are different. Marines come in on Navy vessels and invade from the water- they hit the beaches (and I believe they are technically still a branch of the Navy). Army tends to come in mechanized vehicles or airlifts, and is its own branch.

Answer 8

Army personnel are soldiers, Navy are sailors and Marines are Marines. They are all military personnel.

Answer 9

Because Marines are Marines and really don't take kindly to being called soldiers. They are ultimate fighting machines and prefer to be known as such.

Answer 10

no dude marines have a LOT more hit points than soldiers. they usually take like 2 shots from a shotgun double barrelled!