marines over-hiped?

Question

Does anyone else think the marines get too much credit for everything?? I know they are supposed to be the "elite" but you almost never hear someone mention the Army. It's always "marines did this", "marines did that", blah blah blah.

Well what about the grunts in the Army?? Why don't they get the credit they deserve? It seems like everyone idolizes the Marines but forgets about the Army.

Answer 1

Just because I am Army and my little brother is Marine;

Marine corp is so poor they can't even afford to be their own branch. They are just glorified seamen on steroids!

That being said. We got each others back in battle. The glory means nothing compared to getting the job before us done.
We are working together in almost all areas of combat. We have a job to do, and both branches do it with pride and professionalism.

Answer 2

The Marines get a lot of admiration from the other branches which helps.
>Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem.
Ronald Reagan, President of the United States; 1985
>There are only two kinds of people that understand Marines: Marines and the enemy. Everyone else has a second-hand opinion.
Gen. William Thornson, U.S. Army
>Why in hell can't the Army do it if the Marines can. They are the same kind of men; why can't they be like Marines.
Gen. John J. "Black Jack" Pershing, USA; 12 February 1918
>I have just returned from visiting the Marines at the front, and there is not a finer fighting organization in the world!
General of the Armies Douglas MacArthur; Korea, 21 September 1950

Answer 3

The army has a serious identity crises:
It has more aircraft than the airforce
It has more boats than the navy
It has no hyme, slogan or defining markers such as battles
The Special Forces are army only, yet people confuse Special Forces with specially trained or elite units from otehr branches and even other nations.
People call marines soldiers, but never call soldiers marines.
The army changes their recruitment slogan once a year, but the other branches haven't really changed their slogan in decades.
The army wanted to so desperately wanted to look elite with those stupid black berets, but it ended up looking like the British, Italians or the French forces. The fatigue caps looked better and the boonie/jungle hat was more functional.
The army tried to be Top Gun by participating in Firebirds and if you never heard of that movie, then that's why I pointed it out.
The army gets a lot of weapon systems though and this is where the army makes the mistake (for instance with Firebirds). Instead of showing off the men, it shows off its weapon systems and the men are there to use those systems rather than those weapon systems helping out the men . For instance the stryker has a crew called a stryker team (the team is named after the vehical, you don't see a "landing craft team" in the marines) which acts like a mini SWAT team. It required a vehical to develope that tactic for the army.

Answer 4

The Marines get their share of ribbing etc.

The origin of the Marines was soldiers assigned to sailing ships to protect the officers from the crew, many of whom had been kidnapped.


In more modern times they have been subject to comments like "The Marines only go where the Navy takes them".


There is a famous story about a Soldier and a Marine in a men's room that that ends with the words "...in the Army they teach us not to whiz on our fingers."

Regardless of kidding, all branches of the service are worthy of our support and affections. If the Marines tend to brag louder than the other branches, so what?

A lot of the boosting for the Marines came from John Wayne movies. Kind of strange since Wayne refused to enlist during World War II even though other married men his age, including actors, did.

Answer 5

Every Marine is trained in infantry first. Everything else is secondary to that. No other branch can say that 100% of their force can pick up weapons and head confidently into combat. My career in the USMC was in disbursing (handling the payroll for all of the other Marines), but I could hit the bullseye from 500 yards every time with my M-16A2 rifle. With the pistol, it could take out any target under 25 yards within seconds.

I met many sailors, fly-boys, and soldiers while I was active duty (and since) that were given a few rounds to shoot once during their basic training. Most would be lucky to be able to shoot in the correct direction if they needed to.

That being said, there are very good divisions of fighting forces in the other branches. The Navy Seals and Army Rangers have very good training (and the budget to go on with it). I could go on, but the others have already done if for me.

One last comment. In my neighborhood there are 5 USMC flags flying high along with their US flags. There is not one other branch flag flying anywhere. On bumpers and on rear windows I constantly see USMC decals and stickers, but rarely see other branches represented. If the other branches think they are better, they certainly do not broadcast it.

Answer 6

The Marine Corps definitely has a mystique. They push that image of being extra-special to help reinforce their image and attract those people who want to fit into a tightly-knit, blood-and-guts type organization.

Of course, each branch of the service has their own traditions, and the elite corps within the Army, Navy and Air Force are just a tough as the Marines.

The Marines are also very active in advertising themselves, while the other branches have had a harder time coming up with a compelling advertising message. I mean, come on, how lame is: "Army-Strong"?

Answer 7

I am a Marine and I can honestly say that the Marine Corps has the best public relations and sales people in the military. The Battle of Belleau Wood during WWI has become synonymous with the Marines, but did you know that battle was fought by a majority of soldiers? The combat corresponants were with the two battalions of Marines and they got all of the press.
During the Chosin Resevior battle of Korea, there were Army units there but they are never mentioned, the 1st Marine Division took all of the glory.
Marines sell themselves well, it helps with recruiting. We tend to live up to our reputation as well, so bragging isn't bad.

Answer 8

Want some cheese with that whine?

Yes, the USMC is hyped. We've got awesome public relations and we do it well. We also back it up with actions. We do more with less resources. I couldn't believe how long it took the 101st Airborne Division to get ready to relieve us in Mosul back in 2003. The same exact thing happened on the previous deployment to Afghanistan with a different Army unit.

It's nothing against the soldiers themselves. The organization is just too bulky to be able to shift and redeploy and improvise as needed. The Army is actually realizing this. If you read their updated doctrine it reads a lot like the MAGTF doctrine that the Marines developed 10 years ago.

Answer 9

Ya know what, you have a very good point. In fact the Marines do get to muchcredit for everything. Alot of people think that they're the top military dogs. Well, I've go news for you people! The Marines aint as good as you think. The Army is being trained better than the Marine Corps in some senarios. Such as taking over territory. The Army is trained more in that than the MC. In fact, if you read the airforcetimes like me (I'm an Air Force fan) I have read that AIR FORCE Security Forces are TRAINING the ARMY for combat overseas. Now what does that tell you??? Quite shocking isn't it?? If you don't believe me, try looking up the article at the following web site: www.militarytimes.com

Answer 10

It is very hard to be humble...when you are the BEST !!!!!
"I can never again see a UNITED STATES MARINE without experiencing a feeling of reverence." GEN. JOHNSON, U.S. ARMY
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"There are only two kinds of people that understand Marines: Marines and those who have met them in battle. Everyone else has a second-hand opinion." Unknown
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"Uncommon valor was a common virtue."
Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz
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"Panic sweeps my men when they are facing the AMERICAN MARINES."
CAPTURED NORTH KOREAN MAJOR
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"The MARINES have landed and have the situation well in hand!"
RICHARD HARDING DAVIS
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If I had one more division like this First Marine Division I could win this war.
General of the Armies Douglas McArthur in Korea,
overheard and reported by Marine Staff Sergeant Bill Houghton, Weapons/2/5
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Do not attack the First Marine Division. Leave the yellowlegs alone. Strike the American Army. Orders given to Communist troops in the Korean War;
shortly afterward, the Marines were ordered to not wear their khaki leggings.
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The Marine Corps is the Navy's police force and as long as I am President that is what it will remain. They have a propaganda machine that is almost equal to Stalin's.
Harry S. Truman
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"The deadliest weapon in the world is a MARINE and his rifle!"
GEN. PERSHING, US.ARMY
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"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." GEORGE ORWELL
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"A ship without MARINES is like a garment without buttons." ADM. DAVID PORTER, USN
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"The more Marines I have around, the better I like it."
General Clark, U.S. Army
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"No one can say that the Marines have failed to do their work in handsome fashion."
Major General Hagood, U.S. Army
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"There is no military body in our country of higher efficiency than the Marine Corps.
They take great pride in their profession. They never let things slack a bit."
Rear Admiral C.M. Wilslow, U.S. Navy
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"They're on our right, they're on our left, they're in front of us, they're behind us;
they can't get away from us this time."
Chesty Puller, USMC, Chosin Reservoir, Korean War
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Old breed? New breed? There's not a damn bit of difference so long as it's the Marine breed. Chesty Puller, USMC
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"Marine Corps integrity is doing that thing which is right, when no one is looking"
Col. Colin Lampard, USMC
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Every Marine is, first and foremost, a rifleman. All other conditions are secondary
General A. M. Gray, USMC
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Ensure that no Marine who honorably wore the eagle, globe and anchor is lost to the Marine Corps family. General James L. Jones Jr., Commandant of the Marine Corps
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"They (Marines) have given us our only real fight." Commanding Officer of the British, War 0f 1812
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"The American Marines are terribly reckless fellows... they would make very good storm troopers." Unidentified German officer at Belleau Wood
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The US Air Force Chief-of-Staff would never be called -- Airman
The Chief-of-Naval Operations would never be called -- Sailor
The Commanding General of The US Army would never be called -- Soldier
BUT the Commandant of the Marine Corps would be proud to be called a --
United States Marine
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"Marines know how to use their bayonets. Army bayonets may as well be paper-weights." Navy Times; November 1994
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"The Marines I have seen around the world have the cleanest bodies, the filthiest minds, the highest morale, and the lowest morals of any group of animals I have ever seen. Thank God for the United States Marine Corps!" Eleanor Roosevelt
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"We are United States Marines, and for two and a quarter centuries we have defined the standards of courage, esprit, and military prowess." Gen. James L. Jones, USMC
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"My only answer as to why the Marines get the toughest jobs is because the average Leatherneck is a much better fighter. He has far more guts, courage, and better officers... These boys out here have a pride in the Marine Corps and will fight to the end no matter what the cost." 2nd Lt. Richard C. Kennard, Peleliu, World War II
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"It's a funny thing, but, as years go by, I think you appreciate more and more what a great thing it was to be a United States Marine... People will tell me what a shame it was I had to go back into the service a second time, but I'm kinda glad I did.. Besides, I am a U.S. Marine and I'll be one till I die." Ted Williams

Notice a lot of Army Guys think Marines are the BEST.