Posted on Jan 25, 2015
CPT Richard Riley
121K
502
145
68
68
0
Branch of service
In the grand scheme of things, does your branch of service really matter all that much? We can all agree that one’s branch of service holds some importance, gives specific identity and shapes how you may look at things –BUT – in front of every branch name is the designation “United States”. We are brothers and sisters from the same family. Yes, there are stepbrothers, sibling rivalry, and constant inter-branch squabbling. The bottom line is we all wear or have worn the uniform, we have all sworn an oath, and we all belong to the dysfunctional, dis-jointed family we fondly call the military.

We can freely admit there are rivalries … Army versus Navy, Marines versus anybody, Air Force versus everybody, and the Coast Guard versus – well, it is just the coast guard so, um, anyway. The point is, branch gives you some identity but family gives you vision, family gives you strength, and if we have to admit it this family is at its best when every member works together to complete a mission. If you remove one branch from the circle things begin to get complicated. It may be hard to admit that we need each other sometimes, but we know, deep down, we have each other’s back all the time. Take one look at your contacts list … most of you have a mixture of people from every branch, rank, and specialty on the map.

I guess I’m saying that while I’m proud of my Army history and heritage, I am also very proud to have some really weird, goofy brothers and sisters from those “other” branches that make my FAMILY so unique. Thank you for your service – whatever branch that may come from.
Posted in these groups: 3916126932 armedforces xlarge Branch
Edited >1 y ago
Avatar feed
Responses: 72
Votes
  • Newest
  • Oldest
  • Votes
PO1 Tom Follis
2
2
0
I don't think we can argue anymore as to who's the first to hit the beach but, the Marines get to the beach thanks to the Navy and, only after a bit of shore bombardment.
(2)
Comment
(0)
Cpl Bill Johnson
Cpl Bill Johnson
>1 y
And when was the last time there was a contested over-the-beach landing with naval gunfire prep?
(1)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
SPC Christopher McMahon
2
2
0
I support any man or woman, who served this great country, irregardless of branch. That being said, Army is number one!
(2)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
LCpl Todd Houston
2
2
0
As a family? No. Dysfunctional as it may be, you are right. It is the UNITED STATES military. Marines can do some awesome things, but not without our devil docs. When that soldier has been hit, he is damn glad to see an Air Force medic helicopter show up in short order. When we are all together having a drunken party and the yacht starts to sink, we have no issues with the Coast Gaurd showing up to get our ass out of the drink. But we do have our friendly rivalries. My cousin asked me one time what we called our trainers in boot camp. I said, well the Marines call them drill instructors, Army calls them drill sgts., the Navy has petty officers. Then he asked about the Air Force. I was a little stumped, but I had been told they were den mothers. Pop smoke. Semper Fi
(2)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
Capt Dwayne Conyers
2
2
0
Great post. The same could be said for political party. American first. Race, Creed, religion, etc, after.

At most of my duty stations, there were members of other branches. During one deployment to an island in the Mediterranean, there was a USAF base and a USN base. The occasional drunken fights notwithstanding, it was fun to serve alongside other branches.

As the only single 2LT, the lovely ensigns brightened my days.
(2)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
CPO Ronnie Townes
2
2
0
Honor, Respect, and Devotion to Duty across all services.
(2)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
MSgt Security Business Analyst
2
2
0
Years ago, I was in an in depth conversation with a USMC Gunnery Sgt. He believed the DoD would become more Encompassing and less Exclusive when it came to branches. He said that within the next 20 years we will see the Individual Service Branches disappear (by name) and start being a functional component of the DoD. Uniforms would go back to the WWII style of having one style with different component caps.

I thought he was crazy, but after a while, I can see this happening too.
(2)
Comment
(0)
CPT Richard Riley
CPT Richard Riley
>1 y
Interesting historical thought
(1)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
SGT Mark Sullivan
2
2
0
I don't think branch really makes a difference over-all. Deep down we are all brothers and sisters.
(2)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
Capt Retired
2
2
0
I served in both the Air Force and Army. Also have a little experience with joint support.

Differences? Yes. But, mostly just a great bunch of people intent on doing their jobs well.
(2)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
LTC Mark Maitag
2
2
0
I was at an AMEDD symposium 8 years ago where the discussion of a Joint MEDCOM came up...the idea being that Army, Navy, and Air Force Medical Centers would fall under a Joint MEDCOM HQ, and these hospitals could be led and staffed by any service branch, as you'd expect in any joint location.

One of the generals stated that "The Cult of Culture" prevents this from occurring - the way each service is different and reluctant to change or give up control. Today, haven't seen too much movement towards a Joint MEDCOM. JTF CAPMED was a start, but not much closer to any 4-star MEDCOM billet. I'm sure it is way more complex then I'm describing.

So, I guess branch of service still matters, and probably because of culture, funding, and control issues when it comes to those non-service specific missions, such as medical.
(2)
Comment
(0)
CPT Richard Riley
CPT Richard Riley
>1 y
LTC Mark Maitag You've brought up an interesting parallel thought - culture, funding, and control play a significant role in how ANY joint venture would be perceived. I recall a similar comment situation regarding AMEDD back in the mid to late 80's ... different individuals but close to same frame of comment. If there is to be any progress in this direction it is going to take strong leadership and guidance to get the job done.
(1)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
MCPO Command Master Chief
2
2
0
A little
More jointness could not hurt!
(2)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small

Join nearly 2 million former and current members of the US military, just like you.