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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.
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.
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Edited 11 y ago
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 72
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I have gotten to work with all of the other services, and I can say all of them have their pro's and con's. Having learned the Army way I often scratch my head when I see the way some of the other services do things, but I suspect they look at us in a similar way. I also know push come to shove we have each others back.
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Veteran. At the end of the day, we all are or will become a Veteran. I agree Richard, we all have our challenges, our duty assignments, our leaders, and our fun....ultimately our memories. At my age, 62, a Vet is a Vet & I don't care what Branch he/she served in. To me, they're my brother/sister.
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While I agree that there are differences amongst the branches, the fact of the matter is that relatively few Americans in total serve in any branch, which puts anyone who has served (no matter which branch) in a category of people that are distinctive from the rest of America.
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Only on Army Navy Football day does it matter. Beyond that everyone who has enlisted is serving to defend The United States. One of my colleagues is a former Marine. When I deal with him, we are constantly joking about the inferiority of the other's branch. Yet each year I send him a note on the Marine Corps' birthday. The inter service rivalry is part of the traditions. When the chips are down, it doesn't matter all that matters is that your fellow service members are there to support each other on and off the field of battle.
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I have family in multiple branches, past, present and future. One of my cousins did a 4 year contract with the Army, another 20+ in the Army, grandfather was a Coastie, great-uncle who was a Marine, and a cousin who has been accepted to West Point. If I can have family serve in any branch, then I can say that any branch is family. Whatever we do, we do it for those we love and the freedoms we wish to protect. That's good enough for me!
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One team - one fight! The inter service rivalry and good natured jabs are good and healthy. I fully respect what everyone wearing one of our uniforms bring to the table and the service and sacrifices they make.
You cannot deny the logistical; strategic; and tactical capabilities the Air Force brings to the table. Likewise you cannot argue the capabilities of positioning a couple of carriers off the coast of some third world crackpot nation to project our force capabilities. For the long haul and boots on the ground the Army is the answer and to deny the special and unique role the Marines play would be downplaying their abilities. We must also not forget our other brothers and sisters in service under our flag; the Coast Guard, NOAA, and the US Public Health Service.
You cannot deny the logistical; strategic; and tactical capabilities the Air Force brings to the table. Likewise you cannot argue the capabilities of positioning a couple of carriers off the coast of some third world crackpot nation to project our force capabilities. For the long haul and boots on the ground the Army is the answer and to deny the special and unique role the Marines play would be downplaying their abilities. We must also not forget our other brothers and sisters in service under our flag; the Coast Guard, NOAA, and the US Public Health Service.
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You should be proud of the branch in which you served. However all branches bring something to the table and should not be disparaged due to stereotypes or incorrect perceptions. The smartest man I have ever known happens to be like a living map and he is also my Father. Not only was he a Marine (many people think of marines as being less intelligent) but he was also a Lieutenant (who are known for being green and getting lost) My Father shatters these stereotypes yet I still poke fun when I can. As a former Army soldier I have so much to learn still from this former Marine officer who I am blessed to know.
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CPT Richard Riley
Blessed indeed. I learned many things from my father-in-law's Navy history & am proud to help him represent that branch when I can.
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You haven't lived until you've deployed to a JTF! Man what an experience - 5 ways to do the same things and every branch has a different form to fill out, SOP to follow, and decision making process. If you deploy to a JTF pack two things, aspirin and valium as your head will be spinning more than Linda Blair's in "The Exorcist".
Laughs aside its the best place to learn about and work with your branch counterparts. In Somalia I had a Marine Communications platoon to work wth ant that was a great experience. GTMO was my first JTF. Our S-6 section had slots from all 5 branches and it was a really great experience learning about all branches in a close knit environment.
A definite must on your military career bucket list!!
Laughs aside its the best place to learn about and work with your branch counterparts. In Somalia I had a Marine Communications platoon to work wth ant that was a great experience. GTMO was my first JTF. Our S-6 section had slots from all 5 branches and it was a really great experience learning about all branches in a close knit environment.
A definite must on your military career bucket list!!
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CPT Richard Riley
I can't say GITMO would be on my list, but I can certainly see the value, experience, and knowledge gained from such a deployment in a JTF environment.
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MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca
Trust me CPT Richard Riley, it wasn't on mine either but it was quite a little gem of a deployment. I'm sure a lot has changed since but when I was there we lived in base housing, were allowed to drink in moderation, had a BX with $5.00 bottles of Captain Morgan, actual days off, a club, open air movie theater. It really was not a bad time, other than being away from home and family.
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CPT Richard Riley
Well, the being away from family and home is a high price. We've all paid that tab at one time or another. It is an onerous way to learn and gain knowledge but it sticks with you long after the duty fades.
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Here's a question I'd like to pose.... Could we disband or consolidate any branches? For example, marines and army? Navy and air force?
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SFC Richard M.
I don't see the savings. It's the same people, same equipment, same mission sets. Sure you wouldn't have different uniforms, but you'd have to buy more of one type. The vehicles and equipment would be used until they're obsolete and then we'd have to worry about new contracts for a greater number of vehicles and equipment, etc. In the long run, I think it would cost more rather than less to make the switch, worry about transition, consolidate contractors, etc. and then upgrade so that we're all on an equal playing field.
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SSG (Join to see)
I think the Canadians attempted something along this consolidation line a couple of decades ago. I don't think it was too successful.
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SPC (Join to see)
I think trying to consolidate after two hundred years would be too rough.
But if I had to do it, split the air force, give all the strategic stuff to the navy, heavy bombers, nukes, etc give the army everything else, anything starting with the letters C, A, F. Absorb the marine corps into the army. Still call them Marines. Keep them on the ships. Give them OSUT like we do our combat arms. Let them keep that dress uniform, it's to awesome to retire.
That's the best I can think of at 2300 hours.
It wouldn't really work. Without the air force representing a voice for air superiority, I don't see the army and the navy doing much in its stead. The navy would rather have more carriers and subs instead of bombers and the army would keep the a10 until metal fatigue finally causes them to disintegrate.
And the marine corps, finally not having to fight the navy for its share would lose something of its character.
But if I had to do it, split the air force, give all the strategic stuff to the navy, heavy bombers, nukes, etc give the army everything else, anything starting with the letters C, A, F. Absorb the marine corps into the army. Still call them Marines. Keep them on the ships. Give them OSUT like we do our combat arms. Let them keep that dress uniform, it's to awesome to retire.
That's the best I can think of at 2300 hours.
It wouldn't really work. Without the air force representing a voice for air superiority, I don't see the army and the navy doing much in its stead. The navy would rather have more carriers and subs instead of bombers and the army would keep the a10 until metal fatigue finally causes them to disintegrate.
And the marine corps, finally not having to fight the navy for its share would lose something of its character.
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