During Iraq/Afghan war did the Marines distinguish themselves as better infantry than the Army? Can you really tell the difference?

2016-03-23T00:50:53-04:00

On these forums the Marines (myself included) and members of other branches talk about the ethos of the USMC. I want to know is all talk.

Response by Cpl D L Parker made Mar 23 at 2016 12:58 AM

2016-03-23T00:58:55-04:00

Yes I noticed my mistake. its because the "N" is next to the "Q". Made you look :-)

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2016 1:42 AM

2016-03-23T01:42:27-04:00

The biggest difference is in the ability to conduct night operations, which the Army has the clear lead on. As far as tactics are concerned, with 4 deployments to Helmand at Camp Leatherneck, I've learned that the Marines solution is to just throw more Marines at a problem. My vote is clearly Army.

Response by Capt Walter Miller made Mar 23 at 2016 3:12 AM

2016-03-23T03:12:00-04:00

The Marines will locate, close with and destroy the enemy. The Army will locate and then call for supporting arms.

Walt

Response by Capt Walter Miller made Mar 23 at 2016 3:31 AM

2016-03-23T03:31:17-04:00

Army:

"The operation ran into problems from the outset. American Forces mistakenly landed in the middle of the valley, instead of the outside and were immediately caught in the Taliban's kill zone. In the heavy fire fight that followed two Chinooks were shot down and a number of others were severely damaged. American forces eventually gained the upper hand, inflicting heavy casualties on the Taliban forces and pushing them out of the valley.

At the end of Operation Anaconda, the US and Afghan forces had succeeded at removing the majority of the Al-Qaeda and Taliban presence from the Shahi-Kot Valley. The US forces suffered 80 casualties in the operation, with 8 killed and 72 wounded. Estimates of Al-Qaeda and Taliban casualties range from 100 to 1,000, with U.S. commanders favoring the higher estimates and Afghan commanders favoring the lower estimates. An unknown number of fighters were able to escape the Shahi-Kot Valley into Pakistan.[citation needed]

In the wake of Operation Anaconda, relations between US and the and UK forces on the ground soured when Stars and Stripes, the magazine for American forces and their families, openly criticized the Royal Marines for returning "empty-handed" from their search for al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters claiming that Britain's contribution to the campaign was "disappointing."[citation needed] Relations were further soured with reports from a number of publications that Osama bin Laden might have escaped due to a substantial delay from the original H-hour of the deployment of American Forces...

"General Tommy Franks declares Operation Anaconda over, terming it "an unqualified and complete success."[citation needed] Seymour Hersh goes on to refute the official account, describing it as "in fact a debacle, plagued by squabbling between the services, bad military planning and avoidable deaths of American soldiers, as well as the escape of key al-Qaeda leaders, likely including Osama bin Laden." -- wiki

Any Marine ops like that?

Walt

Response by Cpl Jon Westbrook made Mar 23 at 2016 8:01 AM

2016-03-23T08:01:33-04:00

Okay, here's the deal. No matter who you ask, theyre going to respond with whatever their branch of service was unless they have some experience that sticks out in their mind as to why the other service ran things better. But the truth is it depends.

I've never personally operated with Army Infantry units, but I've met a lot of guys who have and they all say the same thing. You have certain units that are very good, and you have certain units that are horrible. Whereas the general consensus about the Marine Corps is that Marines in general are consistently good. And as far as this stereotype about Marines not getting good equipment so they cant do their job? That's BS. We get the same crap everyone else does. This isn't 1957, and the Marine corps as a whole is just as well equipped as the Army. Id even say better in some areas when you get into specific weapon to weapon comparisons.

Yes we have our own CAS. No the Apache is no the only capable air platform for close air support. We have our own Arty and Mortars and everything else under the sun, not that it matters anyway because in theater everyone is supposed to work together anyway.

The other thing you have to take into account is the leadership. You can have the best guys in the world and put them under bad leadership and the whole machine grinds to a halt.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2016 9:12 AM

2016-03-23T09:12:37-04:00

Just about every post on this is going to be bias. Unless you have worked closely with a large sample of both you really have no way of knowing and are mostly going blind. I worked with great Marines and I worked with terrible Marines. I've worked with great Soldiers and with terrible Soldiers. Most of the time it came down to their unit leadership and morale. I really wish we could leave this topic alone as it doesn't even matter. All that matters is that missions were successfully completed and people came home safe.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2016 9:17 AM

2016-03-23T09:17:32-04:00

Not a fan of this type of question, both have pro's and con's and most do an outstanding job under very difficult situations.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2016 9:46 AM

2016-03-23T09:46:33-04:00

While I am clearly not Infantry, my feeling is that these boys....regardless of branch.....run towards the shooting to put lead in the enemy. More bad guys dead than good guys dead? Mission objective(s) met? Area secured? If YES is the answer to these, then to me it doesn't matter who distinguished themselves more. Fighting is fighting and winning is winning.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Mar 23 at 2016 10:06 AM

2016-03-23T10:06:45-04:00

Being in theater during this little fray, If I remember right, every branch of service successfully completed their missions. When the chips are down it doesn't matter, what matters is each will always support the other.

Response by SPC David S. made Mar 23 at 2016 11:02 AM

2016-03-23T11:02:39-04:00

Can't compare apples to oranges - OIF and OEF are two different beasts. As well troop numbers, area of deployment and support affect a units capabilities. I think any answer to this question is subject to bias or situation. However I say Army due to the use of SF and capabilities in 0'dark ugly ops. Not to mention CST's and FET's - intell kills as well.

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2016 11:20 AM

2016-03-23T11:20:52-04:00

Hahahaha. Good luck getting an unbiased and objective opinion on this forum.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2016 11:57 AM

2016-03-23T11:57:25-04:00

i have been in the army for 34 years. I have 4 sons in the military, army, navy, air force and marines. obviously I love my army. But no one will ever tell me, one branch is better than the other. I support them all.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Mar 23 at 2016 12:13 PM

2016-03-23T12:13:09-04:00

Some of the views here are myopic.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2016 2:25 PM

2016-03-23T14:25:25-04:00

They both served Honorably. Let's not descend into a useless dog fight off who is the better warrior. The enemy was never the same and the no two battles were ever alike. If you want to feel special or if you are looking for approval you are coming to the wrong place.

Response by Capt Walter Miller made Mar 23 at 2016 4:27 PM

2016-03-23T16:27:37-04:00

"Importance does not necessarily equal prestige, however. While the Army has held a thin lead in perceived importance to the United States' national defense over the last decade, the Marine Corps has consistently been considered the nation's most prestigious military branch, widening its lead over the Air Force and Army during the same period. Currently, nearly half of Americans (47%) say the Marines are the most prestigious, with the Air Force a distant second, at 17%."

http://www.gallup.com/poll/170657/americans-say-army-important-branch-defense.aspx

Americans Say Army Most Important Branch to U.S. Defense

Americans consider the Army the most important branch to national defense in the U.S. military, followed by the Air Force. The Marines are seen as the most prestigious branch, with the fewest saying this about the Coast Guard.

Response by SFC Everett Oliver made Mar 23 at 2016 6:20 PM

2016-03-23T18:20:46-04:00

The age old question.

I have one answer. (Of course when ribbing the Army is the best at everything.)

But the only serious answer?

Different Uniforms;
Different Missions;
Same Flag.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2016 6:59 PM

2016-03-23T18:59:37-04:00

CPL Parker; as a former 0311 Sergeant, who is now an Army Officer, I think this question will devolve quickly into war-stories where one person thinks their experience answers the question (and is barely above arguing about whose Dad will win in a fight). THE ARMY perspective (quoting the CSA who spoke to us yesterday) is that ANY fight we (US) enters now will be a joint fight, and if any branch think they can go it alone (especially in our austere times) they are nuts.

When I was an 0311 (1st FAST and 3/2), I was sure we would beat anyone at anything; now I am 42 and a Major, and I've seen enough to know that other than niche capabilities, we are all working at a very similar level of training, equipping and tactics.

Response by MSgt John Carroll made Mar 23 at 2016 7:01 PM

2016-03-23T19:01:43-04:00

Am I the only person that noticed the op asked about Iran?

Response by SGT Robert Riley made Mar 23 at 2016 7:11 PM

2016-03-23T19:11:55-04:00

Having been deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan, I have had the privilege of working with Marines and was very much impressed by how they operated out on missions as compared to some Army units that should have never been allowed to deploy (My first deployment in Iraq is an example).

Response by SGT Robert Riley made Mar 23 at 2016 7:14 PM

2016-03-23T19:14:29-04:00

Having been deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan, I would have to say, that I was impressed by the Marines that we worked with when out on operations. We all have our own way of doing business but the end result is the same.some units are good and some units suck.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2016 7:41 PM

2016-03-23T19:41:25-04:00

Does it really matter, considering we're all with the same Armed Force?

Response by SFC Reymundo Novelo made Mar 23 at 2016 8:29 PM

2016-03-23T20:29:23-04:00

This is a loaded question. I remember on one of my deployments to Iraq where Soldiers and Marines were queuing up to get into the chow hall, several fist fights occurred between the two sides. Soldiers and Marines have always had a little rivalry against each other but when the mission have to be accomplished, all is forgotten and everyone is on the same side.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 24 at 2016 6:40 AM

2016-03-24T06:40:17-04:00

I think my point would be, who cares? It's not really relevant for us to endlessly discuss who's better. We wont be changing anything at the top, just pissing the working members of our sister services off.

Its like saying "Who is better, the Coast Guard or the Navy?" First, who cares. Second, the Coast Guard is the Coast Guard....and the Navy is the Navy. Hopefully you're tracking on that and by that I mean the US Coast Guard has an entirely different mission than the US Navy, so why compare them? They both have boats. The end. All five services have planes, so lets compare that then? Its the same deal with the Marines and the Army. While similar in some missions (pssst like the Coast Guard and Navy), they have different missions, some that the other doesn't have.

I'm over this who is better crap. It keeps popping up. If you need to prop yourself and your branch of service up, then it's not a sense of pride you have. You clearly exhibit a sense of insecurity. It's not good ribbing and good fun, you just feel insecure. I'm proud of our Navy and I think they best Navy in the world. Yet, I'm not in the Navy. And that's the key difference between those who are offended by what I say. I can take a joke when there is one (I really don't take myself seriously nearly ever) and two, I take pride in America and her military services. All of them. I don't enjoy making fun or slight of the uniform that so many have worn and died wearing. Maybe you do, maybe you disguise your insecurities and call it camaraderie, I call it what it is; disrespectful.

Response by Cpl Christofer Baines made Mar 24 at 2016 3:13 PM

2016-03-24T15:13:49-04:00

All I know is I have Marine Combat Training, and popped my cherry with a Cav squadron. Good troops are good troops, operations are what they are. At the end of the day we all make bad-guys bleed, we just have certain niches we do better in on the macro level. The only real difference I'd say is the level of aggression encouraged among troops as a whole. Then again, Marines are a bit bloodthirsty... *turns into green amphibious monster and dives into the surf*

Response by COL Charles Williams made Mar 25 at 2016 12:27 AM

2016-03-25T00:27:25-04:00

Good question, but Seriously Cpl D L Parker? Why do you care? Why does it matter?

This is an age old question, that everyone will always have an opinion to based on their service branch, perspective and experiences.

The Army thinks it is them, and the Marines think it is them...

All branches of the Armed Forces have a role, and clearly the Army is (and always is) the largest and hence carries the most load... The roles of the Army and Marines are not the same. The Army is the only branch designed to seize and "hold" terrain. Our Marines as SGM Private RallyPoint Member stated, are too quick to go balls deep before they know what they are up against... The Army is more methodical, which some may like and some may not. Having awarded too many Purple Hearts, I would prefer the more methodical approach.

Who is better? Who cares? We fight as a joint team, and will, and we are all on the same team. My last stint in Iraq my JTF had had Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines under an Army Commander, and everyone pulled their weight.

Here is one for you... During OIF 06-08, we had a Marine Battalion under our Brigade, and their stated USMC TTP for an IED (so they said, after several Marines walked to kick a suspected IED in the road - and it detonated) was to walk up and check it out, before they called for assistance. The MNFI and MNCI rule by then was establish 360 degree security to prevent counter attacks, and wait for EOD if the mission allowed. Luckily, those Marines escaped without extensive or catastrophic injuries. But, it did not need to happen... What is Necessary Risk and Unnecessary Risk...

When I hear questions like this, I think of my personal experiences with the Marines... over 33 years, which were many. Essentially my perspective (Army) and opinion (Army).

The question of who is better serves what purpose? You became a Marine because you wanted to be the best, and no matter what anyone says, you will believe you are the best and no one else matters. And, that is OK.

We need the Marines, the Air Force, the Navy, and even the lowly Army.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Mar 25 at 2016 6:10 PM

2016-03-25T18:10:26-04:00

How the fuck do you measure this? Why do you folks keeping asking questions like this. What are the metrics and how do you get it? What are the objectives? Which Infantry was better, Marines or Army in WWII? Then you will start to realize that there are many variables seen and unseen involved with actions taken by both branches. Now lets compare a MEU with an Army Corps.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Mar 25 at 2016 7:53 PM

2016-03-25T19:53:59-04:00

Which Infantry was better, Marines or Army in WWII. Then you will start to realize that there are many variables seen and unseen involved with actions taken by both branches.

Just for illustration in WWII the Marines and Soldiers conducted amphibious landings. The Marines faced some of the toughest battles as they island hopped.

The Army lost 19,000 soldiers and 23,000 went missing at the Battle of the Bulge.

It is like comparing apples with oranges.

Response by Sgt Frank Rinchich made Mar 29 at 2016 10:25 AM

2016-03-29T10:25:34-04:00

That probably is one of the most unfair question asked. I was a Marine from long ago. but I am still a Marine today. I listen , read and watch all there is about our military. My respect for a man or woman that wears our county's uniform, I would never say one is better then the other, The coast guard puts his life on the line everyday. the marine and solider do the same, how can you pick one against the other. the Army and Marines each had their duties in Bothe country's and they did it well. If I was an enemy I wouldn't want to face either one.
But being I am a Marine now for 61 years I would have to pick the Marines.

Response by LCpl David Haskett II made Mar 29 at 2016 11:33 AM

2016-03-29T11:33:44-04:00

Nobody did. Why ? Rules of retarded Engagement. It's why USA don't win wars anymore. Politics can't be in battle.

Response by SSgt Joseph Thayer made Mar 29 at 2016 1:11 PM

2016-03-29T13:11:53-04:00

Yes...period

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 29 at 2016 1:17 PM

2016-03-29T13:17:03-04:00

Obviously I'm biased (USMC Infantry) but three facts the Marines will hold over the heads of the Army after those two wars: (1) The Marines had be redeployed into Iraq after the Army became overwhelmed (2004), (2) The Marines were assigned the province with heaviest fighting in Iraq (al Anbar), and (3) The Marines were assigned the province with heaviest fighting in Afghanistan (Helmand).

Plus I spent 3 months in Irwin training Regular Army Infantry before they deployed. Not that we are perfect, but there is a huge difference between regular army and rangers.

Response by Capt Walter Miller made Mar 29 at 2016 3:23 PM

2016-03-29T15:23:53-04:00

Marine infantry battalions in WWII had 4 X infantry companies. Army battalions had 3.

Even when I was in 1/8 in 1976 we had a Delta company.

Further, the Marine rifle squads adopted a 3 X fire team organization, each built around a BAR.

Army squads had 1 BAR per squad.

I hate math but I am making that 108 BARs per battalion for the Marines and 27 for the Army.

I believe the Marine infantry squads have 3 X SAW now. With 3 rifle companies per battalion. that is 81 SAWs. And I think the Army still has 1 SAW per squad, making still 27 for the battalion.

In other words -- no real comparison.
Walt

Response by Maj Chris Clark made Mar 29 at 2016 9:24 PM

2016-03-29T21:24:35-04:00

Not sure why we want to open this can of worms yet again. I do know this, every combat Marine or soldier I ever talked to would follow Gen Mattis what ever the uniform he wore was.

Response by Cpl Kent Mitchell made Mar 30 at 2016 8:01 AM

2016-03-30T08:01:53-04:00

“When you’re working with Army and Marine Corps units, you immediately notice a difference. The Army is pretty tough, but their performance can depend on the individual unit. Some are excellent, filled with hoorah and first-class warriors. A few are absolutely horrible; most are somewhere in between. In my experience, Marines are gung ho no matter what. They will all fight to the death. Every one of them just wants to get out there and kill. They are bad-ass, hard-charging mothers.”
― Chris Kyle, American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History

Response by Sgt Able Snider made Mar 30 at 2016 8:47 AM

2016-03-30T08:47:37-04:00

My two cents. Since I was both Army infantry and Marine infantry. The training in the Marine Corp is far better than the training in the Army. The Army though, has far better equipment to utilize than the Marine Corp does. As far as Iraq, the tempo of the war and what not, no real difference..

Response by Cpl Corey Kaplan made Mar 30 at 2016 9:52 AM

2016-03-30T09:52:08-04:00

Ask the enemy, it will be clear. USMC

Response by Cpl Caleb Johnson made Mar 30 at 2016 12:45 PM

2016-03-30T12:45:12-04:00

I don't know what service is better or more effective, or even how such a thing would be measured and, I don't care because I'm a civilian. I am however, a contractor and have worked closely with both Marine and Army infantry and other MOSs in Helmand. I know I'd rather work with Marines.

Response by Sgt Joe LaBranche made Mar 30 at 2016 1:34 PM

2016-03-30T13:34:39-04:00

All branches of service have the objective of being at their best in combat. While in Vietnam I never compared Marines against Army or any other branch. As long as soldiers had my back and the Marines fought to protect those who were supporting us that is all that mattered. I thought the goal was to defeat the enemy, not evaluate each others performance. What happen to all for one and one for all. If you are in combat and you are doing what is required to the best of your ability and you perform with valor, that is all you can ask for. This isn't a competition between branches! Each battle is different, so I do criticize what the Army did or does in battle. I just thank God we are all on the same side! Semper Fi!
I will have to say, Marines are better looking!

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 30 at 2016 1:47 PM

2016-03-30T13:47:20-04:00

When bullets are flying by you, it does not matter your rank or branch of service. We all support each other as brothers.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 30 at 2016 5:48 PM

2016-03-30T17:48:12-04:00

I'm going to bet that depends entirely on who you ask. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to watch the fun.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2016 10:22 PM

2016-03-31T22:22:07-04:00

yes

Response by CW4 Brian Haas made Apr 4 at 2016 12:01 AM

2016-04-04T00:01:31-04:00

I can give an unbiased answer, too easy. Through four trips to Iraq and one to Afghanistan, they're all fighters...period. Some units seemed better than others, but it didn't correlate with which service they were in. They all fought their asses off and did everything for those on the left and right.

Response by SSG Jeremy Kohlwes made Apr 14 at 2016 10:43 AM

2016-04-14T10:43:08-04:00

I really hate these types of "who is better" questions. Being Army Infantry muself, I am obviously a little more inclined to say us. However, the truth is that Army and Marine Infantry are designed towards different goals. Army Infantry is designed for longer sustained operations. Marine Infantry is designed more to hit hard and fast, plus a lot more amphibious capability. In the end we both do our job well and there are very few other Infantry forces in the world that can match either of us.

Response by LCpl Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2016 1:32 PM

2016-04-21T13:32:07-04:00

Never been in combat and I was on an E3 but I've been a Project Manager for 20 years. . The purpose in joint operations is teamwork and almost impossible to separate one branch or the other. Even in a Fireteam how do you separate one member from the other. Is a Rifleman better because he shot straighter? Did he shoot straighter because the AR man kept the pressure on so he COULD shoot straighter? See what I mean? As a CO I would use my people based on their strengths. If you had an OP would it really wouldn't matter what branch they were in? I think by and large, a CO only sees assets and resources, expertise and skills. Naturally if there are tasks that require a large force If I didn't already form specialized units, I would look for an existing one that functioned as a team.

Response by SPC Michael Mullins made Apr 22 at 2016 11:04 PM

2016-04-22T23:04:14-04:00

From My experience the marines were a bit more reckless, or maybe just a little bit more free with fire. but both services performed above expectations.

Response by Cpl Zach Wellborn made Aug 14 at 2016 12:48 AM

2016-08-14T00:48:58-04:00

You can look at Marines with their rifles. Muzzle awareness at all times.

Look at the army.

Response by Cpl Mark Gray made Apr 22 at 2018 4:01 PM

2018-04-22T16:01:07-04:00

I don't know about ethos, As far as I'm concerned Marines are the best. And Chris Kyle thought so too. No it is not all talk. For Example, As the 1st Marine Division was coming out of the Chosin Reservoir almost every man had frost bite, the Temperatures at night were anywhere form -20 to -50 below zero so as the walked out or Limped out they were a sorry sight. then someon in the ranks Yelled, Count cadence, count and almost instantaneously they all started getting in step and were Marching out of the chosin and to Hagaru ri. about a mile from Haga ru ri, somebody starting singing the Marines Hymn. they could be heard by Army Units in Haga ru, and someone in the Army said, "Those Bastards, those magnificient Bastards. True Story, No body in the world has the Espirit de Corps , like Marines

Response by SPC Gary Mckeown made Mar 15 at 2019 7:33 AM

2019-03-15T07:33:09-04:00

Don’t leave out the Airborne Infantry as well as Rangers, what was the in that Crats ? Oh a big ass can of worms. AATW

Response by LCpl Joe Mikecin made Mar 15 at 2019 9:55 AM

2019-03-15T09:55:49-04:00

I have been in both branches. Served with some of the greatest. Yes, no doubt the Army is more equipped. Culturally, the Marines are more formidable. I’m an old guy and in the Marines they preached resist by all means. You will NEVER accomplish ANYTHING being captured. Take 10 of them with you.”
You train a young hard charging teen that he will be one scary mother. This is basic training only. The Marines segregate boot camps.
That’s the only Army’s shortcomings.

Response by PFC Charles Sanders made Mar 15 at 2019 2:13 PM

2019-03-15T14:13:57-04:00

I wasn’t infantry, so take this for what it’s worth. My dad was Army intelligence during Vietnam, served one tour in country. During his AIT their class had members of every service. At one point they learned how to plan missions, partly to teach them what to look for in intelligence work. They were given maps of islands from WWII that the instructor knew every possible detail about (number of troops, where the bunkers were, hidden bunkers, etc...). They had to plan the assault (# of troops, equipment, where to hit, etc...). He discovered that there were 2 basic trains of thought. Army and Marines. The army would attack the edges, close in, and hit the most heavily fortified positions last from a position of strength. The Marines would hit the most heavily fortified positions first, then mop up everything else. Both strategies worked. The biggest difference was casualties. The Marines took heavier casualties every time. Every. Single. Time. I believe there’s a place for both (look at Normandy). The marine strategy is probably more effective in amphibious assaults. I’m not gonna argue that. But the Army’s philosophy tends to lead to less casualties. I don’t know if this has changed since the 1960’s (my assumption would be no), but that’s how it was then. No, I wasn’t intelligence (I was signal), but I could tell you most of Dad’s stories from memory in my sleep. Take that for what it’s worth.

Response by LT Don Mead made Mar 16 at 2019 9:24 AM

2019-03-16T09:24:58-04:00

Of course, I am here for the dog fight.

Response by COL Rich McKinney made Mar 16 at 2019 5:12 PM

2019-03-16T17:12:13-04:00

As a young Army LT I too held that "US vs them" mentality. Then I heard the Commandant of the Marine Corps testifying before Congress. He was asked "General, isn't there some Mission overlap between the Army and the Marines?". General Kelly responded " No Congressman, there is NO mission overlap. The Marines job is to win battles. The Army's job is to win wars".

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2019 7:41 PM

2019-03-16T19:41:06-04:00

I feel, ultimately, this falls down to a unit by unit discussion, rather than a service versud service one. In a way, this is like asking which is better: SEALs or Rangers? Bothel services have specific strengths and weaknesses compared to each other, once you move past their many and significant similarities. Marines definitely have the edge in amphibious operations, for instance, whereas the Army has a clear handle on airborne operations, for instance. There are certainly other distinct differences, but once you get down to it, a Marine with a rifle or a Soldier with a rifle will both do the same thing with enthusiasm: find, close with, and kill the everloving crap out of the enemy.

Response by SSG Jack Lewis made Mar 17 at 2019 12:50 AM

2019-03-17T00:50:55-04:00

Whichever branch you're operating with, infantry are the fun bunch: smart, tough, and driven. Unlike most other CMFs, they always know what they came for.

Response by Cpl Eric Young made Mar 17 at 2019 2:21 AM

2019-03-17T02:21:04-04:00

Yeah...... I’m just gonna say that the entire idea of this is silly. Marines are all basically trained the same way and have extreme levels of discipline and esprit de Corps pounded into their brain housing group, from day one. It is a culture that Marines live in from day one.

Is a Marine grunt better than an Army grunt? I’d say that it depends on what unit. I’ve seen some Army units that are trash and I’ve seen some Army units that are locked on.

I’ve never seen another Marine unit, than my own, that was completely fucked up......

Here’s the big one though..... that I agree with. A toxic command and bad leadership is usually enough to make a unit in the Army or the Marines, complete trash.

That said, I’d rather go to war with Marines. I trust em more. But I know many soldiers I’d go to battle with as well.

Response by CWO4 Brook Kelsey made Mar 17 at 2019 6:13 AM

2019-03-17T06:13:53-04:00

My last mission in Iraq in 2007/2008 we were tasked to escort fuel trucks from Al Ambar through Baghdad then up to the Baji Oil refinery. As soon as we left Al Anbar we started taking small arms fire. We kept moving up though Baghdad to The Taji base (I give mad kudos to the Army for their maintainance capabilities. They stripped our vehicles down and then put everything back together overnight. Absolutely amazing)! We left out of Taji in the morning while taking fire from the gate! It took us another 14 hours to get to the refinery. After we learned 2 fuel trucks took off we stayed the night at the Baji refinery. We then got back on the road and had to stop 6 times from IEDs. We got back to Taji (funny part I got my Eyes examed and got a set of glasses! The US Army is absolutely amazing at virtually anything beyond combat!) that morning we got back on the road back to Al Anbar Province. Literally as soon as we crossed back into Al Anbar the convoy stopped and we got out of our vehicles and essentially kissed the ground. We made it back to our “home.”

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2019 11:14 AM

2019-03-17T11:14:12-04:00

Having served several deployments to Iraq I will say this... it depends on the unit. I have seen good and bad in both branches, but, one thing I remember clearly is back in 2005 the 1st Cav having to go into Fallujah and help the Marines due to them almost getting pushed out. Does that mean we are better infantry? No, in fact who the hell cares? At the end of the day we are all American fighting men and women, we all wear green, that's all that matters

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2019 3:57 PM

2019-03-17T15:57:54-04:00

In combat, they’re great. But some marines have no filter and no switch. They have the same ‘kill kill kill’ aggression in interpersonal relations whether it’s with fellow Marines, other Americans, or, worse, allies and partners.

Response by SPC Jason Hamilton made Mar 17 at 2019 10:25 PM

2019-03-17T22:25:51-04:00

I was an interservice asset, i have been out with the Corps and several Army divisions... this was my experience.
With the Marines you always knew what you were going to get. With the Army your experience varied with the unit. The 82nd and 101st were without equal, but the 10th and other infantry divisions lacked the same quality and esprit du corps.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2019 10:53 PM

2019-03-17T22:53:45-04:00

From my experience Marines are excellent at light infantry missions, I.e. defending, mountain warfare, COIN, they are horrible at mech warfare, they simply don’t have the mobility and firepower, most marine regiments are still very much light infantry.

Response by SSG Floyd Morris made Mar 19 at 2019 6:52 AM

2019-03-19T06:52:49-04:00

I got the chance to work with the Marines on, mine sweep 3 times. They took good care of me in a joint operation! It was really no different from the Army. That made no different! That was in VIETNAM.

Response by CPT Jeff Robinette made Mar 26 at 2019 8:41 PM

2019-03-26T20:41:33-04:00

If you are talking about an Active Duty Army Unit vs an Army National Guard Unit I would say that you can tell the difference between that ANG unit and a Marine unit with a similar background.
But the issue isn't where that individual. Warrior went their initial training.their Abilities and fighting ability is more of a reflection of the quality of the unit's leaders.
The best example I can think happened on Saipan during WWII. The Marine Divisions were positioned on the island while the NY National Guard Division( 27TH Division as I recall) was sandwiched in the middle. The Division Commander was a Political appointee if the Governor of NY.
T THE 2 Marine divisions moved faster and more aggressively the the NY Division. Marine LTG Holland M. Smith relieved the Division Commander following a Banzi charge in the Center Sector of Saipan.

Response by SGT Michael Smith made Mar 27 at 2019 7:48 AM

2019-03-27T07:48:48-04:00

Ive worked with MARSOC (now Raiders) and ODA/ODD; ive also worked with 1 MEU/ 82nd AB, 2/3 and 110th. They are all men (and women) who put on a uniform and do their job. I have found great Army Officers, shitty USMC NCOs and vice versa. I have dound that it nornally cones down to unit leadership. My PL at Bat was a fucking mad man and although he could kick in doors all day lobg was a terrible teacher/counselor/barracks leader. Id say (IMHO) in MY experience the USMC has better line officers and marines, the Army better SNCOs, NCOs and i think we can all agree that O-5 and up are more worried about their career than their men.

Response by SFC Mac McKinney made Mar 28 at 2019 5:56 PM

2019-03-28T17:56:48-04:00

The Marines are BASIC Infantry. No worse but ABSOLUTELY no better than Basic Army Infantry. PERIOD! They just have A more aggressive PR campaign. I prefer silent Warriors.. Just Sayin

Response by 1SG Ernest Stull made Mar 31 at 2019 10:01 AM

2019-03-31T10:01:57-04:00

Neither we all fight for the USA. As the old saying goes when its tough the tough get going.

Response by Sgt Joe Apap made Mar 31 at 2019 3:46 PM

2019-03-31T15:46:06-04:00

I'm a Marine so my opinion is biased. So to make my argument I would like to quote Marcus Lutrell, Navy SEAL of "Lone Survivor" fame and Chris Kyle, Navy SEAL of "American Sniper" fame.

Response by SSG Brian G. made Apr 1 at 2019 10:01 AM

2019-04-01T10:01:18-04:00

It's one team, one fight. This crap about who is better and why serves exactly zero good. Each serving member, each unit whether line or support had good days and bad. In the end no matter the branch, no matter the unit it requires a join effort to get the job done. The warfighter is not just the Marines or Army but the entirety of the four combat services.

One team, one fight.

Response by SPC James Jones made Apr 2 at 2019 5:21 PM

2019-04-02T17:21:43-04:00

Marines are ok for being glory hounds, they always go about blowing their own horn. They always have and always will be their own best promoter. They go about hitting the high spots and leave the Army to clean up their mess.

Response by SGT Felicia King made Apr 27 at 2019 10:33 AM

2019-04-27T10:33:17-04:00

Depends on the individual soldier or marine, and even the individual company leaders how soldiers are trained and led. USMC is known for their valor as being ‘the few, the proud, the Marines’, but even a few Marines fall from the pack. I was deployed the first time in 2004 with the military police, who were very well trained. They assisted the Marines in Fallujah in the spring of 2004. 82nd Infantry units also worked with them. But depending on their direct leadership showed which force actually fought better.

Even one of our sisters companies didn’t assist always. Supposedly one of our teams went out and needed backup but members of the 118th declined to help. All was fine but when 118th motor sergeant came to me because their fleet needed humvee tires because they were running on wires my 1sg was still pissed. One humvee, my judgement but anything extra I seek the commander’s judgement. I ran into Top, who led me to the Cdr. They ended up getting enough for a team (3 vehicles), Top still silently pissed. I guess the Cdr thought being the ‘higher’ model would teach the sister company to assist better.

Kind of long story, but basically it depends on your direct leadership in regards to who is better prepared for battle.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 27 at 2019 12:28 PM

2019-04-27T12:28:22-04:00

What metrics do you use in a counterinsurgency war?

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Apr 27 at 2019 1:03 PM

2019-04-27T13:03:01-04:00

Not really. There is completion. I was offered a job in Afghanistan as a contractor 140000 base salary. Thank god I had a problem with a molar. Came back to Thailand.

Response by Sgt Phillip Pentzer made Apr 27 at 2019 6:24 PM

2019-04-27T18:24:24-04:00

Lol ! Neither ever won anything without help ! Let us know when you come to the Air Forces rescue.

Response by SSG Joseph VanDyck made Apr 28 at 2019 6:24 AM

2019-04-28T06:24:12-04:00

Being a US Army infantryman (11B3P) and having worked with both, plus numerous foreign militaries (Canadian, British, Australian and Iraqi) I can say both have good and bad infantrymen. Yes the 0311 mos is broken down farther than 11B. Now, in my experience it all depends on how the command structure of the plt, co, bn and bde is. Same for the NCO chain. With that being said, I do have to say that 75th Ranger Regt, (I am not nor have I been a part of the regt.) they are the premier light infantry in the world. Why, because their NCO's beat it into their heads and train it everyday. Until you are tabbed, it is like red phase of basic training. Now, as for better soldiers, prior service Marines make the best in any mos. Why? It is due to the fact that usmc basic makes them that way. Just my 2 cents.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Apr 28 at 2019 8:58 AM

2019-04-28T08:58:26-04:00

Warriors are Warriors. The Marines and the Army do many things differently, however it is not procedure that distinguishes one over another, it is the conduct of the Service Member assigned to the organization. There are only so many ways to move in on and contact the enemy, there are a 100 ways (number of troops assigned) that the mission will succeed or fail. Thank you for your service.

Response by MSgt Eric Roseberry made Apr 28 at 2019 6:26 PM

2019-04-28T18:26:33-04:00

Land, Sea and Air... The Marines occupy a unique space in the transition space from sea to land. The Pacific offers vast stragic area making the Marines essential. Understand purpose before engagement in comparison.

Response by SSG Ricky Johnson made Apr 28 at 2019 6:59 PM

2019-04-28T18:59:41-04:00

I’m probably in the minority here, but I think the time for military services are over. It’s time for the purple suit military. The missions of yesteryear are over. The Air Force doesn’t stay inside the fence anymore, the Army has more aircraft airframes than the Air Force, and everyone wants to be in the fight like the Army. I’ll use EOD as an example. Air Force was responsible for any UXO inside their fence, Navy was responsible for UXO at the high tide water mark and below, Marines responded to Marine installations where diving was not required, and the Army was responsible to everything else. Since OIF OEF Syria, etc, there have been a lot of services other than Army that had died outside the wire. Air Force Security Forces Police seem to act like Infantry. We should just go to a Purple Suit ((DoD) military. They already have taken over all transportation, logistics, and unit movements. Maybe we could do with a few less generals.

Response by CPT Mike Sims made Apr 28 at 2019 9:37 PM

2019-04-28T21:37:12-04:00

It depends on the mission, the capabilities of the unit, their resources available and as always - the experience level of the leaders and their team's training / readiness level. Aside from that, it depends on the Infantry unit's Colonel and CSM... are they Warriors or are they politicians??? That will ultimately determine who is more successful on the battlefield. Our leaders must understand that the Infantry is our sword with a specific task and defined purpose - it is not designed to spend training days picking weeds, painting rocks, becoming experts at powerpoint... it is America's military SWAT unit - whether Army or Marines, they are few in numbers but mighty - and only mighty if they train for this nation's next contingencies, battles, combat missions, counterterrorism operations and wars.

Response by LCpl Nori Sakai made Apr 30 at 2019 11:02 AM

2019-04-30T11:02:58-04:00

From what I remember back in 2003 February compared to when the Army came in a few months later, we had much more amenities. Heck the Army even brought in their own chow hall with chefs. Before that we were living off MREs and local TCN food.

For me it seemed more like the Army was support for the Marines, at least in our part of the mission. For their mission our unit never really worked with their infantry as much but we worked with our own 2nd Mar Div infantry.

Response by PO2 Glenn Crawford made Apr 30 at 2019 4:41 PM

2019-04-30T16:41:55-04:00

I served in the Seabees two tours in Vietnam.....we were doing work for you Jarheads at F.L.C and MAG11 &16! A great bunch of men! I didn’t have much connection with you Army guys except my second tour down in the Delta.....we drank a lot of “33” with Seal Team 1! ....CAN DO!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2019 10:22 PM

2019-04-30T22:22:50-04:00

what kind of dipshit question is this? By what metric do you want to make an evaluation? More rounds fired? More bodies stacked? Perhaps next we should discuss if Thanos would be a good commander?
A warrior respects those who fight on his side. Carry yourself with honor and dismiss such childish concerns.

Response by SPC Trevor Benart made May 1 at 2019 10:31 AM

2019-05-01T10:31:52-04:00

We had a marine/ seal team about an hour east of us in Afghanistan. They were a small ass group and had alot of bad ass equipment. They were our closes support as we were to them. When it came to fighting the enemy they were bad ass. We held our own and did a great job aswell. So as one being better then the other hard to say. They were an elite team and had far superior training and way better equipment. More then an average unit.

Response by MSG Joe Walker made May 2 at 2019 9:11 PM

2019-05-02T21:11:10-04:00

Not a answer or a opinion, just a "no shit, there I was" story.
95 I was sent down to FT Campbell to augment the 101st' OPFOR during MegaGold FTX. I was a young E5 in charge of a small squad of Scouts. There was a platoon of Marines attached to the OPFOR as well. During a lull in training I went over to watch the Marines do some hip pocket training. Their Plt Sgt had them on their backs low crawling with their weapons on their chests. I asked why they crawled that way and was given several reasons. I thought "this is brilliant! I can't wait to show my troopers!"
When I return to my Soldiers I began to enthusiastically demonstrate what I had just seen. My Soldiers became concerned for my health and immediately called for the medic.

Response by SPC Melanie Vancegonzalez made May 4 at 2019 2:31 AM

2019-05-04T02:31:19-04:00

Well the Army did find Saddam.

Response by SPC Melanie Vancegonzalez made May 4 at 2019 2:31 AM

2019-05-04T02:31:53-04:00

Well the Army did capture Saddam.

Response by PFC Jacob VanSlambrouck made May 4 at 2019 7:11 PM

2019-05-04T19:11:59-04:00

Im bias, but of course we did, but we walked in better because we have always been better....js

Response by Sgt Dan Catlin made May 5 at 2019 11:18 AM

2019-05-05T11:18:05-04:00

I wasn't there for this one, so I can't comment specifically on your question. All I can say is in my experience we might all do things a bit differently; but when American boots hit the ground, the job gets done and business taken care of.

Response by Cpl Randal Sparks made May 5 at 2019 11:52 AM

2019-05-05T11:52:48-04:00

Ok hi I have 2 honarable discharges from the Marines it doesn't really matter we are the same team but of course I'm going to say Marines are I just got done spending the last 6 months in the Veterans hospital in CLEVELAND stuck gutty o a oxagen hoes from AUGUST 18th till Feburary 26th now here is the kicker I get back to Youngstown Ohio where I'm from and I am homeless yes homeless I couldn't stay at the rescue mission because they are not equipped to handle the oxygen so I didnt want to be out on the streets in the middle of winter so I rented a room from these people I knew and also I didnt have a job so no money and I'm still waiting on SSD now I cant work they no this so the people I was staying with got evicted so I had to find a place again 2 months have pass since I been out of the hospital so I met this girl at the bus station now I'm going to be 53 years old coming up so she said she stays with a friend and I had to go talk to her she is letting me stay but I have to pay 250 a month still no SSD AND IM STILL HOMELESS WHY AM I STILL HOMELESS!!I HOPE SOME FELLOW MARINES ARE READING THIS IN THE YOUNGSTOWN AREA I NEED HELP PLEASE MY BROTHERS SOMEBODY YOU CAN CONTACT ME AT [login to see] OR [login to see] GOD BLESS ANS SEMPER FI WHY AGAIN WHY AM I STILL HOMELESS IM LAYING ON A AIR MATRESS FROM WALMART I AM A MEDICAL MESS RITE NOW

Response by Cpl Randal Sparks made May 5 at 2019 11:54 AM

2019-05-05T11:54:07-04:00

I am stuck to a oxagen hoes I ment to say in that paragraph

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2019 4:25 PM

2019-05-05T16:25:09-04:00

I fought in Fallujah in late 2004 with the 1st MARDIV, we had Army Cav units attached. They performed just fine under fire. They had armor which we needed and they lacked infantry to protect the armor in the city which we had and supplied. It was a success story.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made May 5 at 2019 6:35 PM

2019-05-05T18:35:23-04:00

Experiences will vary for sure. It’s naive to think that every unit in a respective branch are all running at 100% all the time.

I was in Eastern Afghanistan in 04 and saw the Army make several tactical errors which would lead me to believe that the Marine units in country at that time were more proficient.

Whether it be SF troops using CLP to live a mk19 which led to it being damaged, or being relieved by a Army Guard unit who ended up getting several IEDs because they refused to maintain the op tempo we put in place in the AO, or the 82nd Airborne Bn that had soldiers bragging on how much ammo they used during earning shots.

Their ROEs and tactical decisions were much different than what we taught in the Corps and the results were a result of those choices they made.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 6 at 2019 6:02 AM

2019-05-06T06:02:57-04:00

Everyone distinguished themselves during the war in question. The USMC fields exceptional combatants as does the Army. Comparisons such as this are harmful to morale.

Response by SFC Robert Walton made May 6 at 2019 10:05 AM

2019-05-06T10:05:32-04:00

Well so who is the best, Again?
This an Opinion page so here it goes. First I think people that keep asking this have way to much time on there hands, when they could be training, maintaining, and Cleaning.

I have worked with all 5 Services Each is unique but all work together exceptionally well as long as you don't have an asshat throwing a disaster bomb in the works. Military folks are exceptional in themselves.
You want something destroyed from above, equipment moved quick over rough terrain, people shipped, people thrown out a perfectly good Airplane, some one to take care of the pesky fly over that is to high and to fast for individual bullet launchers or a grid square remove,? Call the air force.

Now if your having problems with some folks out there in the water Launching big shells, you can't reach, you need huge water shipments, shipping protected or destroyed, need some beach converted to mayhem or a grid square remove? Call the Navy.

Now if you need a ground force that will simply destroy an area overnight and have it ready for limited occupation, need a force to defend an Embassy and fight to the death doing so, need a mobile unit that can travel and fight land air or sea, or a grid square taken over quickly? You got it call the Marines.

Need a unit to move in take a large area and keep it, Need a unit to Maintain a boarder for years, Need someone to take over a beach and maintain it after Air Force and Navy Wreck havoc on it, need a grid square or larger taken over and keep it operational and work with the locals to rebuild or defend it? Call the Army.

Now if you need a national police force fighting for our nation on water maintaining national waters and coastal areas including maintaining control over Drug imports, illegal crossings from international enemies, Basically control national waters? Call the Coast Guard.

Want to maintain a world as Peacefully as possible? Call All 5.

JMT Thanks for reading.

Response by SSG Conrad Sylvestrelamb made May 8 at 2019 10:38 AM

2019-05-08T10:38:01-04:00

Grunts are grunts in both languages

Response by SPC Steven Depuy made May 14 at 2019 3:09 PM

2019-05-14T15:09:25-04:00

I felt sorry for the Marines, when we went into Iraq the 2nd time. Watching them go hundreds of miles overland, in light vehicles designed for amphibious assault. But in the end, everyone thinks they are the best. No one ever put on their uniform, looked in the mirror, and said I am so proud to be in a 3rd ranked service.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2019 12:10 PM

2019-06-01T12:10:53-04:00

Honestly, I didn't notice a difference. I worked with both Army infantry and the Marines in the Paktika Province and both kicked ass. I was part of a transition team as a medic and every TIC I encounter they all did what they were trained to do. I would be honored to serve with infantry again, regardless of the branch of service.
1SG (R) Matt
US Army

Response by CPO David Sharp made Jun 2 at 2019 6:39 PM

2019-06-02T18:39:54-04:00

I have worked and fought along side of the Army and mostly Marines in my career. They have different ways of doing the operation. I will never state one is better. Being in combat is a joint effort for mission success. Getting shot at, returning fire or the experience of artty will never leave your soul. Understand the lingo used, field Comms and respect for each other. This is how you continue to see the green and not the roots.

Response by PV2 Bob Ondown made Jun 3 at 2019 8:57 PM

2019-06-03T20:57:40-04:00

Marines have better haircuts.

Response by SGT Andrew Ornelas made Jun 5 at 2019 9:36 AM

2019-06-05T09:36:28-04:00

Infantry is Infantry, everyone fights, everyone bleeds, no one quits!

Response by PO1 Rafael Best made Jun 5 at 2019 9:40 AM

2019-06-05T09:40:43-04:00

I think the Marines are trained bester than the Army, I hate to say that but it's the truth.

Response by LCpl Stephen Arnold made Jun 5 at 2019 4:11 PM

2019-06-05T16:11:19-04:00

AMERICAN INFANTRY was and remains far superior to anything the Durka Durkas can throw at us.

Response by 1SG Ernest Stull made Jun 6 at 2019 10:47 AM

2019-06-06T10:47:38-04:00

I believe that all branches of the service have their good and bad. I have had the pleasure of observing the Marines in Somalia and the Persian Gulf war and I believe that the Infantry of both the ARMY and Marines do an outstanding job.

Response by SGT Tom Willis made Jun 6 at 2019 1:14 PM

2019-06-06T13:14:10-04:00

I’m a Vietnam Vet 69-70 Army, if you listen to The Marines they were the only ones there and they are still telling the same story !!

Response by SSG Dan Hebb made Jun 9 at 2019 5:46 PM

2019-06-09T17:46:07-04:00

SSgt Daniel Hebb U. S. Army Ret. As I see it the USMC, and the US Army are like " Apples and Oranges" each has different missions
I have served in joint service units, and I know first had that when the" S--- Hits The Fan We are" brothers and sisters and WILL ALL have each others back. "One for All and All for One." and NO ONE left behind.

Response by LtCol James L. Owens made Jun 15 at 2019 4:22 PM

2019-06-15T16:22:09-04:00

LTC, USMC Ret. 0302

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2019 5:37 PM

2019-06-15T17:37:22-04:00

Ask the enemy, those that are still alive.

Response by SGT Thomas Seward made Jun 17 at 2019 12:24 AM

2019-06-17T00:24:34-04:00

With no hesitation, yes!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 26 at 2019 1:23 PM

2019-06-26T13:23:56-04:00

What metrics will you use? KIA? WIA?

Response by SGT Mustafa Stokely made Jun 30 at 2019 10:12 PM

2019-06-30T22:12:06-04:00

In my life time, the military branches of the United States shifted from heavy divisions, naval might, and aerial superiority geared to fighting an expected massive war with the Warsaw Pact to wars geared towards much smaller adversaries, with far less capabilities across the spectrum. The latter was unfortunate. In the aftermath of Desert Storm I remember hearing from the top brass that one of the worse things to happen to US military was the ease by which we won Desert Shield/Desert Storm. With the latter approach, we take much for granted. For example, we do not have to worry about the Isis, Al Qaeda, and any other ragtag operation to meet us on equal terms. However, how would we fare against a massive Chinese attack, coordinated with another attack by North Korea into South Korea, and let's throw in Russia too, for a good measure, (perhaps engaging us somewhere in West Asia and/or anyplace Europe!)

In this way, while we are wondering who has the better infantry, the question perhaps we should be asking is whether or not we are up to the challenge of meeting China, North Korea, and Russia, simultaneously, (not an impossible scenario given our current chaotic state of foreign policy.)

Let's take things one step further! How about our current nuclear use doctrine?! In the 1960s, 70s, and the 80s, we knew where we stood on this issue, (and so did our primary adversaries.) Yet, what about today? Where do we stand on this issue, today?

I think our approach since World War II was that we should be geared to fighting two simultaneous big wars. In those days, this would have included the Warsaw Pact, (Soviet Union and her satellites,) China vs. the United States. This was a constant up to Desert Shield/Desert Storm, but in the aftermath of Desert Storm (and with the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact and the Soviet Union,) there were major changes to our military posture.

Response by CW2 Gene Crawford made Jul 9 at 2019 4:13 PM

2019-07-09T16:13:06-04:00

We would like to think our particular service is better at what we do than the other services. I believe a infantryman is a infantryman it doesn't matter the service , the tactics and the doctrines used are centralized with the joint chiefs of staff.

Response by SFC Michael Arabian made Jul 20 at 2019 12:37 PM

2019-07-20T12:37:34-04:00

I can’t believe this question is being asked. We where sent there to do a mission who care if one branch did it better than another as long as it was done

Response by SSG Bruce Booker made Jul 21 at 2019 6:26 PM

2019-07-21T18:26:13-04:00

It depends on who you ask, a Soldier or a Marine.

Response by SPC Michael Dehn made Jul 21 at 2019 8:12 PM

2019-07-21T20:12:30-04:00

I was in the army. So I'll say army. My nephew was in the Marines. So he'd say Marines.

I think the only thing we have in common is talking trash about the Navy and Air Force.

Response by SN Richard Maxwell made Jul 22 at 2019 11:48 AM

2019-07-22T11:48:01-04:00

in my thoughts, i feel that all branches of the service did an excellent job. especially when you guys who came together as one accord to take out the red guard.

Response by Sgt William Margeson made Jul 24 at 2019 5:47 AM

2019-07-24T05:47:40-04:00

11B and 0311 use the same basic tactics. In tyhe strictlly attack mode, Marines are better. When it comes to attack and hold, Army hands down. JO' and NCO' make a big difference, and the quality between services is usually good, as I could tell from my 20 years service, both as 0311 and 11V. The major differences that I could see, was in the type of individual that went into each branch. Ie; infantry, Airborne, Ranger, SF, and Marines.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 24 at 2019 8:50 AM

2019-07-24T08:50:38-04:00

I’ve seen it from both sides. I was an Army AD 11B for 4 years, then I joined the Marine Corps AD. Every Marine, regardless of MOS, is trained similarly, in duration and skills, to what I experienced as an Army 11B before they start job training. Marine Corps Infantry (SOI) train harder and for 7 more weeks.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 24 at 2019 1:42 PM

2019-07-24T13:42:37-04:00

I may have part of the answer to the ethos differences - or perceived differences.

I wasn’t in Afghanistan, just Iraq twice. I’m Army so from the outside the Marines *seem* to have consistently higher standards because of a culture of values and traditions they seem to inculcate over generations along with an emphasis on pride in service.

The Army seems to fall prey at higher levels to management mentality focusing on quantitive outputs and statistics. Sort of an MBA disease. Our good leaders fight against this and they have excellent results.
Bad leaders throw up their hands and give in, then churn the stats demanded. Despite our own proud record and traditions there is a bureaucratic undertow of the systems intended to support taking on a life of their own and dragging down good people into bureaucracy.

Shorter version; the Marines seem to have an easier time doing the right thing as their not bogged down in bureaucracy and meetings as much as the Army.

We believe in doing the right thing and usually do it in the Army but it seems to be harder.

The basic mistake was conflating tremendous success in managing materials and logistics and thinking that could transfer to managing men. Men cannot be managed in war- they must be led. Do we know that and lead?
Hell yes. But we have a harder swim upriver.

Response by TSgt Jeff Garland made Jul 24 at 2019 2:47 PM

2019-07-24T14:47:55-04:00

Loaded a fair amount of cargo on airplanes with Army and Marines. Hauled both around on the airplane. Hauled a lot back and forth to the desert. I'd work with either any day. Only differences I noticed. Army usually talks more than the Marines before we did something. By talk, I mean coordinate amongst themselves. I don't talk a lot so I like the Marines better for that reason only. It's amazing how much we got done when they understood what you wanted. The only issue I ever had was I made a statement about a deuce and a half that was coming onto the plane from the K-Loader. "We need to stop that truck and turn it down the cargo deck." A Marine jumped between it and the wall of the airplane before I could stop him. His eyes got huge but thank God he was skinny and the pallet stops caught it. My fault. I should have talked more. Either group, we got things done no problem and no one got hurt. Either, Any day.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2019 8:34 AM

2019-08-05T08:34:20-04:00

There's a thousand ways to skin a cat. The Army has her way, and the Corps has theirs. The way you measure success in theater to my lowly leg brain's understanding is accomplishment of key objectives. In a COIN fight like Iraq and afghan were (and are) those key objectives are far more obscure than the common near peer objectives like capturing and controlling key terrain to limit enemy scheme of maneuver. I don't recall hearing of any unit failing to accomplish Commanders intent during their tours, both army and marine. So ultimately, your question is about as difficult to answer as whether we (won) the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
All that being said, I do believe as both branches transition back to a near peer fight as both theaters come to a close, some inter-branch training such as force on force and CALFX's would be pretty freaking sweet and and beneficial to readiness, espire-de-corps and stoke the fire of that inter-branch rivalry just a little bit more.

Response by PO1 Donald Vinson made Aug 9 at 2019 1:57 PM

2019-08-09T13:57:41-04:00

I'm not going to agree or disagree because I have served with both branches during my 22 years in the Navy Seabees. Every branch of service has their good Commands and their bad. But who gives a shit when we are in a conflict with the enemy, I will say one thing, when the shit hits the fan we are one team. We are not Marines, we are not Army, we are not Navy, we are the U.S. ARMED FORCES, and we are bad ass.

Response by SGT James Colbert made Aug 18 at 2019 3:27 PM

2019-08-18T15:27:21-04:00

Well. I have to say , i don't think it really matters on the battlefield, we all bleed red , we all died and gave our lives for the same USA. Does matter how we fight or who is better than who?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2019 6:08 AM

2019-08-20T06:08:59-04:00

BLUF: We all work towards a common mission. I’ve worked with all branches and they all bring great qualities and capabilities to the round table.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2019 9:24 AM

2019-08-20T09:24:03-04:00

I think this is a moot point. Both services did a great job on their assigned mission, yes it can spread some Espirit de Corp by doing a comparison on the two services mission. Considering how many have died in the 13+ years in this shit hole of a country trying to fix a broken system of tribalism which the country lives by. Their is no "National" distinction. The Taliban is a repressive group of nuts that want to have ultimate control and force religious ideas as the rule of law in the country. I don't mean to knock the country I meet quiet a few Afghanistan people who wanted peace and a future for their families away from all these years of fighting and bloodshed.

Response by SSG Alvin Amezquita made Aug 20 at 2019 12:54 PM

2019-08-20T12:54:20-04:00

Regardless of what branch of service. The infantry performed exceptionally well in the field. I had the pleasure of working with other branches such as the Marine Corps and Navy. While I was deployed to Iraq from 03-05.
Everyone had their unique way to bring hell to the enemy. So we can compare and argue who did better all we want, but at the end of the day the one who should be taking this poll is the enemy. But unfortunately they’re not available says they’re 6 feet under. I hope everyone has a blessed day.

Response by PFC Billy Morgan made Aug 21 at 2019 11:58 AM

2019-08-21T11:58:36-04:00

I believe the army and the marines did their job with valor and pride!

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2019 5:54 PM

2019-08-22T17:54:38-04:00

The majority of Marine units did not operate doctrinally or the way we train. Which is somewhat to be expected because these conflicts were so inherently different from others. For example, the individual action drills upon taking contact from the enemy for the army are different from the Marines. We can do maneuver warfare even at the squad level. But during Iraq and afghan there was rarely any maneuvering. So no, I wouldn’t say even the best Marine unit was “better” than the best army unit. Give us a conflict where we can do maneuver warfare and there won’t be any question who does it better.

Response by SPC Dan Lang made Aug 23 at 2019 2:02 AM

2019-08-23T02:02:43-04:00

I was in army bands as a tuba player and volunteered to play taps on trumpet at burials for troops returning from Nam.
I often went with marine honor guards and the stories they told about the funerals would leave one laughing including the time a marine fell down into the grave while folding the flag to give to the family.
One incident I witnessed had all but one rifle firing on the first volley of the 21 gun salute, only ONE rifle firing on the second round, the one that misfired on the first round, and all seven firing sporadically on the third round.
I then followed this glorious act by starting taps on the wrong note. We all blamed the sub zero weather.

Response by SGT Tony Muro made Aug 23 at 2019 12:18 PM

2019-08-23T12:18:14-04:00

As an Army Field Artillery Surveyor in Iraq, I supported both the Marines and the Army. I gave support to the Mortars and the Guns. I don't recall my guys ever calling the Marines. Mortars are still part of the infantry last I checked.

Response by TSgt John Senior made Aug 23 at 2019 2:51 PM

2019-08-23T14:51:13-04:00

As one that worked with both, I would have to say that they are unique enough unto themselves. The Army is larger and more generalized, therefore appeals to a larger audience... whereas the USMC as I see it, projects more discipline and attracts a certain type of soldier. I have r spect for both and see each of their strengths. Saying one is more distinguished than the other is truly a difficult task as they are so different. All that to say, that individually as a an infantryman, I think the Marine is a little more trained out of basic training.

Response by Sgt Patrick Hayes made Aug 24 at 2019 1:36 PM

2019-08-24T13:36:34-04:00

One item that, as far as I have seen so far, is the training Marines go through, as compared to other services. That training, regardless of MOS (every Marine a Rifleman) is to engage the enemy and win. Period.

Response by SGT Joshua Pape made Aug 24 at 2019 8:42 PM

2019-08-24T20:42:05-04:00

In my second deployment I was attached to a an army company and a marine company at different times. I was not infantry, but these were combat arms company's. Specifically an armor company and an infantry company respectively. Though the army company was armor it also included mechanized infantry and this several 11Bs. The Marines were definitely more professional and focused. They both did there jobs but my main takeaway was that the army wanted to "get in there and fuck shit up" where the Marines were actually conducting interviews of locals to determine their needs and actually assisting the Iraqi people. It was honestly the opposite of how I thought it would be and it changed how I personally viewed marine infantrymen.

Response by SGT Michael Jackson made Aug 24 at 2019 8:53 PM

2019-08-24T20:53:48-04:00

Honestly it doesn't matter as long as the missions were properly completed. I fought with the Marines in the Battle of Marjah and the battle wouldn't have been won without everyone's participation and cooperation. We became brother just watching each other's backs out there.

Response by SPC Adam Pettigrew made Aug 25 at 2019 8:52 PM

2019-08-25T20:52:01-04:00

Infantry is infantry is infantry. If marines were distinguished as "better", it was the individual claim, not the organization. There was a comment on a difference in leadership and it seemed the biggest difference was ego. There were a fairly even distribution of dicks with rockers in each branch, but the marines tended to be louder about it. At the end of the day, both branches were aiming down range together, so...

Response by SSG Shawn Mcfadden made Aug 26 at 2019 1:00 PM

2019-08-26T13:00:48-04:00

Each side is going to say they are the better infantryman. I will say that during my time in Fort Hood, and later in Iraq, the Army infantry had Mechanized infantry units such as 1-22 Infantry available to them. These type of units probably supported the Marines also. I can't comment on Afghanistan due to the fact I was never there.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2019 9:52 PM

2019-08-26T21:52:38-04:00

As a chief warrant officer in the Army who started out as an Infantry soldier, I will repeat what Cpl Jon Westbrook said. There are definitely some great Army Infantry units that are on par and better than Marine Corps units. However, there are also units that are FAR worse. It depends on many factors. Generally speaking, it pains my heart to say this, I have found Marines to be more fit, and follow orders with a lot more complicity than Army soldiers. I do find the more elite units in the Army to be a lot more organized and prepared for battle than the average units. I don't mean special forces, I mean units like 82nd or 101st. However, I would like to point out that this question is not really an accurate question as the purpose of Marine Corps and Army infantry units is completely different. Army units are generally much bigger and are meant to occupy and hold land, where as Marine Corps units are designed to strike quickly and eliminate the enemy. Without the Army the Marine Corps would be slaughtered, due to the sheer fact that their numbers are small. The Army and the Marines work together to ensure any enemy forces are defeated and I am a big proponent of creating comradery instead of comparing the two as to which is better. Lets just say we are all good at our jobs.

Response by Cpl D L Parker made Aug 27 at 2019 11:42 AM

2019-08-27T11:42:37-04:00

A few of you have an issue with this question. The question was derived from a video I saw or a quote I read. So my curiosity made me post this question to see if the statement was fact or chest thumping.

Response by PO1 Bill Willis made Aug 28 at 2019 11:30 AM

2019-08-28T11:30:52-04:00

Every service has nothing but prove themselves to be the very best the world has ever seen. However politic4s usually involved preventing the winning of every, conflict, police action, war or whatever they may try to call it. The fact is every man or woman in the service stepped up and said if in necessary I Will do my fob to the end. ROF

Response by SPC James Seigars made Sep 6 at 2019 4:16 AM

2019-09-06T04:16:57-04:00

I deployed to Iraq in 2003 while in an Infantry unit at Fort Campbell. We worked with a group of Marines over there and NONE of my company died IN THE WAR (though we did have three injured close to the end of our rotation and the whole SGT. AKBAR incident which happened to my unit before we went into Iraq). So I would say that both Services Infantry proved themselves there.

The other thing I want to add is that I agree with CPL Jon Westbrook’s statement regarding Leadership. If you have good leaders you will be more motivated & willing to follow their orders because of higher morale than someone who has bad leaders that are trying to get themselves, you & everyone on your base killed by letting the power of their position/rank go to their head while forgetting/neglecting the Responsibility that comes with that position/rank. I personally can attest to this in two specific cases from a training exercise at Fort Polk, La. and my PLDC class (the last one before it became WLC) in Germany during field exercises. In the first case I was the highest ranking person left on the last day of the assault as a Specialist, yet still got the lower enlisted under me to follow my strategy & ultimately win the exercise (getting an award, coin & a letter from CSM Blackburn who was the Post CSM at the time), in the second case I was in charge of a group of soldiers who had to attack & secure a re-supply site belonging to the “enemy forces”. I picked one male Infantryman & one female Medic as my Squad-leaders and had each of them pick soldiers that would give them as diverse a squad as possible so as not to have all the front line fighters in one group & support troops in the other one. We had to do the scenario four times because the other team’s cadre kept getting mad at us for beating them. The only time we lost was the last one (which is also the only one I was captured in as well). Reading this you would think I was Infantry or some other Combat arms and maybe higher ranked. I was neither. I spent almost half of my career (10 or 24 years) as not only a Unit Supply Specialist (A Pogue according to Combat Arms soldiers), but also was a Corporal/Specialist for most of my career due to a combination of factors (Promotion points too high in some MOS’s (I had four), no open slots for me to fill at higher rank (also was in reserves & guard as well as active), didn’t want to go to the board since I was comfortable where I was, and of course the two bad ones: Did something stupid to lose rank after three years s NCO and then got mad at the CoC/Officers for doing their job & refused to go back to the board and get my rank back to “give them a lesson” (Ego can be a bad thing as well as a good one).

It just goes too show that anyone can be a good leader if they want to be and that just because you are smart it doesn’t mean you are wise.

Response by Cpl Bruce Stokes made Sep 13 at 2019 8:15 PM

2019-09-13T20:15:04-04:00

Marines r more aggressive , motivated, love the fight. Stokes b usmc ret

Response by SSG Tom Montgomery made Oct 13 at 2019 10:37 PM

2019-10-13T22:37:34-04:00

Why is this even a question? We all belong to the same department. The US dept. of Defense. We are all paid from the same treasury account and we are all Americans. We work together for the good of our nation. Nothing else matters.

Response by CPO Robert Turner made Oct 16 at 2019 5:06 PM

2019-10-16T17:06:51-04:00

In Iraq I was the Maintenance Supervisor for Naval Construction Battalion 28, stationed at Al Asad. As a Seabee Construction Battalion we supported the U.S. Marine 2nd MEF fighting in Al Anbar Province. Our construction Dets were constantly moving in convoy and we also had convoy security elements escorting convoys throughout the province.
One thing I would notice when U.S. army convoys would come into Al Asad is that some of their vehicles would have USMC neatly spray painted on the doors and sides of the vehicles. one day I asked a Marine Gunnery Sargent why these Army vehicles had USMC painted on them? He told me an interesting story about how the Iraqi insurgents would constantly shoot at the Army convoys. The Army soldiers within the convoys would stay with their vehicles and shoot back. When Marine Convoys came under attack, the Marines in the convoy would attack the insurgents, hunt them down and kill them. It got to the point that the Army convoys would be constantly attacked and shot at. The Marine Convoys would be left alone for fear that the insurgents would be hunted down and killed.
It didn't take the Army long to figure this out and soon started spray painting USMC on the sides and doors of their vehicles in convoy to keep from being attacked for fear that they were Marines.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Oct 20 at 2019 1:55 PM

2019-10-20T13:55:13-04:00

Having served in and deployed with both branches, I can tell you that both branches are more alike than they care to admit. The truth is, both branches have their rockstars and their shitbags, their W's and their L's. Some units are great, some units are not so great. This is true of every branch, not just these two.
Conventional wisdom is that the USMC average is a little higher than the Army average, but having seen behind the curtain, I can tell you it's about the same.

Response by SSG Leo Curtis made Nov 4 at 2019 1:05 PM

2019-11-04T13:05:26-05:00

We all have different missions and I think saying one is better than another is the wrong way to look at it. We all are trained for the best outcome and I like to leave it at that.

Response by SFC Sgt Bmac made Nov 6 at 2019 7:53 AM

2019-11-06T07:53:23-05:00

If that’s what they want to do why not?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 19 at 2019 12:35 PM

2019-11-19T12:35:46-05:00

Marine corps infantry leads the way...

Response by Sgt Jonathan J. made Nov 20 at 2019 4:23 PM

2019-11-20T16:23:49-05:00

I was not a grunt, but I did train and serve with, and continue to work with as a civilian contractor, all branches of the DoD both stateside and overseas. What I will say, with *very* broad strokes, is that Marine Corps units were often more consistently "squared away" in both appearance and demeanor, and individually conducted themselves with more pride and discipline. On the whole, broad strokes. I also served with some stellar Soldiers, Airmen, and Sailors (and even some Coast Guardsmen), and I know that there were the inevitable turds floating around in some USMC units. But if we're going with sweeping generalizations, I stand by my broad strokes.

Response by SFC Mark Klaers made Nov 21 at 2019 6:23 AM

2019-11-21T06:23:32-05:00

I come from a Navy family. Only myself and a first cousin have broken with tradition since WWII. Marines were the butt of jokes when I was growing up and I still chide those I know today. I've had this discussion often with my "Devil Dog" friends and this is where I'm at.

At the entry level, the Marines receive a higher quality of recruit. It makes their standard Infantry, in general, superior. I view them as equal to Airborne and other Army specialty units(10th Mountain, etc...).

When it comes to higher level, more advanced elements, is where the Army starts to separate itself. Though Force Recon is good, they are not at the level of Rangers. Special Forces is something the Army seems to handle better than all the other branches.

All this being said, it is after all, just my experience. Your's may be different.

Response by COL Gary Gresh made Nov 22 at 2019 8:58 PM

2019-11-22T20:58:41-05:00

This is an exercise in stupidity. Both are great. Both are on the team. Team members should never criticize other team members. It’s an oxymoron. We all need each other. And we all wear the same American flag patch. PERIOD

Response by SPC Xiao Fu made Nov 23 at 2019 7:35 AM

2019-11-23T07:35:33-05:00

That's kind of a silly question. All the services have distinguished themselves at one time or the other. Marines have a track record of success and in the worst possible circumstances. If you have time to ask this question, you have time to do the research. Just remember, before every service name, you will see the letters U.S. That means all of us.

Response by CPT Dennis Stevenson made Nov 23 at 2019 10:53 AM

2019-11-23T10:53:08-05:00

This is a great beer-drinking question. We (military) are all humans and hence pretty much the same. Different people have different ideas about how to go about the job of warfighter. I was an advisor to 3/3 1st ARVN. They were durn good fighters, too. Here's a toast to grunts all over the world.

Response by SGT Daniel Durkovich made Nov 23 at 2019 4:04 PM

2019-11-23T16:04:48-05:00

Yes there is the inter service rivalry. The end result is that no matter what service your in and what battle you went through, war is war and it sucks. Anyone who has had bullets flung at them is a hero to me

Response by Zach Wieberg made Nov 26 at 2019 11:53 PM

2019-11-26T23:53:39-05:00

Marines are the better warrior

Response by SPC Anthony Martin made Nov 27 at 2019 6:54 PM

2019-11-27T18:54:44-05:00

I served in the Army as a grunt and I see no difference between army and marine infantry. Both services are designed to seek and destroy the enemy. However the budget between the two services are a big difference. When I was deployed in Iraq I was seeing Marines still carrying muskets (M16) which I refer to as outdated equipment....

Response by SGT Reinaldo Rios made Dec 6 at 2019 7:30 AM

2019-12-06T07:30:22-05:00

As 12b and 11b I can say the army and the. Marines are exelent combat soldiers each one have the own doctrine specialties and resource ...o don’t like to say ones is better than the other both have the same goal defend and protect the USA .and acomplish the mission successfully.

Response by MSgt Allen Chandler made Dec 8 at 2019 10:40 PM

2019-12-08T22:40:57-05:00

It saddens me to see this question. Why does someone always have to be better, so that somebody else can be worse. The 101st airborne get the 81st airborne both are outstanding and of course there's a rivalry but no one's called one worse than the other. The 8th Air Force and the 7th Air Force (Europe versus Pacific) have a rivalry but no one is calling one worse than the other. The same can be said for the various fleets in the Navy. As a Master Sergeant in the Air Force I felt very safe when the base was surrounded by Marines or army units because I knew they had my back, and I would never have insulted one or the other but claiming one was better than the other.

Response by PO1 Tony Miller made Dec 12 at 2019 9:01 PM

2019-12-12T21:01:37-05:00

And then, there was Chris Kyle...

Response by SSgt Emmitt Metcalf made Dec 18 at 2019 7:38 PM

2019-12-18T19:38:10-05:00

It all comes down to training, I could tell who was better in Hue Phu Bai in 1969 tet.

Response by SFC Carlos Cruz made Dec 24 at 2019 8:26 AM

2019-12-24T08:26:25-05:00

In my opinion they both are outstanding unit regardless who have what.
I was in Afghanistan

Response by Capt Michael Wilford made Dec 26 at 2019 5:56 PM

2019-12-26T17:56:50-05:00

It is not all talk, it is exactly that, the ethos of the US Marine. It transcends an individual and a unit. It is an intangible trait that one either embraces and displays or one does not. It is not just restricted to infantry, it is in all MOS categories. It encompasses discipline, honor, and integrity. The Army also has these traits, so to say that one is better than the other would be on the level of inter service rivalry and nothin more. On the battlefield, we are brothers and sisters in arms and we have a common goal, victory for the United States. All that said, Go Navy, beat Army!!!

Response by CW2 James Pero made Dec 28 at 2019 7:21 PM

2019-12-28T19:21:54-05:00

in Viet Nam 1970 as an Army slick pilot I remember flying over parked brand new Marine Cobras in a slick so damaged it didn't have ANY doors. Asking about the parked Cobras I was told; They were too new and the Marine brass didn't want to get them damaged or shot down.

Response by SPC Chris Ison made Dec 29 at 2019 3:03 PM

2019-12-29T15:03:59-05:00

Well what they did was lose the first battle of Fallujah. So, No.

Response by MSgt Jesse Tiede made Dec 29 at 2019 5:37 PM

2019-12-29T17:37:52-05:00

Are Marines better Army than Army? Does it really matter? BOTH branches have their strong points, and BOTH branches have weaknesses. Why does it matter, I mean, really? BOTH branches are part of the GREATEST MILITARY MACHINE EVER CONCEIVED! Besides, we all KNOW the Air Force is really better, right? Otherwise, why is there always so much hate thrown our way... (LOL! JK!) EVERYBODY knows the US @#$!( is the best...

Response by SgtMaj Mark Davis made Dec 29 at 2019 7:15 PM

2019-12-29T19:15:28-05:00

This is one of those "which do you like better, Johnnie Walker or Perrier" questions. There is no answer. If I just ran 5 miles, I like Perrier better. If I am responding to a stupid question on RP, I like Johnnie Walker better. The actual, correct answer is that a blend of Johnnie Walker and Perrier provides the best result in most cases. The mixture depends on the intended result. The Marine Corps is better at high intensity, short-lived assault. We simply don't have the legs to stand alone for much more than a month. The Army is far better at sustained, large scale, slug fests. They have the logistical legs and bodies for it. At the company and possibly battalion level, one the whole the Marine Corps is going to be more capable because that's what we focus on. Above that, it's the Army all the way because that's what they focus on. I respect my Army brothers. I appreciate what they can do. I respect my fellow Marines, but caution them in believing we are the best at everything. We're not. "Semper Fidelis" & "This We'll Defend"

Response by CPT Edward Barr made Dec 29 at 2019 7:42 PM

2019-12-29T19:42:32-05:00

Now here is the REAL, and most correct, answer:
Neither, and both.
The funny thing, they are both made up of individuals. Individual Troops/Soldiers. Individual Platoon leaders/Sergeants. Individual Company/Battalion/Regiment/Etc Commanders.
The quality of each service boils down to the quality of it's leaders. Notice, I said "Leaders." I didn't say leadership, or leading Officers. You can have bad leadership, but have a junior enlisted whom is a natural leader, and that could turn a bad assignment into a good mission. You can have good leadership, and poor soldiers/troops, and they can still make a good situation out of bad.
You have poor leadership, no leaders, and poor troops/soldiers, and you have a disaster on your hands.
You have great leaders, and great leadership, and you are going to have a great unit.
So, the real answer is: Never worry about which Unit/Service/Soldier/Trooper is the best. Strive to make you, and your unit, the best it can be; whether you're the Division Commander, or the new E-2 just reporting from Basic Training.

Response by SGT Richard Gocio made Dec 31 at 2019 5:06 PM

2019-12-31T17:06:19-05:00

Here is a better question, "Why are we comparing U.S. Army "Infantry" to U.S. Marine "Infantry". And then lumping all of the operations taking place in Iraq and Afghanistan together in that comparison. First, there is no such thing as U.S. Marine "Infantry". The title "Marine" is a classification unto itself. Ask one, they will be sure to correct you when you try to tell them that they are in any way the same thing as a Solidier in the U.S. Army Infantry Corp. Second, no operation that took place in either theatre can be compared to an operation in the other. Mission criteria and environments were unique. Third, no single operation was an effort of one branch or one corp, whether "Infantry", Cav, Armor, or other; They all wre combined arms operations relying upon the efforts of other corps such as MI, Engineer, Medical, Signal, etc. and often other branches.
In all branches, all theaters, all corps, some things went right, some things went wrong, some servicemembers gave all, some became heros, some never put their feet in the sand in country, some will never come home the same way or same person as when they left. But all completed the mission that was asked of them by their country. And for that I am thankful.
Lets save comparisons and bragging rights for things like shooting competitions and Football Games.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 14 at 2020 1:15 AM

2020-01-14T01:15:57-05:00

Being active and Nat Guard I have to say there are many differences. One being how the National guard cannot get replacements ! Active losses a soldier a new one is sent. Guard loses a soldier, deal with it and pick up the slack. Also Active Duty units are not willing to help guard units. But, the Marines worked great with us Guard units. They needed added armor and we gave it to them and the next week they grilled steaks for a thanks. And later on during my tour we needed assistance and the Marines showed up fast to help out. I like to think we are one war fighting service and all work together. But, the 1st Cav was hard to get anything from. The 82nd was Great to work with my second tour.

Response by CPL David Widding made Jan 23 at 2020 4:53 AM

2020-01-23T04:53:29-05:00

I did not serve in Iraq or Afghanistan but from the people I've talked to all four branches of the service did an excellent job yes there were individuals in all four branches who failed miserably as a person but the four branches represented America outstanding and send a message to the world that despite our leaders in Washington will still do our job where do we have their support or not and yes there were individuals in all four branches who went way above and beyond what they were expected to do

Response by PVT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 25 at 2020 11:39 PM

2020-01-25T23:39:57-05:00

As long as the enemies of the United States Die, I don't care.i don't give a hoot, and most likely, depending on the day and the task at hand, don't even give a holler.

Response by SFC Rick LaFace made Jan 27 at 2020 7:32 AM

2020-01-27T07:32:46-05:00

I say no there isn't much difference. I like the Marine Corps uniforms better. The last I knew Marines deploy for 6 months and Army goes for 12-15 months but I've been retired for 8yrs now.

Response by SSG George Holtje made Jan 27 at 2020 12:02 PM

2020-01-27T12:02:03-05:00

The Marines were a great light infantry asset that showed up the Mech unit I was serving in. Working with them I saw eye to eye with a lot of them. I can’t say better worse but I was proud to fight with them

Response by SA Michael Moore made Jan 27 at 2020 3:24 PM

2020-01-27T15:24:40-05:00

I'm sorry, I just cannot get my head around why anyone would ask that.

Response by SA Michael Moore made Jan 27 at 2020 3:25 PM

2020-01-27T15:25:48-05:00

Sorry, I simply can not get my head around why anyone would ask such a question

Response by SGT Kevin Anderson made Jan 29 at 2020 9:35 PM

2020-01-29T21:35:16-05:00

Here’s what I think- it sucked.. it all sucked. We all fight, we all bleed. When it comes down to it marine, army... doesn’t matter. You fight so you and those around can go home.

The service competitiveness is just that- competition.

If a soldier and marine are arguing at a bar and stranger starts a fight you better believe the stranger is going to be the loser.

Response by SFC Karl Laeger made Jan 30 at 2020 2:16 AM

2020-01-30T02:16:13-05:00

As a former Army Infantry guy in the Iraq theater, operating under Marine command was so much better than under Army command. The Army command, at the time, was downright idiotic at times, ie pt belts on the FOB. When we first arrived, my FOB was under Marine control. They seemed to acknowledge the fact we were in a war zone, when the Army command replaced the Marines, they carried on like we were at Lewis or Benning.

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2020 1:59 PM

2020-01-30T13:59:52-05:00

Each had their own specific mission order set. Each have their own way to accomplish the mission. One no better, no worse than the other.

Response by 1LT Lawrence Lackey made Jan 31 at 2020 10:06 AM

2020-01-31T10:06:47-05:00

I really do not like questions like this. Think about Khe Sanh in 1968 and how the air force, army and marines worked together. Inter-service rivalry is healthy but there should be no pecker measurements.

Response by 1LT Lawrence Lackey made Jan 31 at 2020 10:11 AM

2020-01-31T10:11:59-05:00

I hate questions like this. All that matters is having each other's backs. Think about Khe Sanh and how the zoomies, grunts and gyrenes worked together. Inter-service rivalry is healthy but it ain't a dick measuring contest.

Response by PO2 Brian Hoadley made Jan 31 at 2020 2:01 PM

2020-01-31T14:01:11-05:00

Marines - Jarheads - unscrew their brains from their head in boot camp, that's why they all have high and tights.
Army - Ground Pounders/Grunts - spend spend more time bivouacking in a tent in the field then they do fighting.
Airforce - buy more golf courses then planes, then ask congress for more $ for planes.
Navy squids have a mattress tied to their backs because they're so lazy.
Coasties - never get out of the puddle to blue water.

Now that I've pissed off 99% of this board, you see how ridiculous that question truly is. We are all brothers in arms, current/retired/vets, it doesn't matter your service. You served, that's what sets us apart, not the who or with what team or uniform.

Response by CPL Erik Kurelko made Jan 31 at 2020 5:58 PM

2020-01-31T17:58:44-05:00

I'm US Army Infantry and I'm reading this wondering why anyone is even talking about it. Does it matter who thinks they are better? Just another fight between Brothers. SMH! On that note I'm out.

Response by CPL Matthew Cervantes made Jan 31 at 2020 9:51 PM

2020-01-31T21:51:26-05:00

Everybody is going to have their own opinion.. My opinion is this, while the Army and Marines seem similar their exact purposes are different. The Marines arw an expeditionary force designed to go in, hit the target hard, and get out. The Army has always been for longer term operations. Digging in and setting up bases and supply lines. With these objecrives the approach is naturally different. Bottom line is, were all on the same side, so who really cares? So long as both work together effectively and cohesively.

Response by Sgt Aaron Cook made Feb 1 at 2020 8:18 PM

2020-02-01T20:18:34-05:00

The Army and Marines have different jobs, and different ways of doing things (or just thought process in general) because of it. It's not a matter of "better" but the right tool for the job. Unfortunately, these "wars" turned into massive police actions which are "not right" for the Army and "absolutely wrong" for the Marines.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2020 1:56 AM

2020-02-02T01:56:44-05:00

I’ll take a well lead Army or Marine Corps Infantry unit against a poorly lead Army or Marine one for the win.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2020 12:31 PM

2020-02-02T12:31:30-05:00

The effectiveness of a unit is determined by its leadership, not the branch tape they wear on their uniform.

Response by SPC Curtis Kennedy made Feb 2 at 2020 1:39 PM

2020-02-02T13:39:09-05:00

Does it really matter? I don't really care who did what, all that matters is that the Marines and Army fought in Iraq and Afghanistan. Quit with the 'we're better than you' bullshit.

Response by COL Bruce Brant made Feb 2 at 2020 2:45 PM

2020-02-02T14:45:19-05:00

I've worked with both. The equipment is now pretty much the same. A major factor in either unit is the leadership. Both can have good leaders and both can have bad leaders. They are pretty interchangeable and far better than other nations' infantry I've observed. This does not include American National Guard infantry. Due to less training time, more politicized leaders, differences between state priorities, they can be decent but not up to regular Army and Marines. I have not observed Marine Reserve infantry. I had a tour at the Army Joint Readiness Training Center and observed all the other categories including foreign infantry.

Response by SFC Clifton Brown made Feb 2 at 2020 3:52 PM

2020-02-02T15:52:52-05:00

The enemy on the receiving end couldn't. That's more important to me.

Response by SGT Keith Smith made Feb 3 at 2020 5:22 PM

2020-02-03T17:22:41-05:00

The easiest way to come to an answer is to look at casualties. The marines suffered way more casualties than Army units doing the same missions. Why? Training and attitude. Army we value quick decisive thinking. We enjoy bringing overwhelming firepower to be with systems that are not organic to unit. Marines believe in bringing overwhelming force to bare by the unit. This has to do with lessons learned from amphibious landing as opposed to fighting a fixed enemy. Remember every amphibious landing is a frontal assault. Army units tend to avoid those at all costs.

Response by PO2 Louis Fattrusso made Feb 5 at 2020 5:21 PM

2020-02-05T17:21:29-05:00

I have to lean to the side of the Army. My son spent 3 tours there.

Response by SPC Richard Zacke made Feb 13 at 2020 2:56 PM

2020-02-13T14:56:57-05:00

This is an age old question with an age old anwser....it comes down to opinoins...and we all know opinions are like assholes, everyboby has one!!! Good luck figuring this out Cpl D L Parker .

Response by SGT Cesar Diaz made Feb 26 at 2020 7:31 AM

2020-02-26T07:31:51-05:00

I was Army Infantry and based on my experiences in Iraq with the Marines, they are hard charging and they are dedicated .
I respect all branches of service because in the end we all fight for one purpose and only for one flag...!!

Response by Cpl James Graves made Mar 16 at 2020 2:06 PM

2020-03-16T14:06:06-04:00

I can't speak to the experience in Iran or Afghanistan. But, I think I can speak with some authority on Vietnam and my experience as an 0311. I'm not going to say that one man in the Marine Corps is better than another man in the Army. That would be non-sense. But there are things that can make one man perform better than another. Training, motivation, and equipment are the things that come to mind. As a Marine, I think that our training goes above and beyond when it comes to discipline. You can't say enough about that. Discipline means responding to a command immediately without hesitation. No debate, no conversation, just do what you're told. I honestly think the Marine Corps does a better job in that respect. I know some would say that we're nothing but mindless drones. That's not the way I see it. But can't you imagine the outcome of something when a soldier is told to do something and his response is why? Let's do X instead. There is no place for that sort of response in the Corps. But now the one thing that is obvious and undebatable. The budget. That can make a world of difference. There was an old saying in the Marine Corps that went like this. "We've been doing so much for long with so little, that pretty soon we'll be doing everything with nothing." I'm fairly sure that came as a result of budget differences. What I experienced first hand was the difference in equipment. The Army was first to get outfitted with the M16. Some say the M14 was better. In some instances it was, but the point is that the M16 was an upgrade and the Marine Corps was last to get it. Boots. Early on in Vietnam, the typical Marine grunt carried an M 14, wore the full leather boots, had the old panel style of flack jacket, the small haversack pack, and lastly the solid color utilities instead of the jungle utilities. There are probably other things too, but those are the big ones. Not having the newest and best equipment can affect your performance. But in the Marine Corps, it was almost a point of pride. The bottom line is that I won't say a soldier is better than a Marine. They're both good Americans serving their country. But as a Marine, I would like to think that we were better. Is that a fact, maybe not. But that attitude doesn't hurt our motivation.

Response by SPC David Warren made Mar 19 at 2020 10:47 PM

2020-03-19T22:47:52-04:00

All I’ve had personal experience with is the last couple decades. Still, even at the start of OIF, the Corps got into the southeast sector before the Army did. Since that; they died more than the Army. So much of being better/having greater distinguishing moments might be counted by the bodies sacrificed. I don’t think combat troops tend to look at it like that. Every drop of blood is important, and every life lost- no matter what service, bore the same banner to battle. Stats are one thing; but, for the love of them all- nobody should work hard on keeping count but the historians!

Response by COL Edward Mcginley made Apr 18 at 2020 9:16 PM

2020-04-18T21:16:19-04:00

One thing I do know is that the Air Force Airman are braver than both the Army Grunt and the USMC Grunt because the AF guys are not afraid when making their gender transitions and are utterly fearless of needles (unlike many Army and USMC grunts I know).

Response by SGT Scott Carter made Apr 19 at 2020 10:52 PM

2020-04-19T22:52:00-04:00

Are you asking an active duty soldier, or an older/wiser ex-military guy? Ha! With some it wouldn't matter! Look, there are great US Army units and USMC units and there are the not-so-great. Leaders make the unit, from battalion commander down to the lowest butter bar. Most importantly, your NCOs have to do a great job training their troops at every level. Without great leadership you might have a division of studs but they'll perform like duds.

Response by SPC Brian Stephens made Apr 20 at 2020 1:45 PM

2020-04-20T13:45:19-04:00

The first part of the question is up to each battalion and unit, all of which may have different training, certainly different leaders, and different equipment and specialties at any given time. Who is to say whether the Army, which is certainly bigger and has the better facilities did better than the Marines? Did either unit face the same enemies in the provinces they servied? Afghanistan is a mess of cultures within a civil war between the tribes, Kabul, and the Taliban.

The answer to the second part is merely perspective. Can you tell the difference? Have you served in army units too? What measures do you use to separate opinion and bias from fact?

Response by CPT Ray Doeksen made Apr 23 at 2020 12:40 PM

2020-04-23T12:40:11-04:00

I'd rather talk about the next wars, than rehash the last ones, unless you want to talk about the differences that made a difference. What were the common or unique shortcomings of either or both? Were both branches used improperly? The maxim "If you've seen one, you've seen 'em all" is hilarious because you know it isn't true. Every unit is different, and broad-stroke comparisons tend to be weak and biased.

Response by CPT Ray Doeksen made Apr 23 at 2020 12:41 PM

2020-04-23T12:41:20-04:00

The next enemies: are they going to be similar to Taliban, Al Queda, Al-Shabaab or will it be a peer/near-peer superpower, or something else ... where will the next true existential threat to the US come from, and what can we do about it? Infantry will undoubtedly play a big role, but I don't think the differences between the Marines and the Army will be the game-changer.

Response by Brad Miller made Apr 25 at 2020 10:03 PM

2020-04-25T22:03:24-04:00

I was never permitted to serve, but on this I think I can actually speak. Since I'm "outside, looking in" as it were. It really comes down to the mission. Going old school, the Marines are Light Infantry, the Army is Line Infantry.

Response by 1SG James Kelly made Apr 26 at 2020 8:57 PM

2020-04-26T20:57:34-04:00

No.

Response by Cpl Gerald Hill made Apr 27 at 2020 7:46 PM

2020-04-27T19:46:33-04:00

First off let me respond by saying there are no ex or former Marines only active duty and non active duty Marines.All prior military non "USMC" are required to go thru 12 weeks Marine Corps boot camp along with additional advanced infantry training if lucky enough to be selected to serve in a ground or supporting unit while on the other hand the Army, Navy, or Air Force doesn't require me to complete their training requirements!

Response by PFC Donnie Harold Harris made May 16 at 2020 10:21 AM

2020-05-16T10:21:06-04:00

There is no comparing them to me. The differences are in the numbers only.

Response by SSG Eric Blue made May 24 at 2020 3:44 PM

2020-05-24T15:44:20-04:00

Depends on who you ask and what you or they experienced. For instance the answer might be 'no' if you go by number of Marines wounded or killed during OIF near Al-Asad, Rawah, or other spots near the Euphrates River. BUT if you were look at number of insurgents killed, number of weapons caches found, Marine orders disobeyed versus Army orders disobeyed, or any number of other quantifiable items, the answer might be 'yes.' I know the comparison of successful missions vs. dead troopers sucks. But again, it depends on who you ask and what you or they experienced. What I DO KNOW is that there would have been a lot more dead Soldiers, Marines, and Iraqi civilians without the combined efforts of all of our infantry and cavalry troops (and our FISTers, JTACs, & ANGLICO troops) during the times in which I was deployed.

Response by PO2 Rafael Zamora made May 29 at 2020 8:15 PM

2020-05-29T20:15:35-04:00

I can give my humble opinion coming from my 12 years active duty in the Navy, totally different I understand but that’s besides the point I wanted to make. I did 12 years active duty, got out and became a civilian contractor working with ALL branches. As a MRAP mechanic that has serviced all types of MRAPS from all branches I know for a fact(opinion)that the MARINES are generally different and In my humble opinion, they are far and away the best branch in General Orders, Ethics, military bearing, pride and lets be honest, the uniforms kick ass. This is through my experience over the years and As a Navajo/Mexican Proud to be American citizen. I did my time in the Navy working in the Flight Deck with fantasies of being a Marine but learned the Navy was better for me in the long run. As mechanic I did well. I will always support my Devil

Response by SFC Larry Triplett made Jun 15 at 2020 8:42 AM

2020-06-15T08:42:11-04:00

Both the Marines and the Army have a great Infantry, why must we always bring things like this up. We all are in different Branches of the Military with different jobs, we all have One Important Job Protecting This Country. I do not care if you are a Marine, Navy, Army, Air Force, Cost Guard, Army Reserves, or National Guard were Brothers and Sisters in One Great Cause.
What does it matter if the Marine Infantry are better than the Army Infantry or if the Army Infantry is better than Marine Infantry? It is that age-old problem when we were growing up Who is the Baddest Kid on the Block. I have Respect for all that Serve in our Military I don’t care what Job you do, I am Proud of all that serve and have served in our Military.

Response by SFC Larry Triplett made Jun 15 at 2020 8:42 AM

2020-06-15T08:42:29-04:00

Response by MAJ Doug Mattox made Jun 23 at 2020 8:45 PM

2020-06-23T20:45:31-04:00

In 2003 I was assigned to the Marines for OIF. I will only share this story. In April of 2003 I attended a briefing with some of the Marine Brass. One of the slides showed a picture of soldiers entering one of Saddam's Palaces. The Marine briefer was explaining how the Marines took the palace. I asked one question. "Why are the Marines wearing 3rd ID patches?" It became a running joke after that. But, in all seriousness, I felt quite at home with the Marines. I don't think the Army can ever compete with their esprit de corps.

Response by MAJ Gregory M. made Jun 24 at 2020 10:47 AM

2020-06-24T10:47:40-04:00

I served in an Army Infantry battalion attached to the Marines in the area around Fallujah, and got to work for General Mattis. The answer to your question is no.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2020 4:23 PM

2020-06-25T16:23:27-04:00

Falluja

Response by CAPT Steven Lucks made Jun 25 at 2020 6:55 PM

2020-06-25T18:55:34-04:00

I was there in Iraq from 03-05 and during the battle of Fallujah I received the Marine pin the Army did not stay around.

Response by CPT Dan Caudill made Jun 27 at 2020 1:06 PM

2020-06-27T13:06:01-04:00

I worked in a few joint commands. Ive worked with Marines, Navy, Air Force and several other countries. I will say this. Each branch has their mission. To compare them isnt realliy viable. During my first desert rotation i was with a cav unit and saw Marines and Soldiers fighting hand in hand against the enemy. Both successful. Another rotation i was with some Airmen. Although their.sleeping accomidations were by fat better, their mission was always accomplished. I will say this, the Air Force SERE folks are some of the baddest dudes on the planet.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2020 12:41 PM

2020-06-28T12:41:09-04:00

Is this what this forum has turned into? A dick measuring competition? Here's your answer: The best Infantry units are the ones that accomplished their mission and brought their guys back home.

Response by CPO Lou Oliver made Jun 29 at 2020 5:25 PM

2020-06-29T17:25:21-04:00

Let me put it this way, if your ass is in a bind only a fool would request help from one branch over another. So, to me, a grunt is a grunt, no matter if said grunt is a SEAL, Ranger, or just plain infantry. In fact, I do not think anyone would turn down the Boy Scouts if it came to it or a meat grinder. The lines may be blared, but the simple fact is that all must work as a team, or pay the price, which is steep.

Response by SGT Joseph John made Jun 29 at 2020 10:45 PM

2020-06-29T22:45:34-04:00

Did either side not kill thousands of innocent civilians?

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 1 at 2020 1:43 PM

2020-07-01T13:43:19-04:00

As a US Navy Seabee, I feel that I am fairly unbiased toward either the Marines or Army. I was never in Iraq, but more than half of our Battalion was. I was in Battalion from October 2003 - April 2009. From the stories I heard it wasn't that the forces themselves were better it was the SOP's. The Marines' SOP when they got small arms fire on convoys was to stop the convoy and take out the enemy. At the time the Army SOP when they got small arms fire on a convoy was to gas it, push through and try to make it through the small arms fire. As you can imagine, within a couple months of the Marines being there, small arms fire at convoys started to go away. As the occupation of Iraq continued the Marines started to pull out and hand over convoys to the Army, because Marines are primarily an invading force. When this happened and the local militants began to notice that the convoys no longer stopped and came after them, the small arms fire got worse. As the occupation got longer the Marines came back and the small arms fire at convoys got better again. This is all based on stories from people I knew that were there and on Seabee convoys during that time. So again, not necessarily which force is better, because like someone else said, each force has it's strengths, but for small arms fire, I guess it depends on what you're willing to risk, what equipment you have and what your SOP says. At the end of the day, I am glad that both forces are on our side!

Response by Sgt Tee Organ made Jul 10 at 2020 11:03 AM

2020-07-10T11:03:02-04:00

This question depresses me. Look the Army has what they do and we have what we do. For the Army they for the most part do their jobs well and with great distinction as we should all expect. For me the Marines tie their boots and brush their teeth with distinction so it should go without saying they will perform in combat the same way. Look the bottom line and this has always been the case: No one likes being shot at, no one likes seeing their friends get blown to bits, you see enough of it no matter what uniform you wear you're eventually going to bust out and try to stop it. If that's distinction to some people then so be it. For me it would be fear then anger then the relief of having stopped all of that from happening when it's over. I think the average person has similar limits and Army, Marines, Navy, even the Airforce is filled with average people and there's really no way to put a number or weigh one against the other. In times of great crisis there will be great action. Simple.

Response by SGT Bob Knox made Jul 25 at 2020 7:36 PM

2020-07-25T19:36:07-04:00

I did three tours in Iraq was there for the ground war I'm a 12b combat engineer all branch's did really well and I'm here to tell ya it was an honor to serve side by side with all of them all the branch's are my brothers and sisters and I will always have their backs I love you all ................bob knox

Response by LT John Stevens made Jul 30 at 2020 2:12 PM

2020-07-30T14:12:48-04:00

Being a "Squid," I will always have a love and appreciation for the US Marine Corps. I did not serve in Iraq or Afghanistan so I cannot specifically comment on those theaters. Since leaving the US Navy in 1979 I have worked as a contractor supporting mostly the DOD. I have worked with personnel ranging from E-3s to 4-Stars and with representatives and retired officers from every one of our services, including the US Coast Guard. I can say that, with very few exceptions, the quality of leadership I have observed from the US Army and the US Marine Corps has been exceptional, especially at the O-6 and above level. These leaders were always "role-up our sleeves" and get to work people. They led "from the front," were decisive, and were exceptional decision-makers. I have been pleased and honored to have worked with them without exception.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2020 5:30 PM

2020-07-30T17:30:19-04:00

As alot of others have said, a grunt is a grunt, now I will say this, army infantry training is geared alot more towards jack of all trades whereas the Marines have actual machine gunner most, lav crewman mos, scout sniper mos, recon mos, antitank mos, mortarman mos, and they are all 0300 series infantry. The army has 11b and 11c, that's it and even between those to infantry mos's theirs not a huge difference, the army used to have a bunch of different infantry mos' but found that all infantrymen should know all those jobs. Only real difference. I'd like to go with the whole marines are an invasion force and army is an occupation force which is somewhat true but even in most instances the lines are crossed over. There are less Marine infantry units and therefore there's alot more consistency with Marine infantrymen as far as proper training and unit pride, whereas there's alot of army infantry units and training is unit dependant and from my experience there's alot less pride in certain army infantry units.

Response by PO1 RIchard Petty made Jul 30 at 2020 11:54 PM

2020-07-30T23:54:15-04:00

The Marine Corps and Army have different mission statements but they do same thing in respect how they accomplish it in different ways to get the same goal. That's like ask the same question about Naval Aviation (Marine Corps included) and Air Force in how they control and accomplish air space. Being an aviation ordnanceman on F-18C Hornet and deployed on aircraft carriers we accomplished a lot with what we had at sea and I can provide some examples of this. But we all get the job done no matter.

Response by SSG Shawn Mcfadden made Jul 31 at 2020 9:23 AM

2020-07-31T09:23:04-04:00

I can't comment on Afghanistan, because I wasn't there. Before my Unit(HHC 1-4 AVN REGT, 4th ID) deployed to Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Marines, 3rd ID, the UK, and parts of 101st, were already in the Country conducting operations. Those units paved the way for units like mine to enter the Country unopposed, and my unit was able to push north until we settled into what was later called FOB Speicher. Later in 2003, 101st, and the Special forces were able to kill Saddam's sons, grandson, and another person in Mosul, and before the end of the year, 1-22(4th ID), Infantry, and the Special Forces captured Saddam. This was all due to all the units involved executing whatever missions they had at that time.

Response by PO3 John Jeter made Jul 31 at 2020 11:27 PM

2020-07-31T23:27:02-04:00

Never having been there to see it all I can say is that I’ve never heard or seen members of either service failing to live up to their oath of service. I think I’d have a hard time crediting anything less. Much as I enjoy tweaking the proboscis of my green waterborne and landlocked relatives, I’ve always found honor for ones is the same as honor for all.

Response by SSG Roland Shelton made Aug 2 at 2020 2:59 AM

2020-08-02T02:59:34-04:00

Lost my post to a glitch.

Read the attached link about the Chosin Reservoir. It appears, Army units accused by the Marine commander as being cowards, actually delayed the Chinese on the east side of the reservoir long enough that the Marines could withdraw.
Who says so? Soldiers and Marines who were there.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2000/12/11/50-years-later-an-army-force-gets-its-due/7a49d39b-0c39-4242-b062-a89a57add4f6/

7a49d39b-0c39-4242-b062-a89a57add4f6

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2020 4:14 PM

2020-08-03T16:14:07-04:00

What kind of question is this? Is it really a topic for discussion? Are the Marines & Army infantry units having some kind of contest? I am just glad that these Brave Warriors are willing to put it all on the line when called to do so.

Response by PO2 James Oss made Aug 22 at 2020 11:05 AM

2020-08-22T11:05:05-04:00

Why do we even need a standing Army now?
Marines are for landings, Army for pitched battles in declared wars.

Response by 1LT Jose Vazquez made Aug 25 at 2020 11:32 AM

2020-08-25T11:32:28-04:00

I think it all boils down to discipline. Marines in general take the cake, my hat off to them. Disclaimer: I have served in the USAF and the Army with almost 25 years of service. My career is basically Army but being in both branches gave me a perspective most military folks don't see.
I think the other branches need to raise their standards to USMC discipline standards. As a LT I once was confronted by one USAF NCO and an Army NCO about counseling a young airman. When I asked both if they knew what gave me the authority, they were mute and could not give me an answer. Long story short, that's the problem! By the way, I was a SFC with platoon and First Sergeant experience before I became an Officer.

Response by SPC Danieljay Stevens made Aug 25 at 2020 1:28 PM

2020-08-25T13:28:15-04:00

Having served in Iraq as an Army infantry and my company reassigned to help a marine company. They had older equipment. Non armored vehicles. So when we left we left them our uparmored vehicles. I would say we are both about equal.

Response by SSG Ralph Watkins made Aug 25 at 2020 1:28 PM

2020-08-25T13:28:57-04:00

My Army Guard unit was a mix of combat arms units sent to Iraq as in lieu of combat MPs. We did patrols in SW Baghdad for 2 weeks in early 2004 & then got pulled to Fallujah in April 2004 due to the battle there. We became very aware of the differences between the Army & the Marines. I agree with others when they mention the Marine ethos, warrior mentality, & lethality. Here is your orders, go forth & conquer is what the Marines instill in every one of their warriors. With the Marines, it is not uncommon to see the entire chain of command out there on the same dirt as you & even getting trigger time like any other Marine. With the Marines, there is a dialogue. You get orders, you state what resources of people need to accomplish the mission, & those giving you the orders make sure you have it. The Army in the meantime is crippled from above. Appearances, following rules & regs to the point of insanity, & having most of the chain of command giving orders from behind a desk in a FOB someplace is why the Army has it's limits. When we came back under Army control, micromanagement was sickening. Iraqis we knew even took note on how easily defeated the Army was due to this need to constantly run by every part of their operation or even response to enemy fire up the chain of command. The Army command & control is it's weakest link. When it comes to combat, the Marines are who you want. To be a an occupying force that looks orderly, call the Army. I have met many good infantry troops in the Army but they often have their hands tied by how the Army feels the need to micromanage from the rear.

Response by MGySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2020 11:49 PM

2020-08-25T23:49:57-04:00

I was a part of Phantom Fury in 2004, there were 6 lanes drawn up on the map. A battalion was assigned a lane. The Marine Corps had 4 lanes ( 3/5, 3/1, 1/8, & 1/3) and the Army had 2 lanes (2/7 Cav, 2/2 Inf). Every single battalion completed their mission. There were times when a React Call CasEvac went out and a Marine unit would respond with “I’ll be there in 5” and the Army got on the net and said they were closer and be there in 2. Other times it was the Army unit in need of assistance and the Marines would break their necks to provide support. There is no inter service rivalry when things are full on kinetic.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2020 1:21 PM

2020-08-26T13:21:01-04:00

I have never been deployed, and rarely served with members of the Marine's. Having said that, I have observed that the Marines have a distinctive way in the manner in which they conduct operations. Both services have distinct differences, and have important places in our countries defense. The Esprit of the Marines is legendary, my Father and Father-In-Law were / are both Marines, and I have had the pleasure of knowing several over the years! Thank God for all of us who serve! Yours, CPT Mark A. Crane

Response by SPC Tarrence Molendyk made Aug 28 at 2020 2:03 PM

2020-08-28T14:03:51-04:00

My opinion is that when we are called to do the job we were trained to do it doesnt matter what service you are in. Marines may be attached to Army or Airforce TAC P's will be calling in airstrikes from a Bradley. Together we all get the job done. I say this because we are all Veterans of the greatest country we believe in and continue to fight for.

Response by Cpl Vic Burk made Aug 28 at 2020 4:22 PM

2020-08-28T16:22:34-04:00

Each service razzes the others about which branch is better but what you could count on is when push comes to shove we all work together with our own specialty to defeat the enemy. That is the goal, isn't it? The Marine Corps is my family (my brothers and sisters) and the other branches are also family (my extended family). Semper Fi.

Response by CPL John Brunner made Aug 29 at 2020 1:22 PM

2020-08-29T13:22:50-04:00

On land, in a city or in the country one should be as good as the other in pure infantry sense. Tactics may differ, equipment may differ but both will get the job done. On the other hand assaulting a contested beach I'll take the Marines every time.

Response by TSgt George Austin made Aug 30 at 2020 8:28 PM

2020-08-30T20:28:50-04:00

Without a doubt. The Coast Guard has the best combat troops.

Response by Sgt Mervyn Russell made Sep 18 at 2020 10:08 AM

2020-09-18T10:08:26-04:00

I cant tell you one thing for sure, they all bleed red. I was a Marine in the Vietnam war, Believe me, it was a war, not a conflict as some will try to tell you. In this era the Army did have better equipment. We got the hand me downs. I was issued a M-16 that would jamb every time it was fired. They said it was bad ammo that caused this. Anyway, I ended up carrying a M-14, never had a problem with this rifle jambing. There are good and bad units in the military, being a Marine, I never encountered this. I'm sure most units get better training these days in all of the military branches. The Navy Corpsman were some of the most courageous men I ever run across, bar none.

Response by MAJ Tom McCuin made Oct 15 at 2020 1:44 PM

2020-10-15T13:44:42-04:00

Who cares? One team, one fight.

Response by MSG Alfred Aguilar made Oct 16 at 2020 12:09 PM

2020-10-16T12:09:34-04:00

This is an unbelievably divisive question.

Response by MAJ Miyoko Bell made Oct 16 at 2020 3:08 PM

2020-10-16T15:08:42-04:00

From my point of view, 66F, CRNA, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, they sacrificed their limbs, life and eyesight equally. And piecing them back together was the same for all services. That should end that pissing war.

Response by SSG Watis Ekthuvapranee made Oct 18 at 2020 2:22 PM

2020-10-18T14:22:51-04:00

None whatsoever. I was briefly attached to Marines during pushing through An Sireyah. They did a show a similar mentality, fear, and courage, and made the same mistakes as the Army during that time.

My point is we are pretty much the same. Our mission during OIF/OEF is the same. The difference is the corridor of advance. During WWII, Marine distinguishes itself due to the fact that they cannot withdraw. Their backs are against the sea. During the landing of Normandy, the Army distinguishes itself because their backs are against the sea. The Marine holding their position during Iwo Jima and Guana Canal because they were told to hold their position. The Army hold their position during the siege of Bastone because they were told to hold their position. This may sound obsequious, nonetheless, we have to remember no matter what branch we serve under we came from the same place and living the same philosophy of life; therefore, we will act the same either bravery or cowardice we all have that courage in us to some degree. During WWII Japanese mentality is the death of the emperor is a great honor and to survive after defeat is a shameful existence. On the other hand, the American, we live for our loved ones and if we absolutely have to, we will die for our brothers-in-armed. To survive and come home alive even after humiliating defeat is the victory in itself. OIF/OEF, Iraqi/ISIS vs American and British, a similar scenario is being played out.

Remember, the introduction statement in Patton the movie, "... we don't die for our country; we make others die for theirs..."

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 19 at 2020 11:41 AM

2020-10-19T11:41:25-04:00

In April 2004, the 82nd Airborne, turned over then FOB Vollturno in Fallujah, Iraq to the Marines. From the beginning they had issues and ultimately lost the city and had their asses handed to them on national TV. Marines are not the better infantry. They just have a really good marketing and PR team.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 19 at 2020 8:07 PM

2020-10-19T20:07:53-04:00

To each it’s own who cares at the end of the day we are uniformed service members who protect this great nation and world. We have the best capabilities anyone could imagine yes we have our rivalries with other branches but that’s how it is. Ima soldier til the day I die. Infantry tactics for both the Army and the USMC are elite

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 21 at 2020 7:28 AM

2020-10-21T07:28:15-04:00

As a Transportation Army Soldier, my hats go off to the Infantry Soldiers who help protect our convoys after we lost a few Soldiers traveling from Kuwait to Iraq.

Response by Col John Madison made Oct 21 at 2020 8:47 PM

2020-10-21T20:47:39-04:00

I think it's healthy to have service to service rivalry, competition if you will, just as it can be healthy to have intra-service competitions. But when the event, action or incident referred to is demeaning, ball-busting, spiteful and malicious...then it becomes counter-productive for ALCON. Everybody gets some ribbing from members of their own unit, different MOS's, etc. And service to service joking around is usually just that. Many of us remember the great punch-up smokers held at rings across the nation's camps/posts/bases, and that promoted unit cohesion. It is the nature of human beings to challenge another, it's why we enjoy sports, the Olympics, or just playing a round of golf or playing poker. Sometimes you're getting the trophy, sometimes you're not, but never forget we're supposed to be on the same team in the Big League. Foster competition, absolutely, but always respect your Brother in Arms.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2020 8:52 AM

2020-10-22T08:52:43-04:00

This thread is 4 years old, and it just popped up into my timeline. With all due respect to you, I must say that is a useless thread.

Response by SPC James Ford made Oct 24 at 2020 1:27 AM

2020-10-24T01:27:19-04:00

OEF vet here. Everyone thinks they're the best at what they do. Then, on occasion, they work with other services and find out their claim is bullshit... we were all professionals. Each of us had our own experiences to bring to the table. Each of us knows something the others don't. Iron sharpens iron. We learned from one another and would die for one another at the drop of a hat. Anyone who believes their service is the best at doing essentially the same job is either delusional, stubbornly indoctrinated, or doesn't have the experience they say they do.

- Doc Ford

Response by MSgt J D McKee made Oct 25 at 2020 5:46 PM

2020-10-25T17:46:31-04:00

I never served with either, more than briefly. I actually served with Brits more, especially the RAF Regiment, which fills the same slot as Security in the USAF. Their boots sucked and they were always trying to trade.

But.....As a civilian contractor in about 2007? our compound got a few rounds of small arms fire and we called ISAF for backup. Backup was a big-assed landing craft looking thing covered in machine-guns and full of jacked up (in the good way) Marines, and in just a few minutes. Like 10 minutes from call.

I have never been so proud of my country in my life. It was like a bald eagle had sex with the whole cast of "Team 'Murica, Fuck Yeah" right there in the road. Could have been Army in another circumstance, but it wasn't. I was impressed.

I just hope the Marines feel the same way when they call for backup and the hand of god reaches down to the destruction and dismay of their enemies.....BRRRRRRRRP.

Response by SMSgt Bob Wilson made Oct 26 at 2020 12:29 AM

2020-10-26T00:29:36-04:00

The answer is in the eye of the beholder. The answer is: IT DEPENDS. What was the situation like during the fire fight?

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2020 7:04 PM

2020-11-01T19:04:03-05:00

I heard conversations years ago from Marines about how their war in Vietnam was so much more deadly than the Army’s. Both branches fought VC and NVA. The attitude was akin to getting killed by NVA was far worse than being killed by VC. And the old classic, you had better equipment than we did. I don’t even bother to argue with people like that. God bless all that served. Amen.

Response by SSG Harry Outcalt made Nov 11 at 2020 4:21 PM

2020-11-11T16:21:07-05:00

Yes you can tell the difference, between Marine Infantry and the Army Infantry. That being said , the main difference is in the numbers of fighting troops Marine Infantry vs Army Infantry. Marine's train to be as versatile in combat as possible, while the army also follows this concept, Army also has different specialists so they can respond much more effectively then Marines in different situations, because Army Specialized Infantry train in a specialty , like Mechanized, Air Assault, Mountain ,Airborne . Where as Marines do rotational training in all of those areas as well as waterborne operations, so the Marine Infantry is well known to Army Infantry as the Jack of all trades Grunts... On the other hand Army Infantry is broke down in different types of Infantry units to offer more effective combat solutions with less down time to train up troops for a specific type of operation, Army has much greater flexibility vs Marines in this regard simply due to the numbers advantage.

Response by SSG Pablo Torres made Dec 14 at 2020 2:11 PM

2020-12-14T14:11:49-05:00

I am going to answer this with a short and sweet answer. Besides the marines having a great and classy class A uniform Both combat services do their job exactly the same, with the same intensity, dedication, patriotism and camaraderie we have always fought with and even though I retired in 2010 I had several cross service individuals to my unit that performed flawlessly, Air Force Forward Controllers, P.J. Snipers from all branches. So today’s services are more of a Family Thant any other time in history.

DONT get me wrong, I am Army, always will be biased towards it but this is the truth.
Pablo L Torres Kilgore
Army Retired

Response by SGT Ronald Audas made Dec 14 at 2020 3:50 PM

2020-12-14T15:50:41-05:00

First thing I thought of when seeing this question was,what is it's intent? Guess we could keep a team in the rear to see who was running which direction.Uh! I got 3 marines running from the action,what you got?Ha! I got two gi's,but one of them has a dog leading them.Does that make us even or what ?

Response by MGySgt Charles Restifo made Dec 15 at 2020 12:02 AM

2020-12-15T00:02:43-05:00

Ok well here is my reply, "No" to the general question. No one service is "better" then the other. Each has its own unique capabilities and applications. What is important is that each service compliments the strength and yes weakness of the other. Wholelisticly the armed services of the United States are with out peer because of its ability to support one another. Yes each one has greater strengths but inside of the strengths lie specific drawbacks, notice I did not say weaknesses, properly applied all of these strengths are an irresistible multiple multiplier. This is the key to the United States might, the ability to apply the correct exact amount of might required at the correct time. Each service has its mission, events dictate the apication.

Response by SN Robert Englebright made Dec 15 at 2020 1:47 PM

2020-12-15T13:47:10-05:00

Never served in Army or Marines, but one of my favorite veterans is Col. Mark Johnson, green beret. So I say army

Response by SN Robert Englebright made Dec 15 at 2020 2:51 PM

2020-12-15T14:51:51-05:00

I am retired Navy, but one of my favorite veterans is Col. Mark Johnson, green beret and author of “Lessons in Leadership”. That’s the toughest guy I ever met. I pick Army. More importantly, it really doesn’t mater what branch of service, all veterans bleed red.

Response by MSgt James "Buck" Buchanan made Dec 17 at 2020 10:24 PM

2020-12-17T22:24:54-05:00

There's always going to be competition for bragging rights among all of the services. The only bottom line that counts is, when you were assigned a mission did you carry it out to the best of your ability?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 6 at 2021 9:29 PM

2021-01-06T21:29:18-05:00

Does it really matter? Everybody did their job and kicked ass in the process.

Response by SSgt Michael Wueschinski made Jan 7 at 2021 5:57 AM

2021-01-07T05:57:25-05:00

Does it matter. I was in both and both were a mightmare thinking you coupd die every day.

Response by PO2 Dennis Beeh made Jan 8 at 2021 5:33 PM

2021-01-08T17:33:48-05:00

This thread was hands down the best I've ever seen on RP. Since I was a sailor (and not a SEAL) I really have no dog in the fight but I respect all branches and what each brings, including CG and AF, who always seem to take the brunt of the ragging. My brother was a soldier (2 tours VN), some friends are USMC and also VN vets. Each thought they were better and the other were goofballs but the truth is all were awesome warriors with their own skillets. I'm proud to call them brothers in arms and have the utmost respect for all who serve and have served. BZ!

Response by SGT Scott Adie made Jan 9 at 2021 9:40 AM

2021-01-09T09:40:33-05:00

My experience was in Vietnam so I can only answer from that perspective. I was Army, 11B, carried the M60 with the 1st Cav. To me, there's always sibling rivalry between the different services. I think it's a healthy thing. I have a Marine vet friend who also served in Vietnam and we egg each other on constantly. It has cemented our friendship. In Vietnam, the war itself was the great equalizer. For me there was no detectable difference between the branches of service. We razzed the Marines and they gave it right back, it was part of the comradery. Wouldn't have it any other way. In the end, all soldiers are brothers with a unique connection to one another.

Response by Sgt Michael Sayles made Jan 9 at 2021 9:41 PM

2021-01-09T21:41:54-05:00

JMHO, when the excretement hits the ventilation I would not like to be in the enemy ranks in front of either, when the call goes out for assistance who calls doesn't matter we're American armed forces and we have each others back! Now in a bar in the states we'll all fight each other as service rivalries are more important and no one is dying.

Response by Cpl Archie H. made Jan 11 at 2021 8:33 AM

2021-01-11T08:33:04-05:00

This is only an opinion not to insult anyone. I cannot compare US Army infantry with US Marine Corps infantry in Afghanistan, or Iraq. But I can with a little knowledge give an historical “opinion” based on my adult education, and my (grunt) 0311 combat experience. My experience with the US Army is growing up near Fort Lewis in Washington state, and my time as a civilian at the end of the Cold War, in Nuremberg Germany. The problem I see with the US Army in general is the mass of human beings associated with (logistical issues) in the Defense Department as a whole in their support of US Army; thus as a whole having little to do with any front line Army grunt or other fighting. In the run up to the first Gulf war much of the US Army in Europe had problems packing up and going anywhere including Saudi Arabia. For instance US Army Hospitals in Europe had deep roots in the German local economy; they were unable to pack up their X-ray machines, and their sophisticated wound healing medical technology, moving it to Saudi Arabia for the coming fight.
The US Army, and US Air Force in Europe were built, it seemed to me, married to the local German community. I know first hand “some” US civilians bought and paid for their German homes, with their tax free DOD housing allowance. A senior government employee, with a mutual a friend of a friend of ours had dinner with me in the Netherlands . He was an elderly WW 2 veteran ( a paratrooper who made the Market Garden jump) this man held the executive position with DOD in charge of most US European logistical war fighting equipment. He told me of some US Army M 1 tanks that were lost in German canals, and later found. They were supposed to go to the fight against Iraq. When a Marine Corps reserve unit from Bravo company 4th tank Battalion from Yakima arrived to the fight, they could not find their tanks in the maze of shipments. So they confiscated 4 US Army M 1s painting USMC on them. The Army Logistics people it seemed never missed them. My own experience on this issue was with H&S 1/27 Marine, in Hawaii 1966 to 1967. We trained to have the ability to have our equipment ready and underway on a ship within 48 hours.

The historical purpose of the US Marine Forces. As far as I know and understand is this. First the Marine Corps is very small. We depend on the US Army and their army of civilians to support us in combat. The Marine Corps is a naval amphibious infantry under the leadership of the Department of the Navy. Their job historically was to take and defend Naval facilities. However —— Since World War 1 the Marine Corps has been a light infantry based on regiments and divisions that sometimes is amphibious. What the Marine Corps is good at, or Marines are better at is dealing with siege warfare, and house to house, city fighting. Off the top of my head is Marines in the past excelled at this kind of fighting in places like Hue’s street to street house to house fighting — or in siege battles like Wake Island, during WW2, Khe Sanh, and Con Thien in Viet Nam. The late Colonel Wes Hammond USMC a celebrated Marine author, and my battalion commander in Vietnam told to me after being wounded on October 26th 1967 he ended up as operations officer for the 3rd Marine Division overseeing the operation for the relief of Khe Sanh. He said the Army would not send an infantry unit or any war fighting equipment to relieve Khe Sanh unless the road to Khe Sanh was secure. Huhh?

My take on todays Marine Corps is it will go back into our history. There there will still be regiments and divisions, but with some changes. Marines today will use the model of siege of WW 2’s Wake Island. Marines today in the 21st century will be scattered across islands in the Pacific region in camouflaged defensive positions. Trained to use new technology developed to sink ships. I apologize if I offended anyone.

Response by Cpl Roger Cortez made Jan 11 at 2021 7:43 PM

2021-01-11T19:43:07-05:00

The safest place in Korea was right behind a platoon of Marines. Lord, how they could fight!
Major Gen. Frank E. Lowe USA, Korea Jan26,1952

Response by Cpl Roger Cortez made Jan 11 at 2021 7:44 PM

2021-01-11T19:44:35-05:00

Marines know how to use their bayonets. Army bayonets may as well be paperweights.
Navy Times 1994

Response by Cpl Roger Cortez made Jan 11 at 2021 7:46 PM

2021-01-11T19:46:35-05:00

I have just returned from visiting the Marines at the front and there is not a finer fighting organization in the world!
General Douglas McArthur USA September 21, 1950

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 12 at 2021 9:16 PM

2021-01-12T21:16:38-05:00

There is no doubt that Marines distinguished themselves

Response by Cpl Archie H. made Jan 13 at 2021 8:39 AM

2021-01-13T08:39:40-05:00

After my post concerning the US Army’s huge supply system having little to with (infantry) armed combat. That is other than providing the same with war fighting goods on milk runs. I want to add one last thing. Since World War 1 our supply chain to the battlefield in bringing war making fighting supplies from manufacture to battlefield has been “mostly" secure. During the worst of the siege of Con Thien in September 1967 we had huge problems getting needed supplies. The fighting was so bloody fierce and violent for us simple grunts. For 46 days resupplying food and water took great courage for our Marine helicopters. Some Marines and Sailors were killed or wounded in just unloading water. In future wars this supply problem of resupplying troops on the battlefield, will without any doubt broaden. Our enemies will start sinking our ships and shooting down our planes on the way to supply our infantry, and other front line troops. Our leaders need to understand this. American need to understand this. We have had it easy.

Response by SPC Franklin McKown made Jan 19 at 2021 9:56 PM

2021-01-19T21:56:28-05:00

I never ask, any shooter is a good shooter, I would say we OWE them that.

Response by SPC Kyle Masters made Jan 23 at 2021 12:42 AM

2021-01-23T00:42:18-05:00

I was there with the Air Force so saw both sides operate. Depends on the mission. For a drawn out assault that takes time or covers a large area, or an occupation it’s the Army. They have better logistics. If it’s a shock assault, or “go take this point”, it’s the Marines. They have better assault value (Marine Expeditionary is a mini total force). Just my opinion.

Response by SSG Russell Busicchia made Feb 23 at 2021 3:36 PM

2021-02-23T15:36:06-05:00

I have to agree with everything 1SG John Milan has said. While on active duty I worked many joint and unified staff positions. In Panama I was assigned to US Special Operations Command South and got to see first hand how the various Special Operators worked. Each branch has unique attributes that are unbeatable when used in unison. The size of the USMC puts them more on a par with Army Special units like Rangers or 10th Mountain Div. This allows the USMC to concentrate more on training. Bottom line, no branch is better than the other. We need the combined arms of all branches to win battles and wars.

Response by SSG Roy D. made Mar 18 at 2021 12:47 PM

2021-03-18T12:47:20-04:00

We were MACOM'd under 2MAR DIV in Iraq in 2005-2006 in the Ramadi area and we were proud 2BCT 28th Infantry DIV U.S. Army. We stand along side the Marines not in front not behind. Our missions were not the same all the time.

Response by SPC Joseph Nielsen made Mar 18 at 2021 1:24 PM

2021-03-18T13:24:45-04:00

This may be a different perspective. I was in Iraq 15 months in 2003-04 as an Army truck driver. My company conveyed fuel tankers to wherever was needed. We were usually escorted by one type or another of a squad that is more able and trained to quickly respond when confronted by enemy combatants. The guys in my platoon were always much calmer when escorted by marines. They took control of the convoy unlike the army escorts. It was nice to have a war prepped crew making the decisions of when and where to stop as well as the routes instead of my own blundering leadership. They were all work on the road and had better gear in my opinion. They even had satellite phones so they could take turns calling home at the end of the day. That's taking care of your troops. When you take care of your troops they take care of you. I think the marines have a definite advantage because their smaller numbers makes them work more as a team than the average army unit. (Not an all inclusive statement)

Interesting read in the article and comments.

Response by CMSgt Donald ONeill made Mar 18 at 2021 7:57 PM

2021-03-18T19:57:33-04:00

That is a loaded question and saying that the Marines are better then the Army can be answered many ways and all answers are different . There are certain things the Marines do well like wise the Army . I was a member of the 6th and 5th Special Forces and remember we had a exercise at camp McCall against the Marines . We snuck under cover of darkness and spray painted on all of their tents exploded by the 6th SFG in white spray paint . They never knew we were there until daylight .

Response by SFC Terry Bryant made Mar 19 at 2021 2:25 PM

2021-03-19T14:25:12-04:00

There was no Army and Marines or Navy or even Airforce when in combat. There were only American fighting men and women. We were all one big team doing our part to bring as many people home as possible while accomplishing our mission. War is not a competition to see how well one branch does over another. You watch way too many movies with no sense of the values and honor almost ALL Military personel live and die by. That however is a fact of nearly all people who have never served in combat.

Response by PVT Leighton Bader made Mar 19 at 2021 10:33 PM

2021-03-19T22:33:48-04:00

The real question is do you think either branch cared about who was better while they're were being shot at? Both branches lost men. Both branches trained hard for the job. Both branches respected their dead, that should be the focus. Focus on the effort more than the result.

Response by Sgt Randall Dunkley made Mar 21 at 2021 1:26 PM

2021-03-21T13:26:38-04:00

There is a reason Marines do not wear divisional insignia on their uniforms. It had started fights everywhere. Mostly between Marines. The Marines have always had good PR. All those company and field grade officers remembered the praise the Marines received during and after WW 1 and except for Sgt. Alvin York the Army got little rewards for a job well done. There is a big reason the Marines made only one amphibious landing in the European Theatre. When you asked people who won the Pacific War they usually respond with "The Marine Corps." This comes across mostly from ignorance reinforced by the popular media of that time. The Army fielded 22 Divisions in the Pacific and to that you must remember all the Army Air Corps members there. Two million soldiers compared to 850,000 Marines. So the question of who is best even up to this day and age is always related to which branch you were associated with. Who's Donuts are better, Dunkin or Crispy Creme. I served in the Marines and the Army National Guard (Many Veterans in it ) and I saw no difference in spirit or effort to get the job well done. We're American Fighting men and women and that never changes.

Response by CSM Tim Bebus made Mar 21 at 2021 6:28 PM

2021-03-21T18:28:46-04:00

That question is like asking a parent which kid they like better.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2021 9:33 PM

2021-03-21T21:33:31-04:00

Scouts lead the way. Small man teams were much more effective and in nearly all situations will be. I have to back the cav scouts on this one.

Response by Lt Col Timothy Cassidy-Curtis made Mar 21 at 2021 10:30 PM

2021-03-21T22:30:34-04:00

You cannot really tell the difference. However, I say that it was the Air Force. Well, what else can I say? :)

Response by SSG Eric Blue made Mar 22 at 2021 1:54 PM

2021-03-22T13:54:13-04:00

Depends on the location, I guess. The ones I worked with near Rawah on the south side of the Euphrates, F--- NO! The ones I worked with in Baghdad, Dahuk, Tikrit, Kandahar, FOB Sharana, & FOB Salerno, YES! ALL DAY!

Response by PV2 James Johnson made Mar 22 at 2021 5:23 PM

2021-03-22T17:23:44-04:00

I think everyone even today doesn't understand the difference in the area of operation. The way it used to go is the Marines came into a conflict first, usually the first in.. The Armey's main job was to hold areas taken, and then to roll forward taken additional real-estate. that kind of changed during Vietnam but the same ideology holds true today. So in reality no branch is better then the other. I'm Army 52nd signal corps Vietnam 1970 71.

Response by CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana made Mar 23 at 2021 2:01 AM

2021-03-23T02:01:41-04:00

There is no measure for better Infantry or MI in linear conditions.

Response by LTC Jeff Shearer made Mar 23 at 2021 7:45 AM

2021-03-23T07:45:38-04:00

I have worked with the marines more than once in different parts of the planet however never as a IN guy it was always as a SF guy. I always liked working with the Marines you can count on them to be there if the say they are going to be there. However the truth is I never had an issue with Army IN either. All of the Army IN units I shared space with were badasses, 82, 101, 10 MTN, etc... The list goes on and on, as a general rule IN are awesome Marines or Army.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Mar 23 at 2021 11:00 AM

2021-03-23T11:00:26-04:00

I will say they got the better end of the uniform issue, still can't believe some Four Star approved that god awful uniform. Did one service do better than the other? The Marines pride themselves in being able to go anywhere on the planet. No arguments, the Army says the same thing. What added a twist to this, was a Marine General in 2002 or 2003, stating that the Marine Corp could do a better job in Afghanistan, and that the Army was doing the wrong thing. Okay service rivalry, but later on he stated he could do it if, the Army and Air Force left their heavy lift assets for them to use as they didn't have those assets organic to them. As expected this set off a small firestorm on the Army side.

I think both forces have unique missions that overlap in areas, but with the Marines giving up Tanks, this changes things in the future, better or worse time will tell. I hope we never have to find out.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Mar 23 at 2021 12:28 PM

2021-03-23T12:28:23-04:00

The Army abandoned heavy Infantry and left it to the Marines. Before that there was growing want to delete the Corps. It gave them a purpose

Response by SSG Bill McCoy made Mar 23 at 2021 4:47 PM

2021-03-23T16:47:56-04:00

My time with the Marines was a long time ago (Corpsman), and the Corps today is much more functional than back then when they accepted draftees (McNamara's Folly - Low IQ Troops). Today, they're pretty much a crack outfit.
My son was in the 2nd Infantry in Iraq during the surge and worked with Marines in Ramadi. His view of the Marines was that they were exceptional and he loved serving with them. He was given their 1st MarDiv patch. He was just as impressed with his own 2nd ID Company and the only criticism regarding either was the ROE they had to operate under.
As someone else noted, everyone will have their own biases, generally in favor of their own service branch.

Response by PVT Andrew Burd made Mar 23 at 2021 10:53 PM

2021-03-23T22:53:39-04:00

All green. All on the same team.

Response by SSG Ralph Watkins made Mar 24 at 2021 12:55 PM

2021-03-24T12:55:56-04:00

I was Army & for two months was assigned to the 1st MARDIV during the first battle of Fallujah. After that we fell under control of the 1st Cav in Baghdad. Marines are warriors, the Army has soldiers. Where to start? Marines are given their rules of engagement & their orders. They are sent on their way to complete the mission & do what they must to win. It's also common to see full birds & even generals out in the dirt & the blood getting their own trigger time. Marines are encouraged to take the initiative & to do what they must to get the job done. They are a far more adaptable lethal force. The Army is about soldiering. Under the 1st Cav, it seemed like their command was all about micromanagement, following rules & regs, & getting permission from higher on everything. It's sad when Iraqi civilians you know ask what was wrong with the Army that allowed their people to die before they fired back at their attackers. It's because their command led from behind a desk on a FOB in a palace. Fire back only when you get permission. I've seen 1st Cav people run out of strong concrete buildings during incoming mortars & rockets. They were more afraid of getting in trouble for not reporting in within 3 minutes than dying from enemy fire. The Army can be as good as the Marines but the Army's biggest obstacle is it's own command structure & their garrison attitudes even when downrange. I will take Marines watching my 6 any day. The Marines treated us like gold. Better than the Army did.

Response by SPC John Tacetta made Mar 27 at 2021 5:10 PM

2021-03-27T17:10:08-04:00

No difference. Infantry is always "stuck in the suck".

Response by SPC John Tacetta made Mar 27 at 2021 5:20 PM

2021-03-27T17:20:35-04:00

Here's a grenade: how about infantry versus special ops? Pull the pin!

Official Army mottos
Artillery is the King of Battle.
Infantry is the Queen of Battle.

Never heard one for special ops, but I'm sure it places them beneath the infantry.

Response by SMSgt Bob Wilson made Mar 29 at 2021 1:29 PM

2021-03-29T13:29:46-04:00

Depends on the experience you have with the specific branch and what sector you were in. Answers will be prejudiced by who is answering. History will short it out; however, in the Iraq/Afghan war conflict it is to early to evaluate. Ten years after all conflict ends will be a good measure. Me, my vote would be for the Coast Guard until all the facts are in.

Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made Mar 29 at 2021 1:32 PM

2021-03-29T13:32:43-04:00

I don't think you can compare. Each has a slightly different focus.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Mar 29 at 2021 4:07 PM

2021-03-29T16:07:09-04:00

The Army had far more Soldiers who served in Iraq than Marines. The Army experienced far more KIAs and WIAs than the Marines. Are the Marines better?

Let's compare Army Armor Forces vs Marine Armor Forces. In both Iraq wars Army Armor Forces led the Allied ground attack on Iraqi forces. Is the Army Armor Forces better?

In Iraqi Freedom the Army attacked and destroyed Iraq forces, occupied the country, conducted counterinsurgency, stability and security operations. The Army conducted a full spectrum of operations. Is the Army better?

In WWII the Army Soldiers killed were 290,000 and the Marines 24,000. Were the Marines better?

Response by SPC Joel Hefner made Mar 31 at 2021 6:26 PM

2021-03-31T18:26:03-04:00

In Dec 1944 the US Army found itself out gunned, out manned, and surrounded along the edge of the Ardennes Forest. Hitler was trying to split Allied forces, surround four Allied armies, and capture the port of Antwerp. The US Army bore the brunt of the attack, and only prior planning by General Patton, whose forces were much further south, resulted in the relief of those units which stubbornly held on despite the frozen weather that claimed many feet and hands to frost bite. Many froze to death, but they did not give up.

In August 1942 the Marines launched an amphibious assault against the Japanese forces occupying a little Island called Guadalcanal in the South Pacific. The Japanese were building an airbase there that would interdict American operations in that area and cut off Australia from Allied forces. The Marines caught the Japanese by surprise and quickly captured the newly constructed airfield. However, that night a battle of enormous proportion took place just off the coast. The Marines looked on in the darkness sure that the US Navy was giving what for to the Imperial Japanese Navy, but what they did not know was that the Japanese were much better at night engagements than American forces were at that time.

When the sun came up, the Marines were alone. The US Navy, had been vanquished. The Marines only had the few supplies they were able to unload prior to the evening battle. The Navy would eventually return, but only after suffering horrendous casualties. The waters in the area would become known as "Iron Bottom Sound" due to the numerous naval battles that were fought there which resulted in so many Japanese and American ships being lost. Still the Marines persisted and held the island despite overwhelming odds against them.

These are just two battles in WWII that ALL three services take great pride in. All three services performed with great courage and determination against overwhelming odds. All three services participated in key moments that ultimately proved to be the deciding factors in the war. All three services shaped the destiny of mankind in those engagements that have created the world we live in today.

These were huge turning points in the war. However, history doesn't turn on the engagements of massive military forces. History is made by the culmination of individual acts of bravery in the face of overwhelming fear. It is the individual that must meet the challenge of each individual moment of each individual battle. We often look at war in terms of historical context to nations, but war is incredibly personal. Although our experiences might have some common elements to them, each of us must personally meet them and deal with them.

America has made its contributions for the benefit of mankind repeatedly. It is the men and women of our nation's military who have stood up and answered the call not to just defend our Freedom, but the Freedom of so many other peoples around the planet. To do this requires each service member to willingly give up his/her freedom so someone else can realize theirs.

How can you ask the question which branch of the military is better when each and every branch of our military is made up of individual heroes from every walk of life?
As an old vet looking at today's American society, I am constantly amazed how many heroic young men and women volunteer for our military knowing that the likelihood of being stationed in a region of conflict is high.

To me you are all heroes regardless of the branch.

Response by SFC Wayne Robinson made Apr 4 at 2021 1:34 AM

2021-04-04T01:34:30-04:00

I came in at the tail end of the WWII veterans. But we learned a lot from them.
i had two korean war vets and one VN vet.
I can tell you from experience that experience counts when the bullets start flying there are no athiest in that position or foxhole.
the pucker factor goes past ten all you have is either good leadership or some snotty nose shake and bake who knows nothing but the book.
Give me a leader and i will follow him to hell.
Give me a snotty nose shake and bake and i won't die for his ass.
i am glad i do not serve in bidens military. He and his staff has ruined what was once a great military.
Now all you have is guys who to get out and i don't blame them.
We are going to hard pressed to win a conflict when it comes.
If i offended anyone so be it get over snowflake,

Response by PFC Richard McDonald made Apr 15 at 2021 9:49 AM

2021-04-15T09:49:17-04:00

For starters when I was in Panama I was mechanized infantry and I was also straight infantry for a year and I worked and trained some marines in jungle survival training and to me there really was no difference we all worked together to fulfill the mission it was a great experience for me, I never looked at who was better just to get the mission accomplished.

Response by PFC David Cheney made Apr 17 at 2021 5:47 PM

2021-04-17T17:47:31-04:00

Army and Marine Corps infantry although similar in MOS have separate missions and the Marine Corps rifleman is kept at the highest possible standards as far as training in high pressure scenarios and operational eccentricities to overcome and improvise to conform to plans that have altered for optimal outcome and every Marine has to minimally qualify as a rifleman even to be an admin pog

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2021 8:55 PM

2021-04-18T20:55:26-04:00

When we got to Iraq to my company moved on to a FOB that had perviously belonged to the Marines. I had the opportunity to work with a small group of Marines and Navy personnel. They were a BTT team. ( Border Transition Task Force) They were supposed to train the Iraqi boarder teams. All of the guys on that small team were top notch. The Navy corpsman was just great as well. Keep in mind this was a small, specialized team made up of, I assume hand picked guys. Really professional guys.

Response by SSgt Salvador Martinez made Apr 19 at 2021 8:25 AM

2021-04-19T08:25:26-04:00

I say yes. Marines that are not infantry are trained as if they are the front lines. For example: from 06 to 08, I was with a Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS). We trained as a infantry battalion due to our upcoming mission to Iraq.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 19 at 2021 11:26 AM

2021-04-19T11:26:25-04:00

Both did their job.

Response by MAJ Francis St.Jacques made Apr 19 at 2021 12:38 PM

2021-04-19T12:38:38-04:00

Ary or marine, battle is just that. Why does it always come up? The uniform no matter what service still all starts with "U.S"

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2021 5:55 PM

2021-04-20T17:55:26-04:00

As a Navy Chief in Afghanistan I worked with both. Our Batt. Gunny was my roommate. I could go on about my experience which wouldn't prove one thing. What I will say as an NCO and old guy is this- youngmen and women in both branches will do a superb job if given good leadership. If the leadership is poor the outcome will reveal the deficiency. I believe Army echelon 1 and 2 leadership sometimes lacks a backbone and they hamstring their own people and this trickles down to the platoon and squad level. Esprit de Corps cannot be overestimated either. When you believe in yourself and your leaders you get superior results. I pray everyday that my son who is an 11X is given the kind of leaders he and his squad need to be successful.

Response by CPT Robin Biron made Apr 21 at 2021 5:16 PM

2021-04-21T17:16:44-04:00

Well, I was an Army Nurse stationed at Landsthul Regional Medical Center in Germany during 2004-2005. It was the time during the assaults on Fallujah. The majority of my patients during this time were Marines. I had great respect for the Marines that came through my wards. It was always "Fix me doc and send me back to my grunts" or other fond names for their Marines. My respect for you Devil Dogs are as real as the wounds they came in with. I salute each and everyone of you proudly.

Response by SPC Lyle Montgomery made Apr 22 at 2021 11:38 AM

2021-04-22T11:38:47-04:00

What difference does it make? I'm a former 11 b Army grunt. I carried a m 60 in the bush in Viet nam. I have a lot of respect for the Marines because they had the same shitty job that I had in the Army. One branch is as good as the other

Response by SP6 Bruce Kellar made Apr 23 at 2021 11:08 AM

2021-04-23T11:08:23-04:00

Surely you jest. That is like saying the Air Force that has no ground fighting units doesn't participate in the fight. Knock it off. Relax that ego and allow yourself some enlightenment through that indoctrination./

Response by SP6 Joe Carmack made Apr 25 at 2021 6:44 PM

2021-04-25T18:44:49-04:00

USARMY FIRST TO FIGHT KING OF BATTLE E-7 30 YEARSL

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2021 7:39 PM

2021-04-25T19:39:06-04:00

Despite being career Army, I have always had the most profound respect and affinity for my Marine brethren, particularly after fighting alongside them in Iraq (2003-04). Two of my lifelong friends, dating back to the mid-1970s, are now USMC (Ret.). At the tactical level, I regard them as every bit as proficient as Army Infantry. The issue comes in at the operational level. Doctrinally, Marines were never supposed to be inserted into combat zones in large numbers by ground and air. They are supposed to fight " . . . from the sea", thus they fall under the Department of the Navy and are called 'Marines'. Their equipment specifically includes fully amphibious combat vehicles (AAV-7, LAV-25). They assault the shore in amphibious operations and establish a beachhead for follow-on forces. They aren't expected to sustain themselves logistically for more than 30 days. In Iraq and Afghanistan, we have used them like traditional Army infantry units because our force structure is too small, and also likely as a political measure - to "share the pain" of countless deployments and endless wars. In similar fashion - and for the same reason - we have used Field Artillery, Armor and Engineer troops like Infantry, and have abused Reserve component formations (especially USARNG) like they were active duty units. There is no doubt that Marines are as capable at performing Infantry tasks and missions as their Army counterparts. But we shouldn't have asked them to do our job in the first place. Although, with the Corps getting rid of its tanks, I guess they'll have more bodies available for grunt work.

Response by SPC Terry Zimmerman made Apr 26 at 2021 11:07 AM

2021-04-26T11:07:47-04:00

Yes, although I was not in a war, other than the Cold War, I learned that the Marines take it and the Army holds it, that's why they call it garrison.
I was US Army light Infantry and always in garrison. The Marines are the ones who are first to go when the fight begins. Some Infantry can open a can of whoop ass so not taking anything away from Army Strong.
If you want something fun to read, look up Granada and Ronald Reagan.
The Army Rangers stormed the beach and didn't have logistics so they found tourist shops and used local maps from there to find their way out.
No BS.

Response by COL Ray Holmes made Apr 27 at 2021 8:10 AM

2021-04-27T08:10:09-04:00

I can't attest to all of his validity but it does make sense.

Response by SSG Roland Shelton made Apr 27 at 2021 10:16 AM

2021-04-27T10:16:02-04:00

I was and will always be army infantry. I was confident that my squad and my chain of command would meet whatever challenge it faced.
I saw a post that mentioned Chris Kyle and the Marines and the Corps' performance at the Battle of the Chosin reservoir.
Some of you may know this, others may not but there were army units on the east side of the reservoir. Those units fought to near obliteration to stall the Chinese advance. After the battle the Marine Commander withdrew the armys units from the list recommended for presidential unit citations. It was reported that the Marine commander who also commanded the army units failed to communicate with them or advise them to withdraw even though the Marines were doing so. That was Colonel OP Smith.
Some 40 years later when Marine veterans acknowledged the army's performance at the reservoir, one Marine officer remarked that he might not have been there had it not been for the army's resistance which has been attributed to stopping the Chinese from sweeping South and then encircling the Marines. A Marine Corps chaplain accused the army of cowardice. After reading the accounts of the battle I believe the army played a significant role and helping the Marines evacuate there were some 2,500 soldiers engaged against eight times their numbers. To this day when I see a documentary about the Battle I've only seen one that even mentioned the army.
If you have doubts I will invite you to read the following article
https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2000/12/11/50-years-later-an-army-force-gets-its-due/7a49d39b-0c39-4242-b062-a89a57add4f6/

I honor the Marines and their sacrifices and valor but the army is second to none in their toughness. I'd fight alongside of any marine and feel confident in doing so, but push come to shove, Follow me!

7a49d39b-0c39-4242-b062-a89a57add4f6

Response by Sgt Peter McLaughlin made Apr 27 at 2021 5:49 PM

2021-04-27T17:49:21-04:00

If I'm correct, each branch has it's own specific mission. However, each branch also works in tandem with one another depending on the operation being performed and the branches that are involved. During Desert Shield/Storm we swapped parts with the Army and visa versa. We all serve the same purpose in the end: To protect our Constitution and freedom. Each branch is needed for it's own reason. Remember the quote that says" United we stand, divided we fall". I would like to believe that each branch both compliment one another and cover duties not present in any given branch. When we start comparing branches in this manner, it can be demoralizing to the other branches. We should therefore support each other for doing their part in what ever campaign/ operation we are involved in.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 27 at 2021 6:54 PM

2021-04-27T18:54:25-04:00

Just my opinion...I'd say Army. (Not being prejudice). We're all one team and will come to the aid of another, no question about that! The Marines like to come off as Bad Asses, but I've served with alot of Bad Ass Soldiers. Marines don't have the numbers or the equipment the Army has. If Marines get in trouble, who do they call? The Army! Percentage wise I'd say the Marines are better shooters in general. If you can't hit your target than you can at least send rounds down range and suppress the enemy. Our birds can get in the air quick. But, our Apache pilots can't hit the broad side of a barn. Our kiowa's had more kills in Afghanistan than our so-called Apache badasses. But to answer your question. No branch is better than the other. We're Americans and we kick f****** ass!

Response by Sgt Michael Swigert made Apr 28 at 2021 5:17 PM

2021-04-28T17:17:19-04:00

Response by Sgt Michael Swigert made Apr 28 at 2021 5:55 PM

2021-04-28T17:55:34-04:00

Response by CPL Adrian Peavy made Apr 30 at 2021 1:54 AM

2021-04-30T01:54:26-04:00

Neither is better then the other....it all depends on the person...

Response by SSG Harry Herres made Apr 30 at 2021 9:33 PM

2021-04-30T21:33:56-04:00

Give me a break, did these people do their job? This is not who is better not a sporting event. This is life or death. Military is no a betting game! Get you head out of your ass tranie! You have never walked the walk! If you think so you are a moron. Thoes that have been there

Response by SPC Sean O'Sullivan made May 2 at 2021 7:19 PM

2021-05-02T19:19:19-04:00

The active duty Marine corps is roughly 1/3 the size of the active duty Army. Same goes for their reserve contingent. Troops do the task assigned be they Marines, or Soldiers. Marines can be more selective in who they take in, because they don't need as many. The argument is a wash in my opinion because the bottom line is, did X unit achieve its mission? The best laid plans rarely survive first contact. I'm reminded of the my time shooting in the combat arms matches back in the day when the Marine security unit led by a gung ho Captain got beat in multiple events by my signal unit, the CO lost his mind because every Marine is a rifleman (the berating those Marines took was ridiculous) but they also lost to teams from multiple infantry units. Does that mean my team would be able to conduct security ops as well as the Marines, no. What it means is there are always circumstances you can't control, and you do the job in front of you. You do the job you are trained to do in most cases, and the job you train for. Both the US Army and the USMC have proud traditions in wartime, and peacetime and rarely do they not succeed in the mission. At the end of the day, we were or are Members of an amazing force of arms, that is usually only held back by ridiculous rules of engagement and political "guidance".

Response by CMSgt Marshall Ray made May 12 at 2021 7:37 PM

2021-05-12T19:37:08-04:00

This is a bullshit question. It only serves to cause resentment and division. Every branch strives for the highest standards in performance and duty and rise to the occasion when called upon.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2021 6:46 AM

2021-07-11T06:46:45-04:00

I contracted 5 years with ISAF in CATO at Kabul. I worked with everybody from all branches and all countries. Pretty much everybody was good to great. I am very proud of our troops. Did our Marines out do the Army? Does it really matter who is the MVP on the losing team?
My old boss who is still there (11 July 2021) helping get everybody out during our retreat and surrender tells me everything is much worse than being reported. It is worse than Saigon April "75. Again I hold my head low in shame. WTF!

Response by LTC Ken Connolly made Jul 11 at 2021 3:30 PM

2021-07-11T15:30:20-04:00

No.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 18 at 2021 12:02 PM

2021-07-18T12:02:53-04:00

I was an advisor in Afghanistan. I remember when they said the Marines are going to be coming in for The Afghanistan version of operation phantom fury. I distinctly remember my interpreter telling the local villagers that the Marines are coming and they are not “here to build wells and schools” they are here to kill Taliban.I have served with the infantry for many years in the army before I moved on to the AMEDD side of the house. I have served with one Of the most amazing battalion commander’s and infantry units that goes all the way back to Blackhawk's war. The Army infantry and the Marine Corps are there to do the dirty work and get things done. My battalion commander understood this and all of us in the battalion understood this. Unfortunately for the Taliban they didn’t understand this and tried to mix it up with the infantry and the Marine Corps and the outcome sadly was not what they expected. The Marines are a professional organization just like the Army and they will do what needs to be done to get the mission done.

Response by Sgt Eric Akey made Sep 17 at 2021 9:27 AM

2021-09-17T09:27:05-04:00

There's a mentality barrier that is met during certain situations and that's what separates your question. If you're rolling with Army Tanks then everyone will blend in as 1 unit. They are cowboys just like the grunts and it's amazing. They throw more tanks at a problem like Marines do Marines or however Mr. Uneducated put it on other answer. In Ramadi I was truly thankful for Army Tanks on April 6th 2004.

Marines get in and do they're job and get out. We don't have time to pussy foot around for 12 months at time. That's why we are on shorter deployments than army cause it takes half the time to achieve Mission accomplishment. Everyone wants to crack on grunts but pretty sure they are the only MOS that has to know everyone's job in battalion. We have our own drivers, clerks, Supply rep., Working party for battalion, working party for company, and the list is ridiculously long but when is last time you saw a Motor T cat carrying a motor tube?

That was a sub answer to the dumb response on here.....answer your question yes and no and that's for all military. We all have our turds and the studs but as long as we're bringing those turds and studs home who cares.

Response by SPC Ray Orvin made Nov 25 at 2021 3:49 PM

2021-11-25T15:49:48-05:00

This is dumb question do push ups