Posted on Jun 26, 2016
How do you explain to the "average American" why we need a Marine Corps?
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The popular "Yahoo! Answers" site recently posted the the age-old question: "Why do we need a Marine Corps? Why can't it's job be done by the the Army?"
https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid= [login to see] 1737AAoShY8 From the footnote of the question the person wanted a "straight" answer.
Putting our own service pride/rivalries aside, is there an answer that can be truly explained to an "average American" who has not served?
https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid= [login to see] 1737AAoShY8 From the footnote of the question the person wanted a "straight" answer.
Putting our own service pride/rivalries aside, is there an answer that can be truly explained to an "average American" who has not served?
Posted in these groups: 
Military History
Marines
Military History Marines
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 50
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People forget there's a different mission set between the Army and Marine Corps. Problem has been the Marines are given the same missions the Army can and should do, hence taking them away from the stuff they do best. The Army isn't in a position to do the same stuff a MAGTF can do.
Maybe the question should be flipped. How about getting rid of the Army and having a very large Marine Corps? Now I pulled the pin on that one, fire for effect. BTW, Marines would hate this. Somehow "The Proud, The Many" isn't as sexy as "The Few".
Maybe the question should be flipped. How about getting rid of the Army and having a very large Marine Corps? Now I pulled the pin on that one, fire for effect. BTW, Marines would hate this. Somehow "The Proud, The Many" isn't as sexy as "The Few".
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CAPT Kevin B.
Ah, now we're getting to it. I first mentioned different mission sets. Now we're seeing the problem with too many (numbers and size) mission sets. One size fits all means we'll never be more than 70% effective. The 30% we come up short on highlight the problems we already have but chose to have different solution sets. Too big to be there soon enough; The Army. Too small to occupy; The Marines. Cover your six from the sea; The Navy. Sweep the skies; Air Force. Spot any SM a beer; The Seabees!
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Sgt Joseph Baker
To take on the Army's mission we would have to start having two classes of Marines like the Army creates in their different basic training regimes. Then we would have to adopt crappy looking uniforms. Then we would have to create a million different support roles for those lower-testosterone Marines like the Army does. It's way too complicated for us dumb Marines. We should just stick to blowing crap up and let the Army do whatever it is they do. Lean and mean killin' machine. Plus we don't have a robust enough supply chain for all the shiny things we would have to start adding to our uniforms to make us feel special.
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Sgt Loren Petty
Someday Marine forces will eclipse the size of the Army, but not until they are performing missions in space, assisting and policing colonists. Until then, a small elite Marine Corps is best. ;)
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MAJ Rene De La Rosa
Sgt Joseph Baker I would never call a Marine dumb, crazy and impulsive, loves what he does and this country immensely. Has an insatiable appetite for righting wrong, and cares for the poor and downtrodden in some areas of the world that could be considered third (to some, fourth?) world. Dealt with Marines and they are the most professional of all the services, even after hours. Quality organization.
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Remember what the Marine Corps purpose is. At inception, it was an armed group that would repel boarders on naval vessels and board an enemy one to take it by force of arms. Occasionally they'd be a shore party to assist with the taking of fortifications. Later, they took on the amphibious mission, one that is not quite antiquated yet, but hasn't been performed in many years.
Today, they are a fire brigade of sorts, capable of getting to a conflict or disaster area and defeating problems that crop up.
I don't think you change things just to change things. The Corps has a mission. Frankly, I think that they are under resourced and have been for as long as I can remember. If we are going to maintain the corps as a spearhead, we must keep it sharp and at the ready.
Today, they are a fire brigade of sorts, capable of getting to a conflict or disaster area and defeating problems that crop up.
I don't think you change things just to change things. The Corps has a mission. Frankly, I think that they are under resourced and have been for as long as I can remember. If we are going to maintain the corps as a spearhead, we must keep it sharp and at the ready.
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1SG (Join to see)
LTC Paul Labrador - I think using the Corps for the missions at hand is ok, although it doesn't excuse the piss-poor planning leading to their use for that mission. What is a crying shame is that we are letting the Corps atrophy and making it so their readiness is falling to a level that no one is comfortable with. To be sharp, they need to train, and their gear and vehicles need to be in working, combat-ready condition. Sadly, that is not the case.
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LTC Paul Labrador
1SG (Join to see) - Well we're letting everyone's readiness levels fall, not just the Corps'.
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1SG (Join to see)
LTC Paul Labrador - True, but the Corps' specialized mission and need for combined arms exercises makes them feel it a lot when training and maintenance money is curtailed.
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Maj Chris Clark
The Marines primary mission, amphibious warfare has been ignored by the "blue " water Navy for years and continues to be ignored. How else can you explain an "amphib" with no well deck.....
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Hitting a beach, shipboard security and pulling embassy duty is not something I would want to do. God Bless The Marines for taking up the mission.
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Sgt Tom Cunnally
Don't forget guards at the White House and worrying if the Clintons are coming back.. I'm still having trouble with the rumor ????? Hillary tossed things at the Secret Service so I wonder if the shit will hit the fan if she tosses anything at a Marine????
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Sgt Carlos Barrera
Sgt Tom Cunnally - The only thing stopping a Marine from retaliating is because he does not want to ne known as the guy who took out Hillary (in my eyes he would be a hero)
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