Should Army and Marines (or components of) consolidate?

I’m not on board with that at all. I was Air Force - but in a very specialized career field. I’ve operated with both Army and Marines. I don’t know anyone I served with ... Army or USMC, who would call this a good plan. Both have different missions and objectives ... it’s as dumb as all the stupid uniform changes.

As a veteran that served in both branches I know first hand that there would be some benefits if both were to consolidate. However, rather than having to deal with the massive cultural clashs that would definitely strain the overall mission of both branches, I believe it would be more beneficial to keep things the way they currently are while continuing to improve joint operations. In other words, stop trying to fix what's not broken.

I am an inactive U.S. Army and Kansas Army National Guard officer. I am not retired.

I, as a marine, can see why the DoD would consider this. With that being stated, Marine Corps training, starting early in boot camp, is much different than Army training. What I think should really happen is the merger of the Amh into the USMC, to create a much more effective unit that doesn't base the quality of it's missions on number of men but moreso on quality and productivity of men (and woman; this is a figure of speech). As LTC Labrador said above as well, there are components of the USMC, extremely important components, that the Army does not; including amphibious assault capabilities, survival tactics, and even overall physical health quals. There are components of the Army that we don't have that could definitely strengthen our objectives, but t tell the Marine Corps to join the Army is a blatent show of how little people understand of the Marine Corps, and why exactly we are as effective as we are. Many retired Marines join the Army as instructors or stay in their specialty because they know it isn't as taxing to do so, and they will have a smoother tranistion into the civilian sector. The numbers of Army that join the Marine Corps after time served in their branch is extremely low, and I believe this speaks volumes. Why take a more effective branch and join it with a less effective branch (no disrespect meant)? Does it not make more sense to take the less effective branch and combine it with the more effective branch? If that does happen, an evaluation in accordance with USMC standards should be applied to all those who were Army, to gauge their readiness in the field, the combat stage, and expectations when it applies to etiquette.

This 0311 says no. The Army is great at what they do, but being on a west PAC is not in there skill set. The Marine are the force in readiness. Waiting to be unleaded from the chain at a moment notice. The Army just does not deploy as quick.

Ludicrous. Tradition, pride, es spirit de corps, and 250 years of wars made our branches. They need to left the hell alone. If it aint broke, don't fix it.

Combining 0311 and 11B is the only sensible option with this suggestion. All others are nonsense.

No way! Each Service has its own history, traditions, and culture. The last is most significant of the three. Each Service is a truly unique culture, and each is highly important to our country, as presently constituted.

I have the utmost respect for the Marines and I recognize them as the top of the military. As an Army Veteran, I could see a consolidation but it would not be easy.

No. Marines are the original authorized expeditionary force. An important first response capability.