Should Army and Marines (or components of) consolidate?

And that happened way before the Army said it was ok.
I rest my case.

NO.......................Period.

What no definitely not

I'm surprised that this is coming from a PO1 instead of a drunk private. Marines may be grunts, but their primary means of conveyance is the Navy, right? Also, after working with both I've come to find that although non-POG Marines may break things for a living, they are substantially more intellectual than the run of the mill soldier.

In regards to the Air Force challenge, read a book. A big reason that the Air Force was established is to allow Airmen to be technically sufficient enough to make metallic objects fly. Non-maintenance Airmen are specifically trained in securing and supporting airfields. Whether it be airfield security or sweeping the airbase pool for nasty bugs, we all have a purpose in that regard. Airmen are not soldiers, and although with the recent leadership trying to tell us we're warriors, we're not. We're technicians and aren't proficient enough in shooting things to qualify as such.

So, reflecting what I just stated, we all have our own purpose for the circumstance our service is bred for. Don't think that you're qualified to mix them up.

Here's an idea: can we try this on a pilot basis? Take an Army and Marine infantry or artillery battalion, combine them and see what happens? Brigade-level would be too big to start with, and company-level too small, so battalion might be just the right size.

No...not a good idea. Organizational culture is to different. Marines mentality of infantryman first job second would contradict the army's current culture of soft mos skills focusing on there skill. I applaud the Marines for this. To much disruption. Strategically where would the amphibious force come from ever gone to an army pool and watched soldiers swim ha.

Absolutely not! There are traditions that are distinctly Marine Corps and distinctly Army. As someone who serve in both branches, I can tell you that it is that distinction that sets them both apart. Although the combat roles are in some ways similar, the training, the ethos and the pride that comes with being called a Marine, or a Soldier cannot be consolidated and would not only serve to homogenize two great branches of our military, but diminish two centuries of great military history.

Never, They have been trying to do this forever!

Never two different missions...plus in respect to doctrine they would have to relearn almost everything like Marksmanship, Drill and Ceremony (close order drill) moving to either 9 or 13 man squads Marine Infantry Battalions have about 400 more bodies than the Army. I was in both....In my opinion it would take years to move something like that and would cost a lot more money to do it.

The Army and Marine Corps has totally and completely different mission sets. Yes the Infantry's mission is pretty much the same between the forces but when it comes to mission sets, they are different. Not to disparrage the Corps, there is a reason why the Department of the Marine Corps does not exist. The Navy and Marines go hand in hand for shore operations. The Army does not have the training or capacity to conduct large scale beach operations. Although WW2 Operation Overload was the exception, by and large, this mission falls on the Marines. Combining forces would complicate things and blur mission lines.