Should Army and Marines (or components of) consolidate?

No. The Marine doctrine on how it executes its missions and daily conduct is very different from the Army. The disparity is so significant, that the attitude between a soldier and a Marine is different, especially in their operational capabilities.
The Marine rank structure enables leadership and command decision making through mission type orders, at a very young rank. It is not uncommon to see a LCpl assigned as a fire team leader despite not being an NCO. With the US armed forces backbone being that made up of NCO's, it is even more emphasised in the Marine Corps with many NCOs filling in field grade officer roles. I have never seen that practiced in the Army, with many commands are reliant on the SSG and SFC to make sure things get done.
From a practical standpoint it would be more feasible (financially) to consolidate the two branches. However this notion has been explored many times, and each time it is the American people who spoke that America does not need their Marine Corps they want their Marine Corps. i can understand why so many Marines get so passionate and emotional over the very suggestion of a consolidation of forces, but I don't see why I don't see many soldiers who exhibit that very same passion when it comes to their branch, except when their representing a certain division or "patch". Maybe it's this Marine Corps wide passion for their corps which is the driving force to achieving great feats against all odds. Who knows? But those who have served with Marines and Soldiers side by side will see the difference in how they get things done and I believe that's the only way you can accurately summize why keeping the two branches separate is necessary.

No to all the Marines do their best job with the Navy air Force needs to remain independent.

Another thing is that the USMC is an integral part of the Navy. If the USMC were handed over to the Army, we would either run with their title and then the Navy would eventually augment the Seals and Seabees with additional ground combat forces in future conflicts. What would they eventually be called?

No! They serve two different roles in our nation's strategic interests. It is not about insulting the Army or Marines.

The Marines would never allow it. They would dislike the competition for dance partners at the Saturday dance parties aboard ships. Also, the availability of crayons could become an issue......lmao

During President H.W. Bush term a bill passed through Congress to unite the Army and Marine Corps. This happens under a strong legislature, a cyclic power struggle of Executive versus Legislative balance. Legislature is strong as I should elaborate. Even though Army, glad H.W. Bush vetoed the bill. Marine Corps is the President's own! Get comfortable with joint training in my opinion. Deployment quickness is complicated. My pick for quickness is CIA paramilitary then Army SOF. Army has a cruddy mission these days, nothing substantial like AFRICOM or embassies.

The Marines already belong to the Navy Department. Consolidate what, exactly?

Sure as long as everyone is held to the Corps standards... I say that as an Army 12B and knowing full well what the Marines are capable of and how they train... Nobody else comes close!

Just a question or thought? To consolidate the Marines into the Army..wouldn't that be consolidating three branches into one? Considering the Marines aren't really a branch of their own. If you look at their insignia it says "Department of the Navy" so they are already consolidated with another branch...just food for thought.

While we would be better funded and get better gear and living standards, I think I'll pass on the lower PT/body fat standards and poor uniform choices. Besides, who else would retake cities like Fallujah and scare the crap out of our enemies with the mere mention of our name?