Should Army and Marines (or components of) consolidate?

I was a soldier under Marine command in Iraq. I found the mixture of service branches confusing - Navy, Army, Air Force, Marines - especially with regard to rank structures, military courtesy, chain of command, etc. I thought it would have been simpler if all the services were combined. The Marines could still exist as a separate unit, but the bureaucracy could be leveled out and streamlined as between all the services.

Just another way for Army Soldiers to get the title instead of EARNING it. It is amazing to be constantly reminded by other branches of what Marines are, what they do; what it’s like to see a Marine, train next to one, or have talked to a few. Despite it all, Marines are very comfortable and happy to be Marines. If a soldier, airman, or seaman ever wants the Marines to Merge with their branch, they should go to Marine Corps Boot Camp or Marine Corps OCS trainings and attempt to become a Marine.

I respect all of the branches as well; however, I am quite finished with other branches (primarily the Army branch) simplifying or speculating what the Marine Corps is or who Marines are. The Marine Corps operates under a COMPLETELY different mission, doctrine, and Standard Operating Procedure. The Marine Corps is required to be of its own entity because of the nature of its mission/capabilities.

Dare I remind ANY soldier of my brothers and sisters that went into harms way (again) because the “Army” was incapable of holding Somolian order; after Marines handed it over as a successful overtaking of hostils.

Either way, no intention for a this and that or tick for tack; the Marine Corps is fine just the way it is, how it is, and where it is as a US Military branch.

There is no mystique or “marketing strategy” about the Marine Corps. Marines are very aware of their status and attributes. It is the outside service members who obsess about a better and tougher IMAGE. Thusly, it is not to far reaching to find that the army think it best to incorporate the Marine Corps in order to claim the title vs earning it. Thanks, but no thanks!

Marine

No, both have similarities, but both are still unique, and should remain seperate.

No

I noticed in the last few paragraphs it was stated the ar.y would have to do this and that to be up to the level of the corp. The corps has always been able to do more with less. That is what is pounded into or minds. It will never work.

The marines are always expeditionary. They go at a moment's notice.

He'll no

Being a marine is a mindset, when they were drafting in the Marine Corps during Vietnam how many draftees were happy that they were drafted into the Marine Corps??? In my thinking recruits have two reasons for not joining the Marine Corps,1. They have family that was in another service and they want to follow them. 2. They do not want to go through Parris Island South Carolina!!!!!!

No. Every branch has their own skill set. I served side by side with with Marines Navy and Air Force in Iraq. Each skill set made everything run smoothly as it can possibly get in a war zone.

NO! I served with both the Army and attached to the USMC while in the Navy. They are different entities altogether. They should not be consolidated.