Posted on Dec 30, 2013
MSgt Visual Information Chief
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Should former marines who join another service give up the title
I first joined the Army and after my enlistment, I joined the Marine Corps.  I no longer call myself a Soldier, but a Marine.  Should former Marines give up the title of Marine once they join another branch of service?  It's analogous to a woman taking the name of her husband, then once the marriage has ended, she re-marries and takes her new husband's name. Me, I'm married to the Corps!
Posted in these groups: B04bb539 Marines
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CH (CPT) Heather Davis
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MSGT Schrubb:


Respectfully, due to the blue to green program and many have had careers extended and promoted beyond expectations due to transitioning to another branch. I will share with you that to create a cohesive team you have to align up with the core culture.


Yes have that Semper Fi, pride but also have the respect for the team that you joined. I believe in my heart that when you cross over you have to be true to the team that you are on.



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Cpl Dave James
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No.  Once they have earned the EGA, they are a Marine.  Period.  I'm just assuming that when they join another service, they are there to teach them how it's supposed to work. ;-)
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SGT Romeo Reyes
SGT Romeo Reyes
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Exactly, teach and pass on what you have learned.
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CPT Infantry Officer
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The answer is No. A Marine that joins another service should maintain the title of Marine (or former marine) this should be viewed just like a paratrooper will always be a paratrooper. ..ranger a ranger, regardless of branch of service. I do not think that in the new service (Army) that former Marine should ask to be titled / called former Marine. The same way that a Paratrooper that goes to a heavy unit is no longer called Paratrooper in that unit. Never forget where you are from and what you have learned. The experience of all our Marine and Soldiers and their blending make us the greatest military on earth. If not we could all claim Dept of Defense.
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CPT Infantry Officer
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The answer is No. A Marine that joins another service should maintain the title of Marine (or former marine) this should be viewed just like a paratrooper will always be a paratrooper. ..ranger a ranger, regardless of branch of service. I do not think that in the new service (Army) that former Marine should ask to be titled / called former Marine. The same way that a Paratrooper that goes to a heavy unit is no longer called Paratrooper in that unit. Never forget where you are from and what you have learned. The experience of all our Marine and Soldiers and their blending make us the greatest military on earth. If not we could all claim Dept of Defense.
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SFC Training Nco
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As I look at this FORUM I see some good comments and some not so good.  Everyone has their reasons for joining the branch they have chosen or switched over too.  The most important thing is pride in serving our country.  We have all volunteered.  Just imagine being a native of Korea and having a discussion on whether or not it is better to be KATUSA or a ROK Soldier because anyone that has been stationed knows that KATUSAs come from rich families that pay their Government so they don't have to serve in the ROK military.
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MGySgt Network Operations Chief
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I have seen multiple Marines transition to the Army/National Guard due to sequestration, lack of promotions, switching to the Reserves, or any number of reasons. The majority still proudly call themselves Marines and excel in their new service. Once a Marine, Always a Marine, even if you no longer want to claim it once you've served your time.
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Spc 1 J W.
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Too bad your Army experiences led to a divorce and a second marriage to the Marines.&nbsp; I don't look at it as a marriage or a divorce though.&nbsp; I am a proud Airman, but my personal military heritage is that of a proud US Navy Sailor.&nbsp; I went to Great Lakes instead of Lackland, I went to Lakehurst instead of Chanute.&nbsp; Even though I started out in the Navy I now have more Air Force time.&nbsp; I am the total sum of all my experiences, Navy, Naval Reserve, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve.&nbsp; There are days when I look back to working nights on the flight deck of a carrier during flex-deck operations when the boat is launching and recovering aircraft at the same time.&nbsp; Running around to fix an F-14 survival equipment problem or a personal equipment problem for an aircrew member and cheating death.&nbsp; Great experiences that help me today in my Air Force career.&nbsp; <br>
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Sgt Dale Briggs
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What’s earned is earned, I earned my stripes.
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LTC Multifunctional Logistician
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Nah, several Soldiers in my unit are former Marines and I will always honor that. If they were USMC tea shirts on their days off, I think t is great! I certainly enjoy wearing Navy shirts when I wash the car on Saturday as well, as I am prior Navy enlisted. I have Soldiers who once served in more elite units like the 101st and 82nd. I sure wouldn't expect them to not take pride in it.
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LTC Multifunctional Logistician
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Nah, several of the Soldiers in my unit are former Marines and I will always respect that.
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