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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Responses: 358
Cpl Devon Cook
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Never, the title of Marine is earned like any other and shouldn't ever be stripped from those who earned it.
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Capt Walter Miller
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"Down the huge parade ground they marched, erect as one man. For the first time, they felt the full thrill of the title they would carry for the rest of their lives. Past the reviewing stand Beller barked "Eyes Right!" and he flashed his silver saber to a salute. The band struck up the Marine's Hymn. The standards of the battalion and platoon dipped and the colonel returned the salute. To a man their hearts thumped, bursting with pride beneath the neat green uniforms. They had paid with sweat, with humiliation, and a few tears for the name they had. They were Marines now...and would be to the day they died." - Leon Uris
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SrA David Steyer
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No, they should not give up the title. I am not a Marine and I respect and acknowledge that the title, once earned is forever; unless you get out dishonorably. If you change branches, there is a time and place to acknowledge and use the title. But nonetheless it should be respected and never given up.

Example: I saw a service member who transferred to another branch and I want to say the Army and was given an award (Silver Star?) that he earned while in the Marine Corps, and he was wearing a Marine Corps uniform when it was awarded. That was appropriate.

Bringing it up every five minutes and being elitist about it, no that's not appropriate and will make me wonder why you got out.

I knew a great Air Force MSgt in the reserves who is a recruiter and I helped her out quite a bit doing some clearances for members, and I saw an official photo of her in service dress and she was wearing the Marine Good Conduct Medal so I knew she earned the title, and never said anything about it and was very humble about it.
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SSG(P) G6 Ncoic
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Let em keep whatever title they earned. It's fun listening to them make the reference to it, especially when they make a mistake after stating such! Hooorah! Uh em' I mean HUA!
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PFC Broadcast Journalist
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Once a Marine...always a Marine. You earn the title and it can never be taken away.
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SGT Brian Bybee
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Once a marine always a marine .no other title can compare
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Cpl Fire Support Man
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No.
Once a Marine.
Always a Marine.
Insignia badge on other branch uniforms should be displayed that he/she is a Marine.
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LCpl Roberto Johnson
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Always will have the title of Marine
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PO2 Charlotte Seals
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Never!! Rule 1, Once a Marine Always a Marine. If you join another branch it's fine. Rule 2, Defend your Country. USA Branch of Military has an American Flag which is our pride. Honor, Courage and Commitment to our Country and defending what is our. This is my rule of thought.
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Sgt Lynn Guntner
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Once a Marine ALWAYS a Marine!
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