Who would really be the first fighting force to be sent in?

I sincerely hope its us retired guys. Our kids are grown up, moved out and have families of their own. We fight constantly with our wives so we are battle hardened veterans who can stare danger in the face until she retreats to the kitchen and we can change the channel to a DIY channel instead of the Hallmark channel. So yes I think I am ready.

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The real answer is always dependent upon the detail of where and when, and what is the best force for the mission...with that said, normally in the modern World you will find Army being sent in first in most occasions.

Gyrenes go in first, then the Army bails them out.

Sir, I'd have to re-check the history books but I don't think the Marines have been first in any conflict since the Barbary War and maybe Grenada. There's an argument about Airborne vs Amphibious landing.

For Afghanistan wasn't it CIA and Rangers in first?

I would think that the Navy and Airforce would be the first to fight. Then ground troops.

101'st imo...

On the two occasions that I was personally in combat involving "invasions" (for lack of a better term), the first time the effort was to coordinate simultaneous landings by Marines and Green Berets. The second time it was Marines, Rangers and Seals.

Navy is almost always the closest, and therefore, first up.

In actuality, it’s whoever is closest will get the call to go in first. They may not be the best choice but it will be the fastest.

Well, actually in Vietnam, we had ODA teams on ground in advise assist,and train role, and the other tasking was collections. These teams were there from the beginning in 1954 in small amounts, also had small Engineer teams from Navy called STAT teams. These teams worked with and supported ODA teams. The other thing these teams started doing in early 60's was working with contractors and building roads, Bridges, water Wells and basic Civil needs to prep the way for combat troops.