Why does the Army not have as much pride as the Marines?

I had the pleasure of serving in both. In the Marine Corps, we felt like we were one in a million. In the Army we felt like we were one OF a million. As other said, it’s likely due to indoctrination (boot camp). But I also remember in the Army being forced into some unit pride that was a hard sell. Although I enjoyed being in the Marne Division, I could give two shits about who else served or what battle. I was infantry and was proud of that accomplishment.

I think it's the sheer volume of troops in the Army. Basic Training is designed to salvage the maximum possible of what they recruit- and if you remember basic training, it's obviously a waste basket for a lot of folks that society doesn't know what to do with. With sheer numbers comes a greater absolute number of slackers, shirkers, cons and criminals- not a greater percentage, but a greater absolute number. Also the Army has more of everything, clubs, bases, chow, vehicles, money. All that being said, I was surprised how proud I was to become a soldier and wear the uniform after finishing Basic. It all depends where you get assigned- I started in a line unit which was much more strac, and after a short-time, because of my specialty MOS and GT scores, I was transferred to the Division HQ company, and all the guys were jealous, saying it was a country club that HQ only went to the field less than a couple of weeks a year. It was true- and it sucked, and after a short time I sucked. We had more field-grade officers than enlisted. Every junior enlisted man worked for his own Captain Major, LTC or Full-Bird who routinely got them off work details and out of PT. I was assigned temporarily to the Division Commandants office, and the Major got me- a E-3, with only 14 months in, BOQ to live off-base. Our Medic section had 6 people and almost no mission, since officers skipped sick call and went directly to the Troop medical clinic. Our barracks was a pig-stye, and the female clerks and other personnel, when we briefly deployed to the field, used to carry around their weapons in plastic-bags so they didn't get dirty. Bad attitudes grew like weeds in this fertile soil, and we all mocked grunts, lifers and other "stupid" folks. With so much time on our hands we sat around looking at each other, or escaped to get high and kill time doing nothing. I remember I had to run an errand to an infantry battalion quad, and when I entered, I remembered what the military was supposed to be about- the barracks were spotless, the facilities perfectly maintained and painted, the CQ was as strac as the First-Soldier in the Home Guard. Later, I was TDY as cadre medic to the Division Recon School- Wow, another world. we ran not only our own troops through there, but also marines and navy personnel. The cadre liked me enough, (or maybe they just wanted to fix a wayward young man) that they tried to convince me to take the course, but by then I was too far gone to become a hoo-rah, plus I was too intimidated by the commitment and sacrifice of the guys that went through- Honestly, I didn't think I had what it took. I was solid-gold REMF, by then.

SGM, I have just read your question for the first time. I have not read any responses, so I’m probably going to say what’s already been said.
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There are almost twice the number of Army, ANG, and Army Reservist than all of the other branches combined. There is almost a 4:1 ratio of Army AD to Marine AD. So my first conclusion is that it is much easier to join the Army, as the Army will take enlistees that have rejected by the other branches. Like being the last one picked for any sport. The Army takes most anyone while the Marines “Only Take Commitments.”
Boot Camp is reportedly the toughest of the Basic Trainings. I can not testify to that, but I’ve never heard valid arguments to the contrary.

Unfortunately the Army has no aspire de corp.like aMarine. You can tell when a person has been in the Corp. And it doesn't matter how long ago. They are Marines until they die.

In many respects our Corps is like a cult. We are believers. Belief in our training, belief in our leaders and belief in each other. That's why we are who we are.

The Marine corps is a "cult of personality"; they think because their PT test is the hardest that makes them Elite Fighters, they are not, they have a different mission.

Part of this comes from the one marine one corps philosophy, that happened after WWII when the commandant of the marine corps decreed that all unit patches and paraphernalia would no longer be worn on the uniform, as it was one marine, one corps.

It took awhile for the "hollywood marines" and the "Perris Island marines" to view each other as equals.

In the Army our esprit de corps is based around our unit and our unit history. Airborne units have more prestige than leg units, and Rangers have more prestige than any other light infantry or airborne unit.

The marine corps does not have this issue, because they do not have that kind of division among its combat arms teams. Although with MARSOC a thing now, i am interested in seeing how that plays out.

It also comes down to the fact that other services tend to regard the marine corps as legendary too. Stop paying homage to the cult of personality and this shit will stop.

The marine corps currently has three months of Initial Entry training and then 8 weeks of advanced infantry training 20 weeks for its infantry fighters; the Army now has a 22 week OSUT that includes a crucible event too. The new motto in the Army is everyone a rifleman, that started when they put cooks on the line in Iraq, and transportation guys were getting there shit handed to them for not understanding hot to use their weapons.

The ranger battalion is now the toughest special forces capable units in the pipeline, as each time you get promoted you go through RASP (old term RIP) which has been expanded by four weeks. That means leaders in Ranger BN are the best trained leaders in any special forces capable units.

It takes 2 full years to fully train a rifleman in the marine corps and the army and when it is done they have The EXACT SAME SKILL SET; except the Army infantry is more qualified than any Marine as an 11B (infantry) guy i was trained on the M-16, M-4, M-9, Bayonet, grenade, 203 launcher, Mk 19 grenade launcher, M-60 and 240B, M2 BMG, SAW, and M-47 Dragon, AT-4, FGR 17 viper, and the FGM 148 Javelin. If you want to be a machine gunner in the marine corps that is a separate mos, anti armor? yup separate MOS. These are ASI's in the Army, and many of them are granted through OJT.

You want to have esprit de corps? join the Ranger BN and you will feel it. Join the 82nd and you will feel it. If you are not combat arms, then you probably don't have the same Esprit de Corps either, but i have been in MI, Infantry, and Armor in my time in the Army, and the infantry and Armor guys were always gung ho about their job. Tankers love that tank they act just like aviation guys do about their aircraft. And the infantry? well they are the Infantry the queen of battle. Have you ever heard an Infantryman recite the infantryman's creed?

When you sign up for the Marines, you know what you are in for. The basic training for the Marines is unique in that it bonds them to the Corps. The Army has soldiers that are just as prideful. It is just that many people join the Army and Navy thinking it is something that it is not. It is not a travel service, that is all fun and games. Marines typically know it's going to be a hard ride. At least that is how I as an FMF Corpsmen saw the Marines.

I'll give the short answer, it starts with the NCO. Because i dont really know how to answer it.

Marine Corps 2nd Lts must complete the one year Basic Officer School, Marine Corps Base, Quantico, VA. We were trained to be Platoon and Company Commanders. Training included USMC History, weapons, tactics, organizational structure, ordnance, rifle and pistol range qualifications, and many operational training exercises. We became indoctrinated with love and pride for our Corps! Once this training was complete we could apply for a Military Occupation Specialty. But we were trained to be Grunts, 0302 Infantry Officers. We became a brotherhood and led by example - don't ask any subordinate to do anything you can not accomplish. I was the first to run the obstacle course. Marines by themselves are like most other military service personnel, but in a combat situation a Marine is not going to let down the Marines on his left or right (this also applies when on liberty in civilian clothes)!. Marines take self criticism and self evaluation as methods to improve performance but do not take kindly to outside organizations or personnel giving us criticism, advice, or disrespect! Once a Marine you will always be a Marine whether you are on Active Duty, Retired, or a Marine Veteran. We are The Proud, The Few, The United States Marines. Major USMC Retired. . . Ooh Rah!

I don't know about now with post-p.c. military correctness but when I graduated from bootcamp: MCRD SAN DIEGO, the experience was so life changing (unless you were some brain dead person...) So transformative that I believed and and still do the graduation speech made by Gunny Heartman in Full Metal Jacket "...From now on, until the day you die, every Marine is your brother..." (I still call any former Marine I know and Meet "My Brother" or "Sister" WM's I don't give a rats ass what race or creed I see I don't even care what MOS, Combat or No Combat experience they'be had (I'm an 0300 Combat Vet)...I know what they went through at Perris Island or San Diego...and for that alone they are family.