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

I don't think it's a comparative lack of pride in so much as it's the way it's "focused."

In the Marine Corps, we are very focused at the "Corps level" when it comes to pride. Just being a Marine. We don't really have "Unit" or "Branch" pride in the same sense that the Army does. But Marines talk smack the same way the Army does. we have our "haters" but being a much smaller service, and being much more geographically isolated also limits that exposure greatly.

But back to the Army. I think the Army tends to be much more "diversive" when it comes to culture. Legs vs Airborne, Ranger vs Ranger Qualified, Cav vs whatever Cav goes against. Then you get into the Units themselves, each with their own DEEP history and traditions. And then Branches, which I really have a hard time wrapping my head around. All we really have is Ground vs Wing... and we still deploy as MAGTFs.

This is just an outsider looking in.

Marine boot camp is a transformation process. It may seem superficial, but Marines are EXPECTED to project a certain image when wearing the uniform; their success is reflected in their individual evaluations throughout their careers. Does this universal expectation exist in the Army, or is it up to the individual or the unit? I remember seeing a group of loud, chubby young women in BDUs hanging out and thinking to myself they would look just as at home in the ghetto except for the uniform. The transformation (basic training), the organization's expectations, and the image that the service members project all have a part in the input (recruits) and output of a particular branch of service. Maybe the Army just doesn't expect enough, so it's left to the individual soldier--some of whom are superstars.

We like to say we empower our Junior Enlisted, the USMC actually empowers theirs....why do we hold back the rank of CPL, while the USMC has it as a normal progression for them....are we scared to trust our subordinates? When is the last time you've trained with a Marine unit or been on a base, it is constant training - all day, whether combatives, weapons, shooting, more weapons......we have to remember what our task is, and when we get away from our mission which is to kill the enemy (not wearing fluffy socks)......

When I went from the Marines to the Army, I experience many culture shocks. One of the first things I noticed was, as Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS said, much division within the Army. I had not been to Airborne school since few Marines get to go, and as a Captain this immediately differentiated me by my uniform. I also had to get used to the idea of wearing a unit patch on my uniform. In the Marines, you only wear your name, rank, and US Marines. Everybody is a Marine first and foremost. There is no focus on what training the person has been to (no badges, tabs, no unit patches, etc.). This is really only a superficial uniform policy, but I think it's reflective of the culture. I also think it makes sense. The Marine Corps is a lot smaller than the Army, so everybody can focus on "the Corps" -- whereas given the Army size, there may be a need to instill pride at smaller organizational levels.

Driving down Main Street USA, you will always see Marine Corps bumper stickers and Marine Corps flags on people's houses. Rarely will you see an Army flag outside of an Army base. What I believe Army Soldiers fly instead is the American flag - which you see plenty of. More pride in country than pride in the branch of service, per se. The Marine Corps has a great tradition of Marine pride, and it's instilled very effectively into people from the very beginning. In a way, the Marines need it to justify their differentiation.

All the above has to do with how one treats their branch of service with outsiders. From my experience, people in the Army and in the Marine Corps complained internally about their respective service at an equal level.

In response to your follow up question: Yes, I think it's possible for the Army to gain similar (or at least close) levels of pride in the branch of service, but this would probably take decades of effort to build that sort of cultural focus... implementing changes starting in basic training and waiting long enough until today's Privates are CSMs perpetuating the cycle.

These soldiers that you mention must be newer soldiers with little time in the Army. I am very proud of my service in the Army, and nobody on the face of this earth can claim otherwise. Just because you hear it from the Marine Corps more does not mean Army pride is not there. Hooah!

It starts at Parris Island, San Diego and Quantico. The history, esprit de corps and "every Marine a rifleman" (even the air wingers) culture are ingrained early. We all speak the same language, do much of the same training etc. It has been said here but worth repeating is that Marines don't wear badges, patches, gizmos and whizbangs. Being a Marine and having USMC or US Marines on your uniform is more than enough.

The army has MOS's from medical to air, to support to infantry (airborne, ranger, infantry Bn etc) , it is very large and unwieldy compared to the Corps. It is so divergent in jobs and focus it is harder to get the same esprit de corps across so many units, people etc.

The Marine Corps instills the pride and historical reasons for the pride. There is nothing that would bother most Marines more than not meeting the standard (or exceeding it) than those that have come before them. We know their names, their exploits and know we are expected to live up to them, no excuses.

It is harder for the army due to size but it does exist in pockets certainly. (Special Forces, Rangers, Airborne Battalions etc)

Because the Army is not trained from the start to be move and act with speed and intensity. Marines are also all trained to fight regardless of their specialty. Which means that in a time of crisis, I can rely on any Marine to be ready to kill without ever worrying about if they still remember how to use their weapon.

I have to say, the Marines have MUCH more pride in their service than the average soldier. I loved the Army and would tell you my branch is the best all day long to this very day. But the truth is the Marines receive more training than the average soldier. More infantry training no matter what your MOS is, swimming, martial arts, training with other special ops from around the world, etc. The Army just doesn't get this same training because it would put us in debt to train so many soldiers. They are trained to kill, first in, and expected to be the first to die and they know it. Bottom line is a lot of soldiers are in the Army because they had nowhere else to go or no job to go to. Marines CHOSE to be Marines. I hate to say it, but after talking to so many Marines and seeing the immediate difference in branch history and pride, the truth is just the truth! But still.. Soldiers do the hard work in all these combat tours. While you do your 4-6 month rotations, the Army is holding it down for 12-15 every other year. HOOAH!!

The Marine Corps is a cult.

Speaking for myself I have nothing but pride to have been a soldier. My platoon and unit were the best! I have nothing but love for my Army brother and sisters Hooah!