Jackson Jambalaya

I have a serious question I’d like to pose. Why do we have a Marine Corps? If the Army is tasked with land based combat operations and the Airforce is tasked with aerial ops, why do we need the Corps? Could you not assign an Army division the obsolete task of amphibious assault/ vertical envelope and do away with all of the admin redundancy of having an entirely separate military branch? And before you mention that the Marines are a combined air/ground force that’s way more efficient because you have Marine infantrymen talking directly with Marine fighter pilots, let me just mention a buzz word in today’s military circles: JOINT OPERATIONS. Everything is going to joint ops where all military branches are more integrated and plan/ execute operations jointly. The Army and Airforce work hand in hand in today’s contemporary operating environment.

I say let’s just get rid of the Marine Corps, reassign them to the Army and save BILLIONS of tax payer dollars. The guards outside the Whitehouse wouldn’t be wearing those pretty uniforms, but so what?

11:43, you focus on the Army/Air hybrid quality. What happened to the Naval component? As its name indicates, the Corps is made up of "mariners," and it was formed a bit before there was an Air Force, or even an Army Air Corps.

Anyway, eliminating the Crotch would be like eliminating cowboys.

Agree with 11:43. Marines are an obsolete force in search of a mission/purpose. They peaked during WW2 and since have served as a conventional ground force just like the Army. Look at Vietnam, Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan.

The USMC is a component of the US Navy. So, your wish to have a "division" of a cabinet level branch is already in place.

Also, as a separate budget entity, the USMC comprises just 6% of the total DoD budget.

Lastly, the USMC has roughly 90% of it's personnel that are enlisted. Army, Air Force and Navy each have roughly 80% enlisted, 20% officers.

Anyways, kind of a dumb argument, but could have been better had there been some knowledgeable points.

The founders never envisioned a large standing army. That's why the funding has to be reauthorized every two years. The Navy (and hence the Marine Corps) were authorized in perpetuity. Why? They are designed solely to focus force outward. Maritime pre positioning and Marine Expeditionary Units are not only force projection but also often our best and fastest way to render aid when it is needed in disasters abroad. A large standing Army, could, in theory be turned against us.

And trust me, 11:43, our foes abroad don't share the same low opinion of our Marine Corps. Our allies throughout the Pacific have worked hard to duplicate it.

And, if it's any consolation, the 'pretty' dress uniforms are really uncomfortable.

Are you guys really trying to compare a Marine to an Army Grunt?

The mantra of most of these guys is that they fought for our freedom. What I would like to know is who is around from the Revolutionary War?

Nice try ISIS! The MARINE CORPS will be here for at least another 242 years just waiting for the opportunity to stack bodies in your little sand box.

Happy Birthday Devil Dogs!

The Few The Proud

The Marines

The Fewer The Prouder

The Force Reconnaissance Marines

When it absolutely, positively has to be destroyed overnight

Happy Birthday to the Corp!!!

Corps, not Corp, for God's sake.

Join the Marines, go on a few missions in hostile territory, and learn why we still need them.

Thank you for your service.