I was in both as a marine first and then in several army units. Could write pages on the topic but will just say that the larger part of men that join the army would never consider joining the marines. Marines for the larger part are a type that come out of our society the same way that some that join the army go into the airborne.

Here is another hint. The Marines have a chapel down at Camp Legune that celibrates the Archangel Michael also known as the Sword of the Lord, Heavenly Warrior, Oh join with us in battle.

Man this is the oldest thread I have ever seen on here.

interesting post. I have always felt the Marines to be more tough, but all divisions of the USA military are pretty strong in my opinion.

go marines hands down every time

Well,First things first.I want to thank ALL of you who have served and are still serving for doing just that.Serving your country.

Now this debate,that is going on.The Marines have a TOTALLY different mindset than the Army and that includes the maroon colored beanie wearing Rangers.

I can't identify a soldier,sailor or airman walking down the street in civvies but I can ALWAYS pick out a Marine even the wide butt ones(women).It is just the way they carry themselves.Attitude is everything.

My brother-in-law was a E-8 in the Army and I couldn't figure that out.In the Marines or the Navy he MAY have made E-6 but never any higher.He was and is to say it politely,an idiot.

As for the Marines, I shot a perfect score on the Marine Corp rifle range once and the Gunny was more than a little impressed.He said I would make a good Marine.I told him,with a smile on my face, I could never be a Marine because I knew both my parents.

The only reason we have made ANY in roads in "Raghead"istan recently is because the increase in the number of Marine units in the country.There is only one direction for a Marine unit--FORWARD.

That recent fiasco with that Army unit left out in that outpost there would have NEVER happened to a Marine unit.For one,they would never set up an outpost in a valley.Learned that lesson in Vietnam at a place called Khe Sahn.

Better battle force?Marines, they are simply the best at everything they do.How do I know.I live with a man who did 3 tours in Vietnam as a forward artillery observer.He is 67 years young and I don't know of anybody that would mess with him.

And my brother-in-law?He is still an idiot.

We have only one weapon in the house.I asked him if the SHTF what are we going to do?Typical Marine he said, I'll shoot the first S.O.B. we see with a weaponThen we'll have two.

SEMPER FI.

Of course the main difference and deciding factor in this heated debate.

Marines get laid.

Hammer meets the wood.

[edit on 8-3-2010 by USMC-oorah]

And just what are you smoking?

I am a former Marine, served from 04-08 with two tours in Iraq. The who is better question is old and dying. Each branch has its own special capabilities, and SOF. To say that an Army Ranger is glorified infantry is really a huge insult to those guys. I have worked with tons of rangers, and for the most part they are pretty damn good at what they do. It doesn't matter what branch you take a look at, each has its own pieces of trash that make the organization look bad. As far as MEU's being SOF capable, it all depends on the MEU, who is attached to it, and the level of support they have on board. A did my second tour in Iraq while attached to the 13th MEU, and worked very closely with Recon Units on board. Not all MEU's are SOF capable, but most are for the majority. You have to understand that most Marines that are attached to a MEU are there by choice, and have volunteered for the sea duty so they could have an opportunity to get off the shore and see the world. The biggest difference between the Army and Marine Corps, is leadership at an early rank. Generally the Army uses its NCO's as squad leaders and platoon leaders and for the most part (army guys correct me if I am wrong) you must have nco stripes to carry these positions. In the Marines, it doesn't matter what your rank is, everything is performance based, and I have seen a Lance Corporal in charge of corporals and sergeants (they were POS nco's btw).

Originally posted by DareDevil

It would be easy to say that the Marine Corps is the best or Rangers, or SF (Special Forces) or Navy SEALs are the best but that just isn't so. Each one is designed for a specific purpose and each one is the best at what they do. It's apple's and oranges to compare Rangers to Marine M.E.U's. All in all they are brothers in arms and rely on each other to help get the job done.

I couldn't have said it better brother. I am Infantry medic, go figures from my tag, and I have worked with Marines and of course with the Army many times through multiple deployments to the Middle East. If you need a small objective taken and held for a limited time Marines are your boys, you need that objective turned into a FOB (forward operating base) and the surrounding area patrolled scouted and secured, Army is your best bet. Both are essential cogs in the Military machine. But as we have learned it is Logistics that when any war.

Interesting post. Lots of good info, and lots of bad.

I was in Army ROTC in college, didn't get a comission due to some eye problems. But I have studied all branches of the military extensively (both for my degree,poli/sci-international security) and for my own interest.

Army V Marines....always a goodie.

They have different missions. These missions compliment each other in many ways, but they are different.

Because of this they have different training programs. However; some of the comparisons you guys are making are weird. Rangers vs Recon, Regular Marine vs Delta...come on they all have differnent training because they have different missions. Of course a a Delta operator is going to be "better"(PT training, marksmanship, etc.) then a regular marine....Just as a Marine Infantryman is going to be "better" then an Army Mechanic......

But just for reference: The following is from Wiki or the services' websites paraphrased and simplified.

The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations.

The United States Marine Corps (USMC) is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea.


The US Army has 10 Active Duty Combat Divisions, several seperate combat brigades and Regiments, and a further 8 Combat Divisions of the National Guard that can be called up, for a total force of 20+ Combat Divisions. An army division has 4 combat maneuver brigades (a combo of either light infantry/airborne; Stryker, and Heavy), an aviation brigade, and a support brigade, until 2007 engineer and artillery brigades were included, but these units are now attached directly to every maneuver brigade. At least one Division, the 82nd Airborne (with 4 parachute infantry brigades), and several seperate units; the 75th Ranger Regiment, the 173rd Airborne Brigade, and the 4th Brigade Combate Team (Airborne) of the 25th Infantry Division are capable of strategic or tactical forced entry operations (Airborne Insertion) although there is generally only enough Airlift available to drop about three brigades at one time. The 101st Airborne (air assult) is also capable of forced entry operations, but at more of a tactical level as it's two helicopter brigades must have a reasonably close place to stage from.

At least 5 divisions are fully or more than 50% heavy armored formations (1st Armored, 1st Cavalry, 1st Infantry, 2nd Infantry , 3rd Infantry) equiped with M1Abrams, M2 Bradley, M109 and MLRS SP Artillery, etc.). Other divisions are light or have the wheeled Stryker Brigades, or a mix of the three.

The US Marine Corp has 3 Combat Divisions. They are roughly the same size as an Army Division, but organized much differently. Only about 25% of the Divisions are "armored" with M-1 Abrams, LAV-25 wheeled armored Vehicals, and AAV7 armored amphibous landing craft. The rest of the Marine Division is regular Marine Infantry (light infantry if comparing to the army) and artillery. Marine Aviation is not directly attached to the division, but is partialled out as needed. The 3rd Marine Division is greatly stripped down compared to the 1st and 2nd divisions (many of its units serve with the latter). The Marines also have one reserve division spread across the US (Marine Reserve), although it is unlikely it form as an actual division and would likely provide seperate units to support the other Marine Divisions or round out the 3rd Division. Total combat strength: 4 combat divisions..sort of.

The Navy has enough sealift to actually land one full division plus if needed. Typically, the at sea Marines are Marine units selected from the divisions to be temprarily attached to a MEU (marine expedition unit) a heavily reinforced battalian afloat. Usually two to three are at sea at a given time. The rest of the Marines would deploy primarily by Air Force Airlift or Civil Reserve Airfleet (drafted airliners). Of course they have to split those with the Army and the USAF itself. The Marines have the least amount of support units, as much of their support comes from the Navy.


Because of it's smaller size, and expeditionary outlook, the Marines have a longer and more stringent Basic Training for all of its members then the other services. However; the actual course of schooling a Marine Infantryman and an Army Infantrymen gets is relatively similar, even if the Basic training is different. There is a little bit more specialization in Army Infantry, as there is light infantry, Airborne and Air Assault Infantry, Mechanized Infantry, Stryker Infantry, Armored Cavalry Scouts, etc. Each has slightly different training. Marine Infantry (unless Recon or light armored reconnasance is basicly the same across the board).

Each service has it's own special forces, with their own training needs.

Hope that helps.