Question for military buffs
 

I was debating with someone the other day......who do you all think has done the most for this country, the Marine Corp or the U.S. Army?

I'm partial to say the U.S. Army has but for some reason I think the Marine Corp has. Take into consideration that the continental army was not the U.S. army and neither was the army of the confederate states during the civil war.

The Coast Guard

They're too busy stealing yay-yo from the Columbians and keeping Cubans from coming ashore.


Seriously, they're some of the laziest service people out there. You realize they're only getting about 15% of all the drugs that come in the county. Thats just a piss poor effort. And with the addition of the department of homeland security......they oughtta be able to concentrate more on stopping the drug runners down here. Instead, they're busy working on their tans. :rolleyes:

Re: Question for military buffs
 

Thats a tough one... War of 1812 was the Army; Barbary Pirates was the Marines; Peking was the Marines; Spanish-Ameican War mostly Marines; Mexican-Ameican War mostly Army; WW1 was the Army; WW2: Marines-Pacific, Army-Europe; Korea was both; Veitnam was both; Iraq 1 would be a weighted to Army; Afghanistan both (but mostly Army now); Iraq 2 would be again weighted more to the Army... but if you include the Union Army well then...

In the end I'd have to say the US Army, because while the Marines may have garnered some great victories it's the Army that has in reality put the boots on the ground and handled the long-drawn out slugging matches as well as the aftermath of the Marine's victories.

Re: Re: Question for military buffs
 

I'd love to see you say that to a Marine's face. :)

Re: Re: Re: Question for military buffs
 

Oh I have... along with some other choice comments - but then usually we're drunk by then and it devolves into inter-army trash talk ;)

Re: Re: Question for military buffs
 

Name some long drawn out slugging matches that the army has handled that the marines were not either the 1st to fight or apart of.

Besides, you're not even American. http://greatmanjohn.com/forums/style...efault/852.gif

Re: Re: Question for military buffs
 

Overall, I'd have to agree, but that's not to take anything away from the Marines.

Here's my logic.

The Army not only has won it's share of battles, but has also been the garrison force put in place for the long haul after the battles are won.

Marines are more often light assault forces, trained in a particularly tough battle problem, but don't have the size to be the occupying force.

They also have better public relations. And the women love the Dress Blues.

Bottom line...I'm pretty damned glad we have both.

ETA: The following posted while I was writing the above.

Name some long drawn out slugging matches that the army has handled that the marines were not either the 1st to fight or apart of.

Besides, you're not even American.

The answer, as Rob pointed out above is almost any campaign in the European or desert campaigns in World War II.

And I am an American, but you don't have to be one to study history.

Re: Re: Re: Question for military buffs
 

Being the 1st to fight isn't always the hard part...

War of 1812 - they handled it; just not all that well (oops, guess well have to paint over the burn marks)
Civil War - if it's considered who do you think the Union Army was?
World War One - by it's nature a slugging-match (though it was nice of them to show up eventually)
World War Two - the North African, Itallian, and Northern Europe campagins
Iraq 2 - well they're there now, and it looks like it's going to be a long haul

Re: Re: Re: Re: Question for military buffs
 

On the other hand, we wouldn't have had to bother at all if you Commonweath guys could have handled the situation...

(One cheap shot deserves another)

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Question for military buffs
 

I think it was being handled - but the US entry in into the war was like sending in a fresh fighter to replace an exhausted one: France (they where pretty much done after Vedrun and all the holding actions - 1.4 million dead troops will do that). In the end I think that the allies would have won, but not for another 3 years if the US hadn't gotten involved...

Well, basically besides the War ? With Canada, WWII was Army in the European Theater towards Germany, and The Marines and Navy Were in the Pacific on the way to Japan.

WWI was Army.

Koerean Police Action was Army and a combo of the reast.

Viet Nam, Army, Marine infiltration and Air Force Bombing.

So just who in the hell cares when People are being Killed?

Oh Smart Ass, The Invasion of Europe. Argone Forest, Battle Of Flanders Field.

Before YOU shoot of your Mouth, get your shit together!

Oh, For cashoutmoney who hasnt done shit in his life but bitch and be a true fuc*!

Re: Re: Question for military buffs
 

I have to disagree with your statements. Marines has important factors on the victory, thus the "Hall of Montezuma" on the USMC Hymn is refering to.

Marines conquer enemy, Army occupy land. This says everything.

Semper Fi.

Re: Re: Re: Question for military buffs
 

Yes the Marines have the "Halls of Montezuma" to remind them of the action in that conflict - but again when you look at the whole of the campaign, and you look at the number of engagements fought by Marines and fought by the Army - including the number of troops committed to action in those engagements you'll find it weighted more towards an Army affair than a Marine affair - engagements, troops, victories and such.

Re: Re: Re: Question for military buffs
 

Let's be honest. The Army has done its fair share of conquering as well.

The question here isn't who is bigger and tougher, but rather over the course of history who has been "more important."

I am a great admirer of both, but due to physical size and mission, the Army has played a bigger part in my estimation.

If you take into account the corps of engineers and a lot of the homeland projects over the past 150 years, I think that the Army wins hands down.

If the Army and the Navy
Ever look on heaven's scenes...
They will find the streets are guarded
By United States Marines! :D

Re: Question for military buffs
 

Having dated guys in both branches of the service, I have to give my vote for the Marines. Way better kissers, and...etc. ;)

And HELL YEAH to the comment about the Dress Blues!

Semper Fi, absolutely.

(on a more serious note, I'm not willing to give credit for the Army Corp of Engineers - anyone who's seen how those idiots screwed up the Kissimmee River in FL should agree)

http://www.defenselink.mil/multimedi...e/afsymbol.gif

Just remember, whoever controls the sky WILL win the war.

As regards Army v. Marines, it not a question of which is better or has done more for the nation. The Army and the Marines have somewhat different missions and both do a hell of a good job. This question is like trying to compare apples and oranges. For my money we need to recognize both services as the superb professionals they are. Inter-service questions are best settled by Soldiers and Marines over a few drinks. This usually results in a few bruises and black eyes, but God help the guy who wants to take on either or both.
dekeguy
Captain, USAR

I'll buy the next round, sir!

Ah, a comment from the boys in baby blue. Let us all remember that the Air Farce is the best alternative to military service.

(Sorry, couldn't help the comment slipping out. Your turn now.)

Don't hate us because we were smart enough to break away from the Army, and fix all the crap that was wrong with it!

Also, remember what you just said next time you need immediate air support to blow up those bad guys just out of your (puny, land-based weapon) range.

Glad to let you buy the next round if you will let me buy the one after that. Having been bailed out of a tough spot or two by the USAF I hope you understand that my comments are meant as friendly barbs to well respected brothers in arms.
dekeguy

But of course, where would we be without picking on eachother???

Last time I checked, we all pledge to protect and defend the Constitution...

Glad to let you buy a round...as a wise officer once told me, "Never turn down a chance to take a Captain's money" ;)

Was that a coin I just heard drop??? :D

I remember a night where we were in a bar in New Orleans and a bunch of guys from the several services were getting closer and closer to a right royal punch up. Then one guy yelled, Hay, whats wrong with this picture. We need to concentrate on our mutual enemy, the State Department! We all broke up laughing and drank happily for the rest of the evening.

Great stuff!

All the people I've met in the Army or in the Air Force have said how much more they respect Mr. AXiD670 for being a Marine...their eyes usually get wider and they get quieter. "Oh, he's a MARINE!" they say, rather sheepishly. :) It's funny to watch.

The USMC is over 229 years of romping, stomping, hell, death and destruction. The finest fighting machine the world has ever seen. We were born in a bomb crater, our mother was an M-16 and our father was the devil.

Each moment that I live is an additional threat upon your life. I am a rough looking, roving soldier of the sea. I am cocky, self-centered, overbearing, and I do not know the meaning of fear, for I am fear itself. I am a green, amphibious monster made of blood and guts who arose from the sea, festering on anti-Americans throughout the globe. Whenever it may arise, and when my time comes, I will die a glorious death on the battle field, giving my life to mom, the Corps, and the American flag.

We stole the eagle from the Air Force, the anchor from the Navy, and the rope from the Army. On the 7th day, while God rested, we over-ran his perimeter and stole the globe, and we've been running the show ever since. We live like soldiers and talk like sailors and slap the hell out of both of them. Soldier by day, lover by night, drunkard by choice, MARINE BY GOD!!!



I believe this says it all.
Good night, Chesty, wherever you are.

Hahahahahahah!!!!

Too funny. :D :) :D :) :D :)

Is Mr. AXiD670 also known as mightymike?

-Rudey

Probably not.

Probably not Jarhead either.

(I once met a Delt Alum who was a retired Marine Aviator. His name was Major James Kirk. Of course that means that prior to that he was Captain James Kirk.)

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Question for military buffs
 

F the French. Bunch of cats.
(I'd be more explicit, but not while wearing my letters.)

I never used to give much thought to the armed forces. Then came the day when there were many unclaimed cars in the train station parking lots and my neighbors simply *vanished* from the upper floors of the twin towers. I now cheer the men and women who put on a uniform and fight to keep this country free.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Question for military buffs
 

Yeah you wouldn't want to associate ignorant French bashing with your letters :rolleyes:

>>> BUMP >>>

Okay how about another question that might not be so "partisan" for some ;)

What do you consider the most moving/powerful war memorial? Which is the most moving one nationally, and which is the most moving one on foreign soil?

To me, it's the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington. Although I was too young to serve in Nam, visiting it for the first time was very emotional for me. The sight of over 50,000 names on a black granite wall, all of whom are dead or missing in action will not hesitate to bring a tear to my eye. (I served in the military during the closing years of the Cold War.)

I'd say one of the most moving memorials on foreign soil would be the military cemeteries in Europe; there's one in Hamm, Luxembourg where General Patton is buried.

Well for me the most powerful and moving national memorial (in Canada) is the National War Memorial - the size and weight of the figures and arch, as well as the tomb of the unknown soldier at it's base serve to remind all who pass/see it.
http://www.harrypalmergallery.ab.ca/.../natwarmin.jpg

As for a memorial on 'foreign' soil it has to be the Vimy Memorial - it is massive, surounded by the still visible scars of the Great War... but most impressive to me is the artist beauty and power of it.
http://www.harrypalmergallery.ab.ca/...myswcenmin.jpg
The twin pylons of the Vimy Memorial represent the two nations of Canada and France. The large park on which the memorial is situated was given by France to Canada in perpetuity. The battle of Vimy Ridge in April 1917 was a Canadian success story. While the memorial is located at the site of the Battle of Vimy Ridge it specifically commemorates the 60,000 Canadians who died in the Great War. The names of 11,285 Canadians who died in France and have no known grave are inscribed around the base of the memorial.

In fact following the fall of France there were rumors that the Germans were tearing down or defacing WWI War Memorials - so Hitler had a series of photos of him taken at the Vimy Memorial and had them sent to various papers, along with his orders threatening to shoot any man who desecrated the site.


As for a US memorial (since most of you are familiar with these) - mine isn't the Vietnam Memorial... it's the Korean War Memorial nearby- the patrol of life-sized figures advancing through the grass, with the ghostly sillouttes of men & women overlooking the figures from the wall behind is haunting... made even more so at night when the lighting enhances the effect (wish I could of found a good photo of that).
http://www.triway.k12.oh.us/tjhs/Korean.jpg

Concur. Because I knew some of the people listed there. I'll leave it at that.

oh my

Actually, I have Three.

1. WW I Memorial in Kansas City, the only one in the world. Has been restored to former glory with more artifacts added to it with more space.

It is a very tall Tower with a flame on the top setting on a high bluff over looking Kansas City.

2. The Marine Memorial in Arlington is awesome. Had an Uncle with 13 Purple Hearts from the Pacific Campign.

3. Haveing just seen the 3/4 traveling Wall of Viet Nam is very stiring. Knew people there and had a cousin wounded there. It is very Heart wrenching.

Any Memorial to any and all fighting Men/Women should be reviered for and by all of us!


Lest I forget any of the USA Civil War Memorials and I have been to a lot, one is Gettysburg. What an awesome overall place thinking about what happened there, the Men from America who were killed there from bot sides dieing for what they beleived in.