Chaos has erupted in Iraq as a gang of bloodthirsty ISIS commandos attack the US Embassy.
Wielding assault rifles, improvised explosives, and lethal machetes, they lead a cunning assault
that takes the guards by surprise and puts the diplomats and embassy staff inside at
risk of a terrible fate.
But just when things start looking hopeless, salvation arrives: An elite thirty-man platoon
swoops in, routing the attackers and putting them down with some well-placed shots from
their assault rifles, while another among their numbers lays down a hail of suppressing
fire with his M240 bravo.
The day is saved by this crack team of US military operatives, but all this raises one
question: Was that the Marines or the Army?
You might have heard the terms ‘Army’ and ‘Marines’ used interchangeably in
movies or on TV, but the Marines and Army are two entirely different entities.
Heck, they’re not even in the same military branch!
Whether you call them Jarheads, Devil Dogs, or Leathernecks, there’s a lot more to the
USMC than you probably know.
So let’s give our boys in scarlet and gold a Semper Fi, an OORAH, and plenty of yummy
crayons, as we find out exactly what makes the United States Marines different from the
regular army.
There are way more differences than you think!
With over a million members serving in active duty, the US has one of the largest militaries
on the planet, divided into six distinct branches.
There’s the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, the Coast Guard, the Space Force (yes, really),
and, of course, the United States Marine Corps, or USMC.
Most of the time, it’s pretty easy to deduce the general function of each military branch
from its name alone; the Air Force, for example, specializes in aerial warfare.
Then there’s the Navy, which wouldn’t be out of place patrolling the seas in large,
heavily armed ships.
The Marines don’t feel quite so obvious - From name alone, you might correctly assume
they conduct missions at sea.
But hold on, isn’t that what the Navy’s for?
Yes, but that’s because the Navy and the US Marines often work hand in hand, with the
Marine’s primary job being conducting amphibious operations- something no other branch of the
US military can do.
The missions the US Marines are sent on typically involve landing on a hostile piece of beachfront
property, and kicking the current proprietors out- permanently.
But you’ll also find Marines hundreds of miles inland- doing the same job you’d expect
the Army to do.
Sounds confusing right?
Don’t worry, when you break it down it makes much more sense.
The Army’s purpose is acting in defense of the United States, typically by completing
missions that take place primarily on land against hostile forces that have acted against
the national security interests of the US.
So, the Marines are, in essence, the Army for the Navy.
Or, if you prefer to think of it like this, you can imagine them as a smaller and more
pinpointed hybrid of both these branches - with the training and equipment to conduct missions
on land and at sea.
While Marines need to be prepared for any type of mission, wet or dry, the Army is only
tasked with duties that take place on solid ground, although it’s not uncommon for the
different specialized branches of the US military to work together collaboratively.
Joint operations like these are vital for securing objectives that call for the skills
of multiple different branches of the military.
In the case of the Marines, being a force that can operate from both land and sea, its
members can assist other military units in missions that require getting personnel from
sea to land where they may not have been previously trained to do so.
But the Marines’ other specialty is their role as a quick reaction force, United States
Marines are often referred to as ‘the tip of the spear.’
They consist of combat-ready specialized units that are trained to respond to urgent situations
and conflict operations wherever and whenever necessary.
Marine Expeditionary Units must remain prepared for combat at all times and are among the
first to respond to dangerous situations.
However, Marines aren’t meant to conduct heavy combat operations on their own- they
don’t even have tanks anymore.
This is where the Army comes in, with the Marines acting as a fast, agile, and flexible
quick-reaction force, and the Army bringing the big guns right behind them.
Although the two forces undergo different types of training, there is often room for
overlap between the Army and the Marines, and their capabilities can even complement
each other.
That being said, even though all Marines are trained to engage in amphibious warfare, very
few in the US Army are.
Most Army units are assigned a specific terrain or type of warfare to specialize in.
These can include airborne or mountainous infantry or even the famed US Army Rangers.
This is by far one of the hardest specialties to achieve, but doing so will result in a
soldier serving in the United States Ranger Regiment - an elite special operations unit
famous for conducting missions deep within enemy territory, amongst severe adverse conditions.
Meanwhile, all Marines are considered amphibious troops- but lack the type of training that
a US Army mountain division might have, for instance.
When it comes to who out of the Army or Marines is better equipped, it’s definitely the
former.
The US Army has consistently been the first of the two to receive rollouts of newer weapons.
Take the M4A1 carbine, for example.
This assault rifle is a shorter version of the M16, capable of both semi-automatic and
automatic fire.
While it’s now used by both forces, the Army was the one equipped with it first, long
before the Marines eventually adopted the weapon.
This also applies to newer weapon add-ons and attachments such as optical sights, lasers,
and hand grips.
We’ve seen this recently with the M4, as the Picatinny rails on the weapon’s receiver
and handguards make it compatible with various attachments.
This includes the M203 under-barrel grenade launcher, which is widely used by the US Marines.
Meanwhile, the Army is adopting the M320 as its primary grenade launcher, which can be
fired as a stand-alone firearm or mounted to other weapons like an M4.
The point is, the Marines do get their hands on all the fancy new firearms and attachments
eventually, it just tends to be much later than the Army.
A further difference between the Marines and the US Army is their flags and iconography.
The US has several separate flags that are each designed for specific branches of the
military.
The flag of the US Army was originally designed with the seal of the US War Office, as well
as the words ‘United States Army,’ their star emblem insignia, and the year 1775 emblazoned
over a white background.
1775 is the year in which the US Army was officially established, making it the oldest
branch of the United States’ vast military.
The official motto of the US Army is ‘This We’ll Defend’ and has been ever since
they played a pivotal role in gaining independence for the US during the Revolutionary War.
The branch has an impressive service record, being involved in nearly every major armed
conflict that the US has been a part of, either domestically or overseas.
This includes both World Wars, as well as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, the flag representing the Marine Corps has changed numerous times over the
years, largely due to it being a part of the US Navy for so long before becoming its own
distinct entity.
In fact, the modern-day incarnation of the Marines’ flag did not see use until as recently
as the twentieth century.
Their official insignia is the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor, which are all present on the current
iteration of the Marine Corps flag.
First adopted in 1955, this flag features a globe intersected by an anchor, with an
eagle standing on top of the globe with its wings spread and a ribbon in its beak.
The flag also bears the Latin phrase ‘Semper Fidelis,’ the official motto of the United
States Marines, which has become something of a legendary phrase amongst its members.
Translating to ‘Always Faithful,’ and frequently shortened to “Semper Fi,” it
can often be heard being yelled, cheered, or used as a greeting among current and former
Marines, intended to remind them of their close commitment to their comrades and nation
both.
But enough sweating the small stuff.
Let’s talk about size, duties, and operational structure.
The US Army is split into three distinct units: the Army, the Army Reserve, and the National
Guard.
As well as engaging in warfare on battlefields outside of the US, the Army also has a responsibility
to protect America domestically, meaning in times of national crisis or even invasion,
you’d be more likely to see the US Army on United States soil, while the Marines handle
things in foreign territory.
Compared to the Army, there are also a comparatively small number of Marine Corps personnel in
service.
As of 2020, there were over 180,000 Marines actively serving, with a further 32,000 in
reserves, compared to the over 450,000 active duty soldiers in the US Army, 325,000 in reserves,
and almost 177,000 active personnel in the National Guard.
These reserve forces operate in extremely similar manners across the Army and the Marine
Corps; in the case of the Army Reserves, they provide additional troops and support to the
regular Army, with many reservists serving in their spare time.
For the Marines, their reserves are expected to be ready to leave civilian life and join
their fellow Marines in combat assignments or assist in national emergencies should the
need arise.
Given that they are a smaller force that operates with fewer service members than the Army,
it’s no surprise that the Marine’s main recruiting slogan is ‘the Few and the Proud,’
emphasizing that they only accept the highest caliber of troops.
Engaging in operations on both land and sea, Marines can be found stationed at military
bases on land and aboard warships.
Marines are often tasked with protecting US naval bases, as well as the Navy’s warships
and other areas of national interest that are located near coastlines.
Members of the US Marine Corps also have a particular responsibility that the Army does
not have: They’re charged with protecting United States embassies on foreign soil.
Being the only part of the US military with this duty, the Marine Corps has its own specific
sub-group that deals with providing the heightened levels of security required for guarding American
embassies: the Marine Corps Embassy Security Group.
Another key factor that differentiates the Marine Corps and the US Army is their training
programs.
Basic training for new recruits in the US Army is roughly ten weeks long and is normally
followed up by Advanced Individualized Training, where soldiers are given additional training
to prepare them for their future specialties we mentioned earlier, whether that be a specialty
in certain environments and terrains, or specific tactics.
According to some – although certain members of the US military will disagree on this - Marine
boot camp is generally considered to be more mentally and physically challenging compared
to the Army’s basic training program or that of other US military services.
Lasting around twelve to thirteen weeks, approximately 40,000 Marine hopefuls undergo this training
every year.
Beforehand, they have to be screened, have their overall health assessed, and must pass
a fitness test in order to begin their training.
Any recruits that fail this physical examination will go on to receive individual, personalized
attention and additional training until they can pass and enter the Marine Corps.
While these processes are similar in timeframe, each training course differs based on the
routes each prospective candidate decides to specialize in.
In either case, both the Marines and the Army expect all those who enlist to complete their
basic recruitment training before they are permitted to advance into specialization training.
Where successful Army recruits go on to Advanced Individualized Training schools after their
basic training, Marine hopefuls are enrolled in Military Occupational Specialty schools.
Both the Marines and Army also receive higher education training.
Annapolis, Maryland, is the home of the US Naval Academy.
This is a university dedicated to training both male and female officers, referred to
as midshipmen, over the span of four years.
Full tuition costs are sometimes even covered if a candidate enters active duty with the
Marines directly after they graduate.
Both the Navy and Marines receive graduates from the Naval Academy, given that the Marines
operate under the Navy.
Meanwhile, over in Quantico, Virginia, you’ll find the United States Marine Corps Officer
Candidates School.
This one is slightly different, instead of offering a four-year degree course, it provides
potential candidates with either two six-week courses or the same thing condensed into one
ten-week version.
These are usually attended by those enrolled in commissioning programs aimed at college
students and graduates who have previously completed degrees prior to enlisting with
the Marines.
Any midshipmen who complete the program are entitled to receive a commission as a second
lieutenant; this will often see them placed in command of a platoon consisting of 16 to
44 soldiers, including two or more rifle squads.
Meanwhile, the Army has the United States Military Academy located in West Point, New
York.
Much like the US Naval Academy, it provides Army recruits with a separate four-year course,
one designed to prepare these students for active service following their graduation.
Also, much like the aforementioned Naval Academy, West Point will grant free tuition to anyone
who enters active military duty upon the completion of their degree.
The Army’s equivalent of the Marine’s officer training program is their own Officer
Candidate School in Fort Benning, Georgia.
This school also offers courses specifically for college graduates, and after they have
completed a vigorous twelve week course, these graduates will also be awarded the rank of
Second Lieutenant, only within the United States Army instead.
So, while their training might be different, and the courses for enlistees will also differ,
the ways in which the Marines and Army recruit and teach their prospective soldiers follow
a similar pattern.
After all, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Speaking of similarities between the two, the US Army and Marine Corps also share many
organizational elements when it comes to basic unit structure.
A platoon normally consists of three to four small squads of between 25 and 50 troops and
is usually commanded by a lieutenant.
The Army and Marines both organize their soldiers into large companies, which are typically
made up of three to four platoons.
These are then further split up into squads, and then fire teams.
Although these can vary depending on mission requirements, a typical fire team will consist
of only four members, sometimes even fewer.
Among these are an automatic rifleman, a grenadier, another rifleman, and a designated fire team
leader.
The role of the leader is to ensure that the other members of the fire team are operating
as a cohesive unit, with the rifleman acting as the primary asset for both the US Marines
and the Army.
A typical Marine Corps rifle platoon contains three rifle squads.
Each squad is led by a sergeant who has three fire teams under their command.
Then, every one of these smaller fire teams is led by a corporal, who oversees the automatic
rifleman, assistant automatic rifleman, and rifleman.
In some cases, a fire team leader will be equipped with an M16 assault rifle that has
an M203 grenade launcher attachment, allowing him to act as a quasi-grenadier.
A platoon of the US Army, however, will normally contain squads with fewer troops despite their
greater overall number of active duty personnel.
Sergeants or staff sergeants are normally the ones assigned to lead rifle squads, as
well as fire teams consisting of about four soldiers.
Army fire teams have a team leader present, and their composition can vary but typically
includes an automatic rifleman, a grenadier, and another rifleman.
One of the riflemen in each Army squad is also sometimes designated as the marksman,
specially trained to engage targets with precision fire.
In each of the Army’s platoons, given that their fire teams are much smaller, there are
usually enough troops to form an additional fire team: the infantry weapons squad.
This squad contains fire teams that are proficient in the use of the M240B machine gun and the
Javelin missile system.
The organization of these two military branches’ troops is not perfectly identical, however,
as an Army platoon will typically have a radiotelephone operator and a medic on duty.
By contrast, Marine platoons have a radio transmitter operator and a corpsman, although
these troops essentially fulfill the same functions.
The Marine Corps and US Army’s platoons also operate under the orders of commanders
who are in charge of entire companies and battalions.
These commanding officers also have heavy weapon elements at their disposal, such as
a Mortar Section.
Naturally, neither the soldiers of the US Army nor the Marines are made to occupy the
same rank or position for the entire duration of their active service.
The specialization options that are offered to both can extend well into their military
careers, should troops seek to progress and further develop their skills.
For example, one of the more challenging options that US Army soldiers can pursue is airborne
qualification, which requires a soldier to undergo a three-week course in parachuting.
This also applies to soldiers who wish to join the aforementioned Rangers, although
success isn’t guaranteed here.
This elite unit of the Army, and mainstay of plenty of action movies and Call of Duty
games, is so prestigious that they require members to graduate from a specific Ranger
School or be selected by the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program.
Or, should a soldier also be trained as a sniper, by being selected for and graduating
from a specialized sniper school.
There are also additional specialization options for US Marines who are looking to advance
in their military career.
Marines can compete to become scout snipers, who, as you can imagine, provide accurate
long-range fire support for infantrymen on the ground.
Then, there’s the Reconnaissance Marines and Force Recon Marines.
These sub-divisions are designed to track down enemy forces and then relay their locations,
troop numbers, and activities back to commanding officers.
Although the two branches have their differences, in ideal military operations, they can work
in unison to ensure that the US Military achieves even its most challenging objectives.
And to avoid that wrath being directed towards you, make sure you don’t ask a former Marine
what unit he served in during his time in the Army!
Now check out “US Special Forces vs Wagner Group - Battle of Kasham.”
Or watch “What Actually Went Wrong In Afghanistan”