US Navy vs. US Marine Corps: Differences?

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The US Navy and Marine Corps have a close relationship, but operate autonomously with their own objectives and missions. The Navy maintains a fleet for combat and humanitarian missions, while the Marines specialize in amphibious warfare and have a strong warrior ethic. They often work together, but there is rivalry with the Army over tasks.

The United States Navy (US) and the United States Marine Corps have historically enjoyed a very close relationship because the Marine Corps was originally, and continues to be, a part of the Navy. The two, however, operate autonomously, with their own chains of command, uniforms, history, objectives and missions. Although both the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps are seafarers, the Marines are often considered the infantrymen of the Navy.

During the Revolutionary War, there was some debate as to whether manning and supplying a navy was even reasonable, given the formidable naval power of the British. Eventually, the need for some sort of naval force became apparent, leading to the founding of the Continental Navy, which was later disbanded. As pirates began invading the fledgling nation’s ships, the decision was made to establish an official navy, and the service’s long history began.

Today, the United States Navy focuses on maintaining a fleet of ships, aircraft and personnel trained and ready for combat operations, protection of free passage through America’s shipping lanes, and humanitarian missions. It is headed by the Department of the Navy, a division within the Department of Defense (DOD), and has installations and active-duty personnel worldwide.

The Marine Corps originally began as an infantry branch within the Navy, designed to protect ships from mutinies and to establish beachheads during invasions. Eventually, the Marine Corps developed into its own service. While technically classified within the Department of the Navy, the Chief of the United States Marine Corps reports to the Civil Secretary of the Navy, not Navy officials, and the missions of the two forces are different.

Corps members specialize in amphibious warfare, taking pride in being trained to serve in a variety of positions to be versatile and extremely powerful. The United States Marine Corps has a strong warrior ethic and has historically developed innovative and unique approaches to warfare. Marines are also responsible for the security of the President of the United States in many locations and provide guards for US embassies, military bases and sensitive installations around the world.

The United States Navy and United States Marine Corps often work together. It is common for Marines to travel on naval vessels, deploying upon reaching their final destination, and members may train with representatives from either force, especially in the case of officers. The Navy supplies soldiers and chaplains to the United States Marine Corps, while the United States Marine Corps provides expertise and expert support to a variety of Navy operations.
Historically, there has also been some rivalry between the Army and the Marine Corps. The Army believes that the Marine Corps often performs tasks that should be performed by the Army, since the Army is supposed to be the primary military service ashore. The Marines maintain that their tactical skills in force projection on both land and sea set them apart from the Army, and the Marines have famously pioneered several Army invasions.




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