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Subject: Marine Special Ops
ZachM    11/30/2004 5:09:22 PM
I often hear a lot about the Navy SEALs and how elite they are as a Special Force. Aren't the Marines a Special Force as well? Don't they operate with Special Force units? Because, the Marines and the SEAls have a lot in common. They both operate land, air and sea, they both work directly for the President of the United States, the Marines, however, are always the first ones called in when our country is under attack. The Marines are nick-named both the nation's 9-1-1 force and the tip of the spear of America. I never hear anyone ever refer to the Navy SEALs with those kind of terms or names. The best name I'ver hear the Navy SEALs with is "The Elite." Certain things make me think that in a lot of cases, the Marines are just as elite of a force as the Navy SEALs. The SEALs also downgrade the Marines by claiming they're the ones who operate all three land, air and sea, and supposedly have "The most intensive military training known to man." The Marines might not be a real Special Force (except for the Recons), but they're certainly the most elite among the Air Force, Army, and Navy.
 
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neo_phuture    RE:Marine Special Ops   11/30/2004 5:48:26 PM
"I often hear a lot about the Navy SEALs and how elite they are as a Special Force. Aren't the Marines a Special Force as well? Don't they operate with Special Force units? Because, the Marines and the SEAls have a lot in common." Marines are not considered special forces, they are another branch of the military, however, i believe Force Recon is part of Special Operations Command. "They both operate land, air and sea, they both work directly for the President of the United States, the Marines, however, are always the first ones called in when our country is under attack." The marines have fixed and rotery wing assets, as well as ships operated by sailors, so in a sence, they do operate in land, air and sea. I'm also not sure what you mean by how the the Marine Corps works directly for the president, as they fit right under the department of the navy under the department of defence. And contrary to popular beliefs, the marines are not always the first ones sent in. For example, some crisis arose in the Ivory Coast I believe, (or maybe it was Cote d'Ivoire), but in this case, a regiment from the 82nd ABN was sent first. Also, the Navy SEALs are used differently than the USMC. Even between Force Recon units and SEALs, there's still a difference in operation. SEALs are typically used for short strike missions and sent on raids to collect information and such, while Force Recon units may be left in the field for weeks to gather intelligence (they were sent in a few weeks before the war in iraq officially began).
 
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ZachM    RE:Marine Special Ops   11/30/2004 6:12:03 PM
When I say the Marines work directly for the President, I mean they are the ones called in to go rescue him if he's ever attacked or taken by enemy forces (just like the SEALs are called upon to do). Working directly for the President is also why the Marines can be deployed anywhere in the world within a 24 hour notice (Again, just like the SEALs). http://www.usmilitary.com/marines.html has some good information about the Marines.
 
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neo_phuture    RE:Marine Special Ops   11/30/2004 7:26:57 PM
If the president was ever in danger, and he needed to be rescued by the military, It would most likely be the Delta force as they specialize in hostage rescue. Delta Force is part of the army, not marine corps
 
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USN-MID    RE:Marine Special Ops   11/30/2004 8:12:48 PM
Where do SEALs put down Marines in any seriousness? Intraservice rivalry and ribbing doesn't count. Intraservice banter is meant for those in the service...if you're not in it, you're going to misunderstand. When I call my Marine buddies jarheads, I don't in any seriousness think they're actually stupid. In the same way, when they call me a Navy slob, they don't actually consider me jacked up. And I doubt the President would be rescued by the Marines...they're not really trained in hostage rescue/CQB to the extent Delta or SEALs are.
 
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rikopotomous    RE:Marine Special Ops   12/1/2004 1:28:49 AM
rofl, my father was in the 101st 1956-7 and they had a battle group rdy to be anywhere in the world in 36 hours. They had all their gear packed and rdy to go if they got called on so they just had to put it on and theyd be rdy to go in a few and could get anywhere on earth max 36 hours make a full combat jump and fight. now it wouldnt be like that for a full scale war but you'll get the sense from this story. One time my fathers battle group (they called them battle groups when he was in and they were called PIR parachute infantry regiment in WWII) was on alert when Nixon (VP at the time) was down in Panama or some country down there visiting and there was a riot outside the building he was in and ppl were almost over the walls so they put them on alert and they were on the tarmac waiting for planes to come get them to fly em down to Panama and he was wondering if he was gonna get shot by some sp*^ up in a palm tree but it all blew over and they called it off. point of all this is the entire U.S. military is commanded by the president and different branches have different strengths. If you wanna capture and hold an island and ocean then you go with the marines and navy. If youre going into a 2 month slug fest with a Heavy Corps on the plains of Europe I wanna be rolling in an Abrams with V corps and endless air support from the AIR FOREST i mean FORCE.
 
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ZachM    RE:Marine Special Ops   12/1/2004 1:36:02 PM
Okay, look, I'm sorry for the misconception I caused here. I think it's just a mentality I have about the Marines. Both my parents were Marines. Father was a Marine for 15 years, Mother was a Marine for 8 years. I think it's just a mentality they installed in my head to get like this. It's something I need to control. However, Marines are actually somewhat trained in the area of hostage rescue. Many Marines have rescued several POWs and even taken suspected terrorists into custody. Maybe not the Marines alone, but I'm sure if called upon the Recon Marines could rescue the President if he ever needed it. I am 15 right now, when I turn 17, I plan on enlisting in the Marines. I need a bit of action in my life. Even if that action means getting my head blown up while over seas due to an M16 Rifle or bazooka. LOL, that was a joke, but it's not like being in the military can promise it won't happen. Being in the military can almost ensure it can happen anywhere any time.
 
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ZachM    RE:Marine Special Ops   12/1/2004 1:43:11 PM
I never even metioned the Delta Force. But, now that you bring it up, to be honest, I never knew the Delta Force was owned by any Armed Force (as the SEALs are Navy, the Recons are Marines, the Airbourne and Snipers are Army). I always thought the Delta Force was it's own military. Thank you for that piece of information. I'll remember it.
 
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devildog683    RE:Marine Special Ops   12/1/2004 5:34:24 PM
"I'm also not sure what you mean by how the the Marine Corps works directly for the president, as they fit right under the department of the navy under the department of defence." The Marine Corps is the only force the President can send into a conflict without going through congress. Ever heard the phrase "the Presidents own"?
 
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neo_phuture    RE:Marine Special Ops   12/1/2004 8:54:25 PM
Yes, I am familiar with that phrase. The presidnet can send any branch to an over-sea conflict without the approval of congress up to 90 days.
 
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USN-MID    RE:Marine Special Ops   12/2/2004 2:52:26 AM
Aviation assets can, and routinely HAVE been used without Congressional approval. Remember all those airstrikes on Iraq during the Lewinsky scandal? Subs are essentially ALWAYS out doing things they're not supposed to be doing on the NCA's order.
 
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