So the common theme on the Internet is that Marines have better Espirt De Corps, are way tougher and much more elite.

While it is not true that Marines are by default anymore fit for a gun battle than their Soldier brethren, it does seem like they, at least on this message board, have higher morale, or a sense of identity.

Now perhaps I am just mistaken. Maybe their morale is actually arrogance and hostile attitude being used as a defense mechanism to protect them from feeling inadequate or some other negative attribute.

Marines aside, my question is, what is the reality of the Army Espirt De Corps? Is there as strong a sense of brotherhood? If it is not as strong as the Marines, then why not?

They say there are no ex Marines. Are there ex soldiers really? Perhaps Soldiers just don't advertise as Marines do.

Does the Army really have a more sense of self and individuality, where as the Marines are for the greater good of the Corps at all cost?

quote:

Originally posted by krygiern88:
Is there as strong a sense of brotherhood?

The people I'm closest to in my forty-one years on this earth are my infantry brothers.

I don't really have any identity of being a Soldier. I do as an Infantryman, though. I feel closer to a Marine 0311 than I do a Soldier outside combat arms. The Army is much larger than the Marine Corps, so I think you'll find sub-identities more than an esprit de corps throughout the branch. People identify with tankers or infantry or MP or medics or Rangers or Airborne or SF...etc. It's not about the branch in the Army.

I identify with the infantry, not the Army. I didn't really care much for the Army. I loved the infantry.

Who has a stronger sense of brotherhood is irrelevant to me. I know what I have.

I'm with PepeLep on this one, sans the Infantry. Although I would do anything for my fellow soldiers and servicemen/women I feel a deeper sense of brotherhood with my fellow FISTers more than most anything else, followed by my belonging with the Artillery branch. Don't ever make a mistake here though, I am very proud to be serving in the Army, I've just never felt an overwhelming sense of Espirit De Corps within it.

I think the difference is kinda what the other two guys said...It seems like Marines identify with their service first and their MOS/unit second...for me...I'm a Redleg first and a Army soldier second.

The US Marines are Elite because they think they are.

There are units within the US Army that are just as tough, just as well trained, and just as elite as the Marines. It's because the Soldiers in those units think they are elite, and strive to be so.

I've been in battalion size units that were just as disiplined, and had esprit de corps as high. One was an artillery BN in Germany during the Cold War. Because of our mission, we knew we were a prime target for the Soviets. Knowing stuff like that makes you train hard, train frequently, and puts a little swagger in your step. BAck when they still had the ARTEP, our BN scored higher than any onther artillery BN in USAEUR.

1/9 Infantry in Korea was another such unit. Because of the history behind our regiment, we trained differently than the other units I have been in. We were physically and mentally tougher. We did more tactical marching in that BN than I have done in any other Infantry unit, and doing it across those hills in Korea increased the suck factor quite a bit. The payoff though, was when you completed the "Manchu Mile," which was in fact 25 miles, you became part of a tradition that went back to the regiments founding in 1798.

So...

To sum it up, the Marines are elite because they want to be. There are units within the US Army that are just as elite, because they want to be.

It's all in your attitude.

And, to echo what my brethern have said...

After 24 years, and five different career fields, if you ask me what I DO for the Army, I'll say "I'm a Nurse now."

But if you ask me what I AM, I'll say "I'm an old Infantryman."

This message has been edited. Last edited by: IronErik,

Understood. So what it comes down to is a good marketing department for the Marines. Ha.

In all fairness, I will say this. In a two month period my wife and I visited Quantico and Fort Knox.

The gates at Knox are staffed by civilian contractors - not surprisingly denegraded as "Federal Rent A Cops". One waddled over to my car, checked my ID and waved us through with barely a grunting noise.

On the other hand, the Marine on duty at Quantico popped to attention walked over to our vehicle saluted me, said "Good morning maam" to my wife and made sure we had the right directions for where we were going. Even my wife noted the differences.

quote:

I think the difference is kinda what the other two guys said...It seems like Marines identify with their service first and their MOS/unit second...for me...I'm a Redleg first and a Army soldier second.

True that. Marines are Apple, the Army is a PC. Both do what they are supposed to do and both have their fans.

I'm not a soldier yet but wouldn't comparing marines and soldiers to macs and pc's like in the commercial make the Marines better. I'm not trying to make a joke or be rude but I'm just saying...

quote:

Originally posted by 22195879:
I'm not a soldier yet but wouldn't comparing marines and soldiers to macs and pc's like in the commercial make the Marines better. I'm not trying to make a joke or be rude but I'm just saying...

So, what's your point junior?

quote:

I'm not a soldier yet but wouldn't comparing marines and soldiers to macs and pc's like in the commercial make the Marines better. I'm not trying to make a joke or be rude but I'm just saying...

this is actually a really good analogy i think, because in the Mac commercials the Mac is better than the PC but in reality there are a lot more PC's out there and a lot of people swear by them. One isn't necesarilly better than the other, they are both good at slightly differnet things.

the first personal computer I worked with was a MAC in 1980 or 81. I think it was around then.
They were a pain in the assets.
That descibes the MC real good, old style and a pain in the azz.

Haha yea. Is it bad that I like PC better?
Its more versatile, and I enjoy programming.

Hi, I'm the Army, and I'm a PC.

quote:

the first personal computer I worked with was a MAC in 1980 or 81. I think it was around then.
They were a pain in the assets.
That descibes the MC real good, old style and a pain in the azz.

Mac/USMC are also really good at advertising themselves, even though they are the smaller part of the market/armed forces.

quote:

Originally posted by IronErik:
But if you ask me what I AM, I'll say "I'm an old Infantryman."

Being a vet comes up a lot at my job. I'd say a quarter or a third of the people I work with were in the military.

Sometimes when we have a Veteran's Day service or something, guys (and gals) will walk around asking,"What did you do in the military?"

I don't think I've ever answered that question with,"I was in the Army," or,"I was a soldier."

I was an Infantryman. That's what I always say. That's who I am.

Actually, I was an SK3 in the USNR and a collateral duty MA. I actually did that more years than I was in the Army. I usually don't bring that up unless I'm talking to a sailor, though.

I have kind of a checkoff list of who I'd back in a bar fight. I haven't been in one in twenty years, but the list probably hasn't changed.
1. Infantrymen (branch doesn't matter) against anybody
2. Combat arms against any non-combat arms
3. Soldiers against any other branch or civilians
4. Marines against any sea or air service
5. Service members (any branch) against civilians
6. St. Louis Cardinal fans against any other team

Ditto

4 years as a Grunt,
6 years as an MP,
10 years as a Ammo Specialist(NG)
People ask what I did in the Army? I proudly tell them Airborne Infantry, or I was a Grunt in the 82nd Airborne Division.
The license plate on my truck? ABNGRNT.

My Dad was a Grunt.

My Son was a Grunt.
My daughter in law's plate? LVMY11B.

quote:

My daughter in law's plate? LVMY11B.

I didn't know she loved me. That changes things...

Ditto spent 20+ in, always I'm Airborne- never say in the Army unless they ask!

I think it's not only the advertising for the Marines, it's the training too. In Marine basic training, they really pound it into your head that you are one of the most powerful beings on the planet. They make you think you are invincible. I don't know for sure, but that's what I have heard from marines I have talked to.

I guess I will find out soon, I am leaving for Army basic training in October and my brother is leaving for Marine basic training in February. I am sure we will have many interesting discussions afterward!