[righttackle44]

"The Army succeeded and the Marines did not."

BS, friend. My cousin was badly wounded in the
second battle of Fallujah, and my son was in
Ramadi at the time of the first election.

They told me the difference between Marine
and Army doctrine is this: the Marines engage
immediately. The Army is trained to withdraw
and wait for support. My son was called on to
rescue the Army units a lot. AND, the Army
couldn't even get the Marine's meals to them
because the Army thought the area was too hot.

Don't be telling OUR family about the effectiveness
of the Army.

(I have not served. My tagline honors my son and my cousin.)

[jwalsh07]

My family is divided between Army, Navy and Marine Corps and almost every one of us served. Your characterization of the Army is, in a word, bullshit.

In the Army, we are trained to close on and kill the enemy. We were not trained to be manservants for the Marine Corps. So somebody isn't telling you the truth and when the hell did right tackles start wearing #44?

[RobbyS]

Maybe the area WAS too hot.

[SE Mom]

I'm grateful beyond words to the marines, the army, navy, air force and coast guard.

My son served in Iraq- he's a combat soldier in the 101st AB. What he told me was- when you're in battle and in a war zone- you're damn glad to have marines and soldiers by your side and at your back.

The finer distinctions between the branches I leave up to those who have, and do, serve. I'm a civilian. Period.

[Eagle Eye]

The marines in Fallujah stole so much from hte px that they had to rearrange the store and post "No Shoplifting" signs. They didn't have to do that when the 82nd was there.

As far as resuing Army units, you have to remember who your source is. Also, in Al Anbar, most of the Army would have been transportation units on convoy. The USMC would have been the closest support available.

You might not want to hear about the conversations the young marines in Fallujah and Taqqadim had that I was privy to. Things about playing with body parts and 'bowling balls'...do you really want me to continue?

I got to deal with all four branches and assorted SF units. I don't have a problem saying who were the worst, who treated contractors the worst, and who behaved the worst.

The few and the proud have a great PR department but that is the best part of them.

[glaseatr]

I can not attest to what your family has told you. I know that 2/5 Cav, 1st Cav Div. had to deal with the Baghdad slum of Sadar City. The place make Fallujah look like a paradise. Not once did the Cav run from a fight.

May God bless your Son and Cousin. I honor them greatly for what they had done.

[R. Scott]

They told me the difference between Marine and Army doctrine is this: the Marines engage immediately. The Army is trained to withdraw and wait for support.

That was – and might still be – the difference in doctrine.
Way back in Viet Nam I was evaced to the hospital at Phu Bai. In my ward were two other Soldiers, one Sailor and the rest were US Marines – all from the same platoon. I asked a young Marine what happened and he told me that they had assaulted a machine gun position with fixed bayonets. I asked why they didn’t just hold for a few minutes and bring in artillery or armor support. He replied that no one can withstand a Marine bayonet charge.
I asked how the entire platoon ended up here. His reply?
“I guess the NVA never went to Marine Boot Camp and didn’t know how badassed we are. They didn’t run.”

Charging in immediately is useful in some situations. Waiting for support is also useful in some situations.